| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08668446B2 |
Supersonic compressor rotor and method of assembling same
A supersonic compressor rotor. The supersonic compressor rotor includes a rotor disk that includes an upstream surface, a downstream surface, and a radially outer surface that extends generally axially between the upstream surface and the downstream surface. The radially outer surface includes an inlet surface, an outlet surface, and a transition surface that extends between the inlet surface and the outlet surface. A plurality of vanes are coupled to the radially outer surface. Adjacent vanes form a pair and are oriented such that a flow channel is defined between each pair of adjacent vanes. The flow channel extends between an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet surface defines an inlet plane that extends between the inlet opening and the transition surface. The outlet surface defines an outlet plane that extends between the outlet opening and the transition surface that is not parallel to the inlet plane. At least one supersonic compression ramp is positioned within the flow channel to facilitate forming at least one compression wave within the flow channel. |
| US08668438B2 |
Turbine casing cooling
A turbine assembly having a bladed turbine wheel and a turbine casing (1000), extending axially of the turbine assembly, radially outwardly surrounding the tips of the blades of the turbine wheel, the casing having at least one radially outwardly extending dummy flange (2100, 2200) off which, in axial direction, one or more cooling manifolds (1100, 1200, 1300), wrapping radially outwardly around the casing, are mounted, the or each cooling manifold being adapted to receive cooling air and to discharge the cooling air radially inwardly towards the casing, for cooling the casing. |
| US08668437B1 |
Turbine engine cooling fluid feed system
A cooling fluid feed system for a turbine engine for directing cooling fluids from a compressor, through one or more impellers, and into row one turbine vanes and one or more rows of turbine blades for increasing the cooling capacity of the turbine vanes and blades. Such a configuration increases cooling capacity, which in turn increases the capacity for growth within the turbine engine, creates a larger cooling fluid to gas side pressure differential and reduces amount of bleed off of cooling fluids from the compressor, thereby increasing efficiency of the turbine engine. |
| US08668435B2 |
Ventilator
A fan (100) has a fan housing (110). The latter has an air entrance opening (120) and an air exit opening (130). It further has a swivel joint arrangement (180) having at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) that is arranged on a joint carrier (188; 188′); at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) that is journaled rotatably by means of the at least one swivel joint (145, 147, 155, 157, 165, 167, 175, 177) and, in its closed position, at least partly closes off the air exit opening (130); and at least one elastic return member (142, 152, 162, 172) that is associated with the at least one non-return flap (140, 150, 160, 170) and urges it toward its closed position. |
| US08668433B2 |
Multi-turbine airflow amplifying generator
A wind generating device employs modules each having two turbines. Each of the turbines employs two rotors coaxially aligned by a shaft associated with an in-line generator. Alternatively, the turbine employs only one rotor for low wind areas. The arrangement includes a proximal channel with a leading portion having decreasing radius toward the first rotor which acts as a collector and a following portion connecting fluidly the first and second rotor and a distal channel which is separate from the proximal channel and opens into the following portion thereby adding to the airflow to the second rotor. Downstream from the second rotor is a diffuser with a radius increasing with distance from the rotor. The modules may be stacked vertically stacked which allows for yaw responsive to wind. The modules may be mounted on a tower. |
| US08668432B2 |
Bearing arrangement having a double-row roller bearing, turbocharger and method for feeding a lubricant to the rows of rolling bodies of a double-row roller bearing
A hearing arrangement which has a double-row rolling-body bearing, in particular an angular ball bearing for a turbocharger. The rolling-body bearing has at least one outer ring and at least one inner ring between which an intermediate space for two rows of rolling bodies is formed. For reliable and disruption-free lubrication, the rolling-body bearing has a central feed opening formed on the outer ring, and at least one outlet opening, lying opposite the central feed opening, on the inner ring for a lubricant. In the vicinity of each of the rows of rolling bodies, at least one feed opening is provided on the inner ring for feeding the lubricant to the rolling bodies so that the lubricant is injected via the inner ring, and the centrifugal force during the operation of the bearing is utilized. |
| US08668402B2 |
Pipe holder
Pipe holders retain a first pipe and a second pipe having a connector cable extending through the second pipe. The pipe holder has a first retaining section that detachably holds and fixes the first pipe and a second retaining section that detachably holds and fixes the second pipe. A second retaining chamber is surrounded by an internal surface of the second retaining section. A guide section communicatively connects the second retaining chamber to outside of the pipe holder, wherein the first retaining section, the second retaining section and the guide section are made of metal, and the connector cable that extends through second pipe and has at least one end to be connected to an electronic musical instrument is guided through the guide section to the outside. A coupling section couples the first retaining section and the second retaining section, wherein the guide section is formed in the coupling section. |
| US08668401B2 |
Mascara dispensing device
A cost effective device for storing a fluid material, and controlling the amount of fluid material that will be provided on an applicator for application to a particular surface is disclosed. The device is comprised of few parts including an outer housing having a first chamber and a second chamber, a fluid insert, an applicator, and an adjustment mechanism. This makes the device cheaper to manufacture, and easy to assemble. The embodiments disclosed can be provided in a pre-assembled form to cosmetic companies and the like seeking to fill a dispenser with their fluid cosmetic products. |
| US08668399B2 |
Dual component dispensing and mixing systems for marine and military paints
A device for applying a coating includes a multi-component cartridge, a static mixing nozzle in fluid communication with the cartridge, and at least one paint applicator selected from the group including a roller, a brush, and an angled spray tip, in fluid communication with the nozzle. A method includes applying a coating to a surface with the above-described device. Another method includes applying a non-skid coating to a surface with the above-described device. |
| US08668398B2 |
Hair coloration applicator
This invention disclosed hair coloration applicator designed with a holder with two ends, at least one opening provided on each of said ends corresponding with the opening on the other end, at least one pair of coloration bars being fixed at said corresponding openings on said two ends, in which said coloration bars are made of coloring compound with a color in a specific hair color family and can be blended together to make a variety of hair color shades. The Invention allows a person to blend the right color within their hair color range since it has colors that blend together to create a variety of shades within a specific color scheme. |
| US08668397B2 |
Portable toothbrush for delivering and removing fluid
A hand-held portable electric or manual toothbrush that is capable of delivering and removing fluid while the toothbrush is being used. A fluid delivery tube delivers fluid from a clean fluid repository to the head of the toothbrush. A fluid removal tube removes used fluid from the user's mouth. The clean fluid is delivered via a pump positioned within a cavity of the toothbrush. The used fluid is removed via a vacuum positioned within the cavity of the toothbrush. This invention enables everyone, including the young, elderly, busy, healthy, sick, disabled, handicapped, and immobile, to brush anytime and anywhere. As a result, this invention would greatly improve the oral health of the general population. |
| US08668394B2 |
Ball bearing, a clutch bearing including such a bearing, and a motor vehicle fitted with such a bearing
The ball bearing (1) forms a member for transmitting an axial force and comprises an inner ring (3), an outer ring (4), balls (6) disposed in a raceway chamber (5) formed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and an annular shield (8) mounted on a radially inner edge face (32) of a first ring (3). The inner and outer rings (3, 4) are mounted with freedom to pivot mutually about a point (C1) common to the axes of symmetry (X3, X4) of the two rings. The shield (8) extends from the first ring (3, 4) to the vicinity of a portion (43) of the second ring (4) that is centered on said common geometric point (C1), and the shield (8) has an end portion (83) with a surface (831) that is a truncated sphere centered on the common geometric point (C1) or a truncated cone centered on the axis of symmetry (X3) of the first ring (3). This surface (831) is placed facing the centered portion (43) of the second ring (4) and co-operates therewith to form a gap (100) of a width (e100) that is constant during angular pivoting of the inner and outer rings (3, 4) relative to each other. |
| US08668393B2 |
Wheel hub joint unit for a vehicle
A wheel hub joint unit is provided that includes, but is not limited to a constant velocity rotary joint and a wheel bearing. The constant velocity rotary joint has a joint outer part. The wheel bearing supports a wheel hub with a double-row bearing, and the double-row bearing is disposed on the joint outer part. |
| US08668392B2 |
Rolling contact bearing
A rolling contact bearing (1) providing a radially inner ring (2) into which a shaft of a pinion unit can engage, a radially outer ring (3) which can be inserted into a cylindrical seat (4) provided in a frame (5), a plurality of rolling bodies (6) arranged between the two rings (2, 3) so as to allow the radially inner ring (2) to rotate with respect to the radially outer ring (3), and an axial locking element (10) which is mounted on a lateral annular recess obtained in the radially outer ring (3) and can be screwed to the frame (5) so as to axially lock the radially outer ring (3) within the cylindrical seat (4); an axial retaining element (37), is associated with the radially outer ring (3) and radially interferes with the locking element (10) so as to secure the locking element (10) within the annular recess (11). |
| US08668391B2 |
Multiple-row ball bearing arrangement
A multiple-row ball bearing arrangement, which has at least one inner bearing ring and at least one outer bearing ring which are coaxially disposed on a longitudinal axis. The multiple-row ball bearing arrangement also has a plurality of balls disposed between the inner and the outer bearing rings in at least one first ball row and a second ball row adjacent to the first ball row, and a first cage for guiding the balls of the first ball row and a second cage for guiding the balls of the second ball row. The first and the second cage each have a first and a second cage side ring. The first cage side ring of the first cage and the second cage side ring of the second cage are adjacent to each other and, at least in some sections, are arranged so as to overlap along the longitudinal axis. |
| US08668387B2 |
Deployable fluid collection bag and method of forming the same
Provided is a deployable, foldable fluid collection bag which may be selectively deployed as desired by the user. The bag may be configured to fit in tight spaces and be deployed to collect fluid which leaks during plumbing repairs and installations. The bag may be fabricated from a unitary piece of material and include a base, a first panel and a second panel. The first panel may be coupled to the end portions of the base and to the second panel to define a pair of opposed sidewalls and a pair of opposed end walls. |
| US08668386B2 |
Compact mobile cargo scanning system
The present invention is a self-contained mobile inspection system and method and, more specifically, improved methods and systems for detecting materials concealed within a wide variety of receptacles and/or cargo containers. In particular, the present invention is an improved method and system with a novel boom structure that reduces the weight of the boom. The single, light-weight boom of the inspection system is relatively compact in a stowed configuration and has a low height and center of gravity lending to greater maneuverability. |
| US08668383B2 |
Methods for determining wafer temperature
Methods and apparatus for wafer temperature measurement and calibration of temperature measurement devices may be based on determining the absorption of a layer in a semiconductor wafer. The absorption may be determined by directing light towards the wafer and measuring light reflected from the wafer from below the surface upon which the incident light impinges. Calibration wafers and measurement systems may be arranged and configured so that light reflected at predetermined angles to the wafer surface is measured and other light is not. Measurements may also be based on evaluating the degree of contrast in an image of a pattern in or on the wafer. Other measurements may utilize a determination of an optical path length within the wafer alongside a temperature determination based on reflected or transmitted light. |
| US08668376B2 |
Appliance for conditioning a milk-based liquid
An appliance for conditioning a liquid made of or based on milk, in particular for preparing heated liquid or a cold or heated frothed liquid. The appliance includes a tank for receiving the liquid that is to be conditioned; a closed compartment secured to the tank; and an electric device located therein for imparting a conditioning effect to the liquid. The compartment is made water impervious and washable under running water without infiltration thereof into the compartment containing the electric device. |
| US08668374B2 |
Optical semiconductor based illuminating apparatus
An optical semiconductor based illuminating apparatus includes a first unit which is disposed on an upper side of a housing and includes protrusions formed on a lower outer side of an optical member surrounding a semiconductor optical device and having an inclined surface inclined upwards from a lower edge of an optical member; and a second unit which accommodates and holds the first unit, so that it can reduce defect rate, improve assembly efficiency, and has excellent durability. |
| US08668370B2 |
Dimpled light distribution plates
Dimpled plates for light distribution and concentration are provided. Also provided are apparatus incorporating the plates as waveguides, and methods for using the dimpled plates for distributing or concentrating input light. The dimpled plates are designed to spatially distribute light from each of one or more near point light sources into a pixelated light projection using an array of reflective conical light deflection elements. |
| US08668368B2 |
Stake with illuminated ornament
An embodiment may include a stake with an elongated stake body that includes a stake top end, a stake bottom end, and a substantially rectangular portion with a width and a depth. The stake may further include an elongated transparent ornament window disposed within the stake body proximate to the stake top end which includes a portion extending at least the width and a portion extending less than the depth. The stake may further include an ornament disposed within the ornament window and an elongated illumination passage defined by the stake body that extends though the stake body from the stake top end to the ornament window. The illumination passage may have a portion abutting the ornament window having an area less than the area of the ornament window. |
| US08668361B2 |
LED-based replacement for fluorescent light source
A light source that is adapted to replace existing fluorescent tubes in an existing fluorescent light fixture is disclosed. The light source includes a plurality of LEDs mounted on a heat-dissipating structure, first and second plug adapters that mate with the florescent tube connectors of the fluorescent tube the light source is to replace, and a power adapter that converts power from a fluorescent tube ballast presented on the first and second plug adapters to DC power that powers the LEDs. The light source is powered from the output of the existing fluorescent ballast. The light source can utilize the existing metallic enclosure as a heat-radiating surface and/or direct air heat transfer from the surface of the heat-dissipating structure. |
| US08668359B2 |
Fixture for emulation of omnidirectional or directed continuous lighting
A fixture for providing omnidirectional continuous lighting comprises a light source (10). an optical system (20) adapted to concentrate, direct and shape an incident into an output slit beam, a motor (30) coupled to a revolvable part (25) of the optical system (20), thereby enabling rotation of the output slit beam, around a rotational axis (y), with such an angular velocity (φ) and in such a manner that the provided lighting appears continuous to a spectator. |
| US08668357B2 |
Luminaire with LED technology and method for obtaining said luminaire
The invention relates to a luminaire with LED technology, which comprises a power supply, wiring, a plurality of electronic components (7), a translucent or transparent closure (5), a protective housing (3) for the lighting system, and at least one electronic base plate (1) having a plurality of LEDs (2), the luminaire being characterized in that it comprises a thin film which is made of highly reflective material and is applied to at least 5% of a first surface (4a) defined by the surface of said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the electronic components (7) adjacent thereto; and/or is applied to at least 5% of a second surface (4b) defined by the inner surface of the protective housing (3) between said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the translucent or transparent closure (5). |
| US08668356B2 |
Lightweight heat sinks and LED lamps employing same
A heat sink includes a thermally conductive layer comprising at least one of fullerenes and nanotubes disposed in a polymeric host. The thermally conductive layer may be disposed on a heat sink body, which may be thermally insulating and/or plastic, and may include surface area enhancing heat radiating structures, such as fins, with the thermally conductive layer being disposed over at least the surface area enhancing heat radiating structures. A light emitting diode (LED)-based lamp embodiment includes the heat sink and an LED module including one or more LED devices secured with and in thermal communication with the heat sink. A method embodiment includes forming the heat sink body and disposing the thermally conductive layer on the heat sink body. The disposing may comprise spray coating. An external energy field may be applied during spray coating to impart a non-random orientation to nanotubes in the polymeric host. |
| US08668355B2 |
Light emitting module having heat conductive substrate
A substrate having a plurality of light-emitting elements mounted thereon is described. The substrate may be mounted in a lighting apparatus and may include a surface on which the plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted and one or more holes through which heat may be conducted from the first surface to another surface of the substrate. For example, a heat conductive and electrically non-conductive material may cover a surface of the one or more holes. According to some arrangements, the surface of the substrate may include an electrically non-conductive layer and an electrically conductive layer such that the electrically non-conductive layer is electrically isolated or separated from the electrically conductive layer. |
| US08668353B1 |
Lighting device and methods of making the same
Lighting devices are disclosed having a light-transmissive resin sheet and one or more light sources disposed within the light-emitting resin sheet. The light sources may, in some embodiments, be oriented so that a large portion of light emitted from the light sources exhibits total internal reflection within the light-transmissive resin sheet and is trapped inside the sheet. This total internal reflection may, for example, advantageously provide a more uniform light emitted from the lighting device when scattered from objects inside the sheet. Methods of making and using the lighting device are also disclosed. |
| US08668352B2 |
Light emitting module
There is provided a light emitting module including: a printed circuit board; a plurality of light emitting diode chips disposed at a distance from one another on a conductive pattern formed on a top of the printed circuit board; and a connector formed on a bottom of the printed circuit board and electrically connected to the plurality of light emitting diode chips. The light emitting diode chips and the connector are optimally arranged to ensure that the light emitting module is suitably utilized as a high-density linear light source including a great number of light emitting diode chips and emits light outward with minimum loss. |
| US08668350B2 |
Lighting system for growing plants
A lighting system includes a first LED array which includes a plurality of LED sub-arrays, and a plurality of inputs operatively coupled to a corresponding LED sub-array through a controller. The intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable in response to adjusting input signals provide by the inputs. In this way, the intensity of light emitted by the LED sub-arrays is adjustable, in response to adjusting the input signals, to drive a wavelength spectrum of the first LED array to match the action spectrum of a physiological activity of a plant. |
| US08668347B2 |
Receptacle cover
A cover for an electrical receptacle including a faceplate. The cover also includes a first transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a first power line of the electrical receptacle and a second transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a second power line of the electrical receptacle. Additionally, the cover includes a device (such as a light source, circuit, port, or sensor) in communication with the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab. |
| US08668337B2 |
System for the physiological evaluation of brain function
The OculoKinetic Device is used to test an individual to evaluate brain functions and to identify the presence of a traumatic brain injury or disease which manifests itself through abnormal ocular responses to stimuli by using the high-speed tracking of an individual's eye movements, pupil size and reactivity, eye lid position and blink parameters and optionally along with other ocular elements, i.e., eyeball pressure, temperature, blood flow, etc. The eye movement stimulus protocol uses a target that moves in any direction of the two-dimensional plane and may use a color display or geometric shapes. In addition, the stimuli can be used in conjunction with cognitive testing, balance assessment, and other non-eye tests. |
| US08668336B2 |
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems for use in ophthalmic applications
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging systems for imaging an eye are provided including a source having an associated source arm path and a reference arm having an associated reference arm path coupled to the source path, the reference arm path having an associated reference arm path length. A sample having an associated sample arm path coupled to the source arm and reference arm paths is provided. A reference arm path length adjustment module is coupled to the reference arm. The reference arm path length adjustment module is configured to automatically adjust the reference arm path length such that the reference arm path length is based on an eye length of the subject. Related methods and computer program products are also provided. |
| US08668335B2 |
Ophthalmic photographing apparatus
An ophthalmic photographing apparatus includes: an interference optical system having a light source, a splitter for splitting light from the light source into measurement light traveling toward an examinee's eye and reference light, and an optical detector for receiving combined light of the measurement light reflected by the examinee's eye and the reference light; an optical scanner arranged in an optical path of the measurement light to scan a photographing region of the examinee's eye with the measurement light; a controller for obtaining a tomographic image of the photographing region by controlling the optical scanner and processing an output signal from the optical detector; and an image processor for obtaining a combined tomographic image by combining a plurality of tomographic images corresponding to a plurality of different incident angles. |
| US08668334B2 |
Vision measurement and training system and method of operation thereof
A binocular viewer, a method of measuring and training vision that uses a binocular viewer and a vision measurement and training system that employs a computer to control the binocular viewer. In one embodiment, the binocular viewer has left and right display elements and comprises: (1) a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between the display elements and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer and (2) a control input coupled to the left and right display elements and the variable focal depth optical subsystem and configured to receive control signals operable to place images on the left and right display elements and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. In another embodiment, the binocular viewer lacks the variable focal depth optical subsystem, but the images include at least one feature unique to one of the left and right display elements. |
| US08668333B2 |
Contra-aspheric toric ophthalmic lens
An ophthalmic toric lens to be worn on an eye or implanted inside of an eye, the lens includes an anterior surface, a posterior surface, and a toric shape formed into one of the anterior and posterior surfaces, the toric shape comprising two non-spherical principle meridians each having a region within an annular area of optical zone and the region of one principle meridian being configured for producing a longitudinal ray aberration of a different sign than a longitudinal ray aberration sign from the region of another principle meridian. |
| US08668329B2 |
Printing apparatus arranged to lower, position and raise pressure elements in the printing apparatus
A printing apparatus has a path for transporting flat items in the x-direction, and allows insertion and removal of a box-shaped module along the y-direction. The box-shaped module has a pressure device that exerts pressure in the z-direction on the flat items to be transported. The x-direction, y-direction and z-direction are orthogonal to one another. The components of the box-shaped module in combination with guides of the printing apparatus cooperate to initially move the pressure device along the z-direction during insertion of the box-shaped module into the printing apparatus and to move said box pressure device opposite along the z-direction upon reaching a predetermined position. |
| US08668328B2 |
Printer including positionable printing units
A printer includes an array of rollers, an array of printing elements, and a positioning structure. The array of rollers is arranged in a first arc configuration to rollingly support a media web in a first orientation. The array of printing elements is arranged in a second arc configuration along the first orientation and movable relative to the array of rollers to selectively modify a space there between. Each respective printing element is aligned directly above one of the respective rollers to define a printing unit. A positioning structure is configured to releasably secure each printing unit at one position of a plurality of positions along the respective first and second arc configurations. |
| US08668325B2 |
Control method of liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes first liquid ejecting nozzles that eject first liquid; a second liquid ejecting nozzle that ejects second liquid which is different from the first liquid; and a control unit which performs control of ejection of the first liquid from the first liquid ejecting nozzles and ejection of the second liquid from the second liquid ejecting nozzles. The control unit has a first mode of performing control to form flushing dots by ejection from the first liquid ejecting nozzles on a recording medium, the ejection not being based on image data, form background dots by ejection from the second liquid ejecting nozzle on the flushing dots, the ejection being based on the image data, and form image dots by ejection from the first liquid ejecting nozzles on the background dots, the ejection being based on the image data. |
| US08668322B2 |
Ink composition, ink set and image forming method
An ink composition includes a compound having a structure represented by the following Formula (I), a polymerization initiator and water; wherein, in Formula (I), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; X1 represents —O— or —NH—; A1 represents —O— or —NH—; M1 represents a metal atom; and n represents an integer of from 1 to 10. |
| US08668319B2 |
Printhead assembly priming
In one example, a liquid dispensing device includes a printhead assembly having a liquid port through which liquid may move between a removable liquid container and the printhead assembly and an air port through which air may flow to and from the container. A pressure source is operatively connected to the air port to pressurize the container to push liquid from the container through the liquid port into the printhead assembly. A vent is operatively connected to the air port to vent the pressurized container to draw froth from the printhead assembly through the liquid port into the container. In another example, a method for priming a printhead assembly includes pushing liquid from a container into the printhead assembly through a liquid port and then pulling froth from the printhead assembly into the container through the liquid port. |
| US08668318B2 |
System and method for spreading ink on a media web
A leveling and spreading system has been developed that enables the speed and position of the web to be determined from a sensor on a first roller. In a duplex print process, the first roller also reduces a temperature of the media web and an ink image printed in the first side print operation to within a first predetermined temperature range. A second roller modulates the temperature of the media web and ink ejected onto the media web immediately before the web enters the leveling and spreading system to within a second predetermined temperature range to enable uniformity of the ink and web temperatures for spreading the ink in a nip formed with a third roller. |
| US08668315B2 |
Liquid ejecting apparatus
There is provided a liquid ejecting apparatus including: a main tank, a sub tank, a liquid ejecting head, a first supply channel member, a second supply channel member, and a pump device. The first liquid supply channel includes an upstream-side supply channel, and a downstream-side supply channel. The pump device includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a transfer-force applying section. The first chamber inlet is connected to a downstream-side end portion of the upstream-side supply channel. The first chamber outlet and the second chamber inlet are connected to the transfer-force applying section. The second chamber outlet is connected to the downstream-side supply channel. The first chamber outlet is provided to an upper-end portion of the first chamber. The second chamber outlet is provided to an upper-end portion of the second chamber. |
| US08668313B2 |
Liquid ejection with on-chip deflection and collection
A printhead includes a substrate, catcher, and monolithic liquid jetting structure including a nozzle and deflection mechanism. A liquid jet is ejected through the nozzle in a direction substantially parallel to a first surface of the substrate. The nozzle includes material layers formed on the first surface of the substrate. At least one of the material layers of the nozzle includes a drop forming mechanism actuated to form liquid drops from the liquid jet. The deflection mechanism is associated with the liquid jet and deflects portions of the liquid jet between first and second paths. The liquid drops formed from portions of the liquid jet following the first path and second path continue to follow the first path and second path, respectively. The catcher includes a liquid drop contact surface including a portion of the first surface of the substrate and collects liquid drops following the second path. |
| US08668307B2 |
Printing system
A printing system including an ink deposition unit that could be oriented and move along a long axis of an image segment to be printed. The system prints images occupying a number of segments of a substrate surface at a substantially shorter time than the existing printing systems operating in raster mode would print. |
| US08668304B1 |
Inkjet printing system
An inkjet printing system including an inkjet printer having a printhead and an inkjet ink in an ink tank supplying the inkjet ink to the printhead, wherein the ink tank includes a free ink compartment and a capillary media compartment vented to the atmosphere and in fluid communication with ink in the free ink compartment, and wherein the inkjet ink includes water, a self-dispersing carbon black pigment having greater than 11 weight % volatile surface functional groups, and a surfactant at a concentration of 0.10 weight percent or less, and having a static surface tension of 37.5 dynes/cm or less at 25° C. The system provides high print density and text sharpness when printed onto an ink receiving medium, and provides good performance in a bubbler-type ink tank which reduces the amount of ink trapped in the ink tank. |
| US08668303B2 |
Image recording device and method of image recording
An image recording device which includes a control unit which alternately performs, main-scannings in which the recording head is moved in the main-scanning direction while the recording head ejecting the liquid to form line images that extend in the main scanning direction and are adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction, and sub-scannings in which the recording head is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and a detection unit which detects a displacement of a mark which is formed on the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction, wherein the control unit adjusts a movement amount of the recording head which is moved in the sub-scanning direction in the sub-scannings on the basis of a detection result of the detection unit. |
| US08668298B2 |
Method to improve the print quality of an inkjet printer
In a method to improve print quality of an ink printer, ink droplets of predetermined size are ejected by an ink print head via a nozzle. A time duration is determined since a last ejection of an ink droplet. The size of a next ink droplet to be ejected is controlled depending on the determined time duration. |
| US08668291B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing metal clad facade
An apparatus and method for a metal clad facade includes a thin metal cladding having at least one edge. The facade or the object with which it is associated has at least one edge around which the metal cladding edge can be wrapped. The wrapped edge could optionally be crimped. Optionally, exposed edges of the cladding could be covered by raised bosses or ribs on the façade. Optionally, a projection or extension of the cladding, oblique to other parts of the cladding, could extend into an opening in or near a surface of the facade or its underlying object. Wrapping of at least one edge with the metal cladding provides the appearance of a more substantial metal part than if the edge were not wrapped and provides for a more securement and durable attachment between the cladding and the underlying object. |
| US08668287B2 |
Rail system for drawers
A rail system for drawers includes a body rail to be fastened to a furniture body and at least one drawer rail that can be moved relative to the body rail, and includes at least one gear rack/gear wheel arrangement, characterized in that a limiting device is provided, which limits the immersion depth of the gear wheel relative to the gear rack, the teeth of the gear wheel meshing only partially in the corresponding tooth spaces of the gear rack. |
| US08668281B2 |
Brake hydraulic pressure control device for vehicle
A brake hydraulic pressure control device includes: a normally open linear solenoid valve configured to adjust a valve closing force depending on an power supply amount; a normally closed solenoid valve; and a controller configured to control switching of a hydraulic pressure within the wheel brake between a pressure increasing state, a pressure holding state, or a pressure reducing state, wherein: when shifting to the pressure increasing state from the pressure reducing state or the pressure holding state is made, the controller controls the power supply amount so that increasing is made at a first gradient up to a turning point target hydraulic pressure, and increasing is made at a second gradient gentler than the first gradient from the turning point target hydraulic pressure up to the end of the increasing; and the controller determines the turning point target hydraulic pressure. |
| US08668278B2 |
Rim for a bicycle wheel and bicycle wheel comprising such a rim
A rim (5) for a bicycle wheel having a body (20) with a substantially annular extension with a radially outer portion (22) shaped for coupling with a tire is disclosed. The radially outer portion (22) has a hole (39) for an inflation valve. The radially outer portion (22) also includes, at the hole (39) and/or in an area proximal to the hole (39), at least one cross section having a different shape from that at an area distal from the hole, so as to form at least one second surface discontinuity (35) along the annular extension of the radially outer portion (22). The second discontinuity (35) makes it easier to assemble to wheel and allows an optimal coupling to be made between the rim (5), inflation valve, and tire, in the case of a tubeless wheel, and between rim (5), air chamber and tire, in the case of a wheel with an air chamber. |
| US08668276B2 |
Wheel assembly heat shield
A heat shield segment includes at least one tab extending from an outboard end, the tab adapted to secure the heat shield segment against radial and axial movement. The at least one tab is received over a retaining ring positioned within a tube well of a wheel. The retaining ring is received in recesses formed in the inner surface of drive keys spaced around the interior of the tube well. The heat shield segment is secured at the inboard end by a fastener, and is spaced from the tube well by a spacer positioned between the heat shield segment and the tube well. The at least one tab of the heat shield segment allows for easy assembly and maintenance of the heat shield assembly formed by a plurality of the heat shield segments. |
| US08668271B2 |
Modular seating system
A new seating system with one or more substantially horizontal or inclined seats or supporting surfaces, and/or one or more substantially vertical or inclined backs, includes eight prismatic modular elements or modules with opposite parallel base faces in the shape of right-angled isosceles triangles, each module being joined to at least one adjacent module at the level of one corner, wherein each module is configured to rotate around said connection corner relative to the module to which it is joined. |
| US08668270B2 |
Removable head and neck support for reclining salon chair
An improved head and neck support couples to an upper back edge of a chair. In a preferred embodiment, the support couples to an upper back edge of a reclining salon chair. The improved support comprises a rigid inner clamping means, an inner filling of compressible memory material, all enclosed by an outer covering with a sufficiently high coefficient of friction to grip the front and the back of an upper back of the chair under the weight of a user's head as the user reclines in the chair. The composite filled support further comprises an upper portion, and a lower portion, said lower portion defining a groove along the length of the support, into which an upper back edge of a reclining salon chair may be wedged by friction fit. |
| US08668269B2 |
Articulation system and vehicle seat comprising such an articulation system
Articulation system comprising first and second articulations, each comprising two fittings which are pivotable relative to one another and a locking mechanism which comprises a control member which is mobile between a locked position and an unlocked position, the control members each being urged in a resilient manner into the locked position by a return member, a maneuvering member which is mobile in rotation between a neutral position, a position of misuse and an actuating position, in order to unlock the control members when said maneuvering member is displaced in a first direction, said maneuvering member being returned from the position of misuse and the actuating position into the neutral position by a dual-action return device. |
| US08668268B1 |
Lounge chair assembly
A lounge chair assembly includes a frame having a top section, a bottom section, and a medial section. A support member is coupled to the frame for supporting a person on the frame. The support member has a corresponding top portion, bottom portion, and medial portion coupled to the frame. A plurality of legs is coupled to the frame. A telescopic headrest extends from the top section of the frame. An aperture extends through the head rest. A pair of openings extend through the bottom portion of the support member. Each opening is configured for receiving a human foot therethrough whereby a leg extending from the foot is abutted and supported by the support member without bending of the foot relative to the leg. |
| US08668266B2 |
Integrated lumbar for thin seat
A seat having a trim carrier. A flexible region includes a base portion integrally connected with the trim carrier and a distal portion. A connector includes a first end connected to the distal portion and a second end connected to a motor. Actuation of the motor draws the connector and consequently the distal portion downward toward the base portion, thereby arcing the flexible region. |
| US08668261B2 |
Adjustable saddle support
There is provided an adjustable saddle support that adjustably connects a conventional bicycle saddle with a conventional bicycle seat post. The conventional bicycle seat post has a conventional first saddle clamp mechanism. The adjustable saddle support comprises an adjustment mechanism that has a second saddle clamp mechanism and a support member which supports the adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism adjustably engages the support member. There is also a pair of rails which have parallel spaced apart sections. The pair of rails is connected with the support member. |
| US08668255B1 |
Stamped roof panel for a utility vehicle cab
A stamped roof panel for the cab of a utility vehicle includes a base portion having a periphery, a protrusion extending upwardly around the periphery of the base portion, and a plurality of drainage gaps in the protrusion. The protrusion has a generally U-shaped cross-sectional profile with a first leg extending from the base portion, a bight portion, and a second leg extending downwardly from the bight portion. The second leg of the protrusion may extend downwardly beyond the base portion and the top edge of the wall panels of the cab. The roof panel may further include a raised panel spaced upwardly from the base portion. |
| US08668251B2 |
Front pillar for automobile
A front pillar for an automobile includes a hollow member, an outer panel, and an inner panel. The inner panel has a restricting concave section receiving therein a part of the hollow member to restrict relative displacement of the hollow member in a vehicle width direction relative to the inner panel. |
| US08668250B2 |
Side structure of a vehicle
A side structure of a vehicle is provided with a side part outer frame. The side part outer frame includes, but is not limited to a front pillar and a center pillar with mounting connections for door hinges. The side part outer frame includes, but is not limited to the outer structure starting from a windshield to including a rear fender region and is a one-piece and stable construction and has a greater material thickness than a side part outer skin of a conventional side structure. One of the two pillars or both pillars comprise a reinforcement structure that is fixed within the side part outer frame. |
| US08668247B2 |
Magnesium-composite structures with enhanced design
A segmented tube formed of a magnesium-based alloy and wrapped or jacketed with a reinforcement to apply a restraining force on the external surface of the tube for resisting fragmentation of the tube by the compressive force applied to the end of the tube serves as a structural member for receiving a compressive stress applied to an end of the tube and acting along the axis of the tube toward the opposing end of the tube. The magnesium alloy tube is comparatively light, and the segmented and wrapped or jacketed tube has an increased capacity to absorb compressive forces. The tubes are useful as components of automotive vehicles. |
| US08668246B2 |
Off-road vehicle having a cargo box
An off-road vehicle has a frame, at least four wheels, two seats mounted laterally beside each other on the frame, a steering assembly, and engine and a cargo box mounted to the frame rearwardly of the seats. Each seat has a seat base and a backrest. The cargo box has a front wall, a pair of side walls extending from the front wall, and a floor. The front wall is disposed rearward of at least a portion of the seats. At least one portion of the floor is adjacent to the front wall. The at least one portion of the floor is removable from a remainder of the cargo box. |
| US08668243B2 |
Vehicle boundary layer air flow control structure
A vehicle boundary layer air flow control structure is provided with a vehicle body and a side view mirror. The vehicle body includes an exterior contoured surface with an air flow deflector. The side view mirror is attached to the vehicle body to provide a diagonally rearward direction to be viewed from a driver's seat. The air flow deflector has a downward air flow guiding surface provided in a vehicle body region of the exterior contoured surface of the vehicle body along which an air flow heading toward the side view mirror passes. The downward air flow guiding surface extends in an air flow direction of the air flow with respect to the side view mirror to divert the air flow underneath the side view mirror. |
| US08668242B2 |
Removable valance for a golf cart
Systems and methods for providing a removable valance for a golf cart are provided. The apparatus may include a valance for use with a golf cart. The valance may include a bead configured to be inserted into a slot on a golf cart. The slot is preferably configured to engage the bead. The valance may further include material fixedly attached to the bead along a longitudinal axis of the bead. |
| US08668235B2 |
Spreader with flipper arm drive
A flipper assembly for guiding a spreader to engage a container is provided, the flipper assembly comprising a flipper hingedly mounted to the spreader, said flipper moveable between an open and closed position about said mounting; a motor mounted to the spreader distal from said flipper; a spacing assembly located between the motor and the hinged mounting of the flipper, wherein said spacing assembly is capable of transmitting a torque from the motor to the hinged mounting so as to move the flipper between the closed and open positions. |
| US08668232B2 |
Threaded connection with improved root thread profile
A threaded connection design having a double ellipse in the thread root for reducing stress fatigue is illustrated in this disclosure. The root groove includes a first portion comprising a first elliptical surface being part of a first ellipse. The root groove further includes a second portion comprising a second elliptical surface, being part of a second ellipse, and the second elliptical surface being joined tangentially at a first end to the first elliptical surface at a junction point that defines the bottom of the root groove. The second elliptical surface is joined tangentially at a second end to the load flank. |
| US08668231B1 |
Pipe repair coupling
The pipe repair coupling includes a sleeve and two seal retainers that clip to the ends of the sleeve to retain corresponding seals therein. The repair coupling is installed about a damaged section of PVC or other hard plastic pipe without the need for substantial displacement of either portion of the broken pipe or the need to dress or otherwise modify the broken ends of the pipe. A seal retainer and a seal are placed over each portion of the broken pipe, and the sleeve is slipped over one of the broken pipe portions. The two pipe portions are aligned with one another, and the sleeve is generally centered over the break. The two seal retainers are then snapped into place on the ends of the sleeve, capturing the seals between the seal retainers and corresponding seats and distending the seals to bear against the broken pipe therein. |
| US08668230B2 |
Apparatus and methods for splicing conduits and hoses subsea
A hose connection system comprises a body including an internal cavity and a port in fluid communication with a portion of the internal cavity. In addition, the system comprises a hose end fitting positioned in the cavity. The hose end fitting includes an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member concentrically disposed about the inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial slits. Further, the system comprises a plurality of wedge members arranged circumferentially about the outer tubular member. Still further, the system comprises an annular piston movably disposed within the internal cavity of the body. An end of the piston has an inner frustoconical surface that slidingly engages the plurality of wedge members. The piston is configured to move axially through the body and compress the wedge members and the outer tubular member radially inward. |
| US08668217B2 |
Automated retractable step apparatus utilizing over-center locking mechanism
An automatically deployable step apparatus particularly usable with vehicle such as a fire truck having a passenger compartment at substantial distance from the surrounding environmental surface which provides powered movement between a deployed position and a retracted position and can be mounted in a relatively small restricted area in order to avoid interference with a truck cab which tilted to provide engine access, said apparatus utilizing a unique over-center locking mechanism to provide secure locking of the step in the deployed position while maintaining an apparatus having limited overall dimensions. A unique linkage system is provided for facilitating accurately powered automated movement. |
| US08668216B2 |
Access system and device for vehicles, and modes of employment thereof
A retractable access device (10) for a vehicle (30) having a longitudinal extent when deployed. The access device (steps, ladder, stairs) can have a multiplicity of treads (eg 10a, 10b, 10c.) interconnected in series by connectors (eg 12a, 13a, 14a . . . ) pivotably mounted with respect to the treads, the connectors permitting the access device to contract and extend longitudinally and the treads to be closed together on retraction. The treads may nest together when retracted (3a-3d) and treads can be formed or fabricated in pairs, such that when retracted, a tread of one pair nests between the treads of another pair, and this can be effected for multiple tread pairs. The access device is particularly suited to grader vehicles with limited and awkward cab access and space for access system deployment, not least due to the grader blade arrangement. |
| US08668210B2 |
Wheelbarrow configuration
Disclosed is a wheelbarrow that is easily moved and can be unloaded at either the front or rear end. One example embodiment of the wheelbarrow provides a frame and a container. A pivoting mechanism pivotally secures the container to the frame such that the container can be pivoted relative to the frame. A pair of handles is attached to the frame and a pair of wheels is coupled to the frame. A stabilizing assembly is coupled between the handles and the frame. The stabilizing assembly is selectively engaged during unloading of the wheelbarrow. |
| US08668208B2 |
Pallet truck for transporting goods
Pallet truck for transporting goods that has a substantially horizontal frame on which the goods to be transported are placed. In one implementation the horizontal frame includes two substantially parallel arms with each arm having two parallel longitudinal extensions that define a space between them. Each of the two parallel longitudinal extensions has a wall that face each other and which are visible and accessible through the space. The longitudinal extensions being visible and accessible from above for their cleaning. |
| US08668205B2 |
Flat seal comprising sealing bead and embossing, and method for the production thereof
A metallic flat seal, in particular a cylinder head gasket, includes at least one through-hole, a functional layer, a spacer layer, and a stopper layer which is arranged between the functional layer and the spacer layer, as well as a closed sealing bead around every through-hole in the functional layer, wherein the sealing bead points in the direction of the stopper layer, the seal additionally comprising an embossed closed contour around every through-hole in that least the stopper layer, the functional layer or the spacer layer, wherein the contour forms a fixing aid. A method is also provided for making such a gasket. |
| US08668204B2 |
Spring-elastic axial seal
The invention relates to a seal (160) for sealing two opposite contact surfaces along a closed contour, comprising an elastic sealing element (210), which has two opposite sealing surfaces (240) to bear against the contact surfaces in the region of the contour, two spring elements (220, 230), each of which is associated with one of the sealing surfaces, and a supporting element (250) arranged between the spring elements, wherein each spring element comprises two limbs (260, 270), one limb pressing the sealing surface associated with the spring element against one of the contact surfaces and the other limb being supported on the supporting element. |
| US08668199B2 |
Sheet conveyance apparatus and image forming system
A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a shift unit which includes a conveyance roller pair capable of being placed in a contact state and a separation state and configured to convey sheets having an overlapping portion where a rear end portion of a preceding sheet and a front end portion of a following sheet overlap each other. The shift unit is movable in a widthwise direction while conveying the sheets by the conveyance roller pair. The sheet conveyance apparatus moves the shift unit in the widthwise direction when it is determined that the overlapping portion of the sheets has reached the conveyance roller pair. |
| US08668198B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus
A controller controls operations of a sheet conveying portion and a sheet feeding portion in such a manner that an operation for feeding a preceding sheet by the sheet feeding portion is started after a downstream portion of a subsequent sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying portion is overlapped an upstream portion of the preceding sheet stacked on the stacking portion, and the downstream edge of the preceding sheet is caused to abut against the reference member by the sheet feeding portion in a state where the upstream portion of the preceding sheet and the downstream portion of the subsequent sheet are maintained in an overlapped state. |
| US08668194B2 |
Media cassette
A media cassette is described. The media cassette comprising: a media removal window at one end of the media cassette; a handle end at an opposite end of the cassette to the media removal window; and a pusher plate assembly. The pusher plate assembly includes: (i) a finger recess component, (ii) a pawl biased downwards to a low position, and (iii) an actuator coupled to both the pawl and the finger recess component and including a pivot. The actuator is moveable on insertion of a finger into the finger recess component to raise the pawl from the low position to a high position. |
| US08668193B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and image forming system
A sheet processing apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a booklet formed by folding a sheet bundle; a processing unit that performs a predetermined process on the booklet; a booklet holding unit that includes first and second holding members to hold the booklet and varies a gap distance between the first and second holding members depending on a state of processing the booklet while the sheet processing unit is performing the process on the booklet; and a pressing unit that presses and fixes the booklet while the processing unit is processing the booklet. |
| US08668189B2 |
Sine wave spring
A spring is formed of a relatively thin sheet of spring material which is constricted and held in place at each end forming a bell curve being located between two substantially planar members. As additional compressive force is applied in the vertical direction, the curve then compresses and starts to form sine waves. The greater the force, progressively higher the wave frequency with lower amplitude would form. When the force is removed, the flexible material returns to its original shape. The force needed to shift the curve (increase the number of waveform) increases at an exponential rate, as opposed to the linear rate of most normal springs. The maintenance force of new stable state is considerable less than the threshold force. Such a relatively flat spring with an exponential spring rate and self dampening through phase change has a number of useful applications for automotive and industrial use. |
| US08668188B2 |
Slotted spring vibration isolator
A vibration damping device adapted to receive an electronic component and reduce vibration is provided. The vibration damping device includes a spring body extending along an axis, one or more slots formed in the spring body, and a shaft extending substantially coaxially within the spring body. The shaft may include an internal bore configured to extend substantially coaxially through the spring body and shaft. The vibration damping device further includes a damping mechanism configured to be positioned between the spring body and the shaft, wherein the one or more slots provides flexible movement of the spring body and the damping mechanism provides the damping of motion within the internal bore. |
| US08668182B2 |
Holding device for fastening a laser instrument
A holding device for fastening a laser instrument, in particular to a magnetic construction, a pipe, a wall rail and/or ceiling rail, and/or a wall, is disclosed. The holding device includes a basic frame, a receptacle device connected to the basic frame to accommodate the laser instrument and a fastening apparatus connected to the basic frame with a first fastening device. The first fastening device is configured to be rotatable around an axis of rotation relative to the basic frame from a first position into a second position. |
| US08668178B2 |
Bracket for retaining cylindrical tank vertically upright
A bracket construction for fixedly securing a cylindrical tank such as the oxygen tank of an emergency vehicle in a vertically upright position wherein the tank is easily releasable which accommodates various sizes and configurations of upper neck sections having a backing plate with a lower surrounding member for receiving and retaining the tank bottom therewithin and an upper surrounding member including aU-shaped channel for receiving the tank neck therewithin. Two uniquely shaped bracket cams are pivotally mounted relative to the upper surrounding member and resiliently biased with respect thereto such that they can be manually manipulated or directly contacted by the arcuate neck of a tank to move to the opened position to allow exiting or entry of the tank. A lower auxiliary floor surface is pivotally secured relative to the lower surrounding member for varying the vertical dimension for accommodating tanks of various lengths and shapes. |
| US08668177B2 |
Combination purse hanger and object retainer
An apparatus comprising first and second elements and a connecting element is provided. The first element comprises a first terminal member, an intermediate member having first and second ends, and a second terminal member having a closed form channel. The connecting element goes through the channel thereby engaging the first and second elements. An axis connects the first terminal member and the intermediate member first end permitting a closed position, in which the first terminal member adjoins the intermediate member, and an open position, in which the first terminal member is away from the intermediate member. Another axis connects the second terminal member and the intermediate member second end permitting a closed position, in which the second terminal member adjoins the intermediate member, and an open position, in which the second terminal member is away from the intermediate member. The second element retains an object. |
| US08668168B1 |
Space vehicle valve system
The present invention is a space vehicle valve system which controls the internal pressure of a space vehicle and the flow rate of purged gases at a given internal pressure and aperture site. A plurality of quasi-unique variable dimension peaked valve structures cover the purge apertures on a space vehicle. Interchangeable sheet guards configured to cover valve apertures on the peaked valve structure contain a pressure-activated surface on the inner surface. Sheet guards move outwardly from the peaked valve structure when in structural contact with a purge gas stream flowing through the apertures on the space vehicle. Changing the properties of the sheet guards changes the response of the sheet guards at a given internal pressure, providing control of the flow rate at a given aperture site. |
| US08668167B2 |
System for airborne transport of flammable liquids
A system for airborne transport of flammable liquids with an aircraft. A fuel tank and a reservoir, each for storing flammable liquids, are joined to the aircraft. A fuel jettison subsystem is coupled between an interior portion and an exterior of the reservoir to selectably expel fuel from the reservoir to an exterior portion of the aircraft. The fuel jettison subsystem includes a jettison valve opening formed in the reservoir. A lid selectably closes off the opening. A biasing member urges the lid away from the jettison valve opening. A solenoid retains the lid in the jettison valve opening when unactuated and releases the lid when actuated. A jettison linkage is coupled to the solenoid, the jettison linkage being operable to actuate the solenoid. The lid is urged away from the jettison valve opening by the biasing member when the solenoid is actuated by the jettison linkage. |
| US08668155B2 |
Self regulating fluid bearing high pressure rotary nozzle with balanced thrust force
A high pressure rotary nozzle having a rotating shaft operating within a fixed housing wherein the of axial force which acts upon the shaft due to the fluid pressure at the shaft inlet is balanced by allowing passage of a small amount of the pressurized fluid to be bled to an area or chamber between the outside of the opposite end of the shaft and the inside of the housing where the fluid pressure can act axially in an opposing direction upon the shaft to balance the axial inlet force. The balance of axial forces is self-regulating by controlling escape of the fluid through a tapered or frusto-conical region between the shaft and housing. This further provides a fluid bearing between the two surfaces and allows use of interchangeable rotating jet heads having jet orifices which can be oriented in virtually any desirable configuration including axially forward of the nozzle. |
| US08668152B2 |
Angle guide plate and system for securing a rail
A rail securing system comprising at least one angle guide plate allows a perfect retention of the tension clamp in its pre-assembly position and facilitates final assembly. The angle guide plate has recess, which is designed as a seat for a free end section of a spring arm of a tension clamp to be mounted on the angle guide plate, wherein the recess engages around the end section by less than half of its circumference. The transition between the recess and the section of the angle guide plate which follows on from the recess in the direction of the rail is formed such as to be free of any abrupt change, so that the tension clamp can be pushed in a simple manner on the angle guide plate into its assembly position. |
| US08668151B2 |
Wireless IC device
A wireless IC device improves radiation characteristics or directivity of signals and reliably communicates with a reader/writer. The wireless IC device includes an electromagnetically coupled module includes a wireless IC device and a feed circuit substrate, a protective layer, a first radiation plate, and a second radiation plate. The feed circuit substrate includes a feed circuit including inductance elements. The feed circuit is electrically connected to the wireless IC chip and coupled to the radiation plates. Signals received by the radiation plates are provided to the wireless IC chip via the feed circuit. Signals from the wireless IC chip are provided to the radiation plates via the feed circuit and then radiated to the outside. |
| US08668150B2 |
Systems, methods, and apparatus for overhead scanning of images in a manual distribution environment
This disclosure defines systems, methods and apparatus for scanning in a distribution environment. In one aspect a method is disclosed for expanding a field of view of a camera. The method may include moving a mirror according to a determined pattern of movement and speed and capturing a series of images with a camera while the mirror is moving such that the field of view defining images captured by the camera changes based on the position of the mirror. The method may further include using image data from the series of images to process information located on a target item being imaged. In another aspect, an apparatus is disclosed including a selectively movable mirror positioned relative to an image capture device. A controller is configured to capture an image while the mirror is moving. |
| US08668147B2 |
Headphones holder with indicia of stored value
The present invention is a headset holder coupled with indicia of stored value. The indicia of stored value may be printed or painted on, or otherwise permanently coupled to, the holder itself, or may be included in a stored value or gift card that is attached to the holder. The headset holder and the stored value card may be constructed from a single sheet of plastic; in such embodiments, separation of the stored value card from the headset holder may be supported by a scoreline in the plastic material. The headset holder may have a spool and two grips. One grip may be configured to secure earphones and the other grip may be configured to secure a jack of the headset. The spool may be configured for winding headset wire. The holder may be configured to hold primarily an earbud headset. The grips may extend or protrude from a central portion, or body of the holder. The spool may also extend from the body. The holder may display an image, such as the image of a creature or plant. The image may depict the grips as hands of a displayed creature. The image may depict the spool as the head of the creature. |
| US08668146B1 |
Rewards program with payment artifact permitting conversion/transfer of non-negotiable credits to entity independent funds
An entity establishes a non-negotiable credit account for a member of the loyalty program. The member of the loyalty program is provided with a payment artifact. Non-negotiable credits are added to the account in response to the payment artifact being used for purchases of goods or services. Quantities of the non-negotiable credits are redeemable for member selected goods or services per terms-of-use of the loyalty program. A subset of the non-negotiable credits are convertible to entity independent funds of a different loyalty program of a commerce partner. The entity independent funds are redeemable for commerce partner goods or commerce partner services of the different loyalty program. |
| US08668145B2 |
Automatic touch identification system and method thereof
An automatic identification system for communicating identifying information by coupling signals through the human body is provided. The system includes a battery powered identification device that transmits an identifying signal via a modulated carrier. The identification device is coupled to the body of the user via a coupling plate. The signal from the identification device is received by a reading device that is also coupled to the body of the user via a coupling plate. The reading device may display and/or enunciates the identifying information to the user. The coupling technique, carrier frequency, and construction of the devices are such that the identification information is not inadvertently radiated or coupled to unintentional users or receivers. |
| US08668142B2 |
Automatic dealing machine and automatic dealing system
An automatic dealing machine comprises a casing configured for storing a chip handling unit for handling chips, and a banknote handling unit for handling banknotes. The chip handling unit includes a chip insertion port through which chips are received from the exterior of the casing, a chip determination portion for determining the kind of each chip, and a chip calculation portion for calculating the number of the chips, of each kind, as determined by the chip determination portion and the total amount of money. A control unit controls the operation of the dealing machine, such that banknotes of an amount of money corresponding to the total amount of the chips calculated by the chip calculation portion are disbursed into the banknote disbursement port when the chips are inserted through the chip insertion port. |
| US08668140B2 |
Transformation system for nutritional substances
Disclosed herein is a transformation system for at least one component of a single or multi-component nutritional substance. The transformation system obtains information regarding the nutritional substance to be transformed, the desired transformation, and the desired properties, including nutritional content, of the transformed nutritional substance, and dynamically modifies the transformation in response to this information. |
| US08668138B1 |
System and method for inputting medical information
A method of inputting medical information comprises the step of printing a two-dimensional barcode from a first system, wherein the two-dimensional barcode comprises embedded data to input into a second system and wherein the data is separated by embedded key strokes that emulate entry of data into a user interface associated with the second system. The method further includes the steps of scanning the two-dimensional barcode utilizing a scanner associated with the second system and entering the embedded data into the user interface of the second system. |
| US08668133B2 |
Retractable container with support legs
A bulk shipping container has a plurality of removable supporting legs extending downwardly from a periphery of its interior space beyond the bottom of the container to support the container in an elevated position above a floor. Reinforcing straps positioned on the container hold the legs in their extended positions. A dolly may be positioned beneath the elevated container between the supporting legs and the reinforcing straps removed to enable the weight of the container to cause it to slide down along the plurality of removable supporting legs to a lowered position resting on the dolly, which may then be used to transport the loaded container into a building for removal of product from the container. |
| US08668132B2 |
Storage box
The storage box is formed from a sheet provided with a plurality of folding lines defining a parallelepiped provided with six faces, one of said face being a hinged lid (2), and it is characterized in that the opposed face to said hinged lid comprises a first sector (1a) provided with an oblique folding line (7a) that defines a first joining zone (8a); a second sector (1b) also provided with an oblique folding line (7b) that is joined to said first sector (1a) in said first joining zone (8a); a third sector (1c) provided with an oblique folding line (7c) that defines a second joining zone (8c); and a fourth sector (1d) that is joined to said third sector (1c) in said second joining zone (8c).It permits to obtain a box that can be mounted by itself. |
| US08668127B2 |
Stretchable backpack
A backpack is positioned to rest in an essentially flat configuration between the shoulder blades, so as to mitigate backpack pain or stress. The pack is worn tightly across the individual to eliminate the downward forces of the weight included in a pocket having a rhombus shape. Stretchable material of the pack conforms to the contents of the pack. Effectively, the weight of the pack is distributed across the chest and back of an individual to provide a “weightless effect”. |
| US08668126B2 |
Self wrapped gadget holder for stroller
The present invention relates to the means for attaching gadget on a stroller using an elastic holder to wrap around the stroller. Using the elastic self-wrapped holder, the lighting device or gadget is easily and conveniently secured on the stroller without any tool, thereby saving time and effort of parents. The elastic self-wrapped holder does not distort or damage the stroller. The elastic self-wrapped holder is versatile and can firmly secure a lighting device or gadget to any parts of stroller. The elasticity of the material used for the holder can conform to gadget of various sizes and shapes thereby firmly grip and tightly fit the gadget. |
| US08668124B2 |
Variable width headache rack and assembly with interchangeable screens
An adjustable width headache rack capable of accommodating the widths of multiple pick-up truck vehicles and mounting thereon including a frame member having an upper load bar and a lower cross bar each extending between two upright members spaced a distance from one another. Leg members extend from each upright member in a rearward direction on top of bed rails of the pick-up truck. The leg members have a sleeve portion which slidingly engages the lower cross bar thereby enabling width adjustment. Screen members are interchangeable within the truck rack frame. |
| US08668120B2 |
Dispensing container
The present invention relates to a dispensing container for liquids comprising a reservoir (1) which is connected to a dispensing nozzle (6), the nozzle having a mouth (4) through which liquid is dispensed, wherein the nozzle is adapted such that the size of the mouth is adjustable. In the most preferred embodiment, the container comprises a dispenser for fuel additives which comprises a novel design of dispensing nozzle, comprising a tube (5) adapted to fit the fuel tank of a petrol engine and a moveable sleeve (8) of greater diameter than the tube and adapted to fit the fuel tank of a diesel engine, this sleeve being positioned around the tube such that it can be moved to a position at the dispensing end of the tube which prevents the nozzle from being inserted into the fuel tank of a petrol engine. The invention provides a single dispensing container which is adapted for use in conjunction with the fuel tanks of both petrol and diesel engines, and may be employed as a container for a fuel additive for either petrol or diesel fuel. |
| US08668119B2 |
Container for viscous comestibles
A container for containing and dispensing viscous comestibles, such as ice cream, is disclosed. The container includes a container body with a nozzle and a container cap movably coupled to the container body. The container cap moves between at least two positions, a first position where the container cap covers the nozzle, and a second position where a portion of the nozzle extends through a container cap opening. In some embodiments a straw portion of the nozzle extends through the container cap opening. A method of containing viscous comestibles is disclosed which includes attaching a container cap to a container body such that the container cap has at least two positions, testing that the container cap moves to each of its at least two positions, inserting viscous comestibles into the container body through a nozzle opening in the container body nozzle, and locking the container cap in the first position. |
| US08668118B2 |
Replenishable liquid soap dispensing apparatus
A replenishable liquid soap dispensing apparatus includes a liquid soap container, a soap dispensing device and a support rack. The liquid soap container includes a holding portion, a bottle opening on the holding portion and at least one lean portion on the holding portion. The soap dispensing device has a soap intake tube connecting to the liquid soap container to draw liquid soap, a soap discharge tube connecting to the soap intake tube to discharge the liquid soap and a pressurizing mechanism to increase the pressure in the soap intake tube and soap discharge tube to send the liquid soap from the soap intake tube towards the soap discharge tube. The support rack includes a first support portion to hold the soap dispensing device and a second support portion corresponding to and coupling with the lean portion to hold the liquid soap container. |
| US08668116B2 |
Pump having a flexible mechanism for engagement with a dispenser
A foam pump having a flexible member for engagement with a dispenser, the pump being part of a refill unit including a product reservoir. The flexible connecting member extends from an extreme end of the pump and is received by an actuating carriage that is movably connected to an actuating mechanism. The flexible connecting member permits insertion of the pump into a dispenser, and may act to dampen actuating forces to reduce foam shearing. The flexible connecting member may be provided in the form of a flared tip that is received through an oval opening in the product dispenser, and the pump may include a locking member to prevent unwanted actuation thereof during insertion of the refill unit into the dispenser. |
| US08668115B2 |
Functional operation and timing control improvements for dispensers
A method of operating a dispensing unit includes the steps of applying a power source to a dispensing unit that includes a container and performing a startup procedure in response to applying the power source. The startup procedure also includes the step of performing an activation sequence that discharges a fluid from the container. The method further includes the step of performing an active mode procedure after the startup procedure without providing a lockout period in between. The active mode procedure includes activating a sensor associated with the dispensing unit, performing an activation sequence that discharges the fluid from the container when the sensor detects sensory input, and performing a transition procedure. |
| US08668110B1 |
Venting mechanisms for containers
The disclosed device primarily consists of a band, ring, or other piece of shape memory polymer (SMP) or SMP composite in various embodiments that allows or disallows containment. When the SMP reaches its transition temperature (Tg) the SMP provides the means for releasing containment of the pressurized material so as to prevent ignition or explosion of hazardous material. At normal operating temperatures, the SMP is in a deformed shape maintaining an environmental seal to protect the contents of the container. When environmental conditions cause the SMP or SMP composite to exceed its Tg, specified by the operating requirements, the SMP returns to its memory shape in a controlled geometry, rather than simply melting. The return of the SMP to its memory shape causes the venting of the container in different manners depending on which embodiment is utilized. |
| US08668108B2 |
Pressure vessel shear resistant boss and shell interface element
A pressure vessel has a composite shell; a boss defining a port in the composite shell and having a neck; and an interface element disposed between the composite shell and the boss. The interface element is neither bonded to the composite shell nor to the boss, thereby allowing for movement between the interface element and the composite shell and allowing for movement between the interface element and the boss. The interface element further includes a neck disposed adjacent the neck of the boss. |
| US08668106B1 |
Fluid container cover
A fluid container includes a spout and a cap, where the spout has an actuation portion that is inclined with respect to a drinking portion of the spout. The spout is actuated from a closed position to an open position with an external force applied on the actuation portion. A channel through the spout encompasses an oblique angle, and the spout is pivotally coupled to the cap at a fulcrum point. The fulcrum point is laterally offset from an aperture in the cap, where the aperture forms a passageway through a thickness of the cap. The channel adjoins the aperture when the spout is in the open position. |
| US08668105B2 |
Buoyant plug for emergency drain in floating roof tank
A floating plug emergency drain valve for a floating roof used with a storage tank for volatile fluid, where the floating roof includes vertically spaced apart top and bottom surfaces and a duct having open top and bottom ends that extends through the roof for drainage through the roof of water accumulated atop the roof, the valve having an open state for allowing the accumulated water to drain downward through the duct and a closed state for blocking vapors from rising upward through the duct, the valve including a valve seat having an upper sealing surface, and a valve sealing element having a buoyant ball-like upper part, and a bottom part formed as a plug extending downward with a bottom sealing surface sealing with the valve seat upper sealing surface when the valve is in its closed state. |
| US08668104B2 |
Collapsible hard case for surfboards and other large objects
A collapsible protective case for surfboards, musical instruments, or other large asymmetrically shaped objects, including a housing having a rigid, impact-resistant outer surface, the housing being formed from a multiplicity of adjoining subsections that are selectively configurable between an expanded transport position and a collapsed storage position. |
| US08668101B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a light weight container
An improved lightweight container incorporates a thinner wall structure in an essentially octagonal container having a bottom member, a plurality of sidewalls, a spout, an upwardly converging neck member coupling the sidewalls of the spout, a handle molded into the container and a radiused transiting section between the sidewalls and the spout which eliminates weakened corner sections and improves overall strength to weight ratios. |
| US08668100B2 |
Bottles with top loading resistance
This disclosure is generally directed toward bottles with improved top loading resistance and does so by, among other things, utilizing walls, shoulder, and/or other structural features of a particular size, taper, angle, and/or material. The bottle includes a mouth, a barrel connected to a base, and a shoulder extending between the mouth and barrel. The shoulder may include upper, intermediate, and lower sections, in which the intermediate section may be relatively thicker than the upper section. The barrel may also include upper, intermediate, and lower sections, in which the intermediate section may be relatively thicker than the lower section. |
| US08668099B2 |
Compact tamper-proof closure
The present invention concerns a compact closure for containers with a neck and mouth, comprising a threaded pourer (14) which has a drip-stop lip (19) and a threaded cap (3) designed to screw-engage with the threaded pourer, the pourer body comprising a part which has a cross-section substantially in the form of an upside-down “U” and the drip-stop lip being formed on the substantially annular upper portion (18) of the part with a cross-section in the form of an upside-down “U”. |
| US08668098B2 |
Ergonomic bottle cap
A polymer lid for capping the mouth of a PET bottle having a neck with a male thread, the lid comprising a threaded female cylindrical section for engaging the male thread of the neck; an outer surface comprising an arcuate skirt consisting of at least three quarters (270°) of a torroidal cylindrical section around the female cylindrical section; and further consisting of a protrusion having first and second surfaces than meet at an apex whose maximum extension protrudes between 1 mm and 5 mm from the inner cylindrical female surface; the protrusion for engagement by a thumb of a person attempting to open the bottle, enabling increased torque in a counter-clockwise direction for removal of the lid from a PET bottle. |
| US08668096B2 |
Shelf
A shelf including a mounting bracket having two arms is provided. The length of the arms and the distance between the arms are adjustable so the shelf may be attached to and project outwardly from various support structures. |
| US08668091B2 |
Air classifier
An air classifier contains a cylindrical casing provided with at an upper part thereof a feed port to feed high pressure air and a powder material, an umbrella-shaped center core in the casing, and an umbrella-shaped separator core arranged downstream of the center core in the casing and including an opening at center thereof. The air classifier has a configuration containing a dispersion chamber to disperse the powder material, being surrounded by an inner wall of the upper part casing and the center core, and a classification chamber to classify the powder material into fine and coarse powders by centrifugation, being surrounded by the center core, separator core and inner wall of the casing. In the dispersion chamber provided are a louver ring containing guide slats circularly arranged at regular intervals, and a space encircling the louver ring and serving as flow passage of the air and powder material. |
| US08668090B2 |
Powder classifying device
The powder classifying device classifies powder having a particle size distribution and collects the classified powder. The device includes a disc-like cavity to which the powder is supplied and where the supplied powder is classified, a powder supply port for supplying the powder to the cavity, guide vanes arranged so as to extend from an outer periphery of the cavity in an inner direction at a predetermined angle, a discharge unit for air streams including fine particles discharged from the cavity, a collection unit for coarse particles discharged from the cavity and air nozzles arranged below the guide vanes on an outer peripheral wall of the cavity along a tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall and blow compressed air into an inside of the cavity. |
| US08668087B2 |
Two-phase packaging of ready mix joint compound
A wallboard joint compound package is provided, including a container defining an interior space and configured for being sealed, a first component of ready-mixed joint compound being disposed in the interior space to a level which leaves a pre-determined head space, and an upper surface of the component is defined in the container. A second component is provided, including water, and is placed in the interior space upon the upper surface, such that the first and second components remain substantially distinct prior to opening of the container. |
| US08668084B2 |
System for the identification of different fastening elements
A system for identification of different fastening elements used for connecting of components of a unit to be assembled has a receptacle to receive different fastening elements which differ from each other with regard to shape and/or size and/or material and are coordinated to the components which are respectively to be connected so that the number of fastening elements which are able to be received by the receptacle corresponds at least to the number of connection sites on the components, a housing which serves to receive the receptacle, and identification elements to display the individual charging position of a fastening element in the receptacle. |
| US08668081B2 |
Toy vehicle storage case with race track
A toy vehicle storage case may be placed in a racing configuration with a toy vehicle raceway deployed and supported by the storage case, or a transport configuration with the storage case containing the toy vehicle raceway. |
| US08668077B2 |
Belt plough
A belt plough assembly is used to deflect material on a conveyor belt. The belt plough assembly includes a support structure, and a blade operatively positioned by the support structure on the material carrying side of the conveyor belt and orientated to deflect or redirect outlying material on a conveyor belt back inside the alignment of the skirts. The support structure includes a housing having an upright slot within which the blade is slidably mounted. The blade rests on the belt under its own weight, but is freely movable relative to the support structure. This enables the blade to maintain contact with the belt and follow any undulations in the belt, and self-adjust for wear on the blade. A damper may be provided for damping movements of the blade. |
| US08668076B2 |
Conveyor device for laser treatments
A conveyor device (10) for conveying a material (M) through a treatment station (101) where the material (M) is subjected to a laser treatment (12) capable of leaving contamination residues on the conveyor (10). The conveyor (10) outlines a closed loop trajectory passing through, after removing the treated material (M), two brushing stations (103, 106) where the surface of the conveyor (10) is subjected to brushing with a washing station (104) interposed where the conveyor (10) is subjected to washing through the projection (1040, W) of washing liquid. |
| US08668075B2 |
Cleaning-in-place system
A cleaning-in-place system for use with an easily cleanable modular belt. The belt has modules with a body having a first opening formed between adjacent pairs of teeth. The opening extends toward the center of the sprocket to provide access to the hinge area, when the belt engages with the sprocket, for application of cleaning fluid. |
| US08668074B2 |
Method for transferring an article
A method for transferring an article from a first conveying device to a second conveying device, where at least one conveying device comprises at least one motor, including determining a load of the at least one motor, and adjusting the relative positioning of the first conveying device with respect to the second conveying device depending on the determined load. |
| US08668073B2 |
Multipath conveyor installation
The conveyor installation makes it possible to control the speed of items of the bottle (1) type dispatched in several trains distributed across various paths in the form of single-file lanes (11). The lanes are delimited by a pair of walls (16, 17) which are arranged in an omega shape over a base plate made up of several juxtaposed conveyors (13, 14, 15). Each lane (11) may comprise a fixed wall (16) acting as a reference, and a moving wall (17) that can be adjusted according to the dimensions of the items that are to be conveyed. |
| US08668072B2 |
Machine and method for forming groups of products to be cased
The invention relates to a machine for products having a non-circular cross-section, such as ovoid containers or bottles. The machine includes: a collector having cavities arranged obliquely relative to the XX' axis of the conveyor used to supply said products; a means for transferring the batch of products formed into groups by said collector to a depositing station, on a table arranged along said feed conveyor; a means for dropping the batch of products by a reversing movement in an oblique direction; and a means for returning said collector to the starting point, that is, level with the first product on said feed conveyor. |
| US08668070B2 |
Oblong lazy Susan
A track and carrier system has a plurality of carriers having an upper surface, a bottom surface, and at least one roller coupled to the bottom surface, wherein the upper surface of the plurality of carriers is shaped such that it has a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end pointed substantially inwardly of the continuous groove and at least one roller is configured to travel within a continuous groove in a platform so that displacement of one carrier in the plurality of carriers displaces at least one additional carrier in the plurality of carriers about the continuous groove. |
| US08668069B1 |
Differential detection coin discrimination systems and methods for use with consumer-operated kiosks and the like
Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, generating a contour signal by digitizing the sensor signal, identifying an active interval in the contour signal by eliminating the segments of the contour signal which are close to zero, and detecting the coin approach, pivot and departure points (coin features) from the contour signal in the active interval. The coin features can be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin. |
| US08668058B2 |
Vented disc brake rotor
A ventilated brake rotor (24) includes vent holes (42) between inboard (32) and outboard (34) friction plates. The vent holes (42) are separated by ribs (40) spaced in regular circumferential increments about the rotor (24). The rib pattern (40) is divided into two or more sectors (48) of equal angular measure. Within each sector (48), an attenuation region (50) interrupts two or more ribs (40) by replacing the ribs (40) with a cluster of individual pins (54) which may be arranged in radial and circumferential rows. Each attenuation region (50) spans a territory within each sector (48) that is preferably at least 20% and less than 55% of the sector (48) real estate. The rotor (24) completely or at least substantially eliminates vibration modes in objectionable, audible frequencies without adversely affecting the structural integrity, cooling capabilities or functional attributes of the disc brake assembly (22). |
| US08668057B2 |
Parking brake
Disclosed is a disk type parking brake employing a ball-in-ramp type actuator. The parking brake improves a structure of a sealing member installed around a shaft between a caliper housing and a lever member to enhance the braking performance. |
| US08668054B2 |
Counterweight in an elevator installation
An elevator installation includes at least one elevator car and at least one counterweight, wherein the at least one elevator car is capable of being moved on guide rails in an elevator shaft by a drive with a driving pulley and with a supporting and propulsion apparatus. The at least one counterweight is formed with a hollow body enclosing a filling. In the event of a freefall, the hollow body is destroyed allowing the filling to emerge. |
| US08668052B2 |
Constant level oiler level adjustment tool
Methods and apparatus relates to a tool with a laser to assist with adjustment of a constant level oiler associated with rotating equipment. The tool projects light from the laser onto a housing of the rotating equipment to identify position of a level adjuster of the oiler relative to an oil level marker on the housing of the rotating equipment. The tool includes a portion that is inserted into part of the oiler during use of the tool and is coupled to the laser, which may be moveable from the portion inserted and may have extension from the portion inserted counterbalanced by a weight also coupled to the portion inserted. |
| US08668051B2 |
Lubricating device for linear transmission mechanism
A lubricating device used in a linear transmission mechanism is disclosed to include a housing having an accommodation chamber and an opening formed on the inside and periphery thereof in equal cross section, a pressure member axially movable in the accommodation chamber, a screw rod pivotally mounted in the housing and having a first transmission portion located on one end thereof and extended out of the pressure member, a screw nut threaded onto the screw rod and driven by the screw rod to stop against the pressure member outside, a transmission member defining therein a transmission slot and a second transmission portion and a third transmission portion at two opposite sides of the transmission slot for alternatively rotating the first transmission portion, and driving device for reciprocating the transmission member. |
| US08668050B2 |
Lubrication-condition detector, lubricant feeder, injection molding machine and method of detecting lubrication-condition
A lubrication-condition detector detects a lubricant shortage of a target portion that repeats a predetermined operation at a predetermined cycle. The lubrication-condition detector includes: a physical-quantity measuring unit for continuously measuring a physical quantity related to the target portion; and a computer for determining a presence of a lubricant shortage based on the physical quantity. The computer includes: a cycle extractor for extracting a cycle datum per an operational cycle from continuous data including the physical quantity and its measuring time; a representative-value calculator for calculating a representative value for each of plural cycle data; and determining unit for determining a presence of a lubricant shortage based on the plural representative values. |
| US08668043B2 |
Self-propelled electric mower
The invention relates to a self-propelled electric mower. The self-propelled electric mower comprises a cutter arranged on the machine body (1), an electric motor for driving the cutter to operate, and road wheels (2) arranged on the machine body. A driving device (3) for driving the machine body to walk is arranged on the machine body and comprises a transmission system (4) for driving the road wheels to move and a power source (5) for driving the transmission system to work. The transmission system comprises belt transmissions (4-1) connected with the power source, external gear transmissions (4-2) connected with the belt transmissions, and internal gear transmissions (4-3) connected with the external gear transmissions and in meshing connection with the road wheels. The self-propelled electric mower provided by the invention obtains higher transmission ratio by using multi-stage transmission, so that the output torque of the driving motor is reduced, the volume and the cost of the driving motor are decreased, the self-propelled walking function is realized, noise is lowered, and energy is saved. |
| US08668036B2 |
Control systems and methods for electric drive utility vehicles
Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. |
| US08668033B2 |
Work vehicle
A work vehicle includes a pair of electric motors independently running and driving right and left running wheels in a state of being able to create straight running state and turning running; a pair of right and left change speed operation tools independently manually operated and performing a change speed operation to the right and left running wheels; and a controller controlling operation. The controller controls the operation of the respective electric motors by setting target speeds with regard to the respective electric motors such that the speed difference in the target speeds is smaller than the speed difference corresponding to the difference in the operation positions of the respective change speed operation tools by a set amount in a case where the operation positions of the respective change speed operation tools are different between right and left. |
| US08668023B2 |
Releasing control unit for a residential fire protection system
Systems, methods and aspect thereof for a fire protection system including a releasing control panel. In one aspect a fire protection system for a residential unit as defined in the 2002 Edition of the National Fire Protection Association Standard 13, 13D and 13R having at least one dwelling is provided. The fire protection system preferably includes a liquid supply source along a main line and a network of pipes in communication with the dwelling. The system includes at least one sprinkler in the network to discharge a fluid within about fifteen seconds of sprinkler activation. In addition, the system includes at least one fire control panel disposed between the main line and the pipe network to control release of a fire fighting fluid under various control modes. The system further include at least one fire detector disposed in the at least one dwelling and in communication with the at least one fire control panel. In one aspect of the preferred system is sectional control to the first and at least a second dwelling. |
| US08668022B2 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing carbon dioxide in situ
A system and method for cracking, hydrogenating and extracting oil from underground deposits is presented. A system includes injecting carbon dioxide and syngas into a deposit of oil under the ground to crack and hydrogenate the heavy oil to produce upgraded oil with a reduced density and reduced viscosity. The carbon dioxide acts as a pressurization agent to further reduce the viscosity of the heavy oil. The method transports the reduced density and reduced viscosity oil aboveground. The carbon dioxide is left underground after the reduced viscosity oil is transported aboveground. |
| US08668021B2 |
Energizing ring nose profile and seal entrance
A wellhead seal assembly that forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. An elastomeric seal is located below the seal ring and has a bottom portion that contacts an upward facing shoulder of a hanger. An energizing ring with a tapered nose is moved into the slot. The tapered nose has a compound angle that determines how much the nose travels into the slot when a force is applied to the energizing ring. Once the elastomeric seal is compressed to a desired level, the load on the energizing ring has increased to the point that the tapered nose of the energizing ring will further enters the slot and force the outer and inner walls of the metal seal into sealing engagement with the inner and outer wellhead members. |
| US08668017B2 |
Variable buoyancy subsea running tool
A variable buoyancy subsea running tool for use with subsea transportable devices, such as a tree cap. The buoyancy of the running tool may be varied through fluid or gas displacement in one or more containers. Alternatively, the running tool may be configured with a buoy that has static buoyancy, with the buoyancy of the running tool being varied through the addition of a counterweight. The running tool can be used to install or uninstall a tree cap on a subsea tree. Installation of a tree cap may be actuated by a remotely operated vehicle. Additionally, the running tool may be moved by a remotely operated vehicle and may have additional features such as a position locator device. |
| US08668015B2 |
Dual check valve
A check valve comprising a section of a drill string, a flapper valve positioned within and concentric to the section of the drill string, and a piston valve positioned within and concentric to the section of the drill string. The flapper valve allows fluid flow in a first direction through an inner portion of a cross-section of the section of the drill string and not allowing fluid flow in a second direction, and the piston check valve allowing fluid flow in the first direction through an outer portion of the cross-section of the section of the drill string and not allowing fluid flow in the second direction, where the first portion and the second portion of the cross-section of the section of the drill string are mutually exclusive. |
| US08668014B2 |
Subsurface safety valve for high temperature and high pressure wells
A subsurface safety valve particularly designed for high temperature and high pressure applications has an improved tubular joint connection that provides for a compliant metal to metal seal without adversely affecting the break out torque. The valve also includes axially extending grooves in the inner surface of the tubular housing in the area of a actuating piston bore to relief stresses in that area thereby reducing the risk of stress failure. |
| US08668012B2 |
System and method for servicing a wellbore
A wellbore servicing system, comprising a sleeve system comprising a ported case, a sliding sleeve within the case and movable between a first sleeve position in which the sleeve restricts fluid communication via the case and a second sleeve position in which the sleeve does not, a radially divided segmented seat movable between a first seat position in which the seat restricts movement of the sleeve and a second seat position in which the seat does not, and a sheath covering a portion of the seat, the sleeve system being transitionable from a first, to a second, to a third mode, in the first mode, the sleeve is in its first position and the seat in its first position, in the second mode, the sleeve is in its first position and the seat in its second position, and, in the third mode, the sleeve is in its second position. |
| US08668009B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling a volume of hydrogen input and the amount of oil taken out of a naturally occurring oil field
A system and method for cracking, hydrogenating and extracting oil from underground deposits is presented. A method includes injecting a mixture of oxygen, steam and oil into an injection well to upgrade oil in an oil deposit below ground to decrease the viscosity of the oil to product upgraded oil. The upgraded oil is extracted with a production well to bring upgraded oil aboveground. The method monitors at least one characteristic of the upgraded oil to determine when the at least on characteristic exceed a threshold. The mixture of oxygen, steam and oil is adjusted when the at least one characteristic exceeds the threshold value so that the mixture of oxygen, steam and oil does not exceed the threshold. |
| US08668008B2 |
Atomic battery powered downhole completions assembly
A completions assembly having an autonomous self-sustaining portion powered by an atomic battery. The atomic battery may be of a non-based beta voltaic variety configured to provide uninterrupted power to the autonomous portion of the assembly for substantially the life of the well. Thus, continuous monitoring of well conditions or low power actuations, via sensors and/or actuators of the autonomous portion, may be supported. As a result, the autonomous portion may be operated in a fully wireless manner without the requirement of hard wiring to the main bore/surface connected portion of the completions assembly. |
| US08668002B2 |
Roller winding roman style shade
A roller-shade winding roman style shade is provided. A technical feature thereof is to utilize an actuating member of a cord or a band-shaped long strip of fabric to connect a blind material and a roller shade. Thus, as the roller shade rises, the parts where the blind material and the actuating member are connected are pulled up sequentially from the bottom up, and when reaching the top end, the points where the blind material and the actuating member are connected are kept at approximately the same height, such that the roman style shade is in a retracted and folded state. The blind material of the whole roman style shade can be folded up or dropped down merely through connection of the actuating member between the blind material and the roller shade, the roller shade has diversified applications and is more flexible in use and pleasant to look at. |
| US08668001B2 |
Folding partitions having protected actuation devices and related methods
Movable partitions and systems are provided and may include accordion-style folding doors or partitions having sheets of folding panels. In one embodiment, the movable partition may include at least two hinge panels indirectly connecting adjacent folding panels. The hinge panels may have laterally spaced apart the adjacent folding panels from one another such that a compartment is formed upon retraction or folding of the sheets of folding panels. One or more control devices, such as an actuation device or a display panel, may be mounted on at least one of the hinge panels, or on the panel disposed between hinge panels such that, when the movable partition is in a retracted or folded state, the actuation devices are housed within the compartment. |
| US08667993B2 |
Composite hose with luminescent exterior portions
A hose or duct that is comprised of a rubber, plastic, metal, woven or non-woven textile or composite material is outfitted with a luminescent exterior member. The luminescent exterior member includes a luminescent material. The luminescent exterior member can be incorporated into the manufacture of the hose, or added to and/or around the exterior of the hose after manufacture of the hose. The luminescent exterior member may be wound around the hose in a spiral manner or may run longitudinally along a length of the hose in a single line or multiple lines. The luminescent exterior member may be fixably coupled to the hose with adhesive or molecularly bonded or with an attachment mechanism or the luminescent exterior member may be externally spiraled as a rigid spiral sleeve and thereby removable from the hose and may be reusable. |
| US08667987B2 |
Flow controlled switching valve
A flow path switching valve is disclosed that can be operated remotely simply by turning flow on and off. A mid portion of the body has at least one passage therein leading from a central axial bore to one or more external ports each having a tractor nozzle. The valve outlet connects the axial bore to a cleaning nozzle. A poppet member is received in the central axial bore. In a first position, the poppet member directs fluid flow through the outlet to the cleaning nozzle connected to the outlet. The poppet member, when in a second position, closes the central axial bore through the outlet end of the valve body and permits fluid flow through the tractor nozzles. Selection of the different flow paths is made by simply reducing flow through the valve below a predetermined fluid flow threshold and then increasing the flow rate above the threshold. |
| US08667985B2 |
Pressure relief valve and vent assembly
A pressure relief valve and vent assembly include a tank vent including: (i) a vent body having a vent inlet adapted to connect to a tank and arranged to communicate with an exhaust outlet via a fluid passageway; (ii) an exhaust check valve connected to the vent body at or adjacent the exhaust outlet, the exhaust check valve being configured to allow flow in one direction only; and (iii) a pressure relief valve connected to the tank vent inlet and adapted to couple to a tank. The pressure relief valve, when closed, allows for venting air or air/hydrocarbon mixtures from the tank to the exhaust check valve via the fluid passageway. The pressure relief valve, when opened on pressurization of the tank, exhausts tank fluid from the exhaust check valve. |
| US08667984B2 |
Expansion valve
To reduce a weight of a valve main body of an expansion valve formed by an extrusion molding of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy or the like. A valve main body 100 is made of a material obtained by an extrusion molding of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy or the like. Two pair of holding faces 101a and 101b, and 102a and 102b are formed on both side face 100a and 100b in the extruding direction of the valve main body 100, and the other portions are to be concave as much as possible, so that the weight can be reduced. The holding faces 101a and 101b and the holding faces 102a and 102b are parallel faces, and come to be holding faces for chuck claws C1 and C2 at a time of machining. |
| US08667983B2 |
Relief valve for oil pump
A relief valve for an oil pump can prevent a main gallery from being damaged by largely decreasing peak pressure of an oil pump by using bypass flow according to oil pressure of the main gallery in cold start of an engine, and can control the discharging pressure of the oil pump at the optimum level when the engine is warmed up, by defining a housing chamber communicating with the main gallery of the engine and a plunger chamber bypassing some of oil flowing to the main gallery to the oil pump or an oil pan in accordance with oil pressure in the housing chamber using a plunger chamber, and by changing a modulus of elasticity of a coil spring elastically supporting the plunger in accordance with the oil pressure produced in the main gallery, by using a substance that is expanded by temperature. |
| US08667977B1 |
Oxygen sensor for tank safety
Methods and embodiments are described for sampling and measuring oxygen concentrations of flowing samples drawn from the ullage of a chemical or fuel tank and from a source of inerting gas used for purging the tank. The sampled flows are drawn with a venturi pump or a pneumatically driven turbine pump and returned to the ullage of the tank. An optical absorption spectrophotometer is used having a diode laser sensor, and both sensor and the pump can be safely located near to the tank. Control systems and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the oxygen level within the ullage of the tank. |
| US08667970B2 |
Airway device with tongue-engaging member
An oral device for improving airway patency includes a base adapted to be held between a patient's upper and lower teeth and a tongue-engaging member. The tongue-engaging member engages the tongue and displaces the tongue anteriorly when the base is held between the patient's teeth. A vacuum is applied through the base and the tongue-engaging member in order to draw the soft palate against a posterior region of the tongue in order to stabilize the soft palate and open or clear the patient's airway. |
| US08667964B2 |
Nasal interface
A patient interface includes a body portion configured to communicate with at least one fluid path, and at least one nostril interface extending from the body portion. The nostril interface includes an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a nostril of a patient and to be in communication with the at least one fluid path. In an embodiment, the insertion portion includes a plurality of laterally directed openings configured to communicate fluid between the fluid path and the nostril. The patient interface also includes a seal portion that is constructed and arranged to provide a seal between the patient interface and the nostril. |
| US08667956B2 |
Controllable launcher
A controllable launcher for propelling a payload through a predictable and repeatable trajectory to a desired height. The launcher has an energy source for propelling a carriage and a piston in substantially opposing directions and a controller for controlling the trajectory of the propelled payload to enable the payload to land gently at a safe impact distance from the edge of a destination structure. |
| US08667953B2 |
Cylinder deactivation to reduce fuel enrichment after fuel cutoff modes
A system includes a fuel cutoff module and a cylinder deactivation module. The fuel cutoff module generates a fuel cutoff signal when a deceleration fuel cutoff condition occurs, wherein fueling to M cylinders of an engine is disabled based on the fuel cutoff signal, and wherein M is an integer greater than or equal to one. The cylinder deactivation module deactivates the M cylinders in response to the fuel cutoff signal. |
| US08667950B1 |
Oil-less rotary engine
Method and apparatus for oil-less engine with a revolving rotor are shown. Oil-less engine allows manufacturers to build environmentally safer oil-free engines, with fewer engine parts and at reduced costs of manufacturing. In one embodiment, the present invention is a method of internal combustion in an oil-less engine casing. The method is, revolving a multi-angular rotor around a center point to sequentially combust with each of a plurality of fireheads, revolving in a manner that each side of the multi-angular rotor successively achieves a top dead center position with a respective firehead. A firehead is a combination of a sparking means, a fuel injector and an air injector. |
| US08667949B2 |
Engine driven power generator apparatus
An engine-driven power generator apparatus, which includes, within a case, an engine and a power generator drivable with the engine, and in which an operation panel is provided on a front cover and an air intake louver for introducing air into the case is provided within the case, includes: a waterproof cover covering the operation panel and the air intake louver; an air guide passage of a labyrinth shape provided within the waterproof cover and communicating the outside of the waterproof cover with the air intake louver; and a brush-shaped water separation unit provided in the air guide passage and having a plurality of pins projecting in a direction intersecting flows of air in the air guide passage. |
| US08667948B2 |
Dwell cycle crank
The dwell cycle crank includes a reciprocating piston having a piston head or cylinder, a main body connected to the piston head, a cap detachably mounted to the main body, an S-shaped cam formed between the main body and the cap, a follower disposed in the S-shaped cam, a rotatable crankshaft, and an offset journal disposed between the connecting bearing and the crankshaft to thereby form a torque arm. The S-shaped cam and connecting bearing create periodic dwells and faster strokes in the crank cycle to maximize volumetric and geometric efficiencies of the engine. |
| US08667947B2 |
Oil passage structure of engine
An oil passage structure for an engine of a vehicle is provided with a connecting rod swingably coupled to a crankshaft rod by a plurality of crankpins, the plurality of crankpins being disposed between a plurality of crank journals, and a plurality of support portions for rotatably supporting the crankshaft by the plurality of crank journals in a cylinder block. The crankshaft has a first oil passage formed therein, the first oil passage supplying oil from an opening formed in one end face thereof to sliding surfaces of the plurality of crankpins, the plurality of support portions have a second oil passage formed therein, the second oil passage supplying the oil to a sliding surface of each of the plurality of crank journals, and the first oil passage and the second oil passage communicate with each other in some of the support portions and in some of the crank journals. |
| US08667943B2 |
Internal combustion engine having a cylinder head and a cylinder block
An internal combustion engine (1), including a cylinder head (2) and a cylinder block (3), with a crankcase (10) being fixed to the cylinder block (3), and with at least one mass balancing shaft (20) being held in the crankcase (10). In order to reduce the production effort it is provided that—when seen in the direction of the axis (19a) of the crankshaft (19)—a first pin (26) which is arranged in a borehole (6) and arranged as an alignment pin is positioned in the region of the face side (5) of the crankcase (10) on a straight connecting line (27) between the axis (20a) of the mass balancing shaft (20) and the axis (19a) of the crankshaft (19), with preferably the first pin (26) being arranged in the crankcase (10) and the borehole (6) in the flanged bush (24). |
| US08667940B2 |
Engine assembly including valvetrain lubrication system
An engine assembly includes an engine block, a cylinder head coupled to the engine block and first and second lubrication systems. The first lubrication system includes a first pump in communication with the engine block and providing a first fluid to the engine block. The second lubrication system is isolated from the first lubrication system and includes a second pump in communication with the cylinder head and providing a second fluid to the cylinder head. |
| US08667934B1 |
Engine having compression ratio variable device
An engine may include a crankshaft, a piston, a connecting rod that connects a crank pin of the crankshaft with the piston, and a compression ratio variable device that varies a distance between the piston and the crank pin, wherein the compress ratio variable device includes: a block cover mounted on an outside of the engine block and a cover journal portion and a worm wheel mounting space are formed therein, a control shaft contacting the cover journal portion and an operating arm protruding from an exterior circumference of the control shaft, and a motor portion, wherein a worm connected to the motor portion is mounted to the block cover, the worm being engaged with the worm wheel so as to rotate the control shaft according to the motor portion, wherein a distance between the piston and the crank pin is varied by a rotation of the control shaft. |
| US08667932B2 |
Cooling structure for internal combustion engine
A spacer covets intermediate portions of respective cylinder bores in a depth direction of a water jacket throughout the entire peripherics of the intermediate portions in the peripheral direction. Accordingly, the intermediate portion of each cylinder bore becomes higher in temperature than any other portion, and is thermally expanded. Thereby, the clearance between the cylinder bore and the corresponding piston increases. Thus, the friction decreases to improve fuel efficiency of an internal combustion engine. Furthermore, the temperature of oil lubricating the intermediate portion of the cylinder bore rises, and the viscosity decreases. Accordingly, the effect of friction reduction is enhanced more. Furthermore, upper and lower portions of the cylinder bores in a cylinder axis direction are sufficiently cooled. Therefore, the cooling performance of a top part and a skirt part of each piston, which tends to become higher in tempera lure, is secured. Accordingly, overheat can be prevented. |
| US08667931B2 |
Control method for a vehicle air intake system
A method of controlling a vehicle engine compartment cooling system by cooperatively controlling both a variable grille opening and engine cooling fan based on a number of vehicle inputs. Maximum component cooling demand, vehicle speed, and ambient temperature are inputs to lookup tables that issue grille opening demand and engine cooling fan demand. Additionally, vehicle overall power consumption is considered in the development of the lookup tables. A vehicle computing unit selects grille opening settings and cooling fan speeds that correspond to demands from lookup tables. A control signal is sent to an adjustable grille actuator and to a fan motor. Further, vehicle deceleration events are used to trigger a full open grille opening setting, allowing increased cooling at little or no loss to vehicle efficiency. A benefit of the disclosed method is optimal settings to minimize the grille opening for aerodynamic performance while providing required engine component cooling. |
| US08667930B2 |
Method and apparatus for averting waterfowl settlements
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for averting water fowl settlements using a humane, non-lethal, optionally solar and rechargeable battery operated microcontroller controlled by preset code, a multi-patterned and changing light generating apparatus, with at least 500 nm to 570 nm visible and 300-399 nm ultraviolet spectrum LED lights, activated by means for sensing ambient light levels to determine activation periods and resting periods for retraining water fowl to relocate settlements to an alternate location by disrupting their dark-adapted night vision. The apparatus may be in the form of a floating buoy or a land or other structural surface mountable device and includes means to prevent perching thereon. |
| US08667929B2 |
Animal self-care device
An animal self-care device including a base, at least one base rubbing surface disposed on the base for contact by an animal, and at least one arm having first and second ends. The second end of the arm is pivotally attached to the base to pivot among a stored position and a deployed position. At least one arm rubbing surface is disposed on the arm for contact by an animal. |
| US08667922B2 |
Closure element for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle
A closure element is provided for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle, in which tank an at least slight excess pressure and/or vacuum may exist. An indication is provided on the closure element, by which indication the operator is informed of the presence of excess pressure and/or vacuum in the tank. The indication takes place mechanically by way of a mechanical pressure sensor, specifically with respect to the presence of essentially ambient pressure or excess pressure by use of different colors. For this purpose, an indicating dial can be provided in the closure element, which indicating dial can be rotated by way of a pin displaceable against a spring force under the influence of the pressure existing in the tank. A jacket segment being recognizable by the operator through a window. |
| US08667919B2 |
Boat anchor
A boat anchor is described and which includes a fixture, which is releasably secured to a cleat that is mounted on a boat; an adjustable arm moveably mounted to the fixture and which has a distal end; a channel member mounted on the distal end of the adjustable arm and which defines a passageway; and an elongated anchor rod which is received in the passageway and which further has a distal end which is operable to engage an underwater surface, which is located near the boat, and wherein the adjustable arm maintains the boat at a predetermined distance from the anchor rod. |
| US08667918B2 |
Apparatus for reducing pitching and rolling motion of vessel
Provided is an apparatus for reducing the pitching and rolling motion of a vessel, the apparatus including a plurality of buoyancy members spaced apart from each other and vertically slidably mounted on a vessel, a plurality of hydraulic cylinders that are connected to the upper end portions of the respective buoyancy members and receive the locomotive power of the buoyancy members that rise from waves, and a hydraulic connection line provided in such a manner that the hydraulic pressures of the hydraulic cylinders are interconnected, so that the hydraulic pressures, which are generated from the rise of the hydraulic cylinders due to the rise of the buoyancy members located at the peaks of the waves, can be supplied to the hydraulic cylinders located at the troughs of the waves to cause the buoyancy members to fall, thereby increasing the buoyancy of the vessel and restraining the pitching and rolling thereof. |
| US08667914B2 |
Waste treatment
A process and related apparatus for the treatment of hazardous waste and an initially separate waste stream, the process comprising gasifying the waste stream in a gasification unit to produce an offgas and a char material; and plasma treating the offgas, and optionally the char material, in a plasma treatment unit to produce a syngas; and blending hazardous waste with the waste stream at a point in the process determined by the relative chemical and/or physical properties of the hazardous waste and the waste stream. |
| US08667912B2 |
Burner for highly caking coal, and gasifier
In a burner for highly caking coal in which a solid fuel channel that is attached penetrating through a surrounding wall of a gasifier for gasifying a highly caking solid fuel that has been pulverized into particles and that supplies the solid fuel into the gasifier by gas flow transportation, and a gasifying agent channel that supplies a gasifying agent into the gasifier are provided, a blockage detection unit that detects a blockage situation of the solid fuel channel is provided, and a process for reducing the temperature of the solid fuel is performed when the blockage detection unit detects a predetermined blockage situation. |
| US08667909B2 |
Adjustable attachment device for furniture
An article of furniture includes a support and a plurality of members, each of the members extending along the bottom face of the support. Each of a plurality of attachment devices attaches a respective one of a plurality of legs to one of the members such that each of the members is attached to at least one of the legs. The attachment devices include multiple bodies and multiple fasteners. Each of the attachment devices are able to be adjusted as needed to account for slight manufacturing discrepancies that may occur due to manufacturing tolerance ranges so that the legs attached to the members via the attachment devices are positionable where desired in accordance with a predetermined design. |
| US08667897B2 |
Gas generator
A gas generator includes a housing and a diffuser connected to the housing. The diffuser has a cup-like shape and includes an opening portion joined to the housing and a circumferential wall portion provided with gas discharge ports. A partition plate is attached to the opening between the housing and the diffuser for closing the opening. The diffuser has first and second tubular space portions therein communicating with each other, the first tubular space portion facing the partition plate, and the second tubular space portion communicating with the gas discharge ports. A step is formed between the first and second tubular space portions such that the inner diameter of the first tubular space portion is larger than the inner diameter of the second tubular space portion, and a cross-sectional area of the second tubular space portion is smaller than the total opening area of the gas discharge ports. |
| US08667893B2 |
Side door switching mechanism for a toaster
The patent of invention is provides with a side door switching mechanism for a toaster, which includes two side doors, a side door open lock catch, a side door closing lifting device and a timing electromagnetic controller. The side door can be closed automatically when the lifting board presses the side door shaft. The side door is opened by press the open push rod with the lock catch lifts up by the gear effect of the gear lever. The patent of invention presents the user hurt by directly contacting the side door. |
| US08667892B2 |
Beverage forming system having liquid delivery tank with expansion chamber
A beverage forming method and system employing the introduction of air into the heater tank and/or an expansion chamber after liquid delivery is complete. An expansion chamber may be provided at the top of the heater tank and provide a tortuous flow path from an air inlet to the tank outlet. |
| US08667886B2 |
Variable output hydraulic actuator system
Methods and apparatuses of generating a dynamic variable average flow applied by a hydraulic system of a vehicle. |
| US08667885B2 |
Actuating device for a shift element of a transmission device which can be applied with an actuating pressure
An actuating device for a shift element of a transmission which is acted upon by a hydraulic actuating pressure (p_B1) and comprises a valve device. To vary the actuating pressure (p_B1), the valve device is acted upon by a control pressure (p_EDS) in an area of active surfaces (A18, A19) of at least a first and a second valve slides. An active surface (A38) of the first valve slide (A8) is acted upon by a hydraulic pressure (p_B2) which is equivalent to the actuating pressure (p_B1), acts in opposition to the control pressure (p_EDS) and can be adjusted as a function of the control pressure (p_EDS) applied, such that a smaller variation of the actuating pressure (p_B1) results from a change of the control pressure (p_EDS) within a first pressure range of the control pressure (p_EDS) than within a second pressure range of the control pressure (p_EDS). |
| US08667884B2 |
Hydraulic valve device
A Hydraulic valve device includes a first engine port and a second engine port to a double acting hydraulic motor, and a pump, a hand valve, which is arranged such that it connects the engine ports to the tank and the pump, and which hand valve has two open positions, wherein the pump in the first open position via a line is connected to the first engine port and the tank via a line is connected to the second engine port, and wherein the pump in the second open position via the line is connected to the second engine port and the tank via the line is connected to the first engine port, and a first nonreturn valve, arranged between the pump and the second engine port and opens towards the second engine port. A piston which by way of the load pressure in the first engine port via a line governs the first nonreturn valve, such that it is kept closed as long as the pump pressure does not exceed the load pressure, and a second nonreturn valve arranged such that it, as long as the hand valve is in its first open position, connects the first engine port to the second engine port and opens in direction towards the second engine port. |
| US08667875B2 |
Accessory retention device for a rotary impact tool
A power tool assembly includes an anvil having an accessory receiving end portion that defines a detent bore. A detent is positioned in the detent bore and movable between a retracted position and an extended position in the detent bore. A biasing member is configured to urge the detent toward the extended position. The detent includes an upper detent portion having a trailing abutment surface, a trailing top surface portion, and a leading top surface portion. When the detent is positioned in the extended position, the trailing abutment surface and the trailing top surface portion are located outside of the detent bore, and the leading top surface portion is located within the detent bore. When the detent is positioned in the retracted position, the trailing abutment surface is located within the detent bore, and the leading top surface portion is located within the detent bore. |
| US08667872B2 |
Socket holder
A socket holder may be designed as part of a socket extension or built into a socket holding end of a ratchet. The socket holder may have a mechanism to hold the socket at a conventional position. However, unlike conventional socket holders, the present invention may allow the socket to push past the holding mechanism, allowing the socket holder to fill an inside of the socket and provide pressure on the head of the bolt being applied by the socket. A magnet may be disposed on the end of the socket holder facing the bolt to help secure the bolt within the socket holder. |
| US08667871B2 |
Telescoping extension tool
A telescoping extension tool for use in combination with a socket wrench is disclosed herein. Embodiments of the telescoping extension tool are installed onto the socket wrench to extend the reach of the socket used in combination with the socket wrench. Because the extension tool is telescoping, the reach of the telescoping extension tool is infinitely adjustable between the shortest extension and the longest extension of the telescoping tool. Additionally, the external surfaces of certain components of embodiments of the present invention allow the use of other tools designed to grip hexagonal shapes to supply the rotation and torque necessary to loosen or tighten fasteners. |
| US08667866B2 |
Machining tool blank and method of forming
A blank for use in forming a machining tool having a body with at least one end face and at least two recesses formed in the end face including a first recess wherein the first recess extends from the end face at an angle of about 15° to about 60° and a second recess continuing from the first recess extending from the end face at an angle of about 40° to about 90°. |
| US08667865B2 |
Hybrid transmission
A transmission for a vehicle which includes a ground engaging structure driven from an output member of the transmission is disclosed, the transmission including a first input member connected to a prime mover, and a second input member drivable by the operation of a hydraulic drive motor, and the transmission being operable to transmit drive from the first input member to the output member in mechanical drive mode, and from the second input member to the output member in hydrostatic drive mode, the first input member providing a drive input from the prime mover to a mechanical drive train which includes a gear ratio selection apparatus, and for mechanical drive mode, the gear ratio selection apparatus providing for one of a plurality of alternative gear ratios to be selected by the engagement and/or disengagement of at least one power-shift clutch device, and the second input member being connected via a drive path to the output member, and there being a power-shift clutch device between the hydraulic drive motor and the second input member which is operative when the transmission is in hydrostatic drive mode, to transmit drive established by the operation of the hydraulic drive motor to the second input member. |
| US08667859B2 |
Shifting device
In a parking position lock shifting device of a motor vehicle including an internal combustion engine, particularly a parking lock shifting device with at least one hydraulic shifting unit, the shifting unit is designed so as to be operable by a drive unit that is operable separately from the internal combustion engine. |
| US08667858B2 |
Steering gear having a fixed bearing and a floating bearing for a screw pinion
A steering gear comprises a shaft bearing configuration which comprises a mounting which is installed in a housing section of the steering gear and has openings that enable a pivoting movement by an annular section of the mounting which is assembled with a first rolling bearing, and the mounting comprises a disk-shaped section, which is provided with the openings and relative to which the annular section can be pivoted, wherein the annular section is either assembled with the outer ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the housing section, or the annular section is assembled with the inner ring of the first rolling bearing and the disk-shaped section is attached to the shaft. |
| US08667855B2 |
Inlet sampling method and device
An inlet apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may include a first conduit for sampling, and a second and third conduit for directing flow throughout the inlet apparatus. Flow may be induced in two opposite directions through the second conduit, which affect the flow of gas through the first conduit for sampling. The various conduits of the apparatus may be connected to a device for inducing flow in different directions. The duration of the flow in a particular direction affects the amount of sample gas that enters a detection device. |
| US08667854B2 |
Torque sensor
A small, high-stiffness torque sensor. An annular deformable body is disposed between left and right side supports. Convex sections protruding from the left side support in a rightward direction are joined to the left side surface of the annular deformable body, and convex sections protruding from the right side support in a leftward direction are joined to the right side surface of the annular deformable body. When force is applied to the right side support and torque around the Z axis acts on the left side support, the annular deformable body is elliptically deformed and the long-axis position of the inner peripheral surface of the annular deformable body moves away from the Z axis while the short-axis position moves closer to the Z axis. The acting torque is detected as a variation in the capacitance value of capacitive elements formed by displacement electrodes and fixed electrodes. |
| US08667851B2 |
Touch sensor mechanical interface
A mechanical interface for a touch sensor includes a housing for the sensor, a triggering member for triggering the sensor, and biasing means for biasing the triggering member away from the sensor. Application to the triggering member of a predetermined force overcoming the biasing force causes the triggering member to move toward and into an electric field generated about the sensor, thereby triggering the sensor. |
| US08667850B2 |
Bidirectional wind pressure detecting apparatus
Provided is a measuring apparatus capable of measuring a wind pressure, and in particular, a bidirectional wind pressure detecting apparatus having wind pressure sensors installed at an air introduction port and an air ejection port, respectively, to measure a wind pressure regardless of a direction of the air. |
| US08667848B2 |
Pressure indicator
A pressure indicator for indicating pressure of a pressure source. The indicator comprises a first reservoir which defines a first enclosed volume having a first inlet pipe for communication between the first enclosed volume and a first source of pressurized fluid. A passage which provides a flow path for the pressurized fluid. |
| US08667846B2 |
Method of operating an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver
Operating an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver includes providing a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A first MEMS transducing member includes a first size. A first portion of the first MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the first MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A second MEMS transducing member includes a second size smaller than the first size of the first MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the second MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the second MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the first and second MEMS transducing members. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the first and second MEMS transducing members. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. Electrical pulses are sent to the first MEMS transducing member which causes the first MEMS transducing member and the compliant membrane to vibrate. The vibrations of the first MEMS transducing member and the compliant membrane are transmitted to an object. Echo signals are received from the object. The received echo signals are converted into electrical signals by the second MEMS transducing member. |
| US08667838B2 |
Operating a vessel occlusion catheter
Some systems and methods for operating a vessel occlusion catheter may include a control and inflation device to control the filling of the balloon in such a manner that the vessel wall will not be overstressed while the safe occlusion of the blood vessel is achieved. |
| US08667832B2 |
Method and system for particle settling velocity measurement
The invention provides a simple, inexpensive, accurate, and rapid method of measuring particle settling velocity comprising: (i) providing a gravity settler such as a column; (ii) filling the column with a first homogenous particle suspension, wherein the particle concentration in the first homogenous particle suspension is X, (iii) separating the column into an upper sub-column and a lower sub-column with a height h after settling the first homogenous particle suspension for a period of time t, wherein some particles remain in the upper sub-column; (iv) removing the particle suspension in the upper sub-column and mixing the particle suspension confined in the lower sub-column with a height h to prepare a second homogenous particle suspension; (v) measuring the particle concentration in the second homogenous particle suspension X; and (vi) determining the particle settling velocity v with the formula: v=h(X−X)ltX. Also provided are device and system for carrying out the method. |
| US08667830B2 |
Method and apparatus for in situ testing of gas flow controllers
Methods and apparatus utilize a rate of drop in pressure upstream of a gas flow controller (GFC) to accurately measure a rate of flow through the GFC. Measurement of the gas flow through the many gas flow controllers in production use today is enabled, without requiring any special or sophisticated pressure regulators or other special components. Various provisions ensure that none of the changes in pressure that occur during or after the measurement perturb the constant flow of gas through the GFC under test. |
| US08667827B2 |
Grid runner
A roll-formed grid runner comprising a sheet metal strip folded into an upper hollow single wall reinforcing bulb, a double wall web below the bulb, a channel extending laterally from both sides of a lower end of the web to a bend and upwardly from the bend to a panel supporting elevation, the bend on each side of the web existing at a longitudinally extending score line where a thickness of the strip is locally reduced. |
| US08667824B2 |
Electrode assembly for electro-hydraulic forming process
An electrode assembly for electro-hydraulic forming tool in which the insulation sleeve is assembled over an electrode rod. The insulation sleeve has a deflection surface that is beveled or oriented at an angle relative to the axis of the electrode rod. The electrode assembly may include a replaceable conical receptacle that facilitates placement of an electrode tip an insulation sleeve tip. An electrode tip profile that is shaped to minimize erosion caused by discharge of the electro-hydraulic forming machine. |
| US08667820B2 |
Lock mechanism for fixing a slide bar in either of two positions
A lock mechanism for manually or automatically fixing a slide bar in either of two positions. A lock body has a key barrel adapted to rotate a lock cam in a first rotational direction. A latch is biased in a closed position, the latch being adapted to move to an open position when the lock cam is rotated in the first rotational direction. A slide bar is fixable in a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the slide bar is biased in the unlocked position. A knob slider is adapted to move the slide bar into the locked position such that the latch moves to the closed position and engages a notch of the slide bar to fix the slide bar in the locked position. A servo motor is adapted to rotate a servo cam in a second rotational direction to move the slide bar into the locked position, and is adapted to rotate the lock cam in the first rotational direction to move the slide bar into the unlocked position. The key barrel is adapted to rotate in the first rotational direction to move the slide bar into the unlocked position. The lock mechanism can be made smaller, more compact, less expensive, have fewer parts, and be easier to manufacture. |
| US08667812B2 |
Hydrocabon gas processing
A process and an apparatus are disclosed for removing carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The gas stream is cooled, expanded to intermediate pressure, and supplied to a fractionation tower at a top column feed position. The tower overhead vapor stream is compressed to higher pressure and cooled to partially condense it, forming a condensed stream. The condensed stream is expanded to intermediate pressure, used to subcool a portion of the tower bottom liquid product, then supplied to the tower at a mid-column feed position. The subcooled portion of the tower bottom liquid product is expanded to lower pressure and used to cool the compressed overhead vapor stream. The quantities and temperatures of the feeds to the fractionation tower are effective to maintain the overhead temperature of the fractionation tower at a temperature whereby the major portion of the carbon dioxide is recovered in the tower bottom liquid product. |
| US08667810B2 |
Air conditioning system for communication equipment
An air conditioner for communication equipment is provided. The air conditioner includes an indoor module disposed at an indoor space of a base station having communication equipment and including an indoor heat exchanger and an indoor ventilator disposed closely to the indoor heat exchanger, an outdoor module disposed at an outside of the base station and including an outdoor ventilator, a brine cooling cycle including the indoor heat exchanger on a brine pipe, a brine pump, first and second outdoor brine heat exchanger, and first and second brine coolers, which are connected in a brine circulating direction, and a refrigerant cooling cycle including first and second expansion valves on a refrigerant pipe, the first and second brine coolers on the brine pipe, first and second compressors, first and second outdoor refrigerant heat exchangers, which are connected in a refrigerant circulating direction. |
| US08667802B2 |
Variable fan duct nozzle translatable core/inner cowl including two overlapping portions made of different materials
An aircraft nacelle comprising an outer cowl and an inner cowl located inward of the outer cowl with an air flow path formed therebetween. The inner cowl may comprise a forward portion and an aft portion slidable in a forward-to-aft direction via one or more actuators. When translated aftward, the aft portion may decrease the area of the nacelle's fan duct nozzle. The greatest radial distance between the inner cowl and a center axis of the nacelle may occur at or forward of a location in which the forward and aft portions overlap each other. The forward portion may be comprised of a different material than the aft portion. |
| US08667801B2 |
Combustor liner assembly with enhanced cooling system
An enhanced cooling system for the downstream end of a combustor liner assembly is provided. The downstream end region of the combustor liner assembly is formed by a subassembly comprising an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member and a middle band. The middle band includes a plurality of undulations having alternating peaks and valleys. The middle band is operatively positioned between the inner and outer tubular members to form a plurality of elongated cooling passages. A turbulence generator is provided along each of the cooling passages and extends radially inward from a portion of the peaks such that the turbulence generator and the valleys contact an outer peripheral surface of the inner tubular member. The surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the inner tubular member is greater than the surface area of the middle band that is in contact with the outer tubular member. |
| US08667799B2 |
Cascaded power plant using low and medium temperature source fluid
The present invention provides a method for operating a plurality of independent, closed cycle power plant modules each having a vaporizer comprising the steps of: serially supplying a medium or low temperature source fluid to each corresponding vaporizer of one or more first plant modules, respectively, to a secondary preheater of a first module, and to a vaporizer of a terminal module, whereby to produce heat depleted source fluid; providing a primary preheater for each vaporizer; and supplying said heat depleted source fluid to all of said primary preheaters in parallel. |
| US08667797B2 |
Organic rankine cycle with flooded expansion and internal regeneration
A heat engine system configured to extract thermal energy from a heat source, convert a first portion of the thermal energy to work using an expansion device, and reject a second portion of the thermal energy to a heat sink. The system utilizes a second fluid to inhibit a temperature drop of the first fluid within the expansion device. |
| US08667793B2 |
Brake fluid reservoir and installation for the manufacture of such a reservoir
Reservoir in which the walls (111, 121) and the partitions (112, 122) are assembled by thermowelding the edges together with the exception of the edges (113a, 123a) of the well elements (113, 123), the edge (113a) of the upper element (113) and the edge (123a) of the lower element (123) of the well (104) have complementary shapes producing, by assembly under the pressure exerted by bringing together and welding the walls (111, 121) and the partitions (113, 123) of the reservoir (100), a fluid-tight joint between the edges of the two well elements, without generating projections that are deformed toward the interior of the well.The thermowelding hotplate (140) has a cut-out (143) along the line of the well elements (113, 123) so as to leave the edge (113a, 123a) of the well elements out of contact when the edge (111a, 121a) of the walls (111, 121) and that (112a, 122a) of the partitions (112, 122) of each of the reservoir parts (110, 120) is pressed against one face (141, 142) of the hotplate. |
| US08667792B2 |
Dead-volume management in compressed-gas energy storage and recovery systems
In various embodiments, coupling losses between a cylinder assembly and other components of a gas compression and/or expansion system are reduced or eliminated via valve-timing control. |
| US08667790B2 |
Universal hole cutter
The present invention discloses a universal hole cutter in the field of mechanics, comprising an oil pump body, an oil cylinder and an oil storage chamber, in which the oil pump body could be fixedly connected with the oil storage chamber and the oil paths thereof could be communicated with each other. A pressure mechanism could be provided on the oil pump body for pressing the power oil within the oil storage chamber into the oil cylinder. The oil cylinder could be fixedly threaded with a pipe joint communicating with the internal cavity of the oil cylinder, and the pipe joint could be communicated with the oil pump body through a rigid movable linkage mechanism which could rotate the oil cylinder with respect to the oil pump body. Compared to the prior art, in the universal hole cutter thus described, the thread connection of the pipe joint and the oil cylinder is reliable and convenient. Furthermore, no welding site exists between the pipe joint and the oil cylinder, which makes a tidy connection and an aesthetic appearance of the complete hole cutter. The universal hole cutter tends not to have a blocking defect and has a good reliability in use. |
| US08667785B2 |
Catalysed substrate monolith
A catalysed substrate monolith 12 for use in treating exhaust gas emitted from a lean-burn internal combustion engine, which catalysed substrate monolith 12 comprising a first washcoat coating 16 and a second washcoat coating 18, wherein the first washcoat coating comprises a catalyst composition comprising at least one platinum group metal (PGM) and at least one support material for the at least one PGM, wherein at least one PGM in the first washcoat coating is liable to volatilize when the first washcoat coating is exposed to relatively extreme conditions including relatively high temperatures, wherein the second washcoat coating comprises at least one metal oxide for trapping volatilized PGM and wherein the second washcoat coating is oriented to contact exhaust gas that has contacted the first washcoat coating. |
| US08667784B2 |
Exhaust gas purification apparatus for a diesel engine
An exhaust gas purification apparatus for a diesel engine mounted on a vehicle includes a regenerative diesel particulate filter, an accumulated amount detector, an exhaust gas temperature raising unit, and a forcible regeneration control unit. The forcible regeneration control unit measures an automatic regeneration enable time in which an automatic regeneration condition for regenerating the filter is satisfied when the diesel engine is operating, determines from the automatic regeneration enable time whether the probability is high in which a regeneration will be completed without being interrupted when the automatic regeneration condition is continuously satisfied, performs automatic regeneration when determining that the probability of regeneration being completed is high. |
| US08667781B2 |
Vehicle control device
A vehicle control device applied to a vehicle including an internal combustion engine and an electrically heated catalyst which is warmed by applying a current, and includes a catalyst carrier supporting a catalyst and a carrier retention unit that retains the catalyst carrier and has an electrical insulation property. The control unit performs a control of suppressing a supply of an unburned gas from the internal combustion engine to the electrically heated catalyst so that the carrier retention unit is maintained at a lower temperature than the catalyst, when a condition for performing a fuel cut of the internal combustion engine during a deceleration is satisfied. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a rapid cooling of the catalyst, and it becomes possible to maintain a temperature of the carrier retention unit at a lower temperature than a temperature of the catalyst. |
| US08667780B2 |
Methods and systems for emission system control
Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including an emission control system, the emission control system comprising a catalyst downstream of a turbine of a boosting device and a reductant injector upstream of the turbine. In one example, the method comprises injecting reductant into exhaust upstream of the turbine, mixing the injected reductant with exhaust gas via the turbine, and delivering the mixed reductant to the catalyst. |
| US08667776B2 |
Pellet-loaded multiple impulse rocket motor
There is disclosed an apparatus which may include a common nozzle and a plurality of combustion chambers coupled to the nozzle. Each of the plurality of combustion chambers may include a case, a solid fuel propellant charge in the form of a plurality of fuel pellets, and an igniter disposed to ignite the propellant charge. Each of the plurality of combustion chambers may also include a pellet retainer disposed to retain unignited fuel pellets within the case and a burst disk disposed between the propellant charge and the nozzle. Each burst disk may adapted to rupture when the associated propellant charge is ignited and to not rupture when a propellant charge of any of the other combustion chambers is ignited. |
| US08667770B2 |
Header
A header has a middle section disposed on a base frame, and at least two side sections disposed adjacent the middle section and comprising a flexible cutter bar and at least one conveyor device located downstream of the cutter bar, which, on the respective side sections, is in the form of an endless belt disposed adjacent the middle section in order to transport crop cut by the cutter bar parallel to the longitudinal axis of the header in the direction of the middle section, wherein the side sections comprise a large number of supporting arms which are pivotably mounted on the base frame, wherein the supporting arms of the particular side section carry the cutter bar, and at least one supporting element is provided which carries at least one belt, thereby enabling them to move independently of one another. |
| US08667769B2 |
Applying liquid biodegrading agents to guided harvest residue
Apparatus and methods for harvesting a plurality of crop rows guide harvest residue and apply a liquid biodegrading agent thereto, while harvesting the crops. |
| US08667763B2 |
Connector for supporting a veneer panel on a back-up wall
A connector for coupling a veneer panel to a back-up comprises a support member. The support member comprises a mounting flange adapted for securing the support member to said back-up wall. The support member further comprises first and second support member side walls extending outwardly from the mounting flange. The first and second support member side walls define at least one generally horizontal slot when the support member is secured to the back-up wall. The connector further comprises a veneer connector configured for non-rotational sliding receipt in the generally horizontal slot and adapted to support a generally horizontal edge of said veneer panel when the veneer connector is received in the generally horizontal slot and when the support member is secured to the back-up wall. |
| US08667759B2 |
Wall block system
In some embodiments, a wall block system has at least one block, multiples of the at least one block being suitable for use in constructing a wall from multiple courses of the blocks stacked one upon the other. For example, the wall block system can comprise at least one block having opposed first and second faces, the area of the first face being greater than the area of the second face, wherein the first face or second face can serve as an exposed face on one side of the wall, and each block having an upper surface and lower formed with a single central slot to receive a three-way block-connecting element thereby allowing vertically adjacent blocks in a wall to be interconnected in three different positions to establish a neutral batter, negative batter or a positive batter between blocks in adjacent courses. |
| US08667746B1 |
Lifting assembly for precast concrete building panel having reduced thermal conductivity, and method of constructing and using the same
A building panel comprises 2 parallel slabs separated by a layer of insulation. Each of a pair of planar plate-like lift wings has a 1st and a 2nd lift wing portion. Each of the 1st lift wing portions is penetrated by at least one through opening. A planar plate-like lift head defines a plane of symmetry orthogonal thereto. 1st and 2nd lift head portions are symmetrically disposed on either side of the plane of symmetry. Each lift head portion is penetrated by at least one through opening symmetrically disposed relative to the plane of symmetry. Each lift head portion is penetrated by at least one through opening symmetrically disposed relative to the plane of symmetry. The lift head is attachable to both lift wings when the 1st lift wing portions are orthogonal to the plane of symmetry. The lift head is detachable from both lift wings to eliminate thermal conductivity between the lift wings. |
| US08667745B1 |
Military service persons burial marker assembly
A military service persons burial marker assembly having an upper plaque having front and rear faces; upper indicia fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the upper plaque's front face, the upper indicia commemorating the service person; a bracket cantilevering rearwardly from the upper plaque; a lower plaque having a front face; lower indicia fixedly attached to or formed wholly with the lower plaque's front face, the lower indicia further commemorating the service person; a loop fixedly attached to and extending rearwardly from the lower plaque; and a hook connected operatively to the loop, the hook being adapted for engaging the bracket for resisting downward movements of the lower plaque with respect to the upper plaque. |
| US08667744B2 |
Shielding device and associated methods
A shielding device for protecting decks from rotting includes an upper member, a pair of opposing main body sidewalls, an upper grip, and a side tab. The main body sidewalls may include a first portion and a second portion terminating with a drip edge. The upper grip may protrude from the bottom of the upper member, and the side tab may protrude from the inner portion of at least one of the main body sidewalls. |
| US08667737B2 |
Weather seal for a vehicle door
A weather seal for a door of a vehicle includes a base configured to be attached to the door. At least one seal lip extends longitudinally along the base and outwardly from the base, the seal lip configured to sealingly engage a door sill of the vehicle to close a gap formed between the door and the sill. At least one shield is coupled to at least one of the base and the seal lip. The shield is located proximate a predetermined exterior portion of a body of the vehicle when the door is proximate the sill, the shield covering the exterior body portion. |
| US08667733B2 |
Cut tree hydrating system
A first instruction is provided to add the contents of a container to the reservoir bowl portion of a tree stand, where the material includes an amount of a SuperAbsorbent Polymer (SAP). A second instruction is provided to add ice. In one example, an assembly includes a container, where the SAP is in the container, and where the container bears the instructions. This assembly is provided to the user. The user follows the instructions, and pours the contents into the reservoir bowl, and then adds ice to the reservoir bowl. The melting ice hydrates the SAP. The hydrated SAP then transfers moisture to a cut tree held by the stand. Water is replenished by adding more ice. No water must be poured or handled to hydrate the tree, so spilling and difficulties associated with pouring volumes of water into the bowl portion are avoided. The SAP is reusable and biodegradable. |
| US08667732B2 |
Method for the treatment of plants using electromagnetic fields
The invention relates to a method for the treatment of plants using electromagnetic fields and consists in applying pulse sequences to growing plants or the seeds thereof in a pulsed electromagnetic field by means of a pulse generator, wherein the individual pulses have a frequency ranging from 1 to 100 Hz and the amplitude of each individual pulse corresponds to an exponential function or the pulses have envelope curves rising and falling in the form of an arc, wherein the individual pulses are emitted in synchronous or asynchronous groups of pulses having different magnetic flux densities, and wherein the plants are exposed to the pulsating electromagnetic field once to 30 times a day for 1 to 120 minutes each time or continuously for several days. Plant growth, germination and yields are significantly increased in an environmentally friendly manner. Resistance to diseases is increased. |
| US08667730B1 |
Fishing hook remover and fish releaser
A fishing hook remover with a V (10D) shape on the front end. Used to position and secure fishing hooks. The back end of the de-hooker has handle (20) is attached to body (12) and trigger (22) is attached to handle (20). V (10D) is part of jay (10), which is attached to the front end of tubular body (12). Shaft (14) is position in the center of body (12) by front space (26) and back spacer (28). The two spacers (26) and (28) have holes in their centers, which allow shaft (14) to slide. The back end of shaft (14) has a pivotal connection to front link (16). The back end of front link (16) has a pivotal connection to back link (18) and the back end of back link (18) has a pivotal connection to body (12). When trigger (22) is fully out front link (16) and back link (18) form proximately a 90-degree angle at their common connection. When trigger (22) is depressed it causes the angle between front link (16) and back link (18) to increase this in turn push shaft (14) towards point (10A). When trigger (22) is fully depressed shaft (14), front link (16) and back link (18) are in a straight line and the front end of shaft (14) is touching jay (10) at point (10A). Spring (24) pushes trigger (22) out when it is released. Fishing hooks are secured by being pushed against point (10A) by shaft (14). |
| US08667725B2 |
Trigger guard for loading and unloading a weapon
A weapon safety apparatus comprising a sleeve comprising a cavity portion open to receive a trigger portion of a weapon and free of any structures that impede movement of the trigger. The sleeve further comprises a body portion comprising at least one closed portion preventing access to a trigger of the weapon. The sleeve is shaped to provide access to all loading or unloading components of the weapon. The cavity portion of the sleeve may be further open to receive a handle of the weapon. A method for loading and unloading a weapon using the above weapon safety apparatuses is also provided. |
| US08667723B2 |
Dynamic latch for a tube mounted magazine well
A dynamic latch to selectively retain a magazine within the magazine port of a long gun. The dynamic latch permits the magazine to be inserted into the magazine port by movement in a single direction eliminating the need to rotate the magazine in order to secure it within the magazine port. The dynamic latch may include an outer housing, a piston positioned within the housing, and a spring positioned between the outer housing and the piston. A latch profile on the end of the piston may extend out of an opening in the end of a magazine well when the spring is in an uncompressed state. |
| US08667722B2 |
Firearm with enhanced recoil and control characteristics
The invention comprises improved designs in a recoil control device comprising a bolt and slider for use in a variety of firearms. In one embodiment, the bolt and slider are articulated so that the displacement of the bolt results in a force component accompanying the slider as it moves along a slider path that traverses a line formed by a linear firing axis of the barrel of the firearm. The slider can have additional structural and functional features, including stabilizing features, vibrational damping elements, elements of the fire control mechanism, and devices to manage the peak impulse of the slider movement as it contacts a base or terminus point. |
| US08667720B2 |
Product highlighter
A product highlighter includes a frame configured to surround merchandise located on a first display shelf of a display shelving unit. The frame includes an upper frame member, a lower frame member spaced apart from the upper frame member, a first side frame member coupling the upper frame member to the lower frame member, and a second side frame member spaced apart from the first side frame member and coupling the upper frame member to the lower frame member. The lower frame member is attached to an underside of the first display shelf with at least one first bracket and the upper frame member is attached to an underside of a second display shelf located directly above the first display shelf with at least one second bracket. |
| US08667719B2 |
Three-sided channel sign coupler
A three-sided channel coupler for connecting the upper and lower portions of a U-shaped sign post, the coupler comprising two U-shaped elements, an outer three-sided, U-shaped element and an inner, three-sided U-shaped element, the three sides of each element comprising a transverse face and two lateral legs, the inner element being smaller than the outer element, a plurality of cross-braces attached to the two lateral legs of each element to hold the two elements together and a plurality of vertical ribs on the inner surface of the outer element and on the outer surface of the inner element. |
| US08667718B2 |
Vehicle sign
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus for displaying sign on a vehicle, the apparatus having a first sleeve and a second sleeve. Further, the apparatus may include one or more first sleeve fasteners capable of being coupled to the first sleeve and one or more second sleeve fasteners capable of being coupled to the second sleeve. In addition, the apparatus may have a main housing capable of being fastened to the first sleeve and a receiving housing capable of being fastened to the second sleeve. Also, a winding mechanism may be coupled to the main housing and indirectly or direct coupled to the first sleeve. Moreover, such an apparatus may include a rollable vehicle sign capable of rolling and unrolling on the winding mechanism, a first end of the vehicle sign coupled to the winding mechanism and a second end coupled to the receiving housing. |
| US08667714B2 |
Attachment and locking system for replaceable traction cleats
A thinner shoe mounted receptacle results from a thin cleat attachment flange received in a shallow receptacle cavity. An angled interface between the cleat and receptacle provide a friction fit engagement to minimize inadvertent disengagement of the cleat and receptacle. Rotational locking occurring inside or outside the cavity further prevents inadvertent cleat rotation. Multiple positionally synchronized angular stops positively define the final angular orientation of the cleat in the receptacle. |
| US08667711B2 |
Article of footwear for snowboarding
An article of footwear for use in sporting activities such as snowboarding is disclosed. The article of footwear can include a flex notch and a coupled lace loop design. The article can further include an internal harness to enhance stability of the foot. The article can also include a threading layer configured to strengthen the upper and a corresponding connecting layer to bond the threading layer to the upper and to provide protection to other areas of the upper. |
| US08667709B2 |
Shoe sole orthotic structures and computer controlled compartments
This invention relates generally to footwear with a shoe sole, including at least one insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic is removably inserted within the shoe upper, the sides of which hold it in position. The shoe sole includes a concavely rounded side or underneath portion, which may be formed in part by the insertable midsole orthotic. The insertable midsole orthotic may extend the length of the shoe sole or may form only a part of the shoe sole and can incorporate cushioning or structural compartments or components. The insertable midsole orthotic permits replacement of midsole material which has degraded or has worn out in order to maintain optimal characteristics of the shoe sole and allows customization for the individual wearer to provide tailored cushioning or support characteristics for the purpose of orthopedic, podiatric, corrective, prescriptive, therapeutic and/or prosthetic purposes. |
| US08667708B2 |
Sole for shoes including gas dispenser device
A sole of a shoe includes a container housing a compressed gas having an active ingredient and an actuator operatively connected to the container. The container has an output for dispensing the compressed gas which is operatively connected to the actuator. The actuator permits closing of the output to restrict delivery of the compressed gas and opening of the output to permit delivery of the compressed gas from the container. The actuator includes an electro-magnet adapted to produce a magnetic field from an electrical current, and a moving element configured to assume different positions under control of the magnetic field and mechanically coupled to the output so as to correspondingly close and open the output. |
| US08667707B2 |
Device for refreshing garments
A device (1) for refreshing garments comprises means (5) for supporting a garment and means (3) for generating an air flow at the location where a garment is present when it is put in place on the supporting means (5). The supporting means (5) comprise two parts (6, 7) which are both suitable to be used for supporting a garment, and which are displaceably arranged with respect to each other. In this way, an enhanced functionality of the device (1) may be achieved in comparison with a device having supporting means which comprise only a single part. |
| US08667698B2 |
Co-ordinate measuring machine
A co-ordinate measuring machine comprising a bed provided with a horizontal measuring surface, a unit that is mobile along guides carried by the bed itself, an annular structure extending along a perimetral area of the bed and constrained thereto by statically determinate means of constraint, and a plurality of displacement sensors set between the annular structure and one between the bed and the mobile unit for detecting relative displacements with respect to an initial reference condition. |
| US08667697B2 |
Eccentric gear arrangement
The invention relates to an eccentric gear arrangement of a motor-driven, hand-guided hedge trimmer (1). The eccentric gear arrangement includes two shearing blades (2, 3) driven in mutually opposite directions over a displacement path (a). Each shearing blade has a connecting link (4, 5) as well as an eccentric wheel (6) having a drive wheel (7) and two eccentrics (8, 9). The eccentric wheel (6) rotates about a rotational axis (10). The two connecting links (4, 5) lie directly above one another. The two eccentrics (8, 9) are arranged on the same side of the drive wheel (7) and engage each in one of the two connecting links (4, 5). The two shearing blades (2, 3) have contact pressure surfaces (11, 12) in the region of their two connecting links (4, 5) and are offset with respect to each other in such a manner that they are exposed at least over a portion of the displacement path (a). Two downholders (13, 14) are provided which act each on one of the assigned contact pressure surfaces (11, 12). |
| US08667696B2 |
Rotary cutter
Embodiments according to the present invention provide improved rotary cutters and associated methods. A cutter includes a handle coupled to a plurality of rotary cutting elements which may be rotatable substantially within the same plane, within closely spaced parallel planes, or within intersecting planes, wherein the intersection of such planes occurs substantially tangential to the rotary cutting elements. The rotary cutting elements are preferably different sized and preferably becoming smaller distally from the handle. A method includes cutting an article with a plurality of rotary blades with a single motion of a human hand and/or arm. Such article may be, for example, a food article, such as pizza, or a textile article, such as leather, vinyl, or even gypsum board. |
| US08667694B2 |
Power tool
A power tool includes a power source, a speed change mechanism and a tip tool wherein the speed change mechanism has first and second rotating shafts arranged in parallel, a first power transmission passage equipped with a first gear train and a first clutch, and a second power transmission passage equipped with a second gear train and a second clutch. The speed change mechanism is constituted to switch the transmission passage between the first power transmission passage and the second power transmission passage while keeping the first and second gear trains in meshed state by switching the first and second clutches between power transmission state and power interruption state depending on a load applied to the tip tool. |
| US08667691B2 |
Actuated nail clipper
The actuated nail clipper is a grooming tool that has made it easier to clip nails. The present invention can change in length so the toe nails are easily reachable for the consumer. The elongated neck prevents the consumer from feeling any discomfort that is normally associated with clipping toe nails. A vacuum on the actuated nail clipper can suction in leftover nail clippings. The convenience of the vacuum allows for easier clean up. The present invention also includes a small light that is angled so the nail that is being cut is clearly visible to the consumer. The light helps reduce errors in nail clipping as well as decrease the strain on the consumer's eyes. |
| US08667688B2 |
Method of assembly for gas turbine fan drive gear system
A method of assembling an epicyclic gear train includes the steps of providing a unitary carrier having a central axis that includes spaced apart walls and circumferentially spaced apart apertures provided at an outer circumference of the carrier. Gear pockets are provided between the walls and extend to the apertures, and a central opening in at least one of the walls. A plurality of intermediate gears is inserted through the central opening and move the intermediate gears radially outwardly into the gear pockets to extend through the apertures. A sun gear is inserted through the central opening. The plurality of intermediate gears is moved radially inwardly to engage the sun gear. A gear reduction is also disclosed. |
| US08667687B2 |
Sump entry fitting
An entry fitting system including a generally rigid body configured to extend through an opening of a containment chamber and a generally flexible seal configured to be positioned in the body. The system further includes an insert configured to be coupled to the body and cause the seal to sealingly engage a pipe received through the body, wherein the seal is configured to enable the sealingly engaged pipe to be oriented in a non-parallel position with respect to a central axis of the body. |
| US08667685B2 |
Heat-dissipating fin capable of increasing heat-dissipating area
A heat-dissipating fin capable of increasing heat-dissipating area includes a lower plate and an upper plate. The lower plate is provided with a through-hole. The upper plate extends from the lower plate and is bent to be overlapped on the lower plate, thereby forming a heat-dissipating path (b) therebetween. In this way, the heat-dissipating area in the same height can be increased, thereby improving the heat-dissipating efficiency of the fin. |
| US08667684B2 |
Flat heat pipe and method for manufacturing the same
An exemplary flat heat pipe includes a hollow, flattened casing and a first wick structure and a second wick structure received in the casing. The casing includes a top plate and a bottom plate opposite to the top plate. The first wick structure is formed by weaving wires, and the second wick structure is made of sintered metal powder. The first and second wick structures are disposed at inner sides of the bottom and top plates of the casing, respectively. The first and second wick structures contact each other. The casing defines two vapor channels at opposite lateral sides of the combined first and second wick structures, respectively. A method for manufacturing the heat pipe is also provided. |
| US08667675B2 |
Simultaneous and selective partitioning of via structures using plating resist
Systems and methods for simultaneously partitioning a plurality of via structures into electrically isolated portions by using plating resist within a PCB stackup are disclosed. Such via structures are made by selectively depositing plating resist in one or more locations in a sub-composite structure. A plurality of sub-composite structures with plating resist deposited in varying locations are laminated to form a PCB stackup of a desired PCB design. Through-holes are drilled through the PCB stackup through conductive layers, dielectric layers and through the plating resist. Thus, the PCB panel has multiple through-holes that can then be plated simultaneously by placing the PCB panel into a seed bath, followed by immersion in an electroless copper bath. Such partitioned vias increase wiring density and limit stub formation in via structures. Such partitioned vias allow a plurality of electrical signals to traverse each electrically isolated portion without interference from each other. |
| US08667674B2 |
Surface ablation process with electrode cooling methods
A bipolar electrode assembly includes a substrate having proximal and distal ends and supports first electrode and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes are disposed in an interwoven configuration across the surface of the substrate from the proximal to distal ends. A cooling medium is disposed interposed between the first and second electrodes from the proximal to distal ends. The first and second electrodes each include a plurality of finger-like prongs which either extend lengthwise or transversely or the first and second electrodes extend spiral inwardly along the surface of the substrate. The prongs of the first electrode intermesh with the prongs of the second electrode. Each prong is separated by the cooling medium. First and second electrodes may be disposed in a lengthwise alternating configuration across the surface of the substrate with a cooling medium disposed in vertical registration thereunder. |
| US08667673B2 |
Method for fabricating a laminated structure
A method for fabricating a laminated structure includes (i) preparing a first substrate having electroconductivity, (ii) forming a first electroconductive film having a prescribed hardness on the first substrate by an electroforming, (iii) forming a second electroconductive film having a hardness that is lower than the prescribed hardness on the first electroconductive film by an electroforming, (iv) patterning the first electroconductive film and the second electroconductive film to a prescribed pattern to form a plurality of electroconductive film patterns, and (v) subjecting the first substrate and a second substrate repeatedly to pressure contact and release to transfer sequentially the plurality of electroconductive film patterns on the first substrate onto the second substrate. |
| US08667669B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing a packaged device
It is an objective of the present invention to eliminate wafer testing. Provided is a manufacturing apparatus comprising a detecting section that detects a position of a device terminal of a device; a generating section that generates a substrate-side terminal, which connects to the device terminal, on a substrate at a position corresponding to the device terminal; and a mounting section that mounts the device on the substrate and connects the device terminal to the substrate-side terminal. The detecting section captures an image of the device and detects the position of the device terminal based on the captured image, and the generating section prints a pattern of the substrate-side terminal on the substrate at a position corresponding to the device terminal. |
| US08667668B2 |
Stent sheathing technology
A method of sheathing a stent including the steps of providing a stent assembly including a catheter member and a stent member disposed about the catheter member; placing a first sheath film adjacent one side of the stent assembly; placing a second sheath film adjacent an opposite side of the stent assembly, and compressing the stent assembly, whereby the first and second sheath films move toward each other and substantially surround the stent assembly. The first and second sheath films are provided in rolls. Compressing is implemented by a radial compression mechanism. The first and second sheath films pass through the radial compression mechanism. Compressing sheaths the stent assembly and crimps the stent onto the catheter. As an alternative to two sheath films, a single film may be used, whereby compressing surrounds the stent assembly with the single sheath film. Also disclosed is an apparatus for sheathing a stent. |
| US08667666B2 |
Method for producing stator or rotor with interlaced wire groups forming an intertwined wave winding
The disclosed method produces a stator or rotor having a distributed wave winding, in which the wires are associated in pairs lying with straight segments in the same slots. Head portions of two successive straight segments of each wire of a pair protrude from opposite ends of slots. For forming two wire groups, a plurality of coil windings are simultaneously created by winding up n parallel wires with intermediate spacing onto a striplike former that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. From each of the parallel wires one straight segment and one end turn are doubled by being bent over with the wire length of a head portion, and then head portions are formed and the wires interlaced. Finally, the two wire groups are wound onto one another and thereby intertwined with one another, and then introduced as an entire intertwined wave winding strand into the stator or rotor slots. |
| US08667665B2 |
Method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator
One embodiment of the present inventions sets forth a method for decreasing a temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of a MEMS resonator. The method comprises lithographically defining slots in the MEMS resonator beams and filling the slots with a compensating material (for example, an oxide) wherein the temperature coefficient of Young's Modulus (TCE) of the compensating material has a sign opposite to a TCE of the material of the resonating element. |
| US08667663B2 |
Eccentric fitting assembly
An eccentric fitting assembly includes an outer eccentric fitting which defines an outer axis, the outer eccentric fitting defines an opening offset from the outer axis and an inner eccentric fitting which defines an inner axis, the inner eccentric fitting defines a stud opening offset from the inner axis, the inner eccentric fitting receivable within the opening. |
| US08667658B2 |
Calibration method in a machine for processing plate elements
A calibration method and machine for detecting a location mark (12) printed on plate elements (10) within a processing machine (1) having an introducer (20) for positioning the plate elements (10) into a plurality of gripping members (31) of a conveyor (30) which conveys them in rhythmical motion into successive stations (3, 4, 5). The introducer (20) includes a fastening device to the plate elements. The introducer (20) is driven by a control unit (40) that also drives at least one illuminating device and at least one sensor (7). A plate element (10) is selected from a batch of them. The fastening device fixes the plate element (10) to the introducer (20). The introducer (20) is driven to perform a succession of back-and-forth movements with the plate element (10). At the time of each back-and-forth movement, the illumination device subjects the location mark (12) printed on the plate element (10) to a different illumination, and the sensor (7) performs a corresponding measurement, so as to obtain a succession of measurements. The calibrated illumination parameters that will be used during the processing of the whole batch of plate elements (10) are determined according to the succession of measurements obtained. |
| US08667657B2 |
Method and apparatus for engine piston installation by use of industrial robots
A method and apparatus for engine piston installation in which robots are used for the entire engine piston installation process. A first robot equipped with a stuffing gripper and force control picks up a piston with a connection rod, detects the piston ring presence, squeeze the rings, find the engine cylinder bore, and stuffs the piston into the cylinder bore. A second robot can be used to load and unload the engine block, hold the block and position it to the location, and indexes the crankshaft into the proper orientation for each cylinder bore. A set of tools either fixed on a stationary station or on a third robot is used to guide the piston connecting rod, transport and place on the connecting rod cap, and fasten the cap onto the connecting rod. The piston connecting rod guiding process may be omitted in piston stuffing for some types of engines. |
| US08667654B2 |
Method for manufacturing a polycrystalline dielectric layer
A method manufactures a capacitor having polycrystalline dielectric layer between two metallic electrodes. The dielectric layer is formed by a polycrystalline growth of a dielectric metallic oxide on one of the metallic electrodes. At least one polycrystalline growth condition of the dielectric oxide is modified during the formation of the polycrystalline dielectric layer, which results in a variation of the polycrystalline properties of the dielectric oxide within the thickness of said layer. |
| US08667653B2 |
Casket cap panel insert with applique applied thereto
A casket comprises a casket shell adapted to receive the remains of a deceased having a pair of side walls, a pair of end walls, and a bottom wall, and a casket cap. The cap includes a dish assembly mounted to an underside of the cap. The dish assembly includes a cap panel, a pair of opposed puffings attached to opposed longer sides of the cap panel, a pair of opposed puffings attached to opposed shorter sides of the cap panel, and at least a pair of generally horizontally spaced apart and generally vertically extending pleats. An appliqué panel overlies the cap panel and is sized and configured such that its opposite side edges are removably received and retained by respective ones of the pair of pleats. The appliqué panel is transparent to allow viewing of the cap panel behind it, and includes an embroidered appliqué applied on its front face. The appliqué panel thereby creates a three-dimensional appearance of the embroidery floating in front of the cap panel. |
| US08667650B1 |
Decorative magnetic cufflink conversion device
An adaptable magnetic cufflink assembly to convert conventional button sleeve button cuffs to a decorative French cuff cufflink. A cuff button attachment clip is magnetically secured through a shirt sleeve cuff portion to a magnet retainment stud having a selective fastener assembly registerable with a decorative cufflink overlay. |
| US08667649B2 |
Special boutonniere device for wearing floral arrangements
A Boutonniere mounting device for Wearing Floral Arrangements. The device is comprised of a flexible panel with features, a means to attach the panel to a floral arrangement, and one or more securing means such as pins to complete mounting device and floral arrangement clothing or other supportable means. It provides a manner for the affixing of flowers or other objects to clothing. |
| US08667642B2 |
Vacuum accessory tool
An accessory tool for use with a suction source has a housing having a suction outlet and a suction nozzle. A hair collection element is pivotally mounted within the suction nozzle for movement between a forward position and a rearward position. The hair collection element can be in the form of a blade and a hair collecting material mounted to the blade for contacting a surface to be cleaned. Alternatively, an elastomeric material can be coated onto the blade or form the blade itself. Also, the hair collecting material can be formed into the form of the blade without any support other than a rod for mounting the fabric. |
| US08667636B2 |
Folding trowel assembly with multiple blades
A folding trowel assembly has multiple trowel blades of assorted types and sizes housed in a casing. The folding trowel assembly allows for different trowel blades to be unfolded and used as needed. A pivot mechanism includes a pivot pin for positioning each of the trowel blades into a working position at an adjustable angle relative to the casing. A release mechanism applies compression to the stacked trowel blades to inhibit rotation of the trowel blades about the pivot pin and relieves compression from the stacked trowel blades to permit rotation of the trowel blades about the pivot pin. An angle between the casing body and the casing neck tab allows trowel blades to be pivoted such that sufficient clearance is provided between the casing body and a work surface to permit the casing body to be used as a handle for each of the trowel blades. |
| US08667635B2 |
Portable grouting-cleaning machine for clad walls
A portable grouting-cleaning machine for clad vertical walls includes a frame, an upperly open water container of essentially vertical extension supported by the frame, an endless sponge band stretched between deviation rollers positioned such to form a straight vertical sponge portion to rest against the wall to be treated, the deviation rollers having at least one motorized roller and at least one roller housed in the container, to form a loop of the band therein, two handgrips positioned side by side on the portable frame, and grippable by the operator during the machine operation, and at least one pushbutton, fixed on the frame of machine, connected into the power circuit of an electric motor which drives the motorized roller and is driven by the operator who grips the handles. |
| US08667633B2 |
Structural assemblies for constructing bridges and other structures
Structural assemblies for constructing bridges and other structures. A structural assembly may comprise an elongated member defining an internal space. The structural assembly may also comprise a plurality of framing members connected to the elongated member at a plurality of pin connection nodes, each pin connection node comprising a pin interconnecting the elongated member, a first one of the framing members, and a second one of the framing members, the pin having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, at least one of the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end of the pin being located in the internal space of the elongated member. |
| US08667629B2 |
Stretcher pad with child restraint system
A stretcher pad comprises a mattress; a cuff fixed to an upper surface of the mattress; and a belt assembly arranged for securing one of a child and an infant being wrapped in the cuff; wherein a recess is formed in the mattress for accommodating at least part of the belt assembly; and a pouch is arranged on the mattress so as to cover the recess. |
| US08667625B2 |
Connecting structure for a faucet
A connecting structure for a faucet contains an inlet assembly including at least one intake and an outlet; the outlet including a connecting head; an outlet pipe including a locking loop; a nut fitted with the outlet pipe and screwed with the connecting head and including at least two outer contacting faces; a plastic housing including a chamber, a fitting opening, and a hole; the chamber including at least two inner contacting faces axially extending from an inner peripheral surface thereof, and at least one of the at least two inner contacting faces being a tangent plane, such that when the outlet pipe is inserted into the hole and the chamber to extend out of the fitting opening, the at least two inner contacting faces slide along the at least two outer contacting faces of the nut respectively and contact with the at least two outer contacting faces tightly. |
| US08667623B2 |
Shower head with reflective anti-fogging surface
Various apparatus and methods involve a showerhead that directs a stream of fluid through a portion of a cavity in a direct heat transfer relationship with a reflective surface prior to directing a stream out of the cavity and through a plurality of apertures toward a user. In an illustrative example, the user may view an image on the reflective surface while being sprayed with the plurality of streams in a steam filled environment. In some examples, the showerhead may include an inlet configured to direct the fluid toward the reflective surface as it enters the cavity. In some examples, the showerhead may operate to substantially reduce or prevent condensation from forming on the reflective surface by promoting heat transfer from the fluid to the reflective surface. |
| US08667616B2 |
Adornment defined using frayed material
An adorned article having a first layer with an exposed surface, and adornment on the first layer that is exposed for viewing. The adornment has a first edge with a predetermined shape that is defined on at least one of: a) the first layer; and b) a second layer associated with the first layer. The adornment further has a second edge that is spaced from the first edge. The first and second edges are defined by materials that have a tendency to fray at the first and second edges. The first and second edges are treated to produce visible fraying with strands that are spaced and/or intermingled. |
| US08667614B1 |
Hairstylist cape device
A hairstylist cape device prevents runoff down a person's shirt. The device includes a flexible panel. An aperture is positioned in the panel between first and second ends and between lateral sides of the panel. A dorsal portion of the panel extends from the aperture to the first end of the panel. A flap is coupled to the panel proximate the aperture wherein the flap extends from the aperture over the dorsal section of the panel. Lateral edges of the flap extend freely away from the panel wherein the flap is configured to extend into a basin inhibiting water from coming out of the basin between the basin and the dorsal section of the panel. |
| US08667613B2 |
Athletic arm warmer
A device for warming a first arm and shoulder of a wearer includes a single arm portion and a torso portion. The single arm portion is comprised of a substantially flexible material and is configured to substantially cover the first arm of the wearer from the shoulder to a position beyond an elbow of the first arm. The torso portion is connected to the single arm portion and is configured to at least partially cover an opposite shoulder of the wearer without extending to an underarm under the opposite shoulder of the wearer. The torso portion includes a relatively rigid frame member. The torso portion defines a neck opening that is configured to receive a head and a neck of the wearer. |
| US08671451B1 |
Method and apparatus for preventing misuse of a group key in a wireless network
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with preventing misuse of group keys in a wireless network are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus is configured to determine a packet type for a packet and determine a key type for the packet. The packet is analyzed based, at least in part, on the packet type and the key type to detect a security risk. |
| US08671448B1 |
Method and system for implementing mandatory file access control in native discretionary access control environments
A method for implementing a mandatory access control model in operating systems which natively use a discretionary access control scheme. A method for implementing mandatory access control for a plurality of computers, the system comprising information assets, stored as files on the computers, and a network communicatively connecting the computers, wherein each of the computers includes an operating system that uses a discretionary access control policy, and wherein each of a subset of computers includes a software agent component operable to intercept a request for a file operation on a file from a user of one of the computers including the software agent, determining whether the file is protected, if the file is protected, altering ownership of the file from the user to another owner, and providing access based on a mandatory access control policy. |
| US08671446B2 |
Method and system for configuring a rule file for firewall of web server
A method, a system, and a computer program product embodying computer readable code for configuring a rule file for a Web application firewall. The method includes: blocking a response created by a Web application; modifying the response by adding capturing code for capturing a regular expression and an associated parameter value embedded in the response while being executed; sending the modified response to the browser; receiving a request submitted by the browser and at least one regular expression and an associated parameter value captured by the capturing code; determining a parameter name and a regular expression associated with the same parameter value, and configuring the rule file of the firewall by use of the determined parameter name and regular expression associated with one another as a filtering rule. |
| US08671445B1 |
Method and system for transferring replicated information from source storage to destination storage
Machine implemented method and system for transferring replicated information from a first storage location managed by a storage operating system at a first storage system node and accessible to a client computing system to a second storage location managed by a second storage system node are provided. A resource pool having a plurality of tokens is maintained for authorizing a replication engine to transfer replicated information from the first storage location to the second storage location. The number of available tokens is increased when traffic due to client requests for accessing the first storage location is less than a first threshold level. The number of available tokens is decreased for reducing transfer of information via the replication engine, when latency in responding to the client requests reaches a second threshold value and the traffic due to client requests reaches the first threshold value. |
| US08671444B2 |
Single-party, secure multi-channel authentication for access to a resource
A method for using multiple channels to access a resource, wherein an authenticated user requests a resource that requires a second authentication parameter over a first channel, a token value is transmitted to the user on the first channel, and the user transmits the token value and a second authentication parameter over a second channel. The token value is used to associate the first authentication parameter to the second authentication parameter, whereby the user is allowed access to the resource on the first or second channel. |
| US08671443B2 |
System and method for ensuring conformance of online media distribution to copyright rules
A system and a method are described for presenting media content for users to view over the internet. Rights pertaining to said media to be viewed are uploaded to servers by users holding such rights to rent or resell such media content. Servers restrict the viewing of the content in accordance with the limitations of the uploaded rights such that copyright rules are respected at all times. |
| US08671439B2 |
Techniques for authenticated posture reporting and associated enforcement of network access
Architectures and techniques that allow a firmware agent to operate as a tamper-resistant agent on a host platform that may be used as a trusted policy enforcement point (PEP) on the host platform to enforce policies even when the host operating system is compromised. The PEP may be used to open access control and/or remediation channels on the host platform. The firmware agent may also act as a local policy decision point (PDP) on the host platform in accordance with an authorized enterprise PDP entity by providing policies if a host trust agent is non-responsive and may function as a passive agent when the host trust agent is functional. |
| US08671435B2 |
Method and system for visualizing an adaptive screen according to a terminal
The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a presentation virtualization service to a user terminal through a web based on system profile information received from a cloud device through a communication network in which the cloud device generates a list of candidate presentation virtualization technologies from the system profile information and provides a presentation virtualization service to the user terminal which uses a presentation virtualization technology based on a determination of the capability of processing each virtualization technology from the device load and outputs data related to the presentation virtualization service on a screen. The system comprises: a user terminal for transmitting system profile information to a cloud device which generates the list of candidate presentation virtualization technologies from the system profile information, and determines a device load to provide the presentation virtualization service. |
| US08671432B2 |
Aircraft in-flight entertainment system having a dual-beam antenna and associated methods
An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a radome to be carried by the aircraft, and a dual-beam satellite antenna and at least one positioner coupled thereto to be carried by the aircraft and protected by the radome. The dual-beam satellite antenna is to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. The dual-beam satellite antenna includes a first aperture for receiving the television programming, and a second aperture adjacent the first aperture for receiving the Internet data. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the dual-beam satellite antenna to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the dual-beam satellite antenna to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data. |
| US08671424B2 |
Log-based targeting of advertisements to groups
In accordance with one or more aspects, a consumer device obtains advertisement event data indicating a time when an advertisement is to be presented, and maintains the advertisement event data in a log. Advertisement data corresponding to the advertisement event data is presented at the indicated time if the advertisement event data corresponds to a subscriber group of which the consumer device is a member, otherwise the advertisement data is not presented. In accordance with one or more other aspects, program event data and advertisement event data are both obtained. Electronic program guide data is generated including both the program data and the advertisement event data, and is sent to one or more consumer devices. |
| US08671422B2 |
Systems and methods for handling advertisements in conjunction with network-based bookmarking
Systems and methods according to the exemplary embodiments provide for bookmarking of content in IPTV systems. An IPTV control server can subscribe to receive notifications associated with the insertion of advertisements into other content. Upon receipt of a bookmark storing request, the IPTV control server can determine whether the bookmark storing request is associated with an advertisement or with the other content. A bookmark can then be stored by the IPTV control server including a content identifier based on the determination. |
| US08671420B2 |
Manufacturing method of optical information recording medium and optical information recording medium
A manufacturing method of an optical information recording medium includes forming a substrate which has a first main surface and a second main surface, forming a first information signal layer on the first main surface of the substrate, forming an intermediate layer on the first information signal layer, forming a second information signal layer on the intermediate layer, irradiating light from the second main surface side of the substrate and recording identification information on a first region out of the first region and a second region, and forming a barrier layer with regard to the second main surface in the second region which excludes the first region where the identification information is recorded before the recording of the identification information. |
| US08671416B2 |
Dynamic service discovery
When an application is launched, a framework scanning module scans a plurality of frameworks linked against by the application to generate a list of available services. When the application makes a request of a particular service, a service verification module compares the requested service to the list of available services and if the requested service is found in the list of available services, sends a signal to the application, the signal allowing access to the requested service for the application. Otherwise, access to the requested service is denied. |
| US08671414B1 |
Accelerating data intensive computing applications by reducing overhead associated with communication protocols
Various embodiments are directed toward improving Virtual Machine performance by reducing the amount of communication protocol processing performed between co-resident Virtual Machine guest applications executing on the same physical machine. Overhead can be reduced by short-circuiting the full communication protocol stack when a plurality of Virtual Machine guest applications are hosted and executing on the same physical machine such as a data storage node or a compute accelerator node. Improvements may also be realized by enabling the sharing in virtual memory of physical memory pages between co-resident Virtual Machine guest applications, and employing a low latency high bandwidth network for enabling guest applications to communicate with each other that are located in different nodes in a data storage cluster. |
| US08671410B2 |
System and method for allocation of threads to user objects in a computer system
A method for allocating threads to a user in a computer system is described. The method comprises queuing up work for a first user and permanently assigning a first thread to the first user, wherein the first thread performs the queued up work for the first user, and wherein each time work is subsequently queued up for the first user, the first thread performs the queued up work for the first user. |
| US08671405B2 |
Virtual machine crash file generation techniques
Techniques for creating crash data in a virtualized environment are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present disclosure the techniques can be used when a guest operating system within a virtual machine may not have a sufficient mechanism for generating crash data. |
| US08671404B2 |
Distributing and managing virtual machines
An embodiment relates generally to a method of distributing virtual machines. The method includes specifying a set of requirements for a virtual machine and instantiating a virtual machine based on a lightweight reusable profile, based on the set of requirements as described in the profile. The method also includes importing the profile to a distribution server; and distributing the profile to at least one physical machine in response to a request. Software can be added to the at least one physical machine that can manage the deployment of the physical hosts as a farm to hosting the virtual images. |
| US08671403B2 |
Pre-creating virtual machines in a grid environment
Virtual machines can be pre-created in a grid environment. Pre-created machines can be of a tiny configuration to avoid consuming resources. A request for a virtual machine in the grid can be granted by ballooning a pre-created tiny virtual machine to a larger configuration. The tiny pre-created virtual machine can be advertised as being of a non-tiny configuration. Agents can work in concert to coordinate handing requests for a virtual machine in the grid. The virtual machine can be initialized before it is reduced to a tiny configuration. Ballooning the virtual machine can take considerably less time than creating it from scratch. Thus, high performance computing can be provided on virtual machines in a grid environment, enabling virtual machine technology to be applied in a wide variety of grid-based scenarios. |
| US08671400B2 |
Performance analysis of software executing in different sessions
A technique includes providing first objects that are associated with an application session and in a processor-based system, identifying second objects in another application session corresponding to the first objects based at least in part on a comparison of the second objects to matching rules associated with the first objects. |
| US08671399B2 |
Systems and methods for efficiently using stack registers and storage medium therefor
A compiler includes a register allocator for allocating registers for instructions in a program to be compiled, and a code generator for generating object code based on the register allocation results performed by the register allocator. The register allocator allocates logical registers for instructions in the program to be compiled. The register allocation further allocates, to physical registers, the logical registers that are allocated to the instructions of the program, so that the physical registers that are live at a procedure call in the program to be compiled are allocated from the bottom of the register stack. |
| US08671398B2 |
Working set profiler
A working set profiler can monitor an execution of a program or can monitor a user-specified portion of a program to identify methods executed within the monitored execution and associate memory page accesses with each of the identified methods. Memory page accesses are categorized as shared or exclusive, where a shared page is a page that is accessed by more than one method and where an exclusive page is a page that is accessed by only one method in the monitored portion of the program. A call tree can be constructed and augmented with the collected information regarding memory page accesses. Further, for shared pages, the name of the method with which a particular method shares the page access can be collected. The augmented call tree information can be analyzed and prioritized to identify methods whose elimination would reduce program latency. |
| US08671392B2 |
Integrating software applications
Techniques for integrating software applications include identifying an enterprise application executable in a first computing environment, where the enterprise application is compatible with a first version of a network application executable in a second computing environment so that a first set of functionality of the first version of the network application is exposed through the enterprise application. The features include identifying a second version of the network application executable in the second computing environment. The second version of the network application includes a second set of functionality at least partially distinct from the first set of functionality. The features include delivering an integration component from the second computing system to the first computing system. The integration component includes a non-modifying add-on component to the enterprise application that exposes at least a portion of the second set of functionality of the second version of the network application through the enterprise application. |
| US08671390B2 |
Resolving conflicts when importing an application customization
A conflict resolution system allows an end user to export customizations to an application program so that the customizations can be imported by another end user. The conflict resolution system may export a customization by outputting metadata describing the customization. When the customization is a custom property, the metadata may include the name of the entity with which the property is associated, the name of the property, the type of the property, a globally unique identifier for the property, the location on the user interface for the input field for the custom property, and so on. End users may want to share not only their customizations but also the underlying data associated with a customization. When a conflict occurs during import of a customization alone without the data, then the conflict resolution system resolves the conflict in favor of the imported property. When a conflict occurs during import of a customization with data, the conflict resolution system resolves the conflict in favor of the existing property. |
| US08671389B1 |
Web application resource manager on the web and localizable components
Applications can be localized by a localization expert to allow them to be used by a broader customer base. The localization can be conducted by a localization expert who is provided with a resource file containing localizable components. The resource file can be generated by providing a developer with one or more text strings based on the development code of the application and receiving the localizable components which are selected from with the text strings based on the development code. |
| US08671387B2 |
Compilation and injection of scripts in a rapid application development
Systems, computer-readable media, and methods are disclosed for generating compiled scripts from scripts that include at least one scripting-language instruction. The least one scripting-language instruction may include a script extension to specify a computational model of the application and/or a method extension to specify a function of the computational model. The script extension may be identified within the at least one scripting-language instruction and an identifier for the computational model specified by the script extension may be determined. A compiled script may be generated that includes scripting-language code for replacing the script extension by an access of the computational model identified by the identifier. The application may be executed by locating a compiled script for the application based on an identifier assigned to the compiled script, injecting the compiled script into the application, and executing the injected script in the application. |
| US08671380B2 |
Dynamic frequency control using coarse clock gating
A method and apparatus for controlling the frequency of a clock signal using a clock-gating circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment, a root clock signal and an enable signal are provided to a clock-gating circuit. The clock-gating circuit is configured to provide an operational clock signal (based on the root clock signal) when the enable signal is asserted. The operational clock signal is inhibited when the enable signal is de-asserted. The frequency of the operational clock signal can be output at a reduced frequency (relative to the root clock signal) by asserting the enable signal for one of every N clock cycles. Furthermore, the frequency of the operational clock signal can be dynamically changed by changing the rate of asserting the enable signal relative to the root clock signal, without suspending operation of a functional unit receiving the operational clock signal. |
| US08671379B1 |
Multi-threaded deterministic router
Within a system comprising a plurality of processors and a memory, a method of determining routing information for a circuit design for implementation within a programmable integrated circuit can include determining that nets of the circuit design comprise overlap and unrouting nets comprising overlap. A congestion picture can be determined that comprises costs of routing resources for the integrated circuit wherein the cost of a routing resource comprises a measure of historical congestion and a measure of current congestion, and wherein unrouted nets do not contribute to the measures of current congestion in the congestion picture. The method further can include concurrently routing a plurality of the unrouted nets via the plurality of processors executing in parallel according to the congestion picture and storing routing information for nets of the circuit design in the memory. |
| US08671377B2 |
Method and apparatus for placement and routing of partial reconfiguration modules
A method for designing a system on a target device includes assigning resources on the target device to static logic modules and partial reconfigurable (PR) modules in the system. The instances of one of the PR modules are placed and routed in parallel utilizing resources from those that are assigned. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08671369B2 |
Quantum Karnaugh map
Techniques for determining and a computing device configured to determine a quantum Karnaugh map through decomposing a quantum circuit into a multiple number of sub-circuits are provided. Also, techniques for obtaining and a computing device configured to obtain a quantum circuit which includes the minimum number of gates among possible quantum circuits corresponding to a quantum Karnaugh map are also provided. |
| US08671368B1 |
Method, system, and program product to implement detail routing for double pattern lithography
Disclosed are a method, apparatus, and computer program product to implement routing for double patterning lithography. A three-phase routing scheme is employed, comprising a global router, a C-router, and a detail router. The C-router provides double patterning color seeding for routing tracks in the electronic design. The detail router employs space-tiles to perform double-patterning based routing for wires in the electronic design. |
| US08671367B2 |
Integrated circuit design in optical shrink technology node
Disclosed is a system, method, and computer-readable medium for designing a circuit and/or IC chip to be provided using an optical shrink technology node. Initial design data may be provided in a first technology node and through the use of embedding scaling factors in one or more EDA tools of the design flow, a design (e.g., mask data) can be generated for the circuit in an optical shrink technology node. Examples of EDA tools in which embedded scaling factors may be provided are simulation models and extraction tools including LPE decks and RC extraction technology files. |
| US08671366B2 |
Estimating shape based on comparison between actual waveform and library in lithography process
The present invention aims at proposing a library creation method and a pattern shape estimation method in which it is possible, when estimating a shape based on comparison between an actual waveform and a library, to appropriately estimate the shape.As an illustrative embodiment to achieve the object, there are proposed a method of selecting a pattern by referring to a library, a method of creating a library by use of pattern cross-sectional shapes calculated through an exposure process simulation in advance, and a method for selecting a pattern shape stored in the library. |
| US08671362B2 |
Content and/or service presentation device and method and information storage medium
To effectively arouse a user's interest in new content and service, or content and service not used on a daily basis. Images of a plurality of display elements associated with respective content sets and/or service are shown; one or more display elements are selected, based on a designated position designated by a user; and content and/or a service associated with the selected display element is presented. In the above, presentation of the content and/or service is made in a different manner according to information about the provider thereof or the user. |
| US08671361B2 |
Presentation of image on display screen with combination crop and rotation and with auto-resizing of crop field
A portable electronic device, computer program product, and method of presenting image information on a display with combined cropping and rotation selection and auto-resizing of cropped portion of the displayed image. A processor accepts a selection of a portion of a displayed image by creating and displaying a selection rectangle frame over the displayed image based on detecting a first user gesture in connection with the displayed image. The processor determines a user request for rotation of the displayed selection rectangle frame based on detecting a second user gesture. The processor then rotates the selection rectangle frame on the displayed image and resizes the selection rectangle frame while maintaining it within the outer boundaries of the displayed image and while contemporaneously expanding the selection rectangle frame up to an original size of the selection rectangle frame created and displayed over the displayed image. |
| US08671360B2 |
Distributing multiple client windows using a display server
Displaying overlapping windows from a client device. Windows are displayed at a client device with a first window overlapping a second window on a single display. The first window is a current window. The current window is based on front to back ordering of windows displayed at the client device. Pixels in a region of the first window are captured and sent to a display server. At the display server, the first window is displayed on a first display region. The second window becomes the current window, resulting in capturing and sending pixels in a region of the second window to the display server. At the display server, the second window is displayed on a second display region. At the display server, the first and second windows are displayed in a non-overlapping fashion by displaying the first window and the second window on separate display regions. |
| US08671350B2 |
System and method for creating gateway between an analytical database and a virtual world
Provided is a system and method for facilitating or creating a gateway to integrate with 3D virtual worlds (e.g., Second Life and Sun Wonderland) and external applications (e.g., data visualization gateways, process modeling systems, artificial intelligences, social networks, and other virtual worlds) for three-dimensional visualization of data in a virtual world. The visualization tool may include, for example, a three-dimensional graph using various colors, dimensions, shapes, and other properties as desired, to represent different data and data values. The avatars in the virtual world, as controlled by the game's players or users in the real world, can point to or otherwise interact with elements in the three-dimensional graph whereupon the base data or other related informational data would be displayed with respect to that given cell or element of the graph. |
| US08671348B2 |
Method and apparatus for inputting schedule in mobile communication terminal
A terminal includes: a camera configured to capture an image using a lens; a memory configured to store the image captured by the camera and identification information corresponding to the captured image; a controller configured to provide control to generate schedule information based on the identification information and to store the generated schedule information in a scheduler; and a display unit configured to display the generated schedule information or the scheduler under the control of the controller. |
| US08671341B1 |
Systems and methods for identifying claims associated with electronic text
A system, method, and computer program for identifying claims associated with electronic text are provided. Electronic text is accessed. Linguistic content associated with the electronic text is identified. A linguistic structure is generated based on the linguistic content identified. The linguistic structure is compared to a claim template. A claim is identified based on the comparison. |
| US08671340B1 |
Calculating and visualizing the age of content
Age data is calculated and stored that describes the age of one or more elements in a Web page, such as images or hyperlinks. The age data may be utilized to modify the Web page such that the age of each Web page element is visually presented when the Web page is rendered. For example, the Web page may be configured such that a region is overlaid upon each element that is colored or shaded based upon the age of the element. Colored or shaded borders might also be applied to the Web page elements that indicate the age of each Web page element. The age data might also be utilized to modify the Web page such that the frequency at which each page element has been changed will be visually presented when the Web page is rendered. The age data might also be correlated to other Web page statistics. |
| US08671339B2 |
System, method and computer program product for asset sharing among hierarchically interconnected objects
In some embodiments, a parent object may share its assets with its descendent(s) in a hierarchical asset sharing model. The hierarchical asset sharing model may specify a plurality of asset sharing modes. In a first mode, an asset of the parent is imposed on a child. The child is able to utilize the asset, but unable to modify or delete the asset. In a second mode, the child is able to utilize the asset and a copy of the asset is generated when the child attempts to modify the asset. The child can modify the copy of the asset, which is stored as an asset only of the child. The original asset is no longer shared becomes an asset only of the parent. In a third mode, both the parent and the child can utilize and modify the asset. |
| US08671335B2 |
Soft output Viterbi detector with error event output
A first sequence of states associated with a surviving path and a second sequence of states associated with a non-surviving path are determined. A possible error event is determined based at least in part on the first sequence of states and the second sequence of states. The first sequence of states is replaced with the second sequence of states by applying the possible error event to the first sequence of states. |
| US08671334B2 |
Data fragmentation identification in a data table
The subject matter disclosed herein provides a mechanism for identifying packet boundaries in a data table, such as a Reed-Solomon table. The method may include receiving one or more packets for insertion into a table. A first indicator may be inserted into the table. The first indicator may be associated with one or more rows of the table and may identify whether each of the one or more rows includes one or more fragments (e.g., a packet beginning, a packet ending, and the like). In each of the rows identified by the first indicator as including one or more fragments, a second indicator may be inserted. The second indicator may represent a length in bytes of at least one of the corresponding packet fragments. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described. |
| US08671330B2 |
Storage device, electronic device, and data error correction method
According to one embodiment, a storage device includes an error detector, a check module, and a replacement module. The error detector detects a bit error that occurs in entry data related to conversion to a physical address corresponding to a logical address based on an error detecting code assigned to the entry data. The check module checks, based on data obtained by inverting one bit among all bits of the entry data and on data read out from the physical address indicated by the obtained data, whether or not the obtained data is normal entry data. The replacement module replaces the entry data where the bit error is detected with the checked normal entry data. |
| US08671326B1 |
Concatenated codes for recovering stored data
A method of encoding user data into a first set of codewords using a first code, generating a first set of parity information based at least in part on the first set of codewords and at least a second code, and writing at least parity information associated with the first set of parity information to shingled magnetic recording storage. A method of performing decoding on a first set of read-back signal data read back from shingled magnetic recording storage and associated with a first set of codewords, and if decoding of at least one read-back signal in the first set of read-back signal data fails, performing decoding on at least some of a second set of read-back signal data associated with a set of parity information. |
| US08671320B2 |
Integrated circuit comprising scan test circuitry with controllable number of capture pulses
An integrated circuit comprises scan test circuitry and additional circuitry subject to testing utilizing the scan test circuitry. The scan test circuitry comprises a plurality of scan chains coupled to the additional circuitry, a scan capture clock generator configured to generate a scan capture clock signal having a controllable number of capture pulses, and a clock selection circuit configured to select between at least the scan capture clock signal and a scan shift clock signal for application to clock signal inputs of the scan chains. In one embodiment, the scan capture clock generator comprises a finite state machine, a plurality of capture clock pulse circuits each generating a capture clock pulse signal comprising a different number of capture clock pulses, and logic circuitry coupled to the finite state machine and having inputs adapted to receive the outputs of the capture clock pulse circuits. The logic circuitry is configured to provide at an output thereof at least a portion of a particular one of the capture clock pulse signals based on a current state of the finite state machine. |
| US08671314B2 |
Real-time diagnostics pipeline for large scale services
Real-time diagnostics may be provided. A plurality of data feeds may be aggregated from at least one of a plurality of nodes. Upon determining that at least one element of at least one of the data feeds meets a trigger condition, an action associated with the trigger condition may be executed. |
| US08671312B2 |
Secure checking of the exclusivity of an active/passive state of processing units
In a method and a device for securely checking the exclusivity of a binary active/passive state of redundant units, the device includes: at least one exclusive communication device of the state capable of transmitting an exclusive signal relating to the exclusivity of the state to at least one checking device integrated within each of the units. The checking device is capable of checking and confirming the exclusivity of the state. Each of said redundant units in the active state is capable of transmitting to the exclusive communication device the identity signal; the exclusive communication device is capable of receiving at least one of the identity signals from the redundant units; the exclusive communication signal is capable of producing the exclusive signal from at least one of the identity signals; and the checking device is capable of determining the exclusivity of the state of the unit by reading the exclusive signal. |
| US08671311B2 |
Multiprocessor switch with selective pairing
System, method and computer program product for a multiprocessing system to offer selective pairing of processor cores for increased processing reliability. A selective pairing facility is provided that selectively connects, i.e., pairs, multiple microprocessor or processor cores to provide one highly reliable thread (or thread group). Each paired microprocessor or processor cores that provide one highly reliable thread for high-reliability connect with a system components such as a memory “nest” (or memory hierarchy), an optional system controller, and optional interrupt controller, optional I/O or peripheral devices, etc. The memory nest is attached to a selective pairing facility via a switch or a bus. |
| US08671310B2 |
Method and system for redundantly controlling a slave device
The disclosure provides a control and data transmission installation for redundantly controlling a slave device, which may be a field transmitter. The effect achieved by the control and data transmission installation is that essentially seamless control of a field transmitter can be assured even when a control device fails. The control and data transmission installation has at least two control devices and at least one slave device which are connected to one another by a communication network. The slave device contains addressable output interfaces for receiving output and status data. Each control device has a device for producing and transmitting status and output data for a separate output interface of the slave device, and the slave device has an evaluation device which controls the forwarding of received output data for further use in response to the status signals received from the control devices. |
| US08671308B2 |
Optimizing disaster recovery systems during takeover operations
Exemplary system, and computer program product embodiments for optimizing disaster recovery systems during takeover operations are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, a flag is set in a replication grid manager to identify replication grid members to consult in a reconciliation process for resolving intersecting and non-intersecting data amongst the disaster recovery systems for a takeover operation. The replication grid members are consulted for the takeover operation to accommodate a coordination of an ownership synchronization process for cartridges not distributed on-time to the replication grid members. Additional system and computer program product embodiments are disclosed and provide related advantages. |
| US08671297B2 |
Returning from power saving mode upon receiving a packet other than switch inhibiting packets classified as having interval shorter than switch waiting time to power saving mode
In a multifunctional device, a packet analysis unit determines whether a received packet contributes to inhibition of a power saving mode, stores the time at which a packet is received and information indicating whether a packet is received during the power saving mode as information about the packet determined as contributing to the inhibition thereof, and calculates a period of access by a plurality of packets based on the stored information about the packet and a factor analysis unit classifies the access of which the calculated period is shorter than the waiting time of the power saving mode into an access inhibiting a shift to the power saving mode and classifies the access of which the period is not shorter than the waiting time of the power saving mode and which is made by the packet received during the power saving mode, into an access returning from the power saving mode. |
| US08671294B2 |
Environmentally cognizant power management
A method for environmentally cognizant power management that gathers server, application and environmental information from different devices to compute an aggregate behavior model. |
| US08671286B2 |
Automatically switching power supply sources for a clock circuit
In one embodiment, a power supply switching circuit may automatically provide power to a clock circuit from one of an auxiliary power supply and a main power supply, based on a voltage of the main power supply. To provide automatic switching, a switch circuit coupled between the power supplies and the clock circuit may be controlled by a voltage detector, in some embodiments. |
| US08671285B2 |
Microprocessor that fetches and decrypts encrypted instructions in same time as plain text instructions
A fetch unit (a) fetches a block of instruction data from an instruction cache of the microprocessor; (b) performs an XOR on the block with a data entity to generate plain text instruction data; and (c) provides the plain text instruction data to an instruction decode unit. In a first instance the block comprises encrypted instruction data and the data entity is a decryption key. In a second instance the block comprises unencrypted instruction data and the data entity is Boolean zeroes. The time required to perform (a), (b), and (c) is the same in the first and second instances regardless of whether the block is encrypted or unencrypted. A decryption key generator selects first and second keys from a plurality of keys, rotates the first key, and adds/subtracts the rotated first key to/from the second key, all based on portions of the fetch address, to generate the decryption key. |
| US08671280B2 |
Program, method and apparatus for managing electronic documents
An electronic document management program, an electronic document management method and an electronic document management apparatus acquire a plurality of pieces of part identification information respectively identifiably expressing a plurality of parts of document information and a digital signature corresponding to the document information, acquire the preparation type, the preparer's name and the time and date of preparation of the document information as tracing information of the document information, manage the part identification information, the digital signature and the tracing information in association with each other and present information relating to the tracing information to the user in response to a request from the user. Additionally, they acquire new document information and tracing information according to a directive from the user. |
| US08671274B2 |
Delivery of multiple third-party services to networked devices
Systems and methods for authenticating a media device or other information handling system so as to be able to receive content from one or more media content providers. Authenticating the device includes determining what authentication information the media content providers require for access and then to generating and providing to the media device an authentication token that includes the required information. In some embodiments this may be accomplished by a service center, which removes the need for additional authentication steps to be performed by the media device or the media content providers. In addition, the service center may also determine when changes are made to the authentication information and may then ensure that the authentication token is changed or updated to reflect these changes. This ensures that the media device is at least partially immune to changes to authentication. |
| US08671272B2 |
Method and system for changing bios settings via touch control interface by executing an application under OS without entering system management mode
A touch control method for setting the basic input output system (BIOS) is provided. The setting method includes the following steps. The BIOS transmits an initial configuration data to a memory. An application program reads the initial configuration data from the memory and evocates an input interface displaying on a touch panel. The input interface includes a plurality of selecting items corresponding to the initial configuration data. The application program receives a setting signal from the touch panel and executes the selecting item according to the setting signal. The application program produces a renewal configuration data and the application program stores the renewal configuration data in the memory. The application program rewrites the renew configuration data back to the BIOS. |
| US08671266B2 |
Staging register file for use with multi-stage execution units
Techniques are described for decoupling fetching of an instruction stored in a main program memory from earliest execution of the instruction. An indirect execution method and program instructions to support such execution are addressed. In addition, an improved indirect deferred execution processor (DXP) VLIW architecture is described which supports a scalable array of memory centric processor elements that do not require local load and store units. |
| US08671265B2 |
Distributed data storage system providing de-duplication of data using block identifiers
An access request including a client address for data is received. A metadata server determines a mapping between the client address and storage unit identifiers for the data. Each of the one or more storage unit identifiers uniquely identifies content of a storage unit and the metadata server stores mappings on storage unit identifiers that are referenced by client addresses. The one or more storage unit identifiers are sent to one or more block servers. The one or more block servers service the request using the one or more storage unit identifiers where the one or more block servers store information on where a storage unit is stored on a block server for a storage unit identifier. Also, multiple client addresses associated with a storage unit with a same storage unit identifier are mapped to a single storage unit stored in a storage medium for a block server. |
| US08671262B2 |
Single-port memory with addresses having a first portion identifying a first memory block and a second portion identifying a same rank in first, second, third, and fourth memory blocks
A memory and a method for controlling a memory including: a set of first memory blocks of identical size, intended to contain first words, a set of second memory blocks of identical size, intended to contain second words, the number of second words being identical to the number of first words, a third memory block identical to the first blocks, a fourth memory block identical to the second blocks, each memory address comprising a first portion identifying a same line in all blocks, and each first word of the third block identifying a free word from among the second words sharing a same second address portion. |
| US08671261B2 |
Lightweight random memory allocation
In response to a memory allocation request received from an application thread, a random number is obtained (e.g., from a random number list previously populated with multiple random numbers). A starting location in at least a portion of a bitmap associated with a region including multiple blocks of the memory is determined based on the random number. A portion of the bitmap is scanned, beginning at the starting location, to identify a location in the bitmap corresponding to an available block of the multiple blocks, and an indication of this available block is returned to the application thread. |
| US08671256B2 |
Migrating contents of a memory on a virtual machine
A system and computer program product for migrating contents of a memory on a virtual machine. The system includes a source virtual machine executing on a host system, the source virtual machine including a memory. The system also includes a hypervisor executing on the host system. The hypervisor is in communication with the source virtual machine and includes instructions. The instructions facilitate establishing communication from the source virtual machine to a target virtual machine, the source virtual machine including a memory. The contents of the memory on the source virtual machine are transmitted to the target virtual machine. The contents of the memory on the source virtual machine include a plurality of pages. It is determined if all or a subset of the pages have been modified on the source virtual machine subsequent to being transmitted to the target virtual machine. If it is determined that all or a subset of the pages have been modified, then the modified pages, including a page location and page content for each of the modified pages, are transmitted to the target virtual machine. The determining and transmitting the modified pages continues until the number of remaining pages that have been modified is less than a threshold. The virtual machine is then paused the remaining pages are transmitted to the target virtual machine. |
| US08671255B2 |
Methods for synchronizing storage system data
In accordance with one example, a method for comparing data units is disclosed comprising generating a first digest representing a first data unit stored in a first memory. A first encoded value is generated based, at least in part, on the first digest and a predetermined value. A second digest representing a second data unit stored in a second memory different from the first memory, is generated. A second encoded value is derived based, at least in part, on the second digest and the predetermined value. It is determined whether the first data unit and the second data unit are the same based, at least in part, on the first digest, the first predetermined value, the first encoded value, and the second digest, by first processor. If the second data unit is not the same as the first data unit, the first data unit is stored in the second memory. |
| US08671254B2 |
Processes, circuits, devices, and systems for concurrent dual memory access in encryption and decryption
A wireless communications device has two or more multiple port memory units operable to perform encryption/decryption shuffling and processing. Other circuits and methods of manufacture and operation are also disclosed. |
| US08671250B2 |
Data storage device generating redundancy for data path protection of a parity sector
A data storage device is disclosed comprising a non-volatile memory. A write command is received comprising a first logical block address (LBA) and first user data, and a second LBA and second user data. The first LBA is mapped to a first physical block address (PBA) for addressing a first memory segment. The second LBA is mapped to a second PBA for addressing a second memory segment. First redundancy is generated in response to the first user data, second redundancy in generated in response to the second user data, and parity data is generated in response to the first and second user data. Third redundancy is generated in response to the parity data and in response to at least one of the first LBA and the first PBA and at least one of the second LBA and the second PBA. |
| US08671248B2 |
Architecture support of memory access coloring
Memory Access Coloring provides architecture support that allows software to classify memory accesses into different congruence classes by specifying a color for each memory access operation. The color information is received and recorded by the underlying system with appropriate granularity. This allows hardware to monitor color-based cache monitoring information and provide such feedback to the software to enable various runtime optimizations. It also enables enforcement of different memory consistency models for memory regions with different colors at the same time. |
| US08671245B2 |
Using identification in cache memory for parallel requests
In an exemplary computer system having one or more masters configured to the same slave memory using a protocol, such as the AMBA AXI protocol, a master provides an ID field to the memory as part of a data request, where the ID field has a line ID sub-field that represents a line ID value that uniquely identifies a particular cache line (or subset of cache lines) in the master, where the memory returns the line ID value back to the master along with the retrieved data. The master uses the line ID value to identify the cache line into which the retrieved data is to be stored. In this way, the master does not need to maintain a queue of address buffers to retain the addresses for data requests currently being processed, where the size of the queue limits the number of parallel in-service data requests by the master. |
| US08671243B2 |
Isolation switching for backup memory
Certain embodiments described herein include a memory system having a volatile memory subsystem, a non-volatile memory subsystem, a controller coupled to the non-volatile memory subsystem, and a circuit coupled to the volatile memory subsystem, to the controller, and to a host system. In a first mode of operation, the circuit is operable to selectively isolate the controller from the volatile memory subsystem, and to selectively couple the volatile memory subsystem to the host system to allow data to be communicated between the volatile memory subsystem and the host system. In a second mode of operation, the circuit is operable to selectively couple the controller to the volatile memory subsystem to allow data to be communicated between the volatile memory subsystem and the nonvolatile memory subsystem using the controller, and the circuit is operable to selectively isolate the volatile memory subsystem from the host system. |
| US08671242B2 |
Boot block features in synchronous serial interface NAND
Embodiments are provided for protecting boot block space in a NAND memory device connected to a host device via an SPI interface. One such method includes programming a boot block password into the NAND memory device such that the host device is required to provide the boot block password in order to access the boot block space. A counter may be provided to track the number of times the host device provides an incorrect password, permanently locking the boot block space if the counter reaches a predetermined value. A further method includes associating each of various areas of the boot block space with at least one write lock bit, setting the write lock bit to a lock enable or lock disable value, and locking or unlocking an area of the boot block space depending on the value of its associated write lock bit. |
| US08671240B2 |
User selectable balance between density and reliability
A method for enabling users to select a configuration balance for a memory device is described. The method includes receiving an indication of a memory configuration for a mass memory including two or more of memory cells. One or more memory cells of the mass memory are selected based at least in part on 1) the indication, 2) a current configuration for each of the one or more memory cells and 3) a program-erase count for each of the one or more memory cells. The method also includes determining a new configuration for each of the selected one or more memory cells. For each of the selected one or more memory cells, the configuration of the memory cell is changed from the current configuration to the determined new configuration. Apparatus and computer readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08671239B2 |
Nonvolatile memory apparatus for performing wear-leveling and method for controlling the same
Various embodiments of a nonvolatile memory apparatus are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the nonvolatile memory apparatus may include: a host interface; a memory controller coupled to the host interface; and a memory area including a plurality of chips controlled by the memory controller. The memory controller may be configured to assign logical addresses to the plurality of chips to form a plurality of virtual logical groups, set a plurality of threshold values and a plurality of scan ranges depending on the total erase count (TEC) of each logical group, and perform wear-leveling in stages. |
| US08671235B2 |
KVM switch with embedded bluetooth module
A switch device that allows a user to use the same non-Bluetooth user console (e.g., keyboard, mouse) to control both non-Bluetooth computers and Bluetooth master machines such as tablet computers, smart phones, etc. The switch device includes a console port for connecting to the console and one or more computer ports for connecting to one or more computers, as well as a Bluetooth module for communicating with Bluetooth master machines. A controller processes input device data received via the console port, and either sends the data to a selected Bluetooth master machine or a selected computer, or perform other functions such as switching, Bluetooth device pairing and disconnecting based on the input device data. The controller stores link information of the Bluetooth master machines already paired with the computer switch for quickly switching to a Bluetooth master machine. The switch device can be with or without video switching. |
| US08671234B2 |
Level shifting cable adaptor and chip system for use with dual-mode multi-media device
Methods and systems are described for enabling improved interface between a dual-mode multimedia source that supports a pair of data formats and a sink device operable using inputs in a third data format. An adaptor device enabling improved connectivity as well as backward compatibility with legacy devices is disclosed. The system enables the transmission of sideband channel configured in an I2C over AUX format thereby enabling increased performance in sideband channels of a dual-mode source. |
| US08671232B1 |
System and method for dynamically migrating stash transactions
A system and method for dynamically migrating stash transactions include first and second processing cores, an input/output memory management unit (IOMMU), an IOMMU mapping table, an input/output (I/O) device, a stash transaction migration management unit (STMMU), and an operating system (OS) scheduler. The first core executes a first thread associated with a frame manager. The OS scheduler migrates the first thread from the first core to the second core and generates pre-empt notifiers to indicate scheduling-out and scheduling-in of the first thread from the first core and to the second core. The STMMU uses the pre-empt notifiers to enable dynamic stash transaction migration. |
| US08671231B2 |
Fast cancellation of input-output requests
A method, system, and computer program product for fast cancellation of an I/O request in a data processing system are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A first component in a stack comprising a plurality of components determines whether a memory buffer associated with the I/O request is valid, the memory buffer being an addressable area in a memory in the data processing system. The first component, responsive to the memory buffer being valid, creates a first request data structure corresponding to the I/O request, wherein the first request data structure includes a reference to the memory buffer. The first component passes the first request data structure to a second component in the stack. |
| US08671229B1 |
System and method for managing IO operations
A method, computer program product, and computing system for receiving an IO request from a host concerning an IO operation to be performed on a data array. The IO request is processed to generate an IO descriptor. The IO descriptor defines a unique and proprietary memory space for each of a plurality of IO processing routines. |
| US08671227B2 |
Card and host apparatus
A host apparatus, into which a card having a nonvolatile semiconductor memory is inserted, issues a check command to the card. The check command instructs to send information on whether the card supports a termination process in which the card shifts into a state ready for a stop of power supply from the host apparatus. |
| US08671225B2 |
Method and apparatus for supporting universal serial bus devices in a virtualized environment
A method for managing data between a virtual machine a bus controller includes transmitting an input output (IO) request from the virtual machine to a service virtual machine that owns the bus controller. According to an alternate embodiment, managing data between a virtual machine and a bus controller includes trapping a register access made by the virtual machine. A schedule is generated to be implemented by the bus controller. Status is returned to the virtual machine via a virtual host controller. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08671222B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamically deploying an application transformation tool over a network
The present application is directed towards systems and methods for dynamically deploying an application transformation tool over a network for analyzing and transforming an application from a source installation to a target installation. By using a cloud service for application transformation, the system can provide both flexibility in deployment and advantages in parallel and concurrent processing and transformation of objects of the application. |
| US08671220B1 |
Network-on-chip system, method, and computer program product for transmitting messages utilizing a centralized on-chip shared memory switch
A network-on-chip system, method, and computer program product are provided for transmitting messages utilizing a centralized on-chip shared memory switch. In operation, a message is sent from one of a plurality of agents connected on a messaging network. The message is received at a central shared memory switch, the central shared memory switch being in communication with each of the plurality of agents. Further, the message is transmitted from the central shared memory switch to a destination agent, the destination agent being one of the plurality of agents. |
| US08671212B2 |
Method and system for processing raw financial data streams to produce and distribute structured and validated product offering objects
A real time information manager which processes raw data from data providers, such as feeds of current information about financial product offerings, is provided. Raw data objects received from various data providers are analyzed, formatted, and a current version of each unique data object is stored in an object storage pool. Information about the state of each objects is transmitted on a particular output data channel in accordance with the type of object. A subscriber process can access one or more of the data channels and utilize the broadcast data. In one configuration, one or more client managers are provided which subscribe to particular data channels and serve as an intermediary between the real time information manager and sets of clients. |
| US08671211B2 |
Method and system for distributing content
A system and method for controlling a communication system includes a local area network, a first client device and a first server device in communication with the first client device through the local area network. The first server device communicates an audio-visual stream and remote user interface data to the first client device through the local area network. The first client device renders a display using the audio-video stream and the remote user interface. The first client device generates a key command and communicates the key command to the first server device in response to the remote user interface data. |
| US08671204B2 |
Cooperative sharing of subscriptions to a subscriber-based network among M2M devices
Apparatus and methods for managing access to a subscriber-based network by a plurality of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices include mechanisms for determining a first set of one or more subscriptions to a subscriber-based network that are provisioned on a first device, mechanisms for determining a selected subscription that is available to use from the first set of one or more subscriptions provisioned in the first device, and mechanisms for enabling the first device to use the selected subscription. |
| US08671199B2 |
Converged call flow modeling and converged web service interface design
An interface design tool may include a traditional call flow design view and a traditional WSDL interface design view. The call flow design view may allow for the grouping of the call flow into segments or exchanges, and allow for labeling of each message in the segment. The tooling then allows for the creation of a mapping between WSDL operations and the call flow. The mapping may be labeled with the interaction type. The output of the visual artifacts may then be a WSDL and call flow XML document, where the additional bindings are included for the operations that capture the interaction relationships. |
| US08671193B2 |
Third party verification using override IP addresses
Techniques for third party verification using override IP addresses is described, including detecting a request header from an endpoint, the request header being associated with a request for a media file, initiating a download of the media file to the endpoint, evaluating the request header to identify an address associated with the endpoint, generating a notification comprising the address, the notification being configured to indicate the address overrides a source address identified by a field in a packet associated with the request header, and sending the notification to report data associated with the media file, wherein the address overrides the source address to identify a source of the request. |
| US08671189B2 |
Dynamic load balancing system and method thereof
Disclosed is a dynamic load balancing system. The dynamic load balancing system includes a resource management master managing bare servers that do not execute services and having a hierarchical structure and a service master dynamically allocating the bare servers to a load balancing server or a service execution server or dynamically releasing the pre-allocated load balancing server or service execution server by the bare servers, in consideration of monitoring information on a state or performance of a server and service requirements to be provided. |
| US08671186B2 |
Computer system management method and management apparatus
The present invention makes it possible to analyze a problem spanning multiple domains. A management apparatus stores an analysis rule. The analysis rule defines a relationship between a causal event, which constitutes a cause of a problem, and multiple relevant events, which denote problems created by the causal event. A first management apparatus acquires a relevant event related to a prescribed node apparatus, which is not under management of the first management apparatus, from a second management apparatus, which manages the prescribed node apparatus. The first management apparatus analyzes a problem by applying the relevant event acquired from the second management apparatus and another relevant event related to a node apparatus under the management of the first management apparatus to the analysis rule. |
| US08671184B2 |
Network management
A tool for managing a computer network includes a gateway service module that identifies a gateway for a network and a network information service module. The network information service module identifies devices in the network, determines at least one property for each of the identified devices, and creates a network information data structure for storing device properties. A communication agent service module transmits at least one determined device property to other agent service modules associated with the network, receives at least one device property from another agent service module associated with the network, and provides the received at least one property device to the network information service module. A method of monitoring a computer network is also provided. The method includes identifying devices in a network, determining at least one property for each of the identified devices, receiving at least one determined device property from another device the network, and creating a network information data structure for storing the determined device properties. |
| US08671179B2 |
Dynamically adding best suited servers into clusters of application servers
A system, computer program product and computer-implemented method of dynamically adding a best suited application server to a cluster of application servers are provided. To do so, a history of quality of service (QoS) of a plurality of application servers is maintained. Using the history of QoS, an application server is dynamically selected and added to the cluster when the cluster is under a heavy workload. The selected application server is one that has the most historically favorable QoS and a heavy workload is one that exceeds a user-configurable threshold. |
| US08671172B2 |
Network device configuration
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for configuring a network device on a private network. A network device broadcasts a status message to the private network. The network device receives a request from a client and sends a response. The network device and the client establish a direct message route wherein one or more network configuration settings are exchanged between the client computer and the network device. |
| US08671170B2 |
Modifying operating parameters of a device based on aging information
Monitoring aging information for multiple devices. Aging information of the devices may be received. Statistics regarding the multiple devices may be determined based on the aging information. For at least some of the devices, update information may be determined based on the respective aging information. The update information may include modifications to operating parameters of the devices. For example, the devices may operate according to initial parameters that are above sustainable parameters and the update information may lower the operating parameters based on the aging information. |
| US08671167B2 |
System for providing demand response services
A system for providing demand response services relative to a resource. Demand response information may be conveyed by a provider of the resource to demand-response logic. The logic may translate the demand response information into one of a pre-defined finite amount or number of demand response levels. These levels may be translated to device states, and in turn the device states may be translated to device commands. The translations may be based on rules designed to effect a resource usage scenario. The rules may be easily changed. The commands may be provided to devices at one or more facilities. The devices may control loads, which consume the resource, in accordance with the device commands. The devices may also provide information, such as conditions and resource consumption, relative to the facilities to the provider of the resource. The commands and information may be conveyed via local and wide communication networks. |
| US08671163B2 |
Multi-output packet server with independent streams
A method of serving content to multiple clients via a network is provided. Independent sessions with each of a plurality of clients are maintained, wherein the number of clients in the plurality of clients can vary over time, and wherein the start of each session and the end of each session can be independent of the start and end of other sessions. A stream of packet payloads is received, each packet payload of the stream of packet payloads including data generated from the content, wherein each packet payload in at least a subset of the stream of packet payloads includes a different set of data. Each packet payload in the stream of packet payloads is transmitted to each client of the plurality of clients in corresponding packets, wherein the packet payload transmitted to a client at any particular time is independent of the state of the corresponding session. |
| US08671160B2 |
Method for admitting an information provider to a data transmission process, and transmission device
In a method for admitting an information provider to transmit information, a transmission device receives test data transmitted by an information provider, and the transmission device evaluates the quality of the test data. The test data represents information offered by the information provider. Depending on the quality of the test data, the transmission device admits the information provider to a system for transmitting information between information providers and information seekers. The transmission device then matches one or more information seekers with the information provider. |
| US08671149B1 |
Unified messaging platform with intelligent voice recognition (IVR)
Unified communication system for consolidating different message sources (e.g. emails, SMS, voice message, fax, etc.) into a single accessible location with the ability to incorporate phone calls, VoIP calls, voice commands, etc. This is achieved through integration of a Speech-ready IVR system with an E-mail client to act as the Unified Communication System. Furthermore, the IVR flexibility allows the user to access messages when internet access is not available or read messages such as SMS and emails when not physically convenient e.g. when user is driving. A computer based server receives a message in the format of SMS, fax, e-mail, or phone message. The server identifies what format the message is in and displays a notification on a graphical user interface. Through integration with a speech ready IVR system user may select to listen to the message or read the message. |
| US08671148B2 |
Electronic mail terminal apparatus, mail server, check code registering method, and mail reception permitting method
An apparatus includes: an address book to store mail addresses; an address registration unit to register a mail address of electronic mail in the address book; a check code generation unit to generate a check code from the mail address; and a check code transmission unit to transmit a mail reception permission notification including the check code generated from the mail address to a registration unit. |
| US08671147B2 |
Supplying applications to mobile devices
Applications are supplied to mobile devices. An application template is developed as a hierarchy of nested elements and layout data for a plurality of types of element. An application is generated by applying content data to one or more of the elements to form objects. The objects are supplied to a requesting mobile device, such that each object contains data, an identification of its position within the hierarchy and an identification of its element type. In addition, layout data is supplied to the mobile device for element types corresponding to the supplied object. |
| US08671144B2 |
Communicating information about the character of electronic messages to a client
A messaging system on a server computes a spamicity value (spam score) for incoming messages. The messaging system may filter the incoming messages using that spamicity value, or using any other basis. Conversely, the messaging system may not filter the messages at all. In either case, the spamicity value is communicated to a remote device prior to communicating the messages to the remote device. In this way, a messaging client at the remote device may determine whether to retrieve the messages using the calculated spamicity values from the server. |
| US08671140B2 |
Metasearch engine for returning price data related to at least one stock returned in search results and at least one related news item link using at least one query on multiple unique hosts
Process for metasearching on the Internet performed by a metasearch engine, comprising: receiving an HTTP request from a client device for the metasearch engine to send at least one stock related search query to a plurality of unique hosts that provide access to stock related information; sending the at least one stock related search query to the plurality of unique hosts in response to the HTTP request; receiving search results from the plurality of unique hosts in response to the at least one stock related search query, the search results comprising price data related to at least one stock; incorporating the received search results comprising the price data related to the at least one stock and incorporating at least one related news item link into a response; communicating the response from the metasearch engine to the client device. Stock ordering and/or at least one updated response may also be included. |
| US08671139B2 |
Media properties selection method and system based on expected profit from profile-based ad delivery
An automatic system facilitates selection of media properties on which to display an advertisement, responsive to a profile collected on a first media property, where a behavioral-targeting company calculates expected profit for an ad correlated with the profile and arranges for the visitor to be tagged with a tag readable by the selected media property. The profit can be calculated by deducting, from the revenues that are expected to be generated from an ad delivered based on the collected profile, at least the price of ad space at a media property where the BT company might like to deliver ads to the profiled visitor. When the calculated profit is positive (i.e., not a loss), the BT company arranges for the visitor to be tagged with a tag readable by the selected media property through which the BT company expects to profit. |
| US08671133B2 |
System having an energy efficient network infrastructure for communication between distributed processing nodes
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for a data processing system having an efficient network communication infrastructure. The data processing system has a plurality of data processing nodes distributed across a network. Each node comprises a processor and a memory having an application and a routing thread operatively configured to receive a message on the network. The message has an application identifier and a message group identifier. Each application has a command thread and a plurality of message group handlers. Each routing thread is operatively configured to determine whether the received message is for the application on the respective node and to notify the application's command thread of the received message in response to determining that the message is for the application. The command thread then directs the message to one of the message group handlers based on the received message's message group identifier. |
| US08671131B2 |
Method and system enabling the cancellation of a previously-sent E-mail message
System enabling the cancellation of previously-sent e-mail comprising a data transmission network, wherein a plurality of users are connected to the network, each user being able as a sender to forward an e-mail over the network to at least another user as a recipient connected to the network, and wherein a message transfer agent MTA is associated with each user for sending the e-mail when the user acts as a sender and delivering the e-mail when the user acts as a recipient. Each MTA includes a cancel mailbox for transmitting a cancellation message to the recipient(s) when the user associated with the MTA is a sender wanting to cancel a previously-sent e-mail or for managing the cancellation of e-mails in the mailbox of the user associated with the MTA upon receiving the cancellation message from the sender when this user is a recipient. |
| US08671126B2 |
Interpolator and designing method thereof
Interpolation of signed values A and B is efficiently performed by simple circuitry. To calculate an interpolated value C based on a 4-bit values A (bits a3a2a1a0) and B (bits b3b2b1b0) expressing a negative number by twos complement notation and a 4-bit interpolation rate D (bits d3d2d1d0) consisting of only a decimal part, a basic expression of C=(1−D)*A+D*B is transformed into an expression composed of an unsigned part that includes a sum of products with a bit di or a logically inverted value ei of the bit di (i=0, 1, 2, and 3), and indicates an absolute value of the interpolated value C, and a signed part indicating a sign of the interpolated value C. Then, 7 bits of bits c6 through c0 are generated from an arithmetic operation of the unsigned part, and logic judgement of the signed part is performed by considering a carry from the digit of the bit c6 of the arithmetic operation of the unsigned part to generate a bit c7. Significant digits of the obtained 8-bit value (bits c7 through c0) are outputted as an interpolated value. |
| US08671125B2 |
Electronic calculator and computer-readable medium
According to one embodiment, there is provided an electronic calculator, including a display device, a storage having an operator priority table in which an operator operation priority is stored, and a processor that performs causing the display device to display a formula, performing sequentially an operation of each formula element constituting the formula displayed on the display device according to the operator priority table, displaying distinctly the formula element, to which the operation is performed in the formula displayed on the display device, on the display device each time each formula element operation is sequentially performed, and displaying a solution corresponding to the formula element to which the operation is performed on the display device each time each formula element operation is sequentially performed. |
| US08671124B2 |
Method for application authoring employing a pre-certified master application template
A computer system is used to create an application. An application is created using an authoring environment. The application is converted into a master application template by creating an application representation and creating associated metadata that define at least one allowable modification that may be made to the application representation. An application is created from the master application template, and the application and master application template are submitted to a certification body for certification. The certification process affirms that the application, with any modification to the application specified by the master application template metadata, meets all requirements for certification. The certified master application template is used to create a certified application. |
| US08671121B2 |
Model augmentation in a model-driven application development environment
Augmenting a model in a model-driven application development architecture, including defining a task to be performed on at least one model item of a principal model, where the principal model is configured to facilitate the automatic generation of at least one resource for use by a computer-executable application, identifying at least one model item required for use the task that is absent from the principal model, defining the absent model item in a decoration model, mapping the decoration model to the principal model, and storing both of the models on a computer-readable medium. |
| US08671114B2 |
Search results weighted by real-time sharing activity
Embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for weighting search results based on active and passive sharing activity among users in the context of a social network. In particular, information being shared among users is monitored. When a search is requested by a user, information recently shared among a user's social network is consulted and is used to weight the search results in the relevance calculation. For example, sharing activity that occurred recently or ongoing is used to weight the search results. |
| US08671112B2 |
Methods and apparatus for automated image classification
A system for automated classification of an image of an electronic document such as a facsimile document. The image is converted to a textual representation, and at least some of the terms in the textual representation may be associated with one or more predefined classification types, thereby enabling the document to be classified, and for multi-page documents, determining boundaries used to split the document into sections. The development of associations between terms and classification types may result from providing, to the system, a training set of manually-classified documents. A training module analyzes the training set to calculate probabilities that particular terms may appear in documents of a particular classification type. Probabilities established during training are used during automated document processing to assign a classification type to the document. A confidence score associated with the assigned classification type provides a metric for assessing the accuracy of the automated process. |
| US08671106B1 |
Indicators for entities corresponding to search suggestions
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically generating indicators of entity locations on an electronic map corresponding, for example, to a suggested search request. In one aspect, a method includes providing an electronic map of a geographic area for display on a user interface, receiving a character string entered into the user interface, the character string representing a partial search query, determining a suggested search request based on the character string, and identifying an entity responsive to the suggested search request and a geographic location for the identified entity. An indicator identifying the geographic location of the entity is provided for display on the electronic map. |
| US08671105B2 |
Data integration using conceptual modeling framework
A computer implemented system and method that combines data from multiple sources to provide a unified view of data using multi-layered conceptual modeling framework. The invention provides means to model conceptual data models at multiple levels of abstraction and a means to map them with each other and with physical models. A query rewriting approach adopted in the present invention is capable of translating queries down multiple levels of conceptual models into physical models and Conceptual modeling framework provide a means to capture and process semantic intent of data more accurately thereby reducing data integration errors significantly. |
| US08671102B2 |
Systems and methods for emerging litigation risk identification
A computer-implemented method, by a computer having a computer processor, of identifying emerging risks of agents causing harms to a particular system comprises accessing, via a computer network, an electronic document database comprising document data; inputting a set of criteria, which includes a selected set of agents and a selected set of harms to a particular system, specified by a user; extracting a subset of the document data that satisfies the set of criteria; generating, with the processor, an array containing agent-harm coincidences from the extracted subset of the document data; assessing, with the processor, statistical significance of each agent-harm coincidence relative to other agent-harm coincidences; compiling, with the processor, risk data, based on the statistical significance, of agents of the selected set of agents causing harms of the selected set of harms to the particular system; and outputting the risk data. |
| US08671100B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for providing contents and user interface program
A character folder generator generates one or more character folders, each of which corresponds to a specific character, at each layer of a hierarchical folder structure, and provides a terminal with information of said one or more character folders generated at each layer. A folder ID obtainer obtains identification information of the selected character folders from the terminal, when one of the character folders at each layer is selected at the terminal. A character sequence generator generates a character sequence identified based on a sequence of the character folders, each of which has been selected at each layer. A searcher searches for files by using as a keyword the generated character sequence and generates one or more files retrieved by search in the character folder finally selected at a certain layer and providing the terminal with information of the generated files in the finally selected character folder. |
| US08671097B2 |
Method and system for log file analysis based on distributed computing network
The present invention discloses a method and a system for log file analysis based on distributed computing network. The method includes: storing user identifiers and related log information into a log file; dividing the log file into target files each including the log information having the same user identifier; separately analyzing the target files to obtain analysis results using at least two nodes; and combining the analysis results of the nodes. The method thereby establishes relationships among various log files through user identifiers, and further analyzes the relationships among the user's accesses to various contents of a website. |
| US08671095B2 |
Method for providing search results including relevant location based content
A search engine considers events and stories described in electronic documents, a location of a searcher/reviewer, and a situs associated with a query and content of the document to determine how/if they should be presented to users as part of relevant search results. |
| US08671087B2 |
System, method and computer program product for scanning and indexing data for different purposes
A system, method and computer program product are provided for scanning and indexing data for different purposes. Included is a universal engine operable to scan and index data stored in at least one device, for a plurality of different purposes. Further provided is at least one application for controlling the universal engine to perform the scanning and indexing for at least one of the different purposes. |
| US08671081B2 |
Data processing systems and methods to ensure the consistency of data
Data processing systems and methods are provided for correcting data inconsistencies within one or more databases and/or data repositories. In accordance with one implementation, a correction module is selected from a set of correction modules, and the selected correction module is configured to correct data inconsistencies of a solvable data inconsistency type. Data having an data inconsistency of the solvable data inconsistency type is identified within one or more databases or data repositories. If the selected correction module is unassociated with an obstacle data inconsistency type, or if the identified data not include an inconsistency of the obstacle data inconsistency type, then the correction module corrects the data inconsistency within the identified data. |
| US08671079B2 |
System and method for hierarchical recovery of a cluster file system
Hierarchical recovery of failed computing nodes to operative computing nodes within a cluster of computing nodes is managed by initiating a recovery leader at an operative node that retrieves management information from the operative nodes and applies the management information to recover filesets of a meta-fileset in a hierarchical filesystem. The use of hierarchical filesets throughout the cluster provides more rapid failover by distributing recovery load across computing nodes and supporting recovery of nodes in parallel. |
| US08671076B2 |
Database recovery using logs applied to consistent copies
A copy utility creates a copy of source database objects that is transactionally consistent to a consistent point-in-time, and a recovery utility applies log records to the consistent copy to make a resulting image that is updated as of an identified point-in-time (i.e., the current time or a point-in-time after the copy was made). To effectively recover and apply the logs so that no previously in-flight transactions are lost, the copy utility registers a starting point indicating a point-in-time for logs to be applied to the copy and also registers a smallest lock size used to block access to target data when the copy was made. The recovery utility bases its recovery operations using the registered starting point and the smallest lock size when applying log records to the copy so as not to lose any previously in-flight transactions. |
| US08671075B1 |
Change tracking indices in virtual machines
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for protecting data. In some embodiments, this includes tracking changed blocks in a virtual machine, determining a MFT range of the virtual machine, identifying a common region between the changed blocks and MFT range, parsing the common region to determine a list of changed files, and storing the list of changed files in a file index. |
| US08671071B1 |
Data processing system and method using relational signatures
Configurations and applications for data signatures are disclosed. Such a data signature may be specific to a particular data element in a data set, and may define this particular data element in relation to one or more other data elements. These data signatures may be used for any appropriate purpose. For instance, data signatures of this type may be generated from a given data set and may be used to analyze this data set in at least some respect, including to identify one or more features in the data set (e.g., for feature extraction purposes). Data signatures of this type may also be used in at least some fashion to generate a presentation or output that relates to the associated data set (including digitally on an appropriate display, as well as in “hard copy” form). |
| US08671068B2 |
Content recommendation system
A system and method for in-vehicle content recommendation is disclosed. The system comprises an aggregator module, a modeler module and a recommendation module. The aggregator module aggregates content data describing content such as a music, a news program, a podcast, an audio book, a movie, a television program, etc. The aggregator module also aggregates situation data describing an environment in which the content was recommended to a user, and feedback data describing the user's response to the recommendation. The modeler module generates a content preference model. The content preference model represents the user's dynamic content preferences based at least in part on the aggregated data. The recommendation module generates a first content recommendation based at least in part on the content preference model. |
| US08671066B2 |
Medical data prediction method using genetic algorithms
A method may use a genetic algorithm to varying prediction parameters in forecasting software to obtain optimal predictions is disclosed. The method identifies parameters that can be varied and by modifying the parameters, the predictions of the forecasting software improve. The method uses sample data to train and validate the forecast and the optimal forecasting parameters are determined. |
| US08671065B2 |
Methods and apparatus of monitoring an evolving system using selected functional nest
A method of monitoring an evolving system, the method including the steps of: obtaining a plurality of sensor data streams relating to outputs from sensors monitoring said system, wherein at least one of said sensors monitors a condition of said system, and wherein at least one of said sensors monitors a causal agent for said condition; iteratively constructing a plurality of functional nests, each functional nest being a functional formed from a combination of selected functionals from a basic set of functionals; determining an output data stream for each functional nest by inputting said sensor data streams into said functional nests; selecting a functional nest from said plurality of functional nests based on said output data streams; and using said selected functional nest to monitor said system. |
| US08671060B2 |
Post-production preparation of an unprotected installation image for downloading as a protected software product
An installation image for installing an unprotected software product is used to install a protected version of the same product. A protected version of the executable file is embedded in a new installation image with the original installation image, in which the unprotected version of the executable file is damaged so as to be unusable and unreadable. The new installation image causes the original installation image to operate, installing the damaged installation file and other data files. The new installation image then replaces the damaged installation file with the protected installation file. |
| US08671059B2 |
Remote feature delivery for output devices
A programmable feature is remotely delivered to an output device, such as a printer. The delivery of the feature is initiated by the customer tendering payment for the feature. The customer is provided with a coupon and the coupon is subsequently redeemed. The customer receives a feature key in response to redeeming the coupon. The feature key is used to install the feature on the output device of the customer. The feature key may be a print job that contains encrypted text. Security measures may be provided to ensure that the coupon and feature key are valid. |
| US08671052B1 |
Method and system for pricing forward commitments for mortgage loans and for buying committed loans
A method for managing best efforts forward commitments for loans to be sold by a lender, where each loan has loan level data and the best efforts forward commitments have commitment data includes determining a price for the best efforts commitment based on at least the loan level data and tracking the loan level data for each loan. Upon identifying a change to the loan level data, the loan level data and the commitment data including the price is updated based on the change. |
| US08671044B2 |
Server computer providing data for dynamic price axes
The invention relates to systems and methods that provide a user interface for use with an electronic trading system. The interface displays a bid price axis and an ask price axis, as well as corresponding sizes, and an indication of the inside market. When the inside market changes in response to changing market conditions, the indication of the inside market changes locations before being restored to its original location by shifting the bid and ask prices in a direction parallel to the bid or ask price axis. The user may enter trade commands at different price levels using an input device. In order to help prevent such trade commands from being entered at erroneous price levels, the system locks a pointer associated with the input device to a price the user points to during the shifting process, unless the pointer is moved away from that price. |
| US08671029B2 |
Method, medium, and system for managing recommendations in an online marketplace
A method and a system to manage recommendations in an online marketplace are presented. A social shopping interface is provided at a publisher site accessed by a first user identified by a first user identifier. A recommendation of a listing describing an item for sale and including a second user identifier corresponding to a second user is accessed from a recommendation database. The recommendation, including at least a portion of the listing and the second user identifier are displayed to the first user at the publisher site via the social shopping interface. |
| US08671028B2 |
Method, apparatus and article-of-manufacture for the creation, issuance, trading, and exercise of refund options for attendance rights
Computer-related methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture to permit/facilitate the creation, marketing, and/or distribution of options to purchase tickets or obtain refunds to a particular future event, particularly an elimination format competition, when the chosen competitor's qualification for such a game is currently uncertain, but where the uncertainty will be resolved prior to the commencement of the particular future event. |
| US08671019B1 |
Controlling and rewarding gaming socialization
A wagering game system and its operations are described. In some embodiments, the operations include receiving a message that was published from a social-communication application of a social network website, selecting a first phrase (e.g., promotional expression, by a user, regarding the wagering game venue) from the message, and comparing the first phrase to a plurality of second phrases (e.g., characteristics associated with a wagering game venue) accessible via a wagering game server. The operations can further include detecting that the first phrase is substantially similar to at least one of the plurality of the second phrases, and providing an award (e.g., loyalty points) in response. In some embodiments, the value of the award is based on a condition associated with the message, publication of the message, etc. |
| US08671016B2 |
Methods and apparatus for advertising via computer networks and websites
Methods and apparatus for advertising according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a retargeting system, multiple publisher systems, at least one advertiser, and a user's computer. The retargeting system provides retargeting information to the advertiser for storage on the user computer. The retargeting information may comprise identifiers for publisher systems authorized for retargeting and an advertiser identifier. The retargeting information may also receive user behavior information from publisher system visited by the user after visiting the advertiser's web site. The retargeting system may then transmit an advertisement corresponding to the advertiser identifier to the visited publisher system for presentation via the user computer if the visited publisher system is an authorized publisher system. |
| US08671015B1 |
Augmenting advertisement keywords to increase conversion rate
A method and system for augmenting keywords, submitted to advertisement placement services, that are not performing as expected is provided. An advertisement system analyzes the performance of keywords of advertisement sets submitted with advertisement placement services, such as search engine services. Based on the analysis, the advertisement system identifies keywords that are candidate keywords for augmentation. The advertisement system then identifies augmentation terms for the candidate keywords. The advertisement system then augments the candidate keyword of an advertisement set with the augmentation term and submits that augmented advertisement set with the augmented keyword to an advertisement placement service. |
| US08671014B2 |
Computer-implemented system and method for offering residential parking reservations
A computer-implemented system and method for providing recurring residential parking reservations is provided. Motor vehicle parking spaces located in a residential area are managed through a server. Smart parking devices, vehicle occupancy sensors, and parking availability indicators are interfaced to the server. Use of the parking spaces by a resident is reserved on a recurring basis throughout a subscription period. A parking reservation, including recurring times and dates, is requested. The request is granted provided the parking space is available over any other reservations stored in the server. Use of the reserved parking space is managed throughout the subscription period. Occupancy of the requested parking space is sensed through the nearest vehicle occupancy sensor. A motorist's identity is verified through the nearest smart parking device. The use of the reserved parking space is denied if not by the resident and parking non-availability is indicated during each recurring time and date. |
| US08671007B2 |
Work packet enabled active project management schedule
A method for managing projects in a software factory is presented. A project management tool includes an end-to-end project plan for a project to create a software product by using a software factory in a global delivery network. A status block is appended to a work packet that is utilized when executing the project. After initiating the project, an alert is automatically triggered whenever the execution status of the work packet changes. The alert is transmitted to the project management tool to update a project schedule for the project, such that a completion status of the end-to-end project plan reflects a status of a project schedule for the project described by the end-to-end project plan. |
| US08671001B1 |
Real-time attendance reporting
In one embodiment, a method includes periodically receiving from multiple mobile client systems multiple event attendee list updates, updating an event attendee list database based on the event attendee list updates, and periodically generating an attendance report based the event attendee list and the event attendee list updates. |
| US08670999B2 |
Systems and methods for managing medical information
Systems and methods for managing medical information for medical service providers are provided. Personnel are able to manage and track workflow operations, evaluate profitability, and maintain records in an integrated and streamlined manner by executing various modules of a software application. A Dashboard module provides a unitary display of information regarding employee efficiency and operational profitability; a Virtual Will Call module allows for the virtual placement of items in storage areas reflecting the corresponding physical will call storage locations; an Rx Tracker module provides information regarding the status of prescriptions as they go through the process from ordered to dispensed; the Maintenance module allows personnel to define customized delivery methods; and the Archive Viewer module provides a way for personnel to archive images in any accessible drive or memory device, including portable storage media, and to view such images independently of the module using an archive viewer executable. |
| US08670998B2 |
Notification services for patients
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for providing at least one notification to a patient. In one embodiment, health-related data/information may be used to identify a patient that satisfies one or more business rules. Notifications to the patient's mobile device can then be provided based on location data. |
| US08670990B2 |
Dynamic time scale modification for reduced bit rate audio coding
Systems and methods are described that utilize dynamic time scale modification (TSM) to achieve reduced bit rate audio coding. In accordance with embodiments, different levels of TSM compression are selectively applied to segments of an input speech signal prior to encoding thereof by an encoder. Encoded TSM-compressed segments are received at a decoder which decodes such segments and then applies an appropriate level of TSM decompression to each based on information received from the encoder. By selectively applying different levels of TSM compression to segments of an input speech signal prior to encoding, a coding bit rate associated with the encoder/decoder is reduced. Furthermore, by selecting a level of TSM compression for each segment of the input speech signal that takes into account certain local characteristics of that signal, such bit rate reduction is provided without introducing unacceptable levels of distortion into an output speech signal produced by the decoder. |
| US08670974B2 |
Acquisition of out-of-vocabulary translations by dynamically learning extraction rules
A method and apparatus for identifying a set of bilingual term pairs, and from the set of bilingual term pairs, identifying a set of candidate patterns related to the layout of the bilingual term pairs in the bilingual webpage is provided. From the set of candidate patterns, one or more best patterns can be selected based on features identified in the candidate patterns. Using the one or more selected patterns, a set of translation pair candidates can be extracted. The translation pair candidates can be verified to determine the likelihood that each translation pair candidate is an accurate translation. Based on the verification, some or all of the translation pair candidates can be discarded as incorrect translations, and the remaining translation pair candidates can be identified as correct translation pairs. |
| US08670971B2 |
Datacenter workload evaluation
A method is provided for evaluating workload consolidation on a computer located in a datacenter. The method comprises inflating a balloon workload on a first computer that simulates a consolidation workload of a workload originating on the first computer and a workload originating on a second computer. The method further comprises evaluating the quality of service on the first computer's workload during the inflating and transferring the workload originating on either the first or the second computer to the other of the first or second computer if the evaluating the quality of service remains above a threshold. |
| US08670969B1 |
Circuit simulation system with repetitive algorithmic choices that provides extremely high resolution on clocked and sampled circuits
A method for eliminating the Fourier analysis noise floor generated by a circuit simulator is disclosed. This is accomplished by making the simulator behavior during each Fourier analysis sample interval (704) algorithmically identical to that employed during every other sample interval. Thus between each Fourier analysis sample point (703), the step size, number of iterations, integration method, etc., are allowed to vary as needed with the proviso that each sample interval uses exactly the same sequence of time steps, and that each member of that sequence is algorithmically identical to the corresponding members in the sequences used on every other Fourier sample interval. In other words, the first time step in the first interval must be algorithmically identical to the first time step in every other interval. The same is true for the second step, the third step, and so on until the last step. |
| US08670968B1 |
System and method for ranking a posting
A method for training a ranking application. The method includes ranking the help postings to create an initial ranking using initial parameter values, and storing user interactions with the help postings to obtain stored interactions. Simulations are performed using the stored interactions to generate revised parameter values for the ranking application. Performing the simulations includes calculating relevance values from the stored interactions, creating a test posting, assigning, to the test posting, an initial score and a relevance value randomly selected from the relevance values to generate a test ranking, and simulating user interactions with the test ranking to generate simulated rankings. The simulated rankings are analyzed to obtain revised parameter values. The method further includes ranking, using the revised parameter values, the help postings to generate a revised ranking, and displaying the help postings in the forum according to the revised ranking. |
| US08670967B2 |
Simulation method, system and article of manufacture
A simulation system, method, and article of manufacture. A simulation system has a discrete and a continuous portion. The discrete portion further has a peripheral emulator in communication with the continuous portion of the simulation system. A portion of a peripheral emulator is separated and is caused to operate in a thread of a continuous system. The continuous system and the peripheral are in loose synchronization and therefore sparsely communicate with each other. The configuration significantly reduces the frequency of inter-thread communications between the continuous system and the discrete system that are performed in response to a continuous clock in a simulation system including the continuous system and the discrete system, thereby reducing communication cost. Accordingly, the operation speed of the simulation system can be increased. |
| US08670961B2 |
Aerial roof estimation systems and methods
Methods and systems for roof estimation are described. Example embodiments include a roof estimation system, which generates and provides roof estimate reports annotated with indications of the size, geometry, pitch and/or orientation of the roof sections of a building. Generating a roof estimate report may be based on one or more aerial images of a building. The slope and orientation images are typically oblique perspective views and top plan views of the buildings in the area. In some embodiments, generating a roof estimate report of a specified building roof may include generating a three-dimensional model of the roof, and generating a report that includes one or more views of the three-dimensional model, the views annotated with indications of the dimensions, area, and/or slope of sections of the roof. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08670960B2 |
Proxy methods for expensive function optimization with expensive nonlinear constraints
A method for optimizing expensive functions with expensive nonlinear constraints. The method includes selecting sample data for evaluating an expensive function of a simulation, generating a function proxy model for the expensive function and a constraint proxy model for an expensive nonlinear constraint of the expensive function using an approximation scheme, calculating a first solution point for the simulation using the proxy models, and evaluating the expensive function at the first solution point using the sample data. When the expensive function and the proxy models do not converge at the first solution point, the method further includes adding the first solution point to the sample data for updating the proxy models. The method further includes repeating the calculation and evaluation of solution points until the expensive function and the proxy models converge and, following convergence, identifying an optimal solution of the function proxy model and the constraint proxy model. |
| US08670959B2 |
Processing and display of a real world model
An analysis method takes an input model of a real world process with an output parameter, with multiple input parameters. The complexity of regions of the model is determined to locate regions of low complexity, that is to say low sensitivity of the output parameters to the input parameters. The input parameters may be ordered and the results displayed on view of a two dimensional surface starting with the first parameter and ending with the last. The display may represent the value of the output parameter by the length of a bar on the relevant part of the two dimensional surface. A combination of automatic parameter ordering and/or user input may be used to locate suitable regions. |
| US08670956B2 |
Light monitoring system and method for operating same
A method for monitoring the operating health of a lighting system having a plurality of operating components, in one example includes acquiring test data from a plurality of operating components at a plurality of different operating states of the lighting system, and a data set is acquired for each operating state of the lighting system, and a plurality of data sets are acquired. A model of the lighting system may be constructed using the plurality of data sets. |
| US08670955B2 |
Systems and methods for reliability assisted noise predictive filtering
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 calibration circuit, and an enable circuit. The data detector circuit is operable to apply a data detection algorithm to a data input to yield a detected output based at least in part on control values. The calibration circuit operable to update the control values based at least in part on the data input, the detected output, and a calibration circuit enable. The calibration circuit enable is generated by the enable circuit based at least in part on the detected output. |
| US08670949B2 |
Real-time monitoring, feedback, identification and labeling systems for condom and glove products quality information and methods thereof
The invention specifically discloses a type of real-time monitoring, feedback, identification and consistent labeling system for quality information of condom and glove products. The system includes a collection module, a processing output module connected to the collection module, an application module connected to the processing output module, and also a query module. This system allows users (consumers) to obtain real-time collected product production data or pre-entered, encryption code or pre-entered information data from each product and to compare these data with pre-entered product performance indexes. |
| US08670948B2 |
Numerical aperture integration for optical critical dimension (OCD) metrology
Provided are techniques for numerically integrating an intensity distribution function over a numerical aperture in a manner dependent on a determination of whether the numerical aperture spans a Rayleigh singularity. Where a singularity exists, Gaussian quadrature (cubature) is performed using a set of weights and points (nodes) that account for the effect of the Wood anomaly present within the aperture space. The numerical aperture may be divided into subregions separated by curves where the Wood anomaly condition is satisfied. Each subregion is then numerically integrated and a weighted sum of the subregion contributions is the estimate of the integral. Alternatively, generalized Gaussian quadrature (cubature) is performed where an analytical polynomial function which accounts for the effect of the Wood anomaly present within the aperture space is integrated. Points and nodes generated from a fit of the analytical polynomial function are then used for integration of the intensity distribution function. |
| US08670947B2 |
Computer system for automatically determining slew rate de-rating values
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method to measure and represent the measured value of a limit in terms of another measurement, such as clock values or cycles of the system. The system can include, for example, a test and measurement instrument such as an oscilloscope. In another embodiment of the present invention, slew rate de-rated values may be automatically determined through the use of configurable lookup tables. |
| US08670944B2 |
Prospect stress prediction
A method is provided for obtaining a quantitative prediction of a magnitude of a maximum horizontal stress (SH/SV) at a point on a horizon within a prospect including the following steps: a) receiving seismic reflection data including a plurality of seismic reflection lines within the prospect; b) interpreting the seismic reflection data to identify at least four horizons produced during a compressional pulse period and at least one anticline and/or syncline; c) mapping in plan the identified anticlines and/or synclines; d) classifying each anticline into one or more predefined stress states based on the length of the anticline and its proximity to adjacent anticlines and/or classifying each syncline into one or more predefined stress states based on the length of the syncline and its proximity to adjacent synclines; wherein each predefined stress state corresponds to a predetermined value for the magnitude of the maximum horizontal stress (SH/SV). |
| US08670943B2 |
Systems and methods for applying scaling laws of tree structures
Methods are provided for determining flow resistance within at least a portion of a vessel, whereby at least a partial biological tree image is obtained and resistance is calculated therefrom based upon at least the length of a defined vessel portion and a diameter of a stem vessel at a location proximal to a vessel crown. Methods are also provided for determining vessel volume, whereby at least a partial biological tree image is obtained and cumulative crown volume is calculated based on at least the diameter and length of the stem segment. |
| US08670942B2 |
Flow cytometer remote monitoring system
Generally, a computer implemented remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality of analyzed instrument signals. Specifically, a flow cytometer remote monitoring system which generates a viewable reduced byte data representation for each one of a plurality analyzed flow cytometer signals. |
| US08670933B2 |
Geofence-based triggers for automated data collection
Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for automated data collection using geofence-based triggers. In one embodiment, the location of a vehicle can be monitored by a variety of computing entities. By using the vehicle's location, it can be determined when the vehicle enters and/or exits defined geofences. After a determination that a vehicle has entered or exited a defined geofence, one or more events can be automatically triggered/initiated. |
| US08670929B2 |
System and method for tracking a vehicle based on driver status
In at least one embodiment a system and a method for tracking locations for one of a primary driver and a secondary driver is provided. The apparatus comprises a communication module configured to receive a driver status signal indicative of the driver being the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to detect the presence of a memory map device that provides map data for one or more locations capable of being visited by the secondary driver and to receive a location signal having coordinate data that corresponds to one or more locations visited by the secondary driver. The communication module is further configured to store the coordinate data when the memory map device is not detected so that the coordinate data is available for transmission with the map data when the memory map device is detected. |
| US08670928B2 |
Apparatus and method for optimally recording geographical position data
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for optimally recording or transmitting positional data and events of an object, said apparatus including input means to continuously provide positional data to a microprocessor and a memory device to store selected positional data wherein the microprocessor is programmed to compares new positional data from said input means to previously recorded log of positional data and creates a new log if the new positional data differs from the previously recorded log in accordance with pre-determined parameters. |
| US08670926B2 |
Navigation device and control method thereof
A navigation device and a control method thereof are disclosed. The navigation device control method includes the steps of using a display unit to display at least one road map thereon; using a processing unit to determine whether a moving speed of the navigation device is larger than a speed threshold value; and if the moving speed of the navigation device is larger than the speed threshold value, the processing unit controlling the display unit to adjust a manner in which the road map is displayed on the display unit. |
| US08670923B2 |
Mobile computing devices, architecture and user interfaces based on dynamic direction information
Mobile endpoints are provided that enable direction based pointing services including a positional component for receiving positional information as a function of a location of the portable electronic device, a directional component that outputs direction information as a function of an orientation of the portable electronic device and a location based engine that processes the positional information and the direction information to determine a subset of points of interest relative to the portable electronic device as a function of at least the positional information and the direction information. Devices can include compass(es), e.g., magnetic or gyroscopic, to determine a direction and GPS systems for determining location. A component for determining acceleration can also optionally be included. |
| US08670913B2 |
Accelerator pedal force control device
When an accelerator opening exceeds an opening threshold value, a base pedaling force of an accelerator pedal is increased. An increment to a pedaling force is changed in accordance with the accelerator opening in a manner to make the pedaling force approach a characteristic that the pedaling force increases at a constant rate with respect to increase of the accelerator opening. For example, when a mechanism is employed which has a convex-up characteristic wherein the rate of increase of base pedaling force decreases as the accelerator opening increases, the increment is set to increase as the accelerator opening increases. Conversely, when a mechanism is employed which has a convex-down characteristic wherein the rate of base pedaling force increases as the accelerator opening increases, the increment is set to decrease as the accelerator opening increases. |
| US08670906B2 |
Dump vehicle overturn preventing device
Provided is an overturn preventing device for a dump vehicle equipped with a body (3) and hoist cylinders (5). The dump vehicle overturn preventing device comprises: a loaded weight estimation unit (32) which estimates loaded weight on the body; a vehicle rotation moment calculation unit (33) which calculates a vehicle rotation moment Mb caused by movement of the dump vehicle's load upon discharging of the load; a reference moment calculation unit (34) which determines a reference moment Ms not greater than an overturn threshold moment MI which is the minimum value of a rotation moment required to lift the front wheels (1) off the ground; a judgment unit (35) which judges whether or not the vehicle rotation moment Mb has exceeded the reference moment Ms; and a display device (37) which notifies the driver that there is a probability of an overturn of the vehicle when the vehicle rotation moment Mb is judged to have exceeded the reference moment Ms. The device thus prevents overturning of the vehicle caused by the load sliding down from the body in a lump. |
| US08670903B2 |
Lane centering fail-safe control using differential braking
Method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for fail-safe performance of a lane centering system. An electrical power steering (EPS) system of a vehicle is monitored for a failure and operation of the lane centering system is switched to a differential braking controller to output differential braking commands to a differential breaking system upon determining that a failure of the EPS system has occurred, where the output braking commands direct the differential braking system to apply force a brake for a wheel of vehicle, such by the applied braking force the vehicle follows a desired path determined for a lane centering operation. |
| US08670900B2 |
Rear wheel steering control system
In a rear wheel steering control system for a vehicle, a rear wheel steering control unit (53) forces the toe angle of each rear wheel (3rl, 3rr) to a substantially neutral position or a slightly toe-in position when a road condition estimating unit (63) has detected a rough road surface. Thereby, when the vehicle is traveling over a rough road surface, the actuator is forced to the neutral position, and the rear wheels are brought to a neutral position so that the changes in the wheel geometry (tread and/or alignment) of the rear wheels at the time of a bump or a rebound can be avoided. Therefore, the ride quality of a vehicle equipped with the rear wheel steering control system is favorably maintained even when the vehicle is traveling over a road surface, and the rear wheels undergo large vertical displacements. |
| US08670899B2 |
Method for the sensor detection of an operator control event
A method for detection of a control event by a sensor arrangement having at least one sensor element and a sensor controller is described. The sensor controller digitizes sensor signals into sensor measured values. An operator control event is produced by a user and a first coarse evaluation for a sign of operator control is performed and a predetermined number of sensor measured values are progressively buffer-stored in a buffer store wherein detection of a sign of operator control initiates a fine evaluation of the sensor measured values to verify the occurrence of an operator control event at an initiation time. The fine evaluation is based on the buffer-stored sensor measured values and on subsequent sensor measured values, so that the fine evaluation includes sensor measured values both before and after the initiation time. |
| US08670898B2 |
Tire pressure monitoring system and vehicular tire pressure device thereof
A vehicular tire pressure device integrates a central monitor and signal match device of a conventional tire pressure monitoring system. The vehicular device is also combined with a power-getting interface physically. The vehicular device is also provided with a separate battery which may be rechargeable and be charged by the interface. The monitoring system and vehicular tire pressure device may be used more easily and is convenient in installation and testing and therefore, they may be accepted more easily by the user and get great commercial success. |
| US08670892B2 |
Unmanned trackless order picking forklift system
An unmanned trackless order picking forklift system includes a vehicle-driving system, a vehicle-position-adjusting system and a pallet-scanning system each of which is provided in a forklift truck and electrically connected with a CPU device. The vehicle-position-adjusting system is operated to detect a predetermined route so that the CPU device controls the vehicle-driving system to drive the forklift truck along the predetermined route from a first position to a second position. The pallet-scanning system is operated to scan a designated pallet along the predetermined route. |
| US08670891B1 |
User interface for displaying internal state of autonomous driving system
A passenger in an automated vehicle may relinquish control of the vehicle to a control computer when the control computer has determined that it may maneuver the vehicle safely to a destination. The passenger may relinquish or regain control of the vehicle by applying different degrees of pressure, for example, on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The control computer may convey status information to a passenger in a variety of ways including by illuminating elements of the vehicle. The color and location of the illumination may indicate the status of the control computer, for example, whether the control computer has been armed, is ready to take control of the vehicle, or is currently controlling the vehicle. |
| US08670889B2 |
Unitary rolling vehicle
Unitary rolling vehicle including a rolling member (20), a drive system (30) supported by the rolling member and arranged to drive the rolling member for rotation, the centre of mass of the drive system being lower compared to the centre of the rolling member in the vertical direction at rest, and a control system for controlling the drive system, wherein the control system includes dynamic state sensors arranged to detect the instant dynamic state of the vehicle and the drive system. |
| US08670887B2 |
Vehicle and method for controlling vehicle
A vehicle in which a drive state can be favorably selected in a configuration that separately and independently drives front and rear wheels and a method for controlling the vehicle. In the vehicle and control method thereof, a drive state control device prohibits operation of a first switch between front wheel drive (FWD) and all wheel drive (AWD) and a second switch between rear wheel drive (RWD) and AWD when a lateral acceleration related value of the vehicle exceeds a first threshold value G1. The first threshold value G1 is set with a divergence reference value Gref as a reference. The Gref value is determined considering factors such as lateral acceleration, turning characteristics and the drive state of the vehicle. |
| US08670883B2 |
Train speed control apparatus and train speed control method
To stop a train at a desired target stop position without outputting excessive brake by outputting an appropriate braking instruction in accordance with a running condition of the train. An on-train computing device causes an acceleration estimating unit to determine the presence/absence of a current acceleration of a train and to estimate the current acceleration based on train-car information obtained from a train-car performance manager unit, and causes a profile calculating unit to generate a braking instruction profile based on a presumption that the train is running at the current acceleration when the train is in an accelerating condition, and to generate the braking instruction profile based on a presumption that there is no acceleration applied to a train car of the train by a propulsion control of the train car itself when the train is in a coasting condition. |
| US08670870B1 |
Modular HVAC system for providing positive pressure to an interior of a positive pressure facility
A system for providing positive pressure to an interior of a positive pressure facility can include an enclosure for securing to an exterior of the positive pressure facility, an evaporator motor compartment with a motor, a compressor compartment with a compressor, a fresh air intake section for bringing air in from outside, a condenser compartment with air venture, a heater compartment with a heater, and an enclosure extension for attaching to the interior of the positive pressure facility. An electrical compartment can be connected with a return air compartment of the enclosure extension. A human machine interface with a display can present controls for controlling the system and various portions of real-time information related to the system. |
| US08670869B2 |
Robot controller
An element 22 which determines a manipulation amount for controlling a motion state of each joint 4 of a robot 1 calculates a pseudo inverse matrix A* used for calculating the manipulation amount, using a value of an adjustment parameter k determined so that an absolute value of a determinant DET is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold. Setting a provisional value of the adjustment parameter k by gradually increasing the provisional value from a predetermined initial value, calculating the determinant DET using the set provisional value, and determining whether the absolute value of the calculated determinant DET is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold is repeated, and the provisional value of the adjustment parameter k when the determination result is true is determined as the value of the adjustment parameter k used for the calculation of the pseudo inverse matrix A*. |
| US08670866B2 |
Autonomous surface cleaning robot for wet and dry cleaning
An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface. |
| US08670862B2 |
Document discarding apparatus, document managing system, and computer readable medium
A document discarding apparatus includes: a metal detector that detects presence or absence of a metal embedded in a document; a code reader that reads a code; an instruction accept portion that accepts an instruction to discard the document; a document discarding portion that discards the document; a first determining unit that, according to the presence or absence of the metal, determines whether the document may be discarded in the document discarding portion; a second determining unit that, according to the code, determines whether the document may be discarded in the document discarding portion; and a document discarding control unit that, when the instruction accept portion accepts an instruction to discard the document, on condition that the first determining unit and the second determining unit both determine that the document can be discarded in the document discarding portion, controls the document discarding portion to discard the document. |
| US08670855B2 |
Method for controlling a paced production line
A method is used for controlling a paced production line for processing airplane structural components, wherein the production line comprises at least one workstation having at least one processing machine. It is provided that the processing sequence in the workstation is determined for a production step by determining the expected or actual occupation of the working area by structural component(s) or structural component section(s) for the production step, and, on the basis of the occupation, all of the operations to be performed in this workstation in this production step are determined, and the processing sequence of these operations is optimized. |
| US08670848B1 |
Method of calculating target pace for achieving a goal on an exercise route and related portable electronic device
A method of calculating an exercise goal includes receiving a selection of exercise route data from the user indicating a length of an exercise route, calculating a distance that the user has completed on the exercise route and a corresponding elapsed time for a completed portion of the exercise route, and calculating a target pace for a remaining portion of the exercise route not yet completed, the target pace indicating a pace at which the user needs to move along the exercise route in order to achieve an exercise goal associated with the exercise route data received from the user. The method also includes outputting the target pace to the user for informing the user about the target pace, and repeatedly dynamically calculating the target pace and outputting the target pace until completion of the exercise route. |
| US08670845B2 |
System and method for automatically tuning a voltage converter
A power converter system is provided, comprising a plant having a plant input and a plant output; and a plant identification filter that receives the plant input and the plant output, and estimates the values of poles and zeros of the plant, wherein the plant identification filter updates the estimates of the poles and zeros, based upon the plant input and the plant output, beginning from an initial state; and a rate at which the plant identification filter updates the estimates of the values of the poles and zeros is slower than a rate at which the plant input and the plant output are received by the plant identification filter. |
| US08670844B2 |
Device, particularly protective sensor system, for a machine tool
The invention relates to a device, particularly a machine tool device, having at least one computer (10), at least one transmitter (12) for transmitting a transmission signal (S1, S2), at least one receiver (14) for receiving at least one receiving signal (E1, E2, E3, E4) excited by the transmission signal (S1, S2), and at least one analysis unit (16) which is provided to calculate at least one parameter (P1, P2, P3, P4) by means of the receiving signal (E1, E2, E3, E4). The invention provides that the computer unit (10) is provided to compare the parameter (P1, P2, P3, P4) to at least one comparison parameter (V1, V2, V3, V4) calculated by means of at least one model (M). |
| US08670843B2 |
Quadripolar connector assembly for active fixation cardiac leads
An implantable active fixation cardiac lead is disclosed that includes an elongated lead body having opposed proximal and distal end portions and having an interior lumen extending therethrough, an axially rotatable extendable and retractable fixation helix operatively associated with the distal end portion of the lead body, a rotatable in-line quadripolar connector assembly operatively associated with the proximal end portion of the lead body and including an elongated rotatable pin electrode having opposed proximal and distal end portions, and an elongated torque transmitting conductor coil extending through the interior lumen of the lead body and having a proximal end portion connected to the distal end portion of the rotatable pin electrode and a distal end portion connected to the rotatable fixation helix, to facilitate manual activation of the fixation helix. |
| US08670839B2 |
Implantable system with improved RF tolerance
One embodiment is an implantable lead including a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end; multiple electrodes disposed along the distal end of the lead body; multiple terminal contacts disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; multiple stimulation conductors extending along the lead body and electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminal contacts; at least one diversionary terminal contact disposed along the proximal end of the lead body; and at least one diversionary conductor extending at least partially along the length of the lead body and coupled to the at least one diversionary terminal contact and not coupled to any of the electrodes. The at least one diversionary conductor is configured and arranged to capacitively couple to the stimulation conductors. |
| US08670836B2 |
Medical infusion pump with power source voltage logging and method for logging a power source voltage in a medical infusion pump
A medical infusion pump and a method for logging a power source voltage of a medical infusion pump are disclosed. The medical pump may include a power source, a processor, and a voltage supervisor which responds if a voltage (VDD) drops to a response voltage level which is above a reset voltage level of the processor. When the voltage supervisor responds, the processor start logging the voltage (Vbat) of the power source in a memory, thus generating a voltage log. The memory maintains the logged data when the power supply by the power source is interrupted, thus enabling retrospective analysis of the voltage log. |
| US08670830B2 |
Stimulation electrode selection
Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination. |
| US08670829B2 |
Insulator for a feedthrough
A hermetic feedthrough for an implantable medical device includes an insulator, a conduit configured to conduct electricity through the insulator, and a ferrule coupled to the insulator. The insulator is formed from a ceramic material and the conduit and insulator have a co-fired bond therebetween, which hermetically seals the conduit with the insulator. The insulator is elongate and has opposing ends that include flat surfaces and the ferrule includes a frame for receiving the insulator. |
| US08670826B2 |
Methods and devices for adapting charge initiation for an implantable defibrillator
Adaptive methods for initiating charging of the high power capacitors of an implantable medical device for therapy delivery after the patient experiences a non-sustained arrhythmia, and devices that perform such methods. The adaptive methods and devices adjust persistence criteria used to analyze an arrhythmia prior to initiating a charging sequence to deliver therapy. Some embodiments apply a specific sequence of X-out-of-Y criteria, persistence criteria, and last event criteria before starting charging for therapy delivery. |
| US08670823B2 |
Implantable medical device having an MRI safe rechargeable battery
Disclosed are improved rechargeable battery designs for an implantable medical device. The improved rechargeable battery is designed to reduce eddy currents in the conductive anode and/or cathode plates within the battery housing, thereby reducing excessive heat and vibrations caused when the battery is placed in a high magnetic field, such as within a MRI machine. Discontinuities may be cut in the anode and/or cathode plates to increase their resistance to eddy currents, while not significantly affecting the internal resistance between these plates. |
| US08670820B2 |
Near field-based systems and methods for assessing impedance and admittance for use with an implantable medical device
A new model is provided for understanding and exploiting impedance or admittance values measured by implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers or cardiac resynchronization devices (CRTs.) The device measures impedance along vectors extending through tissues of the patient between various pairs of electrodes. The device then converts the vector-based impedance measurements into near-field individual electrode-based impedance values. This is accomplished, in at least some examples, by converting the vector-based impedance measurements into a set of linear equations to be solved while ignoring far-field contributions to the impedance measurements. The device solves the linear equations to determine the near-field impedance values for the individual electrodes, which are representative of the impedance of tissues in the vicinity of the electrodes. The device then performs or controls various device functions based on the near-field values, such as analyzing selected near-field values to detect heart failure or pulmonary edema. |
| US08670816B2 |
Multiple medical device guidance
A system and method for providing image guidance for placement of one or more medical devices at a target location. The system receives emplacement information of medical devices within a predetermined area. The system calculates a viewing angle in a virtual 3D space of a plurality of virtual medical devices corresponding to the plurality of medical devices. The system also causes a display device to display the plurality of virtual medical devices based at least on the calculated viewing angle. |
| US08670814B2 |
Low-noise optical probes for reducing ambient noise
An optical probe, which is particularly suited to reduce noise in measurements taken on an easily compressible material, such as a finger, a toe, a forehead, an earlobe, or a lip, measures characteristics of the material. A neonatal and adult disposable embodiment of the probe include adhesive coated surfaces to securely affix the probe onto the patient. In addition, the surface of the probe is specially constructed to reduce the effect of ambient noise. |
| US08670813B2 |
Systems and methods for analysis and treatment of an occluded body lumen
Systems and methods are provided for probing an occluded body lumen, including a flexible conduit insertable into the body lumen, at least one delivery waveguide and at least one collection waveguide integrated with the flexible conduit and arranged to deliver and collect radiation about a distal end of said flexible conduit, at least one radiation source connected to a transmission input of the at least one delivery waveguide, at least one optical detector connected to a transmission output of at least one collection waveguide, a spectrometer connected with the at least one optical detector, and constructed and arranged to scan radiation and perform spectroscopy, and a controller programmed to process data from said spectrometer and provide information for directing said flexible conduit through obstacles within the occluded body lumen. |
| US08670811B2 |
Pulse oximetry system for adjusting medical ventilation
A physiological monitoring system can include a physiological monitor having one or more processors that can derive oxygen saturation values from a patient. The oxygen saturation values can correspond to values of oxygen saturation in blood at a tissue site of the patient. The physiological monitor can output an indication of amplitude of the differences per respiratory cycle in the oxygen saturation values. |
| US08670808B2 |
System having at least one superconducting cable
A system is specified having at least one superconducting cable (SK) which has at least one superconducting conductor (2), and having a cryostat (KR) which surrounds the same and has two metallic tubes, an inner tube (6) and an outer tube (7), which are arranged concentrically at a distance from one another, are corrugated transversely with respect to their longitudinal direction and between which vacuum insulation (8) is arranged. The cable (SK) has a central tubular support (1) for passing a coolant through, on which the superconducting conductor (2) rests. The cable (SK) is surrounded all around by a buffer layer (5) which protects the same against mechanical damage and consists of insulating material, and the inner tube (6) of the cryostat (KR) at least rests in a sealed manner on the buffer layer (5). |
| US08670805B2 |
Mobile station and wireless base station side paging control device in wireless communication system
In a system in which a reception (paging) cycle is defined by number of frames, even if length of the frames is changed, power consumption of a mobile station (MS) and a delay in response at the time of incoming are maintained by changing the paging cycle so that the paging cycles become equal in a time unit. The mobile station for receiving the signal from a wireless base station for each cycle defined by the number of frames to detect an incoming notification has a measurement unit for detecting a change in the frame length of received frames, a cycle changing unit for, if the change is detected, increasing or decreasing the number of frames which defines the cycle, and an incoming notification monitoring unit for receiving the signal from the wireless base station in accordance with the cycle changed by the cycle changing unit. |
| US08670803B2 |
Radiofrequency communication device with an offset antenna
The invention relates to a radiofrequency communication device that comprises a gripping beating body having a surface; an electronic and/or electric circuit extending in the gripping beating body; at least one antenna provided in the vicinity of the electronic circuit. The device includes a connection circuit for connection to the antenna, that is provided at least partially in the gripping beating body and extends from the electronic circuit up to connection points of the antenna, said antenna connection points being accessible from the outside of the beating body. |
| US08670802B2 |
Wireless network radiolocation apparatuses, systems and methods
An apparatus including an array of directional antenna elements is provided. The apparatus is configured to identify an angular relationship between a transmitting device and the apparatus by sampling data from antenna elements and analyzing reception patterns relating to antenna elements. |
| US08670800B2 |
Removable baseband chipset
A communication device having a removable baseband chipset includes a communication device main body, a socket disposed on the communication device main body, a baseband processing unit configured to temporarily assemble to the socket, and a digital signal processing component that is contained in the baseband processing unit and is operable to enable the communication device to communicate with a cellular network system. The communication device is operable to transmit and receive radio signals. |
| US08670795B2 |
Transmission power control method, wireless communication system and terminal apparatus
A transmission power control method, a wireless communication system and a terminal apparatus which can reduce radio interference to each terminal apparatus installed into peripheral cars other than the communication counterpart are provided. In wireless communication between at least two movable terminal apparatuses, a terminal apparatus which has received a predetermined wireless signal transmitted with a known electric power from another terminal apparatus measures its received power and sets a numerical value of transmission power when transmitting information to the other terminal apparatus according to the measured value of the received power. |
| US08670793B2 |
Radio communication apparatus and method, controlling apparatus, mobile communication system
A radio communication apparatus, for use as a base station, includes a receiver configured to receive a signal in a predetermined radio frequency band transmitted from a terminal under control of another radio communication apparatus adjacent to the radio communication apparatus and detecting a receiving condition of the signal and a notifying unit configured to notify the receiving condition to an apparatus performing transmission power control of the signal in the predetermined radio frequency band transmitted from the terminal. |
| US08670792B2 |
Time-shifting for push to talk voice communication systems
A network communication device located on a Push To Talk (PTT) communication network and configured to provide time-shifting capabilities to a user of a PTT communication device is disclosed. The network communication device includes a receiver configured to progressively receive time-based media. The network communication device also includes a time-shifting buffer for progressively storing the received time based media as the time-based media is received and a time-shifting buffer controller configured to control the rendering of the time-based media at the PTT device. |
| US08670791B2 |
Intelligent communication
Techniques for sending communications with automatic address or device selection and content conversion are provided. A recipient and addresses and/or devices associated with the recipient are determined for a communication. A destination is selected and the format of the communication may be converted based on the selected destination, if necessary. The communication then can be sent to the selected destination using any of a number of appropriate channels. |
| US08670787B1 |
Transmission of location and directional information associated with mobile communication devices
A method and arrangement for providing location information of a called mobile communication device to a calling party is implemented through a mobile device locator platform disposed in the communication network. A mobile device subscriber to the location service initiates a process where the location of his mobile device is updated on a regular basis and the location information stored in a database on the platform. When a call is placed to his subscribed device, the location information is transmitted to the calling party prior to setting up the call to the called device, allowing the calling party to determine whether or not to proceed with the call, as well as eliminating the need to ask the common question “where are you?” when placing a call to a mobile device. |
| US08670782B2 |
Systems and methods for analyzing spatiotemporally ambiguous events
Principles of the invention provide techniques for analyzing spatiotemporally ambiguous events. In one aspect, an exemplary method includes the steps of storing event data representative of an event, the event data comprising spatiotemporally ambiguous measurements; storing side information, the side information comprising at least one of spatial data and temporal data related to the event in space-time: associating the event data with the side information by soft association to form association data; applying one or more estimation techniques to the association data to form estimation data; and determining at least one of a rate, a factor, a likelihood, a value, a time, a location, and a cause for the event by applying one or more characterization techniques to the estimation data. |
| US08670781B2 |
Providing routing to a mobile terminal
A selection associated with a service provider is received at a user device, the service provider being associated with a first location. A second location that is associated with the user is determined at the user device. A service request and the determined second location associated with the user are sent from the user device and to a destination associated with the service provider. A route between the first and second locations to be used by the service provider is received from the service provider. A map including the route between the first and second locations to be used by the service provider is rendered on the user device. |
| US08670772B2 |
Communications base station with decision function for distributing traffic across multiple backhauls
A communication station, such as a base station or access point, has multiple backhaul options and distributes backhaul data between the available backhaul options. The communication station includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data with user equipments, multiple backhaul interface modules, and a backhaul distribution module arranged for monitoring demand for backhaul bandwidth and distributing data over the backhauls based on the demand for backhaul bandwidth. Additional modules for user data and control plane processing may be included with the user/control distinction used in distributing data over the backhauls. The backhaul options may include a preferred backhaul and an alternate backhaul. Distributing data over the backhauls may be based, for example, on applications associated with the data, financial cost, delay, robustness, computational resources, and/or additional security associated with using a particular backhaul. |
| US08670771B2 |
Systems and methods for implementing location based contact routing
The location of a mobile terminal associated with a user is determined using GPS or by monitoring signals generated and received by the mobile terminal, etc. Coordinates for at least one hot spot defined by the user are accessed to determine whether the location of the mobile terminal is within the hot spot. When an incoming contact is received for the user, a determination is made as to whether there are any contact routing rules associates with the user. If so, the record of contact routing rules associated with the user is accessed. If the record of contact routing rules includes at least one contact routing rule assigned to a hot spot, the contact is routed according to the at least one contact routing rule, based on whether or not the mobile terminal is determined to be within the hot spot. |
| US08670765B2 |
Mobile terminal and handover method thereof
A mobile terminal and a method to transmit a handover complete message in a handover process are provided. The handover method of the present invention includes determining, when a handover command message is received, a handover complete message transmission period, transmitting, when channel establishment information is received, a handover complete message during the handover complete message transmission period, and completing, when a handover complete message transmission period expires, handover to communicate with a base station to which the mobile terminal is handed over. The mobile terminal and handover method thereof are capable of transmitting the handover complete message repeatedly during a predetermined period, resulting in reduction of a probability of a handover failure. |
| US08670762B2 |
Fast serving cell change
In a wireless communication system in which a user using a mobile equipment requests a serving cell handoff from a source cell to a target cell, the mobile equipment monitors authorization for the handoff from the target cell. At the same time, the mobile equipment can decode data from either the source cell or the target cell. Upon receipt of authorization for the handoff, the mobile equipment sends confirmation of the handoff to the target cell. |
| US08670749B2 |
Enhancing security in a wireless network
A method of enhancing security in a wireless mesh communication network operating in a process control environment and including a plurality of wireless network devices includes processing a join request from a wireless device wishing to join the wireless mesh communication network, providing a limited network functionality to the wireless device if the join request is granted, requesting a complete approval of the wireless device; and granting a full network functionality to the wireless device if the complete approval of the wireless device is received. |
| US08670747B1 |
Mobile network connectivity
A system and method for communication between a number of mobile devices. Wireless connectivity is established between the number of mobile devices and a mobile access point to form a mobile network. Information is exchanged between the number of mobile devices via the wireless connectivity between the number of mobile devices and the mobile access point. Wireless connectivity also may be established between the mobile access point and a number of other mobile networks to form a mesh of mobile networks. Information may be exchanged between the number of mobile devices and the number of other mobile networks via the wireless connectivity between the number of mobile devices and the mobile access point. |
| US08670745B1 |
Prepaid charging interface enhancements enabling prepaid messaging buckets
The signaling interface between a wireless network message center and a prepaid control platform is enhanced by addition of one or more parameters useful in supporting special accounting treatments for user message communications through a wireless network, for example, a ConnectedAddressList, an ExceptionIndicator and/or a PolicyOverrideIndicator. The ConnectedAddressList and PolicyOverrideIndicator can be used to allow a prepaid wireless service provider to offer a wide variety of free or specially priced messaging buckets to its subscribers (or to a select group of its subscribers). User messages may be delivered for free, for example, if they are going to or coming from other customers of the service provider. The ExceptionIndicator can be used to block application of such buckets, e.g. to enable premium pricing, for international delivery or the like. |
| US08670744B2 |
Method for providing charging attributes
The invention relates to communication networks, specifically to service provisioning and authorization of service usage in different networks. The invention provides a method and a system for authorizing services for visiting subscribers and for obtaining the necessary charging profile information from the subscribers' home networks on a per-service basis. |
| US08670741B2 |
Mixer with high second-order and third-order intercept point
Embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods relating to a mixer having high second- and third-order intercept points are disclosed. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08670740B2 |
Direct digital conversion tuner
A direct sampling tuner includes a low noise amplifier and an optional dynamically configurable band pass filter coupled to the low noise amplifier. The optional filter is configured to pass a selected band of channels. The tuner further includes a relatively high accuracy, multi-bit analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) coupled to the LNA or to the optional dynamically configurable band pass filter. The ADC operates at greater than about twice a frequency of a sampled signal. The ADC directly samples the spectrum of the selected channels at the Nyquist rate, thus avoiding image problems presented by conventional tuners. |
| US08670738B2 |
Imbalance compensator for correcting mismatch between in-phase branch and quadrature branch, and related imbalance compensation method and direct conversion receiving apparatus thereof
An imbalance compensator includes a phase/filter mismatch correction circuit and a gain mismatch correction circuit. The phase/filter mismatch correction circuit includes an adjustable filter and a processing unit. The adjustable filter is arranged for adjusting a filter coefficient setting according to a first input signal of a first signal branch and a second input signal of a second signal branch, and generating a first compensated signal to the first signal branch according to the filter coefficient setting and the first input signal. The processing unit is arranged for processing the second input signal according to the first compensated signal and generating a second compensated signal to the second signal branch. The gain mismatch correction circuit is arranged for referring to the first and second compensated signals to configure gain compensation, and applying the configured gain compensation to one of the first and second compensated signals. |
| US08670737B2 |
Digital delta Sigma modulator and applications thereof
A digital delta sigma modulator includes an input integration stage, a resonating stage, a quantizer, and a plurality of feedback paths operably coupled to the quantizer, the input integration stage, and the resonating stage. The input integration stage is operably coupled to integrate a digital input signal to produce an integrated digital signal, wherein the input integration stage has a pole at substantially zero Hertz. The resonating stage is operably coupled to resonate the integrated digital signal to produce a resonating digital signal, wherein the resonating stage has poles at a frequency above zero Hertz. The quantizer stage is operably coupled to produce a quantized signal from the resonating digital signal. |
| US08670736B2 |
Crystal control scheme to improve performance of a receiver
A circuit includes, in part, a receiver, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), and an oscillator. The receiver receives an incoming signal and an oscillating signal. The RSSI is responsive to the receiver and generates an output signal representative of the strength of the incoming signal. The oscillator receives different biasing conditions in response to different outputs of the RSSI. The oscillator generates the oscillating signal received by the receiver. The oscillator receives a first biasing condition when the incoming signal is detected as having a strength lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold value and a second biasing condition when the incoming signal is detected as having a strength higher than the predetermined threshold value. The first biasing condition may be defined by a first current, and the second biasing condition may be defined by a sum of the first current and a second current. |
| US08670735B2 |
Receiver and method of estimating signal to noise power ratio
Provided are a receiver and a method of estimating signal to noise power ratio. The receiver estimates a signal-to-noise power ratio, according to an average value of a signal power and an average value of a noise power of a reference signal mapped to the received signal, estimates signal-to-noise power ratio by means of EESM operation according to each signal-to-noise power ratio of the reference signal, makes a judgment on a magnitude of either the signal-to-noise power ratio appointed according to the average values or the signal-to-noise power ratio estimated by means of the EESM operation, and outputs one of the signal-to-noise power ratio appointed according to the average values and the signal-to-noise power ratio estimated by means of the EESM operation, as a reception quality SNR, in response to the judgment result. |
| US08670734B2 |
Searcher detection metrics
Methods and apparatus for determining a reference sequence and timing based on normalized correlations are described. One example method generally includes receiving, at a first antenna of an apparatus, a first signal comprising a reference sequence; receiving, at a second antenna of the apparatus, a second signal comprising the same reference sequence; sampling the first and second signals to form first and second signal sequences; correlating the first and second signal sequences with each of one or more candidate sequences for the reference sequence using normalization; and determining the reference sequence and timing for the first and second signals based on the normalized correlations. |
| US08670726B2 |
Architecture for coexistence of multiple band radios
A front end module for use with a first and a second radio frequency transceiver, constituted of: a control circuitry; a first antenna connection port; a second antenna connection port; a filter arranged to substantially attenuate the carrier frequency bandwidth of the second radio frequency transceiver; and a plurality of electronically controlled switches, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to: in the event that the first and second radio frequency transceivers are simultaneously operative, set the plurality of electronically controlled switches to connect the first radio frequency transceiver to one of the first and second antenna connection ports via the filter; and in the event that the first and second radio frequency transceivers are not simultaneously operative, set the plurality of electronically controlled switches to bypass the filter and connect the first radio frequency transceiver to one of the first and second antenna connection ports. |
| US08670725B2 |
Closed-loop automatic channel selection
A system and method for improving radio performance through automatic channel selection utilizing a closed-channel model is disclosed. A measurement engine records maximum user throughput on a per station basis during normal traffic operation. The measurement engine further records throughput metrics based on test traffic sent to all associated stations during idle operation. A policy logic engine utilizes the measurements to determine an optimal transmission channel for transmission and receipt of data. |
| US08670712B2 |
Mobile terminal and method for providing enhanced contactless communication using contactless module
A method and mobile terminal for enhanced contactless communication are discussed. According to an embodiment, the invention provides a mobile terminal comprising: a plurality of antennas designated for a contactless reception/transmission of signals from/to an external device, each of the plurality of antennas configured to receive a signal provided from the external device; and a contactless module operatively coupled to the plurality of antennas, and including a controller, the controller configured to check a strength of the signal received from each of the plurality of antennas, to select one of the plurality of antennas based on the checked result, and to receive the signal continuously or a new signal using the selected antenna. |
| US08670709B2 |
Near-field communication (NFC) system providing mobile wireless communications device operations based upon timing and sequence of NFC sensor communication and related methods
A near-field communication (NFC) system may include a plurality of spaced-apart NFC sensors and at least one mobile wireless communications device. The at least one mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, an NFC circuit carried by the portable housing and configured to establish NFC communications with the NFC sensors when moved in close proximity therewith, and a controller carried by the portable housing and coupled to the NFC circuit. The controller may be configured to perform different mobile device operations based upon a timing and sequence in which the NFC sensors are communicated with. |
| US08670707B2 |
Low-cost satellite communication system
A communication system is provided that allows the use of low-cost, low-power remote terminal units that communicate substantially asynchronously and independently to a base station. To minimize cost and complexity, the remote terminal units are configured similarly, including the use of substantially identical transmission schemes, such as a common Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) code. To minimize collisions among transmissions, the communication system is designed to use a high-gain antenna with a limited field of view, to limit the number of cotemporaneous, or overlapping transmissions that are received at the base station. To cover a wide area, the limited field of view is swept across the area of coverage. To overcome potential losses caused by collisions, the remote terminal units are configured to repeat transmissions; to minimize repeated collisions, the repeat interval and/or duration is randomized. |
| US08670702B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image heating apparatus includes a heating rotatable member; a pad-like pressing member contacted to the heating rotatable member and cooperating with the heating rotatable member to provide a nip for nipping and feeding a recording material, wherein the pressing member includes a base material having a roughened surface and a parting layer on the roughened surface, the parting layer being contacted to the heating rotatable member. |
| US08670701B2 |
Endless belt member, image forming apparatus, and method of manufacturing endless belt member having position detecting member
An endless belt member for an image forming apparatus includes an endless belt member body that contains a resin and conductive particles, an inner transparent film, a position detection member that is used to detect the position of the endless belt member body, and an outer transparent film, wherein the position detection member is sealed by the inner and outer transparent films, is provided on a part of an outer peripheral surface of the endless belt member body, and has side surfaces which are substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt member body, and the inner and outer transparent films are welded to each other at portions, which is adjoining the side surfaces of the position detection member, of the portions that come into direct contact with each other. |
| US08670698B2 |
Development device having a regulation portion and image forming apparatus including development device
A development device using a developing agent including a toner and a carrier, in which the development device includes a development roller that attaches the developing agent to a circumference surface of the development roller and transfers the developing agent to a development region in which the development roller faces a photo receptor; and a regulation portion to regulate an amount of the developing agent transferred to the development region, where the regulation portion includes first, second, and third regulation portions sequentially disposed in the stated order in an opposite direction to a rotational direction of the development roller, where the first, second, and third regulation portions are respectively spaced apart from the circumference surface of the development roller by first, second, and third intervals, the second interval is greater than the third interval, and the third interval is narrowed in the rotational direction of the development roller. |
| US08670697B2 |
Method to optimize the transfer of developer fluid onto a printing substrate in an electrophoretic printing apparatus
In a method to optimize transfer of a developer fluid on a printing substrate in an electrophoretic printing apparatus, a developer fluid containing at least carrier fluid and toner particles is used, the toner particles having sizes that are greater than diameters of capillaries in a surface of the printing substrate. The additive particles are added to the developer fluid before the transfer, sizes of the additive particles being selected such that the sizes are smaller at least in part in comparison to the diameters of the capillaries in the surface of the printing substrate. |
| US08670693B2 |
Photosensitive drum, process cartridge and flange mounting method
A photosensitive drum for use with an image forming apparatus, includes a cylinder; a flange provided at a longitudinal end of said cylinder, wherein the flange has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cylinder; and a resin material injected in a gap in a radial direction between the cylinder and the flange and fixing said flange to the cylinder. |
| US08670691B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus is provided including a housing having a first opening and a second opening which are directed in a same direction; a plurality of developing units which are disposed in parallel with each other in the housing along an oblique direction inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, the developing units which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing along the oblique direction through the first opening; and a plurality of developer cartridges which correspond to the plurality of developing units, each of the developer cartridges being disposed in parallel with each other in the housing to be opposite to an end of a respective one of the developing units along a substantially horizontal direction in a longitudinal direction of the developing units, the developer cartridges which are configured to be attached to and detached from the housing through the second opening. |
| US08670690B2 |
Process cartridge and image forming apparatus having the same
An image forming apparatus includes a photoconductor unit, a developing unit to feed a developer to a photoconductor of the photoconductor unit, the developing unit being provided rotatable relative to the photoconductor unit, and a link unit to allow a charging roller of the photoconductor unit to come into contact with or be separated from a photoconductor while in linkage with rotation of the developing unit. |