| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08684676B1 |
Centrifugal fan
A centrifugal fan that includes an impeller having fan blades with notched tabs extending through slots in a pair of disc shaped base elements with the notches engaging the ends of the slots to secure the fan blades upon the impeller. |
| US08684674B2 |
Anti-rotation shroud for turbine engines
A shroud for turbine engines. The shroud has an integrated anti-rotation device that prevents circumferential movement of the shroud during normal engine operation, and which allows for circumferential installation in split annular case designs. Since the anti-rotation device is an integral part of the shroud and/or annular split turbine case, no additional parts are necessary for assembly or disassembly. Moreover, existing annular split turbine cases can be reworked to accept the anti-rotation device and yet still be backwards compatible with original shroud designs. |
| US08684669B2 |
Turbine tip clearance measurement
A measuring assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an indicia portion that extends radially inwardly from an inner surface of a ring seal structure to a location radially inwardly from tips of blades mounted on a rotor. The indicia portion of the measuring assembly comprises a section that is abraded by the blades during rotational movement of the rotor to provide a visual indication of a distance between the tips of the blades and the inner surface. |
| US08684668B1 |
Sequential cooling insert for turbine stator vane
A sequential impingement cooling insert for a turbine stator vane that forms a double impingement for the pressure and suction sides of the vane or a triple impingement. The insert is formed from a sheet metal formed in a zigzag shape that forms a series of alternating impingement cooling channels with return air channels, where pressure side and suction side impingement cooling plates are secured over the zigzag shaped main piece. Another embodiment includes the insert formed from one or two blocks of material in which the impingement channels and return air channels are machined into each block. |
| US08684660B2 |
Pressure and temperature actuation system
A pressure and temperature actuation system is provided having a high-temperature low-pressure zone, a low-temperature high-pressure zone, a boundary, a pressure actuated mechanism, and a temperature mechanism. A gas located in the high-temperature low-pressure zone has a greater gas temperature than the gas located in the low-temperature high-pressure zone. The gas located in the low-temperature high-pressure zone has a greater gas pressure than the gas located in the high-temperature low-pressure zone. The boundary separates the high-temperature low-pressure zone from the low-temperature high pressure zone. The pressure actuated mechanism is located within the boundary and is configured for opening at a specified gas pressure in either the high-temperature low-pressure zone or the low-temperature high-pressure zone. The temperature actuated mechanism is located within the boundary and is configured for opening at a specified gas temperature in either the high-temperature low-pressure zone or the low-temperature high-pressure zone. |
| US08684659B2 |
Rotating blade system for a row of rotating blades of a turbomachine
The invention concerns a moving blade system for a moving blade sequence of a continuous-flow machine, in particular a thermal gas turbine with at least two moving blade segments, of which each moving blade segment encompasses at least two moving blades that are disposed, in reference to a rotation axis of the moving blade sequence, at least primarily radially between a radially interior and a radially exterior shroud band and are coupled to the shroud bands, wherein at least the radially exterior shroud bands of the two moving blade segments encompass contact surfaces that correspond to one another, wherein radial equilibrium axes of neighboring moving blades of the at least two moving blade segments are disposed in a tilted manner by respectively axially an angle (αa, αb) relative to their respective base inclination, wherein the angles (αa, αb) in regard to the base inclination feature opposite signs. The invention concerns furthermore a continuous-flow machine as well as a method for the mounting of a moving blade sequence for a continuous-flow machine. |
| US08684657B2 |
Apparatus for the transfer of a line end of a folder-gluer
A transfer apparatus of a line end of a folder-gluer for cardboard boxes includes a transfer bed (1) with a double, opposite array of transmission belts (C1a, C1b, C2a, C2b) which define a transfer track for the displacement of flattened, folded boxes, wherein the transfer bed (1) is oscillatingly mounted about a horizontal axis (a-a′) on a U-shaped support structure (21, 22, 24) which is in turn rotatingly mounted according to a vertical axis (b-b′) on a base frame (26), the rotation according to the horizontal axis (a-a′) and according to the vertical axis (b-b′) occurring through a first (M1) and a second (M2 M2′) motor, respectively. |
| US08684654B2 |
Wheel assembly positioning device
A wheel assembly positioning device. The device includes a wheel assembly cradle that holds a wheel assembly. A lifting device is also included that raises or lowers the wheel assembly cradle to allow a technician to dismount or mount a wheel assembly to a vehicle. |
| US08684652B2 |
Apparatus and method for loading and unloading containers
An apparatus for loading and unloading a plurality of shipping containers into a carrier. The containers are arranged according to a predetermined pattern on a fixed staging unit of the apparatus. A first conveyor of the apparatus receives and transports the arranged containers from the fixed staging unit. The first conveyor is movable horizontally. A second conveyor of the apparatus receives the containers from the first conveyor and transports the containers into the carrier. The second conveyor is movable horizontally and vertically. A control unit of the apparatus controls transportation of the containers from the second conveyor into the carrier when the second conveyor is vertically moved to a predetermined position. |
| US08684651B2 |
Autonomous mobile robot
An autonomous mobile robot includes a housing mounted on a track and controllable to move along the track and to stop at each selected location, two side covers pivotally mounted on the left and right sides of the housing and movable by a respective driving motor to close/open the left or right side of the housing, and a mechanism controllable to move a material carrier horizontally leftwards or rightwards to the outside of the housing after opening of the left-sided or right-sided side cover. |
| US08684647B2 |
Operating member mounting structure
An operating member mounting structure includes a mounting plate having an inner edge defining a mounting hole, and an operating member includes a keytop and a flange which are coupled to each other by a shaft, and the flange is formed with a slit. The diameter of the flange is larger than that of the mounting hole. When the operating member is rotated and pressed down in a state that the slit receives the inner edge of the mounting hole, the flange passes over the inner edge of the mounting hole to be fully brought beneath the mounting plate. An operating shaft of an operated device is inserted into an insertion hole opened on the surface of the flange. By operating the keytop exposed from the top surface of the mounting plate, the operated device can be operated through the operating shaft. |
| US08684646B2 |
Thread forming fastener
A thread forming fastener for threading into a nut anchor of a pliable material wherein there is produced during the driving of the fastener a combination of forces that encourages the nut anchor material to flow smoothly and to develop a mating thread in the nut anchor that minimizes stress cracking and radial hoop stress as the mating thread is being formed. The fastener comprises a drive head and a shank extending from the head and having a longitudinal axis, the shank including a core and a thread having a selected axial pitch, a selected thread height and a profile which in axial cross-section includes a leading face, a trailing face and a tip. The leading face is composed of a radially inner concave portion having a first radius and which transitions smoothly to a radially outer convex portion having a second radius, the transition occurring at a point on the common tangent to those portions. The trailing face is composed of a radially inner linear portion which transitions at a selected transition location to a radially outer convex portion having a third radius. The profile also includes a convex blending portion having a fourth radius which blends together the radially outer leading and trailing face portions at the tip. The thread profile produces force vectors during assembly with the nut anchor that provide enhanced mating thread strength and improved resistance to nut anchor thread breakdown. |
| US08684645B2 |
Removable gate
The present disclosure relates to a removable gate for defining storage areas in a transport trailer. The removable gate includes a first elongated housing, a second elongated housing and a pair of supports. Each elongated housing carries a pair of outwardly biased retractable members. When in the extended position the retractable members engage supports thereby securing the gate in a desired position. Retracting the members permits removal and repositioning of the gate. The removable gate is pivotal about the first elongated housing upon retraction of the second pair of retractable members, and pivotal about the second elongated housing upon retraction of the first pair of retractable members. |
| US08684635B2 |
Precast wall system
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems related to modular earth retaining wall systems. In one embodiment, among others, a precast retaining wall block configured for assembly into a retaining wall includes a front face portion, a web portion extending outwardly from a rear surface of the front face portion, a rear panel portion, and a geogrid material wrapped around the rear panel portion and extending outwardly from the rear panel portion. The web portion includes a vertical center portion and protrusions extending outwardly from the lower sides of the vertical center portion. The protrusions may be triangular. |
| US08684625B2 |
Device for limiting the speed of moving traffic
The invention relates to a device for limiting the speed of moving traffic. The device comprises at least one protruding element positioned on the surface of a road that is open to traffic. The protruding element wherein the shape and dimensions thereof are such that it affects only vehicles of certain sizes, the speed of which is going to be controlled. Likewise, vehicles travelling at an acceptable speed and along an appropriate path are also not affected by the device of the invention. |
| US08684620B2 |
Push button-controlled retractable bar
A retractable bar using a positioning spring leaf and a control device to control positioning between an inner tube and an outer tube is disclosed. The control device includes a movable member, a push button, and a linking device connected between the movable member and the push button. When the push button is not pushed by an external force, the positioning spring leaf will be pushed by the movable member to force its positioning protrusions into engagement with locating notches of the inner tube to lock the outer and inner tubes. When the push button is pushed by an external force, the linking device will be forced to move the movable member away from the positioning spring leaf, causing the positioning spring leaf to disengage the positioning protrusions from the locating notches of the inner tube. |
| US08684617B2 |
Writing instrument
In a writing instrument in which an ink for a writing instrument such as a water-based ink and an oil-based ink impregnated into an ink occlusion body in a barrel is fed to a pen tip in a writing part, in order to provide a writing instrument in which a sign of exhausting the ink can readily and surely be detected, the above writing instrument is provided with a structure in which the ink impregnated into the ink occlusion body in the barrel is fed to the pen tip in the writing part, wherein the ink impregnated into the ink occlusion body described above is fed to the pen tip via an ink guiding feed having visibility, and a sign of exhausting the ink fed from the ink occlusion body is detected by visually observing the ink guiding feed described above via a visible part formed in the barrel. |
| US08684613B2 |
Integrated camera window
Apparatus, systems and methods for camera integration with cover glass and for processing cover glass to provide a camera window for an electronic device are disclosed. A camera window can be integrated into the cover glass. The apparatus, systems and methods are especially suitable for cover glasses, or displays (e.g., LCD displays), assembled in small form factor electronic devices such as handheld electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, media players, personal digital assistants, remote controls, etc.). The apparatus, systems and methods can also be used for cover glasses or displays for other relatively larger form factor electronic devices (e.g., portable computers, tablet computers, displays, monitors, televisions, etc.). |
| US08684611B2 |
Two-piece spring push for fiber optic connectors with large diameter fiber optic cables
A two-piece spring push includes a main body portion and a cap. The cap is attached to the main body portion through frictional or interference fits of projections and openings in the two-piece spring push. The two-piece spring push allows for the use of the spring push on larger diameter optical cables as the spring push is assembled on the optical fibers after the optical fibers are terminated in an optical ferrule. |
| US08684610B2 |
Connector assemblies having actuation mechanisms for selectively moving mating connectors
A connector assembly including an actuator body that extends along a central longitudinal axis between a pair of connector ends. The actuator body is movable along the longitudinal axis and has an actuator cam feature. The connector assembly also includes an assembly frame that is operatively coupled to the actuator body and is movable along a mating axis that is non-parallel relative to the longitudinal axis. The assembly frame defines a connector compartment and has a frame cam feature that is positioned to engage the actuator cam feature. The actuator and frame cam features slidably engage each other when the actuator body is moved along the longitudinal axis thereby moving the assembly frame along the mating axis. The connector assembly also includes a mating connector that is held by the assembly frame within the connector compartment. The assembly frame is configured to move the mating connector in a mating direction. |
| US08684608B2 |
Rolling bearing
A rolling bearing, which has at least one bearing ring and at least one lash compensation element possessing temperature-dependent extendibility arranged on the bearing ring. The rolling bearing has ring profile, which at least partially surrounds the lash compensation clement. The ring profile has at least one hollow cylindrical section oriented axially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rolling bearing and at least one radially oriented disk section. Also, at least one slit is formed in the ring profile. |
| US08684605B2 |
Guide rail
A guide rail that includes a base rail having a channel therein and at least one finger extending from a portion of the channel. The guide rail further includes a race insert mounted against the at least one finger. In an embodiment of the invention, the race insert has a first and second raceway associated with the at least one finger extending from a portion of the channel. Further, the first and second raceways have different load transmission directions, wherein the load transmission directions of both the first and second raceways are oblique to the direction that the at least one finger extends from a portion of the channel. |
| US08684604B2 |
Slide rail device
A slide rail device includes a guide rail, a slider slidable along the guide rail, and a pair of cylindrical roller train sets disposed at two opposite sides of the guide rail. Each cylindrical roller train set is disposed between the guide rail and the slider, and has a plurality of cylindrical rollers. Each cylindrical roller has a first roller surface portion and a second roller surface portion that is recessed relative to the first roller surface portion. The first roller surface portions of the cylindrical rollers are in rolling contact with the guide rail and the slider, and the second roller surface portions of the cylindrical rollers are free of contact with the guide rail and the slider. |
| US08684602B2 |
Bearing assembly
The present invention relates to a bearing assembly (1) for a rotatable shaft (2). The bearing assembly comprises a bearing housing (10); a bearing (20) located within the bearing housing (10) and arranged in use to receive a rotatable shaft (2); and an elongate member (14) that couples the bearing (20) to the bearing housing (10) for damping vibrations of the rotatable shaft (2). The elongate member (14) comprises a piezoelectric element (40) which may be actuated so as to exert a force on the elongate member. This arrangement allows the bearing assembly to damp vibrations of the rotatable shaft. |
| US08684599B2 |
Medical X-ray imaging apparatus
The invention relates to a medical x-ray imaging apparatus which includes a support construction (1) supporting a substantially ring-shaped structure (2), an O-arm (2), which in turn supports imaging means (21, 22) and which O-arm (2) is arranged with an examination opening (4). The imaging means (21, 22) are arranged movable within the O-arm (2). The cross-section of an outer cover (3) of the O-arm (2) in a direction perpendicular with respect to the central axis of the O-arm is arranged for its predominant portion substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle but to comprise a cut, within the sector covered by which cut the distance from the center of said arch of the circle to the edge of the outer cover (3) is shorter than within the portion of the outer cover (3) being substantially of the shape of an arch of a circle. |
| US08684596B2 |
Secondary battery temperature-estimating apparatus and method
An alternating current impedance-estimating section (106) estimates an alternating current impedance (Rh) of the secondary battery based on electric current (I) and voltage (V) of the secondary battery detected when a ripple generating section causes a ripple current to flow in the secondary battery. A temperature estimating section (108) estimates the temperature (T) of the secondary battery based on the alternating current impedance (Rh) estimated by the alternating current impedance-estimating section (106) with the use of the relation, obtained in advance, between the temperature (T) of the secondary battery and the alternating current impedance (Rh) of the secondary battery at a ripple frequency. |
| US08684589B2 |
Lighting device
According to one embodiment, an LED lamp includes a housing, a base, an LED module, an LED lighting circuit board, and a globe. The base is attached to one end of the housing, and is supplied with electric power. The LED module is attached to the other end of the housing, and is equipped with LEDs. The LED lighting circuit board is accommodated in the housing, and the LED lighting circuit board is equipped with a lighting circuit. The globe covers the LEDs, and diffuses and radiates light emitted from the LEDs, and is attached to the housing. The housing is formed of resin having high thermal conductivity containing carbon-based filler. The light emitting module is attached to the housing through a heat transfer plate a part of which is exposed from the housing. |
| US08684586B2 |
Light guide plate, method of manufacturing the same, and liquid crystal display device including the same
A light guide plate includes a light incident surface to which light is incident as incident light, an opposite surface formed opposite to the light incident surface, a light emitting surface through which the incident light is emitted, a rear surface formed opposite to the light emitting surface and including a prism pattern which reflects the incident light to the light emitting surface, and lateral surfaces, wherein a diffuse reflection pattern is formed on at least any one of the light emitting surface and the lateral surfaces to diffuse-reflect light incident to the lateral surfaces, thus rendering a brightness at both the opposite surface and the light incident surface substantially uniform. |
| US08684584B2 |
Ultra-thin backlight
A thin-profile, optically efficient lighting device for use with, among other things, flat information displays, includes a combination of two optically coupled light propagating structures. The first structure may be a compound hyperbolic-elliptic element, adapted to receive light from at least one light source, such as a light emitting diode, and inject it into the second structure, which generally is larger and has hyperbolic-elliptic shape and a plurality of flux extractors. The latter redirect the light flux so that it propagates out of the second structure with a desired luminance and/or intensity distribution in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the surface of the second structure. The flux extractors may also be of the active, i.e. wavelength-converting, type. |
| US08684581B2 |
Light-emitting diode package, light source module having the same and backlight assembly having the same
A light-emitting diode (“LED”) package includes a light-emitting chip, a case, first and second lead frames and a dummy lead frame. The light-emitting chip generates light. The case includes a bottom portion and a plurality of sidewalls, wherein the light-emitting chip is positioned in the case. The first and second lead frames are spaced apart from each other and are electrically connected to the light-emitting chip. The dummy lead frame is spaced apart from the light-emitting chip and the first and second lead frames, and is electrically isolated from the light-emitting chip and the first and second lead frames. The dummy lead frame is used as a wiring for connecting the LED package to another LED package, so that the number of signal wirings or a length of a signal wiring may be decreased, and a manufacturing cost of the LED package may be reduced. |
| US08684580B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device package
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor light emitting device package including a body, first and second reflective cups disposed under a top surface of the body and spaced apart, a first connection pad disposed under the top surface of the body and spaced apart from the first and second reflective cups, a second connection pad disposed under the top surface of the body and spaced apart from the first and second reflective cups and the first connection pad, a first semiconductor light emitting device disposed within the first reflective cup, and a second semiconductor light emitting device disposed within the second reflective cup. |
| US08684575B2 |
Lighting unit
A lighting unit including a lens body can achieve luminous flux utilization efficiency equal to or greater than a conventional lighting unit even with a reduced width of the lens body. A vehicle lighting unit can be constituted by a plurality of the lighting units. The lighting unit can include an LED light source, and a lens body disposed in front of the LED light source so that light emitted from the LED light source can be incident thereon. The lens body can include a lens portion configured to receive the light from the LED light source to collect the light, a front surface including the lens portion, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, a first end surface functioning as a light exiting surface having a substantially rectangular shape greater in width than in thickness, and a second end surface opposite to the first end surface. |
| US08684573B2 |
Light beam adjusting device for vehicle
A light beam adjusting device includes a housing having a reflector, a light device disposed within the reflector for generating light which may be reflected partially upwardly and partially downwardly by the reflector. The light reflected downwardly by the reflector is allowed to emit out through the housing. A shielding panel is disposed in the housing, and an actuating device may rotate the shielding panel to open and block the lower portion of the housing, and to selectively open and block the light reflected upwardly by the reflector. The light reflected upwardly by the reflector may form a high beam together with the downwardly reflected light when the housing has not been blocked by the shielding panel. |
| US08684569B2 |
Lens and trim attachment structure for solid state downlights
A lighting device such as a solid state downlight includes a lens structure with at least one integrally formed trim retaining element, and a trim structure including at least one lens structure engaging element, wherein the at least one lens structure engaging element is arranged to removably engage the least one trim retaining element, such as by rotating the trim structure. A generally cylindrical portion of the trim structure may be arranged to surround a central portion of the lens structure, thereby reducing or eliminating light piping and eliminating visible attachment elements for the trim structure. |
| US08684566B2 |
Lighting unit with indirect light source
The invention provides systems and methods for providing illumination. A lighting unit may have a support structure, and one or more light emitting elements supported by a circuit board contacting the support structure. A first optical element and a second optical element may be provided. A remote luminescent material may be provided on one or more optical elements. Light emitting elements configured to excite the luminescent material such as highly efficient light emitting diodes may be directed towards the luminescent material. The support structure may be a heat dissipating element, which may conduct heat from a heat source to a surface of the support structure. The heat dissipating element may have a passageway permitting the formation of a convection path to dissipate heat from the support structure. Such lighting units may be used to replace conventional fluorescent light tubes or other lighting devices, or may be provided as standalone lighting units. |
| US08684565B2 |
LED light with active thermal management
A lamp comprises an LED assembly comprising at least a first LED operable to emit light. A heat sink for dissipating heat from the LED assembly comprises an active element and a passive heat conductive element. The active element may comprise a fan that forces air over the passive heat conducting element. |
| US08684562B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting apparatus and light source apparatus using the same
A semiconductor light emitting apparatus includes a solid-state light emitting device and a wavelength converter that converts primary light emitted by the solid-state light emitting device into secondary light at a loner-wavelength. The wavelength converter is an inorganic compact that includes a transparent wavelength conversion layer containing phosphor having a garnet crystal structure. The phosphor contains a constituent element group composed of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y, La, Gd, Tb, and Lu. Part of the constituent element group is substituted by Ce3+ and the amount of Ce3+ is 1 atomic % less of the entire constituent element group. As a result, a high-power and highly reliable semiconductor light emitting apparatus suitable as a point light source is provided. In addition, such a semiconductor light emitting apparatus is manufactured through a simple application of traditionally used practical technicians. |
| US08684555B2 |
Light emitting device with ceramic conversion material
A lighting device including at least one conversion element and a least one LED, which emits light into the conversion element. The light is then converted and emitted with a high radiant flux. The at least one LED emits light in the wavelength range of ≧220 nm to ≦800 nm and the at least one conversion element converts at least part of the light from the at least one LED to light in the wavelength range of >300 nm to <1000 nm. In some embodiments, the at least one conversion element includes a ceramic conversion material. |
| US08684552B2 |
Lighted furniture assembly
A lighted furniture apparatus and kit having a base, a plurality of side panels, a top, and a lighting element. At least a portion of the side panels are at least partially light transmitting. The side panels include vertical edges, each defining a partially-enclosed rod-receiving passage. An elongated connecting rod is configured to be slidably received within the rod-receiving passages of two adjacent panels to secure them together. The lighting element may be disposed within the interior space formed by the base, side panels, and top. |
| US08684547B2 |
Backlight unit and display apparatus using the same
A backlight unit and a display apparatus using the same are disclosed. The backlight unit includes an optical sheet, a reflector having a reflective surface spaced apart from the optical sheet and having an inclined surface, a fixture connected to one side of the reflector, and a light source disposed to one side of the reflector. |
| US08684543B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit, a shutter unit located at a front surface at a subject side of the image pickup unit, a first optical member disposed at a subject side of the shutter unit, and preventing dust particles from entering the shutter unit, a second optical member disposed at the image pickup unit side of the shutter unit, and preventing dust particles from entering the shutter unit, and a vibration applying vibration member disposed on at least one of the first optical member and the second optical member, and vibrating the first optical member or the second optical member at a position outside a region where a subject light transmits. |
| US08684542B2 |
Projection display having improved light shielding bodies for adjusting the amount of light applied to a light valve therein
The invention provides a projection display that achieves continuous light amount control with ease and without causing unevenness of illumination of light applied to a light valve responsive to a video signal, thereby allowing constant image display with satisfactory contrast. The projection display of the invention includes a light valve (2); a light source (3a) generating light applied to the light valve (2); an integrator lens (4) provided on an optical path between the light source (3a) and the light valve (2) and making uniform the illumination distribution of light applied from the light source (3a) to the light valve (2); and a light amount control system (9) provided on the optical path and including a turning mechanism (9a) which turns like a set of double doors in order to adjust the amount of light applied from the light source (3a) to the light valve (2). The turning mechanism (9a) is bent into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light). |
| US08684541B2 |
Lighting apparatus and projection type display, and driving method therefor
A lighting apparatus used for a projection type display is provided, which can change the incident ray volume to an optical modulation device without changing the optical output intensity of the lamp, and can exhibit excellent effects in expressive power of an image and adaptability to the use environment. The lighting apparatus of the present invention comprises; a light source, two fly-eye lenses constituting a uniform lighting device, and a shading plate arranged between these fly-eye lenses and constituting a dimming device for adjusting the amount of light of the outgoing light from the light source. The angle of inclination of the shading plate is controlled based on an image signal supplied to the optical modulation device, thereby enabling adjustment of the amount of light. |
| US08684540B2 |
Optical projection apparatus
An optical projection apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, and an imaging element, which is illuminated by the first light source and the second light source during operation. The light source includes a light-emitting diode chip that emits red light during operation. The second light source includes a first light-emitting diode chip, which emits green light during operation. A second light-emitting diode chip emits blue light during operation. The second light-emitting diode chip is arranged on the first light-emitting diode chip at a radiation exit surface of the first light-emitting diode chip. Electromagnetic radiation generated in the first light-emitting diode chip during operation passes through the second light-emitting diode chip. |
| US08684538B2 |
Image projection through grid scanning of a modulated light beam using mirrors
In various embodiments, a method for projecting at least one light beam is provided. The method may include providing at least one light beam; and setting a time base of a processor configured to control the at least one light beam as a function of a deflection of the at least one light beam. |
| US08684533B2 |
Projection displays
A locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator. |
| US08684532B2 |
System and method for generating multicolor scan lines and multicolor projection video display incorporating the same
A system for, and method of, generating multicolor scan lines and a multicolor projection video display (PVD) incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) light sources that emit light of different colors at different emission locations and (2) first and second lenses having lenticular arrays associated therewith and configured to receive the light of the different colors and generate multicolor scan lines therefrom, the emission locations separated by different distances from the first lens. |
| US08684529B2 |
Systems and methods for improved visual field testing
Systems and methods for improving the reliability of visual field test results are presented. In one embodiment, images of the eye are recorded during the presentation of visual stimuli and are displayed to the user to provide information on eye motion, eye position relative to trial lens, and eyelid closure during the test. Individual or combined images can be displayed for individual stimuli, specific test points, or points in the gaze trace in various embodiments of the invention. |
| US08684528B2 |
Fundus analyzing appartus and fundus analyzing method
A fundus analyzing apparatus 1 performs OCT measurements of a fundus Ef and generates multiple tomographic images that each depict layer structures of the fundus Ef. Each formed tomographic image is stored in a storage 212. Based on the pixel values of the pixels of each tomographic image, the layer-region identifying part 233 identifies the layer region corresponding to the pigment layer of the retina. Based on the shape of the layer region, the curve calculator 234 obtains a convex standard curve in the direction of depth of the fundus Ef. Based on the layer region and the standard curve, a protrusion-region identifying part 235 identifies protrusion regions where the layer region protrudes in the opposite direction from the direction of depth of the fundus Ef. A morphological-information generating part 236 generates morphological information representing the morphology (number, size, distribution, etc.) of the protrusion regions. |
| US08684523B2 |
Spectacle lens, spectacle lens design method, and design apparatus
A spectacle lens includes a first region which is located in at least part of a portion of a lens where a pivotal angle of an eyeball of a wearer ranges from 20 to 60 degrees and in which correcting astigmatism has priority over correcting average power based on prescribed power, and a second region which is formed inside the first region and in which correcting the average power has priority over correcting the astigmatism. |
| US08684521B2 |
Toric contact lenses
A set of toric contact lenses, where each lens in the set includes a posterior surface and an anterior surface. For each lens in the set, at least one of the posterior and anterior surfaces includes a toric optical zone. Each lens in the set has a common effective base curve and a common overall diameter, but a different cylindrical correction. Lenses in the set have a peripheral zone and a blend zone disposed between the peripheral zone and the toric optical zone. In lenses of such a set, the width of said blend zone at a common location on at least two of the lenses are selected to be different so that the thicknesses at a common position on the lenses are substantially the same for all lenses in the set. |
| US08684518B2 |
Miniaturized elastic hinge, in particular for eyeglasses
An elastic miniaturized hinge used in eyeglasses. A first element fixed to the front portion of eyeglasses, and a second element fixed to a temple of the eyeglasses, said first and second elements are rotatably fixed to each other by means of a shaft. A first end portion of the shaft rotatingly fixed to the first element, a portion of the shaft adjacent to the first end portion housed in a through hole made in the second element. A second portion of the shaft is housed in the internal space of a helical elastic and fixed to the shaft, so that the rotation of the shaft and therefore of the second element with respect to the first element is counteracted by the action of the helical elastic. |
| US08684515B2 |
Single pass radiation curable inkjet printing methods for producing printed flexible foils and plastic bags
A radiation curable inkjet printing method for producing printed flexible foils and plastic bags wherein a web-like polymeric substrate having a maximum value for Tan δ between 40° C. and 110° C. and a surface energy Ssub is printed upon using a single pass inkjet printer with a non-aqueous radiation curable inkjet liquid having a surface tension SLiq, wherein SLiq is smaller than Ssub by at least 4 mN/m, and curing the radiation curable liquid on the substrate at a surface temperature equal or higher than the temperature of the maximum value for Tan δ and smaller than the melting point of the polymeric recording medium. A single pass inkjet printer is also disclosed. |
| US08684514B1 |
Barrier dryer with porous liquid-carrying material
A media drying system removes a moistening liquid from a moistened medium. A liquid reservoir containing a heating liquid heated above a moistening-liquid boiling point. A rotatable liquid-blocking member has a liquid-blocking layer with an inner surface and an outer surface. A media-transport system transports the moistened medium so it contacts or is entrained around the liquid-blocking member in a path zone so that the moistened medium is brought into contact with the outer surface of the liquid-blocking layer. A porous material absorbs heating liquid from the liquid reservoir and brings the absorbed heating liquid into contact with the inner surface of the liquid-blocking layer for at least a portion of the path zone. Heat is transferred through the liquid-blocking layer from the absorbed warmed heating liquid to the moistening liquid, vaporizing the moistening liquid and removing it from the moistened medium. |
| US08684511B2 |
Ink jet UV pinning for control of gloss
Gloss is controlled in UV ink jet printing within a printing system. Controlled pinning energy is used to adjust the amount of ink interaction between drops, substrate, and ink layers, resulting in virtual elimination of gloss banding and control of the finished gloss level from a gloss level of approximately 85 to a gloss level of approximately 5. |
| US08684510B2 |
Drying device and recording device equipped with drying device
A drying device includes a drying unit configured to carry out a drying process on a recording medium by blowing heated air from a discharge port formed at a location partway along the conveyance path of the recording medium as the medium is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. A drying zone is disposed on the downstream side of the drying unit in the conveyance direction over the front face of the recording medium so that the air blown from the discharge port is retained in the drying zone. An upper surface of the drying zone is defined by an extended surface portion of an outer surface of a housing of the drying unit, the extended surface portion extending from the discharge port toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction to cover the conveyance path from above. |
| US08684509B2 |
Ink jet ink, ink cartridge, and ink jet recording method
An ink jet ink contains a polyurethane polymer and a pigment. The polyurethane polymer has units derived from a polyisocyanate, a polyether polyol having no acid group, and a diol having an acid group. The pigment is dispersed using a polymer other than the polyurethane polymer. The ratio of the percentage of the urethane bond in the polyurethane polymer to the percentage of the urea bond in the polyurethane polymer is 85.0/15.0 or more and 98.5/1.5 or less. |
| US08684507B2 |
Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting unit, and liquid ejecting apparatus
A liquid ejecting head comprising, a plurality of nozzle openings, a first flow passage, a circulation flow passage, a filter chamber, and a bypass flow passage, an inner diameter of the bypass flow passage is larger than a diameter of the hole of the filter, the inner diameter of the bypass flow passage is larger than a diameter of the nozzle opening, and a flow passage resistance of the bypass flow passage is larger than a flow passage resistance of the circulation flow passage from a branch point where the bypass flow passage branches from the supply passage to a junction point where the bypass flow passage merges into the collection passage. |
| US08684506B2 |
Apparatus and method for collecting and expelling phase change ink in a printer
An ink removal system includes a drip bib and a flexible member. The drip bib collects melted ink flowing down the face of a printhead and the flexible member captures ink dropping from the drip bib after an ink receptacle has received most of the ink collected by the drip bib. When the ink receptacle returns to the position where the receptacle catches melted ink from the drip bib, the receptacle also bends the flexible member and releases the captured ink, which falls into the ink receptacle. |
| US08684503B2 |
Inkjet printers
An inkjet printhead having at least one internal electrode in contact with ink in use, wherein region(s) of the electrode surface are covered by an electrically insulating organic material that has been deposited thereon by electrophoresis. |
| US08684494B2 |
Fluid applicator for a printhead face
An apparatus applies release agent to a printhead face to prevent ink from wetting the surface of the printhead face. The release agent is applied by an applicator that is coupled to a release agent supply by a wicking member. The applicator can be integrated into a wiper for the printhead to enable release agent application and printhead facing wiping to occur at approximately the same time. |
| US08684490B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method of processing image, and computer-readable recording medium
An image forming apparatus includes a joint head in which a plurality of heads, each having a plurality of nozzles, are arranged in a nozzle arranging direction, and end portions of the heads adjacent to each other overlap, an overlap processing unit that distributes recording dot pattern data used for forming dots by using nozzles of an overlapping portion of the heads out of recording dot pattern data to the nozzles of the recording head adjacent to each other, a first tone correcting unit that performs tone correction, by a first correction characteristic, on recording dot pattern data using the nozzles other than the overlapping portion, and a second tone correcting unit that performs tone correction by a second correction characteristic on recording dot pattern data by using the nozzles of the overlapping portion. |
| US08684485B2 |
Printing device, method for controlling printing device, and computer program
A printing device includes a nozzle row for chromatic ink comprising K nozzles and a nozzle row for achromatic ink comprising (n·K) nozzles. In a color region, an image-forming operation is performed m times in which the movement direction of the nozzle rows switches alternately between forward and reverse directions, whereby a region of the image having a predetermined width is formed. The image-forming operation performed m times includes the image-forming operation performed once in which both of the nozzle rows for chromatic ink and for achromatic ink are used, and the image-forming operation performed (m−1) times in which only the nozzle row for chromatic ink is used. In a monochrome region, the image-forming operation is performed once in which only the nozzle row for achromatic ink is used, whereby a region of the image having a predetermined width is formed. |
| US08684484B2 |
Image forming method, image forming apparatus and inkjet head
An image forming method for use in an inkjet head includes a pressure chamber filled with ink, a nozzle which communicates with the pressure chamber and in which a meniscus of the ink is formed, a piezoelectric element which pressurizes the pressure chamber, and a drive circuit which performs an operation of ejecting the ink in a printing state and generates a basic pulse for vibrating the meniscus in a non-printing state. The basic pulse is generated by turning off a voltage applied to the piezoelectric element for substantially the same period as a natural vibration period of the ink. An additional pulse is generated at least once before or after the basic pulse when the basic pulse is generated by the drive circuit in the non-printing state. The additional pulse is generated by turning off the voltage applied to the piezoelectric element. |
| US08684482B2 |
Textile printing apparatus and textile printing method
A textile printing apparatus includes a liquid remaining amount grasping unit which grasps remaining amounts of respective two or more kinds of liquids, and a control unit which performs control of execution of printings onto a plurality of printed textile materials, the control unit has a control mode for, in advance of starting the execution of printings, specifying any print-executable printing specification from among the printing specifications on the basis of the remaining amounts of the respective liquids and the contents of the respective printing specifications, and then, starting execution of any printing based on the any print-executable printing specification having been specified. |
| US08684481B2 |
Printer
This disclosure discloses a printer comprising a feeder, a thermal head, an energizing device configured to selectively energize heating elements of the thermal head, a driving device configured to control a driving of the feeder, a battery storage part, a voltage detecting device configured to detect an output voltage value of the battery, a display device, and a control device. The control device executes a dot count identification process where a dot count is identified at a first timing and a second timing, a dot voltage fluctuation value calculation process where a voltage fluctuation value per dot is calculated, a maximum load voltage estimation process where a voltage value of the battery is estimated at a time equivalent to maximum load, a consumption level determination process where a consumption level of the battery is determined, and a display process where a predetermined display is executed on the display device. |
| US08684479B2 |
Refrigeration unit having a storage shelf
A refrigeration device, in particular a household refrigerator, includes at least one internal container having at least one storage shelf. An edge strip or framing element is attached along at least one edge portion of the storage shelf. Seated on the edge strip or framing element of the storage shelf along part of or all of its longitudinal extent is at least one outer profiled strip and connected by at least one snap connection, plug-in connection and/or clamp connection. |
| US08684473B2 |
Gear pump and gear pump for brake apparatus
A gear pump includes: a drive shaft; a first gear; a second gear; a first plate disposed between the first gear and the second gear, and arranged to liquid-tightly seal the first surfaces of the first and second gear; a pair of second plates disposed, respectively, on the second surfaces of the first and second gears, and arranged to liquid-tightly seal the second surfaces of the first and second gears, each of the second plates including a tooth top sealing portion having a seal surface arranged to seal a tooth top of the first gear and a tooth top of the second gear, and to form a suction portion with the first plate and the second plate; and an urging member arranged to urge the drive shaft toward the seal surface of the tooth top sealing portion of one of the first and second plates. |
| US08684468B2 |
Back support for chair
A back support for use in combination with a chair is provided. The back support may be used to remove body weight of a person from lower regions of the body, including the spine and pelvic region. The back support generally comprises first and second harness supports positionable at an upper region of a backrest of the chair, first and second harness supports being spaced apart and extending generally upwardly from the backrest when positioned at the chair, first and second harness supports each having an upper portion, and first and second harnesses suspendable from the respective upper portions of first and second harness supports, each of first and second harnesses being engageable with the body of the person or being engageable with additional harness structure that engages the body for transferring at least a portion of the weight of the person to the first and second harness supports. |
| US08684464B2 |
Locking mechanism for a vehicle seat
A locking mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, includes a latch (11) that is to be interlocked with an opposite element (B) and is mounted to be pivotable about a first bearing bolt (13), and at least one securing element (25, 31) that secures the latch (11) in the locked state. A cap (17) which rests on the latch (11) covers at least part of the edge of a hook opening of the latch (11). |
| US08684452B2 |
High-seat folding chair having footrest
A high-seat folding chair includes two pairs of front legs and rear legs pivotally connected with each other so as to be operable to unfold or fold the folding chair. When unfolded, each of the front legs and the rear legs form an angle relative to a horizontal plane. A footrest is mounted between the two front legs. Two opposite portions of the footrest bend symmetrically in a horizontal direction to form horizontal portions, respectively. The two horizontal portions further bend upward to form inclined extensions, and a portion of each inclined extensions forms a flat portion. An angle defined between the inclined extension and the horizontal portion is equal to an angle defined between the front leg and the horizontal plane. The inclined extensions of the footrest are respectively affixed with the two front legs, such that the footrest is mounted in horizontal. |
| US08684450B2 |
Vehicle structure and method of assembly
A structure for a vehicle may include first and second spaced-apart members, first and second internally-threaded members, a module, first and second connecting members, and first and second fasteners. The first and second internally-threaded members may be connected to the first and second members, respectively. The module is positioned between the first and second members for a predetermined alignment relative thereto. The first and second connecting members include an outer surface having external threads and an inner surface having internal threads. The outer surface may engage a corresponding one of the internally-threaded members. The external and internal threads have opposite thread-handedness. The first and second fasteners engage the internal threads of the first and second connecting members, respectively. The first and second fasteners may move the first and second connecting members toward the module to clamp the module relative to the first and second members and maintain alignment therebetween. |
| US08684448B2 |
Aerodynamic fairings for trailers
A system and method aerodynamic fairings including a gap fairing. The gap fairing includes multiple panels. The multiple panels are interconnected utilizing connectors to form a half conical shape extending from a front portion of a trailer. The gap fairing also includes supports connected to the multiple panels through support structure of the trailer. |
| US08684446B2 |
Energy-saving vehicle
An energy-saving vehicle including a housing, a pair of front wheels, a pair of rear wheels, and a steering wheel. The housing includes an outer portion, an inner portion, an air-flow channel, at least a first air inlet, and at least an air outlet. The air-flow channel is disposed between the outer portion and the inner portion of the housing. The first air inlet is disposed in the front of the vehicle. The air outlet is disposed at the back of the vehicle. The first air inlet and the air outlet are connected to the air-flow channel. The front wheels and the rear wheels are driven by a power unit. The length of the air-flow channel is no less than that of the upper portion of the housing. The vehicle consumes less energy and travels more stably compared to conventional vehicles. |
| US08684442B2 |
Hand-detachable portable cycle windshield with unobscured field of view
Versions of the present invention comprise a hand-detachable, hand-adjustable, storable, portable windshield assembly for use with cycles and motorcycles adequate for highway use and that does not occlude the forward central viewing area of the rider. |
| US08684441B2 |
Vehicles incorporating tailgate energy management systems
A vehicle includes sidewalls, a tailgate located proximate to rear ends of the sidewalls, and a tailgate energy management system. The tailgate energy management system includes a governor coupled to one of the sidewalls and to the tailgate. The governor selectively applies a governing force to the tailgate to reduce an opening speed of the tailgate. The tailgate energy management system also includes a speed sensor sensing an opening speed of the tailgate and an electronic control unit electronically coupled to the governor and the speed sensor. The electronic control unit includes a processor and memory storing an instruction set. The electronic control unit receives a speed signal indicative of the opening speed of the tailgate and the processor executes the instruction set to cause the electronic control unit to transmit a control signal to the governor to slow the opening speed of the tailgate based on the speed signal. |
| US08684436B2 |
Intermediate product combination for an internal trim part of a vehicle and internal trim part
Intermediate product combinations for internal trim parts of a vehicle are provided herein. In one example, an intermediate product combination comprises a base part having an installation point in which a through-opening is formed for receiving an installation means with which an attachment part can be clamped to the base part on a surface of the base part (30). The edge region of the through-opening in the base part is provided with a shoulder, which surrounds the through-opening and projects from the surface on which the base part can be installed at the edge region of the through-opening, so that the attachment part can be supported by the shoulder when the attachment part is installed on the base part. |
| US08684435B1 |
Structure of inner-handle for tailgate
A tailgate inner-handle is vertically rotatably mounted and includes: cylinders having sliding holes formed in outer circumferential surfaces along a longitudinal direction; pistons inserted in the cylinders and having fitting holes; a handle mounted at one end of the piston; a carrying bar entering the cylinders through the sliding holes to be inserted in the fitting holes; a motor connected so as to slide the carrying bar; and a control module configured to apply power to the motor according to whether the tailgate is opened or closed. The inner-handle according to the present invention protrudes from the tailgate or returns to an original position according to an opening/closing state of the tailgate, so that a user may more easily and conveniently hold the inner-handle regardless of a height of the user without needing to adjust an opening angle of the tailgate. |
| US08684433B2 |
Packaging for multiple medical containers
A system includes a first container having a wall defining a receptacle, a neck defining an opening, and a flip cap disposed over the opening, and a second container having a wall defining a receptacle, a neck defining an opening, and a flip cap disposed over the opening. The system also includes a carrier having first and second carrier pieces disposed about the first and second containers and attached together with the first and second containers secured therebetween. The system further includes a top cap attached to the flip caps to secure the first and second containers together and to simultaneously remove the flip caps from the containers. |
| US08684431B2 |
Duplex-type product bag unloading apparatus
A duplex-type product bag unloading apparatus including two downwardly opening and closing chucks and a chuck-moving mechanism for reciprocating the chucks between positions for receiving and discharging product bags. The relative positions of the two chucks are changed as they are moved from the receiving position to the discharging position by the chuck-moving mechanism, so that in the receiving position, the chucks are arranged in a single row in the bag width direction of the grasped product bags, and in the discharging position, the chucks are in a single row in the thickness direction of the grasped product bags. The chuck-moving mechanism is comprised of a pivot arm and a chuck-supporting frame rotatably mounted to the pivot arm, and the two chucks are rotatably mounted on both sides of the chuck-supporting frame. The chuck-supporting frame and the chucks rotate in synchronism with the pivotal motion of the pivot arm. |
| US08684428B2 |
Bumper retainer
When a retainer unit is fastened to a body, the rotation of a pin member around its longitudinal axis pushes out and widens the body mounting leg portion of the retainer unit, and the retainer unit is drawn into the body. As a result, the elastic flange of the leg is bent, the insertion hole in the body is sealed by the elastic flange of the leg, and infiltration of water from the outside is prevented. By drawing the retainer unit into the body, the pin member is also drawn into the body a slight distance (dimension α). As a result, the elastic flange of the pin member is bent, the pin insertion hole is sealed by the elastic flange of the pin member, and infiltration of water from the outside is prevented. |
| US08684427B2 |
Reinforced plastic energy absorber system
In one embodiment, an energy absorber, comprises: a plurality of crush lobes including a base and sides extending from the base to an outer wall; and a composite insert in the energy absorber. The insert comprises a second plastic material and reinforcement. The second plastic material is different than the crush lobe material. The insert is located at an area of the crush lobes, and wherein the area is the side and/or the outer wall. In another embodiment, an energy absorber comprises: a plastic frame; thermoplastic crush lobes extending from the frame, wherein the crush lobes comprise an outer wall, an extending wall, and a base; and a plastic insert located at an area having a volume of the crush lobes, wherein the insert occupies less than or equal to 90% of the area volume. The insert comprises reinforcement and a plastic material different than the thermoplastic crush lobes. |
| US08684425B2 |
Vehicle door latch apparatus
A child lever includes an operation portion, which is supported slidably and rotatably on a cover fixed to a casing, and which passes through a panel hole provided in a door to be exposed to the outside. The child lever is allowed to move to an unlocking position, in which the child lever is allowed to rotate together with an inside lever so as to transmit rotation of the inside lever to an opening member, and a locking position, in which the child lever is not allowed to rotate together with the inside lever so as not to transmit rotation of the inside lever to the opening member. |
| US08684422B2 |
Fixing mechanism for fixing a component
The disclosure relates to a fixing mechanism for fixing a component. The fixing mechanism includes a base, a bottom wall disposed on the base, and two lateral walls disposed on the base and connected to the bottom wall. A containing space is formed between the base, the bottom wall, and the two lateral walls. The fixing mechanism further includes a hook. The hook includes a cantilever portion and a hooking portion. The cantilever portion is connected to the bottom wall and for pressing against the component when the component is contained inside the containing space. The hooking portion is connected to the cantilever portion and engages with a lateral surface of the component when the component is contained inside the containing space. The fixing mechanism further includes two engaging parts for laterally engaging against the component when the component is contained inside the containing space. |
| US08684418B2 |
Flexible dress package for an end-effector employed with a robotic arm
A conduit system for conducting activation power to a tool module of a reconfigurable end-effector attachable to a robotic arm includes a fixed conduit portion conforming to a first portion of the reconfigurable end-effector including a master boom and a first portion of a rotatable guide rail. The conduit system includes a translatable conduit portion translatably connected to a second portion of the reconfigurable end-effector including a second lateral portion of the rotatable guide rail and a branch. The conduit system includes a rotatable portion connected between an end of the translatable conduit portion and a workpiece interface tool of the tool module. |
| US08684413B2 |
Pretensioning device for a safety belt
A pretensioning device (10) for a safety belt, of a motor vehicle, having a gas generator (17), a piston (21) guided in a tube (16), which closes a pressure area (20) in the tube (16) that is pressurized by the gas generator (17) whereupon the piston (21) is able to move in a pretensioning movement which is able to be conveyed to the safety belt by means of an inertia body (19a) resting on a front face (9) of the piston (21). The piston (21) forms a pass-through opening (1) releasable upon exceeding of a predetermined pressure and a recess (26) is provided in the front face (9) with an inertia body (19a) resting thereon, so that a flow connection is created from the pass-through opening (1) to the area (25) located behind the piston (21) in the direction of the pretensioning movement (S). |
| US08684411B2 |
Impact absorbing steering apparatus
Construction is achieved wherein the rear section of a steering column 6a can be prevented from displacing upward regardless of the occurrence of a secondary collision, and thus can effectively protect the driver. Capsules 28 are supported by a bracket on the vehicle body side. An installation plate section 14b of a bracket 13 on the housing side is held between a top plate section 29 and bottom plate section 30 of each of the capsules 28 so that the installation plate section 14b can displace in the forward direction during a secondary collision. The top and bottom plate sections 29, 30 extend forward to a position where they can support the installation plate section 14b even when the bracket 13 on the housing side has displaced in the forward direction due to a secondary collision. Alternatively, a suspended arm that functions in the same way is provided on the bracket on the vehicle body side. |
| US08684407B2 |
Air bag with height adaptive tether
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) having a deflated condition and an inflated condition. The protection device (14) includes a panel (74) having a portion presented toward the occupant (20) when the protection device is in the inflated condition. A tether (60) has a first connection (78) to a first portion (80) of the panel (74) and a second connection (72) to a second portion (76) of the panel. The tether (60) is operative to limit deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to unrestricted deployment of the first portion (80) of the panel. The tether (60) is also operative to permit further deployment of the second portion (76) of the panel (74) in response to occupant penetration into the first portion (80) of the panel. |
| US08684404B2 |
Air bag with variable venting
An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable between a vehicle surface (36) and the vehicle occupant. A vent (160) releases inflation fluid from the protection device (14). The vent (160) has an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. A tether (150) has a first connection with the vent (160) and a second connection with the protection device (14). Tension on the tether (150) actuates the vent (160). The vent (160) is initially in the non-actuated condition upon initial deployment of the protection device (14). Further deployment of the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the actuated condition. Occupant penetration into the protection device (14) causes the tether (150) to place the vent (160) in the non-actuated condition. |
| US08684398B1 |
Adjustable wheelchair seat
A motorized vehicle assembly having a frame, a seat supported by the frame, and one or more wheels in communication with the frame, where the frame may have a plane extending therethrough and the seat may have a plane extending therethrough. The seat may be adjustable with respect to frame. The seat may be adjusted laterally in a first direction and/or a second direction, where the seat faces a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The seat may be rotated or tilted toward the first direction, the second direction, the third direction, or a fourth direction, where the fourth direction may be substantially opposite the third direction. In some cases, the seat may be tilted in the same direction in which the seat has been laterally adjusted. |
| US08684396B1 |
Foldable adjustable dynamic wheelchair
A foldable adjustable dynamic wheelchair including a seat assembly and a push handle assembly configured to serve as a chair back frame both of which are pivotally connected to a mobility base having a pair of spaced apart front rear wheels and a front wheel. A pair of selector plates each having a pair of valleys at a bottom edge thereof are each mounted to either side of the mobility base. A foot operable actuator member is connected to an over-center assembly for moving a latch bar into a valley on one side of center and for moving the latch bar outside a valley on the other side of center. With the latch bar located in one valley the wheelchair is configured in an upright configuration and when the latch bar is located in the other valley, the wheelchair is configured in an extended position. |
| US08684394B2 |
Remotely controlled snow board binding
A snow board comprises an elongate board and at least one binding mounted transverse the longitudinal axis of the board. The binding includes an anchor pivotally mounted on the binding. The anchor moves between two operative positions to lock, and then release, the heel of a boot in the binding. A motor assembly increases and decreases the tension in a cable to move the anchor between the two operative positions. The motor assembly is remotely controlled. |
| US08684393B2 |
Alpine ski
A ski which when it is flat on a horizontal plane, and loaded at its waist in such a way that the edges touch said horizontal plane at the waist, has a side cut extending between the front and rear contact lines; when it is pivoted around its longitudinal axis and tilted by a non-zero angle α relative to said horizontal plane, and loaded at its waist in such a way that one of the edges touches said plane at the waist, has a side cut extending between two end contact points, front and rear respectively wherein for a tilt (α) equal to 35°, the ratio of the distance (Dα) separating the front end contact point and the front contact line, related to the distance (D) separating the mid-point (9) of the shoe and the front contact line, is more than 12%. |
| US08684390B1 |
Retractable tow strap apparatus
A retractable tow strap apparatus includes a housing containing a spool operably connected to a crank on the exterior of the housing. A tow strap is wound around the spool, the ends of the strap extending through a pair of apertures on opposite sides of the housing. Unwinding the strap from the spool through the apertures rotates the spool in a first direction. The strap is retrieved onto the spool by rotating the spool in a second direction using the crank. Springs within the housing apply a braking force on the portion of the strap that is on the spool, whereby slack in the strap and resultant tangling may be minimized as the strap is wound and unwound from the spool. The strap is formed of a unitary webbing element that extends through the spool, thereby minimizing the application of tension forces directly to the spool during a towing operation. |
| US08684386B2 |
Head tube assembly for a bicycle with cable access routing in an open steerer configuration
A head tube assembly suitable for a bicycle and comprising an open steerer configuration and cable routing. The head tube assembly comprises a head tube configured to connect with the top tube and down tube of the bicycle. The head tube includes a lower bearing component and an upper bearing component configured to rotatably engage the fork assembly. The fork assembly comprises an external steerer configured to rotate externally to the head tube. The head tube assembly includes an upper steerer section configured to secure the external steerer, and an internal chamber configured with an aperture for receiving one or more cables and being coupled to the top tube or the down tube. The internal chamber includes one or more guide tubes configured to route the cable(s) through the interior portion of the top tube or the down tube. |
| US08684377B2 |
Self-propelled vehicle and articulated mobile chassis thereof
An articulated steerable self-propelled vehicle has a support platform mounting a motive power source and sites at opposite sides of motive power source where an operator's feet can be placed to enable the operator to stand on platform and straddle motive power source. First suspension assembly on vehicle is pivotally mounted to platform in order to dispose and couple first ground surface contacting member spaced in first direction from platform, movable to follow the ground surface, vertically movable relative to platform to accommodate impact generated by uneven ground surface, and steerable horizontally relative to platform and the ground surface. Second support assembly on the vehicle is pivotally mounted to platform in order to dispose and couple second ground surface contacting member spaced in second direction from of platform, movable to follow the ground surface, and vertically movable relative to platform to accommodate impact generated by uneven ground surface. |
| US08684376B2 |
Three wheel lean-steer skateboard
Skateboard devices, and methods of riding and steering an elongated foldable skateboard with two large front wheels pivotally attached to the front of the skateboard and a single large rear centered wheel with depressible brake. The skateboard allows for the rider with one foot on the skateboard to propel the skateboard by pushing off the ground with another foot. A stabilizing assembly with angled bolt/pin/rod that inserts into an oblong eyelet opening with pliable bushing on the front axle can allow for the rider to tilt the board with their weight to turn the skateboard to the left or to the right. |
| US08684370B2 |
Skateboard truck
A skateboard truck maintains truck geometry. The truck includes a support pin including a cylindrical end slideably engaging a cylindrical passage in a base plate, and a ball end residing in a socket in a hanger. A support pin bushing under the cylindrical end is compressible and both carries some of a rider's weight and holds the ball end in the socket providing a second pivot to the truck. The second pivot eliminates horizontal play of the hanger thereby facilitating consistent compression of the kingpin bushings and improved stability of the skateboard. Support pin travel allows off-center kingpin bushing compression for steering and improves shock absorption. Eliminating horizontal play allows lengthened kingpin bushings and use of the entire height of the kingpin bushings. The combination of kingpin bushing preload, and weight carried by the support pin, tends to equalize the compression of the top and bottom kingpin bushings improving stability. |
| US08684369B1 |
Ball pick
A specially formed ball shaped disc 40 to 50 mm in diameter to be utilized on the PIC® inline skate, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,360, to allow for extreme jumps, spins, and footwork moves in the sport of inline figure skating. The ball pick disc is made of molded rubber or synthetic material. The purpose of the ball pick is to provide extreme deep edges for enhanced spins, jumps, and footwork common in the sport of inline figure skating while protecting the skate frame from scraping. The ball shape is slotted to fit around the frame thus protecting the frame from scraping and allows the skater to achieve extremely deep edges. The ball shape provides 180 degrees of surface allowing the skater unlimited toe-in angles. The configuration of the disc allows the ball pick to be reversed to extend wear. |
| US08684356B2 |
Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
Provided are a high-quality sheet feeding apparatus which can detect multifeeding of sheets in a wide range of the sheet conveying direction and realize a stable conveying state, and an image forming apparatus therewith. A CPU controls a multifeeding detection sensor to detect multifeeding of sheets at a plurality of transmission points P1 to P5 of the multifeeding detection sensor. This CPU sets a plurality of transmission points across the front end and rear end of a sheet moving in the sheet conveying direction, based on size information of the sheet read from a storage portion and the timing of detection passing of the sheet in a horizontal path first sensor. This enables detection of multifeeding across the front end and rear end of a preceding sheet in the sheet conveying direction, and also enables detection of unseparated multifeeding that a subsequent sheet follows overlapping the preceding sheet. |
| US08684349B2 |
Sheet feeder and image recording apparatus
A sheet feeder, including; a sheet holding portion; a sheet supply portion; an inclined member having an inclined surface and configured to guide each sheet in a sheet feed direction; and separation protrusions which are provided on the inclined member and each of which protrudes from the inclined surface such that a distal end thereof is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than a proximal end thereof, wherein each separation protrusion has a contact surface and said each sheet comes into contact with one or more contact surfaces of the separation protrusions, and wherein each separation protrusion protrudes from the inclined surface such that the distal end of one of the separation protrusions is located more downstream in the sheet feed direction than the proximal end of another of the separation protrusions that is located immediately downstream of the one of the separation protrusions in the sheet feed direction. |
| US08684345B2 |
Paper-sheet post-processing device
In a paper-sheet post-processing device, a paper-sheet aligning unit has: a main unit; a paper-sheet holding part which holds paper-sheets supported on a paper-sheet supporting unit; a cam mechanism which places the paper-sheet pressing part close to and separate from the paper-sheet supporting unit; and an aligning mechanism which aligns the paper-sheets supported on the paper-sheet supporting unit with a standard position by rotation of the aligning member; and the main unit has a rotation shaft rotatably supported axially by a first support part and a second support part and the cam member and aligning member are arranged to be fixed to the rotation shaft. |
| US08684344B2 |
Antibacterial protective envelope
A protective envelope for a lid of a plastic cup comprises a vacuous plastic film stuck on the top of the lid which was beforehand vaporized by an antiseptic liquid, without alcohol, then dried. The plastic film includes a detachable part, activated by a thread to be pulled, which is positioned above the opening to drink of the lid. So, when a consumer is ready to drink, he removes the detachable part by pulling the thread, so freeing the opening to drink. With such protection the lid is protected from bacteria and virus which can cause diseases. In brief, the steps of conception of the antiseptic lid are: to vaporize the lid with an antiseptic liquid without alcohol, to dry the lid, to put a thin film of plastic onto the lid by positioning the detachable part over the drink opening and to stick the film onto the lid by means of a vacuum. |
| US08684343B2 |
Composite fabrication vent assembly and method
A composite fabrication vent assembly for connection to an inflatable bladder, the combination of a vent assembly and an inflatable bladder, and a method of mechanically connecting a vent assembly and a bladder. The vent assembly comprises a body member having a first clamping surface, a clamping member having a second clamping surface, and a carriage member interconnecting the body member and the clamping member, with the first and second clamping surfaces in opposing relationship. With the open end of an inflatable bladder inserted between the opposed clamping surfaces, the carriage member is adapted to translate the body member and clamping member toward one another to form an airtight seal with the inflatable bladder. A controlled source of pressurized gas, connected to a gas inlet of the vent assembly, can then inflate and deflate the bladder in a controlled manner through one or more passageways in the vent assembly. |
| US08684341B2 |
Torque rod
A torque rod having an arm portion, a ring portion formed on each end of the arm portion in a longitudinal direction of the arm portion, and a rubber bushing that is integrally provided with the ring portion. The arm portion is formed from a material that is lower in specific gravity than iron. A weight is provided in a portion of the rubber bushing other than a principal spring portion. The principal spring portion, which absorbs principal vibration to be isolated, is formed by an elastic arm portion that extends radially outwardly from an inner cylinder located substantially in a center of the rubber bushing and is connected to the ring portion. An aperture, which is a separation space, is provided between the elastic arm portion and the ring portion. |
| US08684337B2 |
Tubular condensers having tubes with external enhancements
Improvements in tubes, which increase the heat exchange capacity of tubular heat exchangers using the tubes, are described. These improvements involve the use of one or more external surface enhancements, optionally combined with an internal enhancement and/or differing tube geometries. These improvements apply, for example, to internal condensers, including those in which the tube bundles are oriented vertically, in vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses such as distillation columns. |
| US08684332B2 |
Lifting mechanism with lift stand accommodation
The present invention is a lifting mechanism with lift stand accommodation, which is used to allow a lift stand to reside within its bounding space. The present invention comprises a lifting mechanism and a Y-shaped chassis. The Y-shaped chassis comprises a lift mechanism housing and a U-shaped base. The U-shaped base comprises a base slot that allows a jack stand frame to be inserted between its left and right end. The lifting mechanism is used to raise and lower an object from its initial position. The lifting mechanism comprises a left support arm, a right support arm, a lift arm and a U-shaped lift platform. The U-shaped platform comprises a platform slot that can allow a jack stand saddle to be inserted between its left platform end and right platform end. A brace maintains the rigidity of the lift arm, the left support arm, and the right support arm. |
| US08684331B2 |
Valve for regulating the flow of a liquid
A new valve for regulating the flow of liquid has two housings that are removably attached to one another. When the housings are separated, the liquid can no longer pass through the valve. A system of magnetic elements is used to cycle the flow of liquid (urine) through the valve. The valve is typically connected to an indwelling bladder catheter and the valve allows the patient to be at least temporarily disconnected from a collection bag. |
| US08684326B2 |
Tilt mounting system
An improved adjustable mounting system for mounting a flat panel display to a surface. A mounting bracket is configured to attach to the surface, while an adapter bracket is operatively connected to the mounting bracket and is configured to operatively connect to the flat panel display. At least one carrier mechanism operatively connects the mounting bracket and the adapter bracket, the first carrier mechanism positioned with a set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces to couple the adapter bracket to the mounting bracket. When the flat panel display is operatively connected to the adapter bracket and the mounting bracket is attached to the surface, the flat panel display is generally selectively rotatably positionable about an axis substantially parallel to the surface as a result of the interaction of the first carrier mechanism with the set of substantially straight guide paths or surfaces. |
| US08684316B2 |
Aircraft flap mechanism having compact large fowler motion providing multiple cruise positions
A trailing edge flap mechanism incorporates a support beam, a flap carrier beam supporting an aerodynamic flap, a first link interconnecting a first and second rotation points and a second link interconnecting third and fourth rotation points. The support beam has a ground connection on a first fixed axis of rotation. A connecting link has a ground connection on a second fixed axis of rotation and is connected to the first link intermediate the first and second rotation points. An actuator is connected with a drive link pivotally engaged to the first link for initial forward and aft movement of a nose profile of the Fowler flap substantially parallel to the wing lower surface with extending aft movement providing a rapidly changing angle of the flap with respect to the wing upper surface. |
| US08684314B2 |
Emergency piloting by means of a series actuator for a manual flight control system in an aircraft
For emergency piloting of a manual flight control system (7) of an aircraft (1), in the event of flexible connection means (26) breaking, an upstream control device (8) takes authority over the electronic control unit (29) of series actuator (21). An output pivoting quadrant (25) is subjected by a centering rod (22) to a blocking and centering action. In the event of the system breaking, the output pivoting quadrant (25) forms a bearing point for the series actuator (21), so that an emergency control actuate a airfoil surface (11). |
| US08684305B2 |
Device and method for controlling the power supply of at least one aircraft maintenance actuator
The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the power supply of at least one aircraft maintenance actuator (7) from an electrical power supply network (10) of the aircraft comprising means (14) for controlling the electrical power supply of at least one maintenance actuator, and means (15) for establishing communication between the control means and at least one control unit (16) allowing a user to control the operation of at least one actuator. The control means are designed to compare the state of at least one control unit with at least one reference state (SBR) and/or an abnormal state (SBE1, SBE2, SBE3) for switching-on purposes, and to prohibit the activation of the actuator if the state of the control unit is different from a reference state (SBR) or corresponds. |
| US08684304B2 |
Aircraft, propulsion system, and system for taxiing an aircraft
One embodiment of the present invention is a unique aircraft. Another embodiment is a unique aircraft propulsion system. Still another embodiment is a unique system for taxiing an aircraft without starting one or more main aircraft propulsion engines. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft taxiing and propulsion systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. |
| US08684300B2 |
Aircraft landing gear
An aircraft landing gear comprising: a shock-absorbing main leg having a sprung part for attachment to an aircraft and an un-sprung part including a slider and an axle carrying at least one wheel, the wheel having a toothed ring gear; a drive transmission mounted externally on the sprung part, or on the un-sprung part, of the main leg, the drive transmission having at least one motor and a drive pinion for meshing with the toothed ring of the wheel; and an actuator for lifting the drive transmission into and out of driving engagement with the toothed ring and for maintaining the driving engagement as the landing gear deflects during a ground taxiing operation. Also, a method of operating the aircraft landing gear. |
| US08684298B2 |
Turn-bar
A turn-bar for adjusting orientation of a web includes a plurality of roll bars. Positions of at least two bars of the plurality of roll bars are movable with respect to a direction of travel of the web. An orientation of the web passing through the bars may be changed by adjusting a position of the at least two bars without removal of the web from the turn-bar. A method of selectively inverting or not inverting a web includes changing a position of at least two roll bars of a turn-bar apparatus with respect to a direction of travel of the web, where the web is not inverted by the turn-bar apparatus when the at least two roll bars are in a first position, and the web is inverted by the turn-bar apparatus when the at least two roll bars are in a second position. |
| US08684294B2 |
Seat belt retractor and seat belt apparatus including the same
To allow a seat belt retractor to be easily assembled and to be made compact while effectively operating a pretensioner and an energy absorbing mechanism. A plurality of balls 20 rotate a ring gear 25 by gas generated in the event of an emergency. Since internal teeth 25a are meshed with external teeth 26a, a pinion 26 is rotated by the rotation of the ring gear 25, and a spool retracts a seat belt. After pressing the ring gear 25, the balls 20 separate from the ring gear 25 and are stored in an arc-shaped passage 33. Since the seat belt is then withdrawn, the pinion 26 and the ring gear 25 rotate in a seat-belt withdrawing direction. In this case, some of the balls 20 in contact with the ring gear 25 are returned by the ring gear 25. Therefore, the ring gear 25 more smoothly rotates because the influence of the balls 20 is suppressed. |
| US08684291B2 |
System for controlling the position of a feed roller
A feed system that is configured to more effectively grab and pull brush and tree materials into a chipper is provided. The system of the present disclosure is configured such that a large, heavy tree trunk can be effectively pulled into the chipper. The system includes a hydraulic pump that applies variable down pressure on a feed roller. |
| US08684287B2 |
Coffee grinder capable of removing parchments of coffee beans and method of removing the parchments
A coffee grinder includes a machine base, in which a crushing unit, a separating unit, and a grinding unit are provided. The machine base has an inlet and an outlet, and the crushing unit is under the inlet to crush coffee beans into parchments and beans. The separating unit has a rotary member and a collection container that the rotary member provides an air flow to send the parchments to the collection container. The grinding unit is between the crushing unit and the outlet to grind the beans from the separating unit and send the ground beans to the outlet. The present invention crush the coffee beans to separate the parchments and the beans, and the parchments are removed by the separating unit. Next, the beans will be ground. |
| US08684286B2 |
Injection valve
An injection valve has a valve body and a nozzle body which is resting in a sealing fashion against the valve body, with a first valve body bore, in which bore a control piston and a stroke adjusting bolt are arranged so as to be moveable in the axial direction, with the control piston being embodied in order to be moved by a control means, with a second bore being provided in the nozzle body, with a nozzle needle being arranged in the second bore, the nozzle needle being provided to open or close an injection opening, with a tension spring being provided in the second bore, the tension spring stressing the nozzle needle in the direction of a sealing seat for the injection opening, with the first and second bore being actively connected to one another and with the stroke adjusting bolt being actively connected to the nozzle needle. |
| US08684278B2 |
Traction jack
A vehicle traction jack that functions as a traction mat platform, ramp, and vehicle jack to assist a vehicle's tire when a tire is stuck in a rut, hole, or some sort of terrain or weather condition such as sand, gravel, dirt, mud, or snow is disclosed. The traction jack comprises a first plate and second plate, a hinge assembly, and a jack. The first and second plates can extend to a partially-opened or fully-opened position, forming a ramp and traction mat platform. The extended traction jack can be placed in front of or behind a vehicle's tire to provide addition traction. A jack extends from at least one plate of the vehicle traction jack to raise a vehicle for repairs to the vehicle's tire. Easily stored in a vehicle at all times, a single user can use the traction jack to help move any type of vehicle's tire. |
| US08684276B2 |
Portable catalytic heater
Provided is a portable heating device comprising a combustion-powered heater, a regulator, and an oxygen depletion sensor. The combustion-powered heater may be supplied by an associated fuel source and may comprise a combustion region comprising a catalytic surface. The regulator may be adapted for fluid communication with the associated fuel source. The oxygen depletion sensor may comprise a burner and a temperature detector. The burner may be in fluid communication with the regulator and may be adapted to combust fuel form the regulator with air to produce a flame. The temperature detector may be adapted to detect the temperature of the flame and may be adapted to selectively render the combustion-powered heater non-functional. |
| US08684275B2 |
Smart passive thermal devices and methods
Devices and methods for increasing and decreasing cooling capacity as thermal load increases by utilizing bimaterial. For increasing the cooling capacity, the upper plate of a thin film microchannel can be configured from a bimaterial, such that the upper layer possesses a higher linear thermal expansion coefficient than that of the lower layer material. Excessive heating causes the coolant temperature to increase which in turn heats the upper plate. As such, the upper plate bends outward allowing for more coolant to flow within the thin film. For decreasing the cooling capacity, the upper plate can be configured from a bimaterial such that its lower layer has a higher linear thermal expansion coefficient than that of the upper layer material. Excessive heating can cause the coolant temperature to increase, which in turn heats the upper plate. As such, the upper plate can bend inward resulting in less coolant flow within the thin film. |
| US08684272B2 |
Mobile communication device and antenna structure thereof
A mobile communication device having an antenna structure includes a grounding element and an antenna element. The grounding element includes a main ground and a protruded ground being connected to an edge of the main ground. Antenna element includes a feeding portion and a radiating portion. The feeding portion includes a feeding point, a first strip and a second strip. The first strip and the second strip are both connected to the feeding point. The radiating portion includes a first open end, a second open end and a shorting point which is connected to the protruded ground by a short-circuiting strip. There is a first coupling gap between the first strip and a first section of the radiating portion having the first open end. There is a second coupling gap between the second strip and a second section of the radiating portion having the second open end. |
| US08684269B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing a changing field of view in image based bar code scanning
Systems and techniques for image based bar code scanning. A rotating spinner is positioned to reflect images to an imaging device within the scanner so that a field of view of the scanner encompasses images reflected by the spinner to the imaging device. The rotation of the spinner causes the field of view of the scanner to change. Fixed mirrors positioned and oriented to reflect images to the spinner and from the spinner to the imaging device further shift the field of view of the scanner as the rotating spinner causes images reflected from different mirrors to be delivered to the imaging device. |
| US08684268B2 |
Product display system, profile assembly for a product display system, and method for illuminating a product
A product display system has a product carrier and a lighting device including a plurality of light sources, each having two or more LEDs of different light color, and a control device. The control device can control the various light sources, and even the various LEDs in the light sources, in order, in this way, to achieve a different luminosity and/or light color per light source. The control device reads an information carrier having information associated with the product, and adjusts a light source which illuminates a place of the product carrier designed for the product on the basis of information read from the information carrier. |
| US08684258B2 |
Process for reducing aluminium pick-up, and ultrasonic welding device
A process for reducing aluminum pick-up and adherence during the ultrasonic welding of aluminum braids which are welded in a vertically and/or horizontally adjustable compression chamber of an ultrasonic welding device. The static tool parts which delimit the compression chamber have working surfaces made from polycrystalline diamond (PCD). |
| US08684252B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument
A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle assembly having a proximal end, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a head portion disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated body portion and including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The shell assembly includes a shell and a staple guide housing a plurality of staples. A flexible engagement structure attaches the staple guide to the shell. |
| US08684248B2 |
Surgical instrument with safety mechanism
A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a safety mechanism, an elongated body portion and a head portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a stationary handle, an approximation mechanism, and a firing trigger. A lever of the safety mechanism is movable between a first position where the firing trigger is prevented from being actuated, and a second position where the firing trigger is able to be actuated. A first jaw member of the head portion is movable in relation to a second jaw member of the head portion between spaced and approximated positions. Movement of the first jaw member in relation to the second jaw member from the approximated position towards the spaced position causes the lever of the safety mechanism to move from its second position to its first position. |
| US08684246B2 |
Driving device for resetting hitting nail bar of pneumatic nail gun
A driving device for resetting a hitting nail bar of the pneumatic nail gun, which is mounted in a gun body including a main air chamber, a trigger valve, a hitting nail bar and a bottom cylinder chamber disposed therein is provided. The driving device includes a main gas channel and a sensing valve component slidably disposed in the main gas channel. The main gas channel communicates with the main air chamber and the bottom cylinder chamber via the trigger valve. The sensing valve component is controlled by the position of the hitting nail bar to be either opened or closed. The sensing valve component is opened on the condition that a reset state of the hitting nail bar is excluded, and the high-pressure air is introduced from the main air chamber into the bottom cylinder chamber to drive the hitting nail bar to move upwardly to reset rapidly. |
| US08684241B2 |
Squeezing device and packaging bag for viscous liquid
A squeezing device capable of squeezing a viscous liquid in a packaging bag includes a pair of bag body support parts for stretching and supporting the bag bodies by fixing the front end and the rear end of a bag body and performing fixing of the rear end by applying a tension thereto rearwards; a squeezing mechanism part which is so provided as to be capable of sliding in the direction towards the front end in such a state the rear end of the bag supported by the bag body support parts is held from the upper and lower sides; and a drive mechanism part for slidingly driving the squeezing mechanism part in the direction towards the front end. The squeezing mechanism part is installed at the tip end of the device, and the drive mechanism part includes a slide bar disposed parallel to the sliding direction of the squeezing mechanism part. |
| US08684239B2 |
Apparatus for pulsed dispensing of liquid
An apparatus for pulsed dispensing of liquid. The apparatus includes a syringe body structure communicating with an input passage for pressurized actuation air, and communicating with an exit passage for allowing discharge of the liquid. An air input passage flow air controller is operative to increase the flow rate of the input air in accordance with a relationship that depends at least partially on a reduction of liquid volume in the syringe body structure resulting from a previous pulsed dispensing operation. |
| US08684237B2 |
Adjustable measuring dispenser and method
The dispenser dispenses premeasured quantities of a granular or powdered material when a lever on the dispenser housing is pressed inwardly. The quantity dispensed with each stroke of the lever can be adjusted easily by turning a dial on the outside of the housing. This adjusts the effective volume of a pair of telescoping tubes inside the dispenser. The dispenser is easily refilled merely by removing the top cap and pouring in the material to be dispensed. |
| US08684236B2 |
Manual fluid dispenser with piezoelectric generator
A dispensing apparatus including a product dispenser in which product is dispensed by manual movement of an activation mechanism as, for example, by moving a lever with a person's hand, arm or foot. The dispensing apparatus includes a piezoelectric electrical generator for generating electrical energy as a result of the manual movement of the activation mechanism. The piezoelectric generator is carried on an elongated cantilevered spring member which biases an activation mechanism to return to an unbiased position after deflection by a user to dispense fluid. The electrical energy from the generator may be utilized in the dispensing apparatus to power a data communication unit for receiving information about the product dispenser and transmitting the information to a receiver, preferably but not necessarily wirelessly. The relative amounts of electrical energy generated may be used to estimate the amount of fluid dispensed and the extent to which a fluid reservoir is full. |
| US08684226B2 |
Glove dispensing assembly
A glove dispensing assembly includes a stack of interfolded gloves. In particular, the gloves are folded in an S-like arrangement including a first fold and a second fold. The finger portion of a leading glove is folded in between a cuff portion and an intermediate portion of a subsequent glove. The manner in which the gloves are folded allows for the gloves to be dispensed in a perpendicular direction or a lateral direction. |
| US08684223B1 |
Thermal drinking glass
A drinking glass has flutes inward from inside walls of an inner sleeve. Outer walls are curved. The flutes and curved outer walls form lenticular surfaces that distort images. The flutes provide precise alignment for multicolor printing on the outer wall of the inner sleeve. An outer sleeve is sealed to a top of the inner sleeve. A space between the sleeve is filled with fluid, sheets and objects. |
| US08684222B2 |
Tray, in particular for catering purposes onboard aircrafts
A tray, in particular for catering purposes onboard aircrafts, including a tray body defining a receiving surface for receiving thereon items to be carried by use of the tray. The tray body includes an interlocking device for releasably engaging an interlocking device of the tray body of a similar tray, when at least two trays are positioned such that the receiving surfaces of the tray bodies are overlapping each other partially. The interlocking device of the trays interacting such that when one of the trays is drawn in a drawing direction, the other tray is moved along in the drawing direction. |
| US08684220B2 |
Storage tank with flexible shear pad
A concrete storage tank structure comprises a tank including a floor slab having a periphery and a wall having inner and outer faces extending upwardly from the floor slab at a position adjacent the periphery of the latter. The tank structure further includes a shear pad extending outwardly away from the tank from a position adjacent a lower portion of the outer face of the wall. The shear pad and the tank are positioned relative to one another in such a way that a space is provided therebetween and a number of elongated flexible connecting elements are arranged so as to extend through the space in interconnecting relationship relative to the shear pad and the tank. A strip of resilient neoprene elastomeric material is disposed in the space. The shear pad is thus flexibly attached to the tank in such a way that the forces imposed on the wall of the tank by the shear pad during movement of the tank during use are minimized. |
| US08684219B2 |
Tank with internal baffle
A tank for holding liquid having internal partitions. The partitions have enlarged bottom ends fillable with liquid and restable on the bottom wall of the tank to limit sideways movement of the partitions. The partitions are mounted to the tank only above the liquid within the tank by a channel that loosely receives the top ends of the partition. |
| US08684218B1 |
Multi-compartment, suction-capable vessel
Vessel including a unitary or two-part vessel base having an intermediate wall portion, upper and lower wall portions on opposite sides of the intermediate wall portion, and upper and lower seal rims adjacent the respective upper and lower wall portions. The upper and intermediate wall portions define an upper chamber space including at least one upper chamber. The lower and intermediate wall portions define a lower chamber space including at least one lower chamber. The seal rims include edges configured to provide suction when pressed against a flat surface, preferably when these rims are wet. Lids engage with upper and lower lid-receiving portions, respectively, defined by the vessel base to selectively close the upper or lower chamber space. The two-part vessel base has a mating structure to facilitate selective attachment and separation. |
| US08684215B2 |
Fuel cap
The pressure control valve comprises a negative pressure valve and a positive pressure valve. The negative pressure valve comprises a negative pressure valve body, a valve retaining member and an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism comprises a support concave portion formed on the negative pressure valve body and a support protrusion formed on the valve retaining member and inserted into the support concave portion, which is formed to reduce the elastic deformation transferred to a second seating portion, when a first seating portion is pressed by a first seal portion to undergo elastic deformation. |
| US08684212B2 |
Tamper-evident container that indicates when the container has been tampered with or opened
A tamper-evident container having a tamper-evident structure that indicates to a user when the container has been previously opened or otherwise tampered with. The container can include a body and a lid, where the lid is snap fit into a recess of the body. Based on the snap-fit, the lid is difficult or impossible to remove from the body without activating the tamper-evident structure. The tamper-evident structure can remain at least partially attached to the lid or body to thereby indicate to a user that the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with. |
| US08684211B1 |
Can end with retort resistant panel, and tooling and associated method for providing same
A can end is provided, which includes a recessed panel defined by an upwardly extending chuck wall. The panel has a product side and a public side disposed opposite the product side. A peripheral scoreline is disposed in the public side of the panel proximate to the base of the chuck wall. A tab is fastened to the panel by a rivet. The tab is operable to sever the peripheral scoreline and open the can end. An pressure resistance bead extends around the panel inboard of the peripheral scoreline and outboard of the rivet. A saw tooth panel formation disposed proximate to the pressure resistance bead inboard of the pressure resistance bead. Among other benefits, the pressure resistance bead and saw tooth panel formation combine to resist wrinkling or other undesired deformation of the can end. Tooling and a method of making the can end are also disclosed. |
| US08684209B2 |
Foldable and overlappable carrier box
A foldable and overlappable carrier box includes a base panel, a pair of first side panels erected along any two facing edges of the base panel, and a pair of second side panels erected along remaining facing edges of the base panel. Each of the first side panels is divided into an upper face and a lower face along a horizontal line, the upper face being foldable downwards, and each of the second side panels is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion along a horizontal line, so that when carrier boxes are stacked in multiple layers by folding the upper face, a lower portion of a carrier box located at an upper position is overlappable with an upper portion of a carrier box located at a lower position. |
| US08684208B2 |
Reusable containers for storing foodstuffs or liquids
A container that is re-useable and may be disassembled for cleaning and reassembled and resealed for use as a beverage or foodstuffs container. The container assembly for storing foodstuffs or liquids includes an annular upper body with a first end adapted to receive a cap, and a second open end which connects with an annular lower body including a first open attachment end and a second closed bottom of container end and a seal which is compressed when securing the upper and lower bodies together. |
| US08684206B2 |
Rubber plug for a vial container having concavo-convex connecting portions
A rubber plug for a vial container includes a leg portion press molded independently, and having a base end side portion, and a plate-shape cap portion bonded to the base end side portion press-molded with the leg portion. The leg portion and the plate-shape cap portion have bonding areas formed as concentric concavo-convex areas. The base end side portion of the leg portion including the area bonded with the plate-shape cap portion is formed of a material same as that of the plate-shape cap portion. A remaining portion of the leg portion except for the base end side is formed by a material different from the plate-shape cap portion. |
| US08684204B2 |
Locking cover for a vessel having a neck, including a cap having attachment tabs
The invention relates to a locking cover (1), made of a molded plastic material, for a vessel having a neck, intended for locking a plug (4) in the neck (3) of the vessel (2), including a wire-cap (6) which surrounds the plug and the neck, a ring (7) which is attached around the wire-cap (6) and shaped so as to have a central opening (17) providing access from the outside of the cover (1) to the inside of the vessel via the plug, and a cap (23) attached to the ring and shaped so as to close said opening (17). The cap (23) comprises attachment tabs (25) which are spaced apart from each other along the annular periphery of the opening (17) of the ring (7) and which are clamped between the ring (7) and the wire-cap (6). |
| US08684202B2 |
Elliptical bottle neck
A bottle of one-piece construction includes a body having a shoulder, a neck finish and a neck extending from the shoulder to the neck finish. The shoulder and neck finish each have circular cross sections around respective axes, which preferably are coincident with a central axis of the bottle. A major portion of the neck has an oval cross section around a third axis, which preferably is coincident with the central axis, smoothly blending into the circular cross sections of the shoulder and neck finish. The oval cross section preferably is generally elliptical, having outwardly convex end portions and outwardly convex side portions extending between the end portions. The neck preferably has a substantially uniform wall thickness. |
| US08684199B2 |
Coupler yoke and coupler draft gear
A coupler yoke and a coupler draft gear are used in the field of carriages of a railway and aim at solving the problems of lower strength, low safety and reliability and the like in the prior art. The coupler yoke comprises a hollow yoke body with the cross section being in a long concentric-square shape, the inner side surface of the one end of the hollow yoke body is a bearing surface, and at least part of the heavy loading area of the bearing surface protrudes outwards relatively to the end surface of the light loading area. The coupler yoke is used for connecting couplers between the carriages of a train, so that the carriages are connected to form the train for transmitting the tractive force in the transportation; the distribution pattern of the existing bearing surface is changed due to the arrangement of a middle groove. |
| US08684195B1 |
Wall mounted storage system
A wall mounted storage system has a track, a plurality of vertical panels, a plurality of plugs and a plurality of shelves. The track is mounted to a wall for supporting the vertical panels. The shelves and panels form compartments. Each vertical panel has a cut out which matches the configuration of the track. The cut out has a front radiused section and a rear flat section. The track has a corresponding front radiused edge and rear seat. The cut out mates with the track at the radiused and flat sections. An opening is provided between the bottom of the track and the bottom of the cut out. The plug fits within this opening to prevent the vertical panel from separating from the track after the panel is attached to the track. The front bottom edges of the vertical panels are protected by bottom protectors. |
| US08684194B2 |
Wine rack
A wine rack for mounting on a wall or other surface, the wine rack including at least a first and second pair of support members. In one embodiment, the first pair of support members may support at least a first and a second wine bottle in a substantially parallel relation to the wall, wherein the second bottle is positionable proximate the wall, and wherein the label of the first wine bottle is visible to a person standing in front of the wine rack. |
| US08684191B2 |
Card rack system
A support rack for a substantially planar circuit board includes first and second spaced apart sides. The sides define a plurality of spaced apart product receiving support surfaces where corresponding surfaces on each side are parallel to one another and spaced apart by a central region to form a U-shaped rack. Between pairs of support surfaces on a selected side are truncated, trapezoidal-like protrusions which terminate in product retaining clips. Integrally formed braces can be provided to increase rack strength. |
| US08684188B2 |
Hydrophilic polyethersulfone filtration membrane, process for producing the same, and dope solution
A hydrophilic filtration membrane having high chemical resistance, high strength, high water permeability and high blocking performance, and being superior in fouling resistance is provided. A hydrophilic filtration membrane containing a hydrophilic polyethersulfone having a contact angle of 65 to 74 degree, a molecular weight of 10,000 to 100,000, and the number of hydroxy groups of 0.6 to 1.4 per 100 polymerization repeating units. The hydrophilic filtration membrane may additionally contain a polyvinylpyrrolidone having a molecular weight of 10,000 to 1,300,000. |
| US08684185B2 |
Separating device for separating a mixture of magnetizable and non-magnetizable particles present in a suspension which are conducted in a separating channel
A separating device for separating a mixture of magnetizable and non-magnetizable particles present in a suspension conducted in a separating channel, has a ferromagnetic yoke, which is arranged on one side of the separating channel and made of sheet metal and which has at least one magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic deflecting field and a separating element arranged at the exit of the separating channel for separating the magnetic particles, wherein the magnetic field generator provided is a coil arrangement, having coils which can be controlled via a control device in grooves of the yoke along the separating channel such that a deflecting magnetic field, particularly a travelling wave, deflecting substantially toward the yoke; and being variable in terms of time is produced, having substantially field-free regions passing over the entire length of the separating channel. |
| US08684184B2 |
Dual-supply product container
A dual-supply container comprises a first compartment having a first opening, the first compartment being configured to contain therein a multiple-use amount of a product; a second compartment having a second opening, the second compartment being configured to contain a limited-use amount of the product; and a removable cover for each compartment that covers the opening of the compartment to seal the product in the compartment. |
| US08684181B2 |
Tray for packaging LCD assemblies
The invention provides a tray for packaging LCD assemblies, which includes a bottom plate. The bottom plate is provided with a plurality of rhombic grooves which are arranged side by side, and a plurality of discharge grooves for buffering stress concentration are arranged around the rhombic grooves. Because the bottom plate of the tray of the invention is designed with various types of stress concentration factors which are mutually associated, and the rhombic grooves of the stress concentration factors form a plurality of stress concentration zones on the bottom plate of the tray, the stress concentration in the center of the bottom plate can be effectively decreased. In addition, the discharge grooves are arranged around the rhombic grooves in the invention, and the stress concentration of the rhombic grooves is decreased by the discharge grooves. By the design of the aforementioned stress concentration factors, the stress and strain in the center of the bottom plate of the tray can be decreased, thereby preventing the tray from deforming largely because of excessive stress concentration to damage the LCD assemblies. |
| US08684177B2 |
Stopper housing case
In a hard material made stopper housing case to house a plurality of cylindrical stoppers for defining a drill blade entering depth of a dental implant fixture embedding hole at a jawbone when performing a dental implant treatment, the stopper has a spring-like locking part to be locked with a flange part projected from a shank part of a drill, the stopper housing case 1 has concave parts 2 provided in parallel and capable of respectively housing the stopper Y, and each of the concave parts 2 includes, at one side, a flange part insertion path 3 having a size preventing the spring-like locking part from falling out and being capable of inserting the flange part, and further includes, at another side opposite to the one side, a drill blade part insertion path 4 capable of inserting the blade part of the drill X. |
| US08684174B2 |
Case for electrical device and method of using same
A case for an electrical device includes: (a) a first portion with a bottom surface; (b) a second portion adjacent to the first portion; (c) a third portion adjacent to the second portion; (d) a fourth portion adjacent to the third portion; and (e) a fifth portion with an interior surface and adjacent to the fourth portion. In this embodiment, at least one of the first portion or the third portion is configured to be removably coupled to the electrical device. Additionally, when the case placed in an open configuration, the first portion is capable of being located over the fifth portion with the bottom surface of the first portion adjacent to the interior surface of the fifth portion. |
| US08684172B2 |
Analyte sensor container systems with sensor elevator and storage methods
An analyte sensor container system is provided for storing and dispensing analyte sensors. The analyte sensor container system includes a container body having a moveable member received therein. The moveable member may have one or more compartments with one or more analyte sensors supported thereon and a lid hinged to the container body. An elevator mechanism causes relative movement between the container body and moveable member upon opening and closing the lid. As such, the one or more analyte sensors are readily accessible to a user when the lid is opened, and retract into the container body upon lid closure. Methods of storing analyte sensors are provided as are numerous other aspects. |
| US08684169B2 |
Transfer device
A transfer device including a main conveyor part having a first conveying surface and a subsidiary conveyor part having a second conveying surface and arranged at the same area as the main conveyor part, the main conveyor part being designed to convey an article placed on the first conveying surface in one conveying direction, the subsidiary conveyor part being designed to convey an article placed on the second conveying surface in another direction transverse to the conveying direction of the main conveyor part, the main conveyor part and/or the subsidiary conveyor part being a roller conveyor having rollers, at least one of the rollers being a braking roller equipped with a brake, and the brake being designed to prevent the article from proceeding at least to the direction transverse to the conveying direction of the roller conveyor by a frictional force acting between the article and the braking roller. |
| US08684166B2 |
Trays and apparatus and method for removing cartons from trays
A system includes trays of a plurality of different widths and an unloading system for unloading cartons from the trays. The trays (20; 20′; 20″) each comprise a base (22) and a pair of end walls (30) extending upward from the base. The unloading system (200; 200′) comprises a plurality of fingers (202A-202I). Each of the end walls comprise a plurality of vertical slots (40) open to an upper edge of the end wall. The fingers are positioned and dimensioned to pass through the slots of the trays as the trays are delivered by the tray delivery conveyor to lift contents of the trays. The fingers are positioned so that some fingers pass through the slots of each of the different widths, but others pass only through slots of wider said widths. |
| US08684164B2 |
Device and process for forming rolled bar bundles
A device (1) for forming rolled bar (3) bundles which allows to obtain perfectly tidy and super compact bundles, in which the bars (3) are perfectly aligned with one another without twisting, tangling or overlapping, both inside and outside the bundle, conferring an excellent shape and regular appearance to the same. A process for forming rolled bar bundles by using the aforesaid device is also described. |
| US08684163B2 |
Destroying apparatus for electronic elements
A destroying apparatus aims to destroy electronic elements with magnetic substance. The destroying apparatus includes a conveying unit and a destroying unit. The conveying unit includes a collection plane to hold a plurality of electronic elements, at least one picking arm spinning against the collection plane to form a conveying path, a barrier portion connecting to the collection plane to block the electronic elements on the conveying path, and a release passage corresponding to the barrier portion to allow the electronic elements to escape the conveying path. The picking arm includes a magnetic attraction portion to attract the magnetic substance on the conveying path. The destroying unit is located correspondingly to the release passage and includes a plurality of cutting elements and a cutting path between the cutting elements to communicate with the release passage. |
| US08684159B2 |
Method and apparatus for varying coin-processing machine receptacle limits
In one aspect, a method for optimizing a usable volume of a coin receptacle associated with a coin-processing device includes receiving a plurality of coins in a coin input area of the coin-processing device, obtaining data for each coin from at least one sensor, associating the data for each coin with a denomination, depositing all of the received plurality of coins with an associated denomination into the coin receptacle of the coin-processing device, the coin receptacle being configured to accept, but not dispense, deposited coins until a maximum number of coins occupy the coin receptacle and to securely store the coins in the coin receptacle until removal of the coin receptacle from the coin-processing device and adjusting, responsive to the data, an upper limit of the maximum number of coins which may be deposited into the coin receptacle. |
| US08684153B2 |
Media processing device
Disclosed is a media processing device that offers ease of use in loading and removal of cartridges and is capable of aligning paper currency delivery units upon conveyance paths and paper currency delivery units upon cartridges with a high degree of precision. A cartridge loading frame (4) is configured such that the height of the lateral plate upon the cartridge handling side is less than or equal to half the height of the respective cartridges, and a plurality of partitions, which partition the storage positions of the respective cartridges, is disposed upon the lower portion thereof; a conveyance path (3) is located within a conveyance path frame (36) so as to expose media delivery units; and alignment pins and alignment apertures, which align the media delivery units upon each respective cartridge (5-9) and the media delivery units upon the conveyance path (3), are disposed upon the facing surfaces of each respective cartridge (5-9) and of the conveyance path frame (36), and fit respectively therewith. |
| US08684148B2 |
Disc brake
Provided is a disc brake capable of preventing large positional shift of a position of abutment of a return spring against a mounting member, which occurs with wear of a friction pad and the like. The return spring for biasing the friction pad in a direction away from a disc includes a fixed portion on one side, which is fixedly mounted to the friction pad, an extending portion extending from the fixed portion in an axial direction of the disc and in a direction away from the friction pad, a turned-back portion formed by turning back a distal end side of the extending portion toward the mounting member, and an abutting portion provided on a distal end side of the turned-back portion so as to be elastically brought into abutment against a side of the mounting member. A portion (bent portion) of the turned-back portion, which is formed by bending the turned-back portion at the middle thereof, is located at a position separated farther away from the fixed portion than the abutting portion in a disc rotating direction. |
| US08684146B2 |
Disc brake adjusting device with a torque dependent coupling
A wear adjustor adjusts the wear of brake pads and a brake disc of a pneumatic disc brake having a rotary-lever-actuated brake application device. The adjustor is insertable into an adjusting spindle and attached to a caliper of the disc brake by way of a mounting disc. An axial bearing is formed axially on one side of a drive ring and a ball ramp coupling with a freewheel function is formed axially on the opposite side of the drive ring. The ball ramp coupling has balls, has the drive ring arranged at the drive-input side axially between the axial bearing and the balls thereof, and has a drive-output-side clutch ring. A cone clutch is arranged between the drive-output-side clutch ring and a spring sleeve for a cylindrical spring. A torque-dependent coupling with positive restraint is arranged axially between the cone clutch and the spring sleeve. |
| US08684140B2 |
Centrifugal clutch
A centrifugal clutch having a rotor, a clutch component, and at least one centrifugal weight movable relative to the rotor. When the rotational speed of the rotor is below a predefined value, the centrifugal weight is in a first position and at a distance from the clutch component so that the rotor can rotate freely relative to the clutch component and, when the rotational speed of the rotor is above a predefined value, the centrifugal weight executes a movement relative to the rotor under a centrifugal force into a second position so that the centrifugal weight produces a mechanical force fit between the rotor and the clutch component. The centrifugal weight has first toothing and the clutch component a second toothing so that the first toothing, above the predefined rotational speed, engages into the second toothing, establishing a form-locking connection between the rotor and the clutch component. |
| US08684136B2 |
Fall arrest system and method for using same
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a fall arrest system. The fall arrest system may include a post disposed on a clamp. The clamp may be configured to secure to a base structure. The fall arrest system may also include a davit arm disposed on the post via one or more hinges. The post may be configured to support a winch and the davit arm may be configured to support a cable therefrom. |
| US08684135B2 |
Sound barriers made from scrap and waste materials
Sound barrier panels that are made from various waste materials, including scrap fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), scrap carpet fibers, recyclable plastics and mineral wool. |
| US08684134B2 |
Gypsum-panel acoustical monolithic ceiling
An acoustical panel for forming a monolithic ceiling or wall, the panel extending across a rectangular area, and having a core made primarily of gypsum, the core being essentially coextensive with the panel area such that it has two opposed sides, each of an area substantially equal to the area of the panel, the core having a multitude of perforations extending generally between its sides, the perforations being distributed substantially uniformly across the full area of the core and being open at both sides of the core, the face side of the core being covered by a porous layer, the perforations being optionally restricted at a rear side of the core, the porous layer at the face side of the core being suitable for adherence of drywall joint compound and a water-based non-blocking paint. |
| US08684132B2 |
Sound transmission system
A sound transmission system of a motor vehicle, having an intake sound transmission device which can be coupled via a first tubular connecting element to an air intake manifold which leads to an internal combustion engine and via a second tubular connecting element to a vehicle interior, having a resonator device which interacts with the intake sound transmission device and can be coupled via a third tubular connecting element to the air intake manifold which leads to an internal combustion engine. |
| US08684128B2 |
Steering gear with electric motor, control unit and sensor arrangement, and electric power steering system equipped therewith
A steering gear comprises a helical pinion and a helical gear which are mounted in the gear housing and driven by an electric motor, wherein a control unit and a sensor system connected thereto are also disposed in or on the steering gear so as to detect and control the rotor position and/or rotation of the rotor of the electric motor. A section of the shaft of the worm located on the drive side extends in the axial direction and protrudes from the gear housing, wherein the protruding end of the section on the drive side is designed as a rotor shaft of the electric motor, and the control unit and/or the sensor system are disposed on the gear housing. The control unit and the sensor system are preferably disposed on differing sections of the gear housing. This allows a very compact, cost-saving and flexible implementation of the design. |
| US08684126B2 |
Rearward pedal movement restraint assembly for vehicle
In a rearward pedal movement restraint assembly for a vehicle, an intermediate portion of a clutch pedal, which moves rearward by the impact of a frontal collision of the vehicle when the frontal collision occurs, contacts a forward portion of a knee panel so that the clutch pedal pivots toward the front of the vehicle so that the amount of rearward movement of the clutch pedal is reduced. |
| US08684123B2 |
Low-profile two-wheeled self-balancing vehicle with exterior foot platforms
A personal vehicle having two wheels that are arranged substantially side-by-side and connected by a linkage mechanism to one another. The linkage mechanism supports the wheels in a substantially parallel relationship as the two wheels tilt from side to side. A foot placement platform is associated with each wheel, as is a motor to drive the wheels. Gyroscopic sensors are used to in driving the wheels to maintain an upright position. Various embodiments are disclosed including folding platforms, a parallelogram linkage structure, handles and/or seats that may extend above the wheels, lower leg contact surface, and other features. |
| US08684117B2 |
Methods and systems for cooling in a vehicle
Various methods and systems are provided for a vehicle with an engine system and a power dissipation system. One example method includes, during directing airflow from an airflow generating device to cool a component of the power dissipation system, and directing the airflow from the airflow generating device to cool a component of the engine system. |
| US08684112B2 |
Cutting elements for earth-boring tools, earth-boring tools including such cutting elements and related methods
Cutting elements, earth-boring drill bits having such cutting elements and related methods are described herein. In some embodiments, a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include a diamond table having an indentation in a cutting face thereof and a shaped feature in a substrate at the interface between the diamond table and the substrate, the shaped feature corresponding to the indentation in the cutting face of the diamond table. In further embodiments, a cutting element for an earth-boring tool may include a sacrificial structure positioned within an indentation in a diamond table. In additional embodiments, a method of forming a cutting element may include positioning a sacrificial structure in a mold, positioning a powdered precursor material over the sacrificial structure, and pressing and sintering the powdered precursor material to form a diamond table having an indentation in a cutting face formed by the sacrificial structure. |
| US08684110B2 |
Sealed core
A sidewall coring apparatus for obtaining a plurality of formation cores from a sidewall of a wellbore includes a core catching tube configured to be sealed downhole and to store the plurality of formation cores therein. The core catching tubes includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve concentric with the inner sleeve. The inner and outer sleeves include corresponding slots configured to align in response to relative movement of the inner and outer sleeves, and when aligned the slots of the inner and outer sleeves allow evacuation of fluid from the core catching tube as each of the plurality of formation cores is inserted into the core catching tube. |
| US08684109B2 |
Drilling method for drilling a subterranean borehole
A method of drilling a subterranean borehole comprising: a) pumping a drilling fluid down a drillstring (12), the drillstring (12) having a bit (14) at an end thereof, b) rotating the drillstring (12) about its longitudinal axis so that the bit forms a borehole (10) in the ground, the method further comprising the steps of: c) determining a desired drilling fluid flow rate range d) determining the desired upper and lower limits of the fluid pressure at the bottom of the wellbore (the BHP); e) determining the viscosity of drilling fluid which will maintain the BHP within the range set by the upper and lower BHP limits over the entire or the majority of the required drilling flow rate range; f) adjusting the composition of a drilling fluid to bring the drilling fluid to the viscosity calculated in step e above. |
| US08684106B2 |
Battery pack and motor-driven tool using the same
A battery pack 10 includes a housing 11, a group of cells 12, a board 13, a plurality of second terminals 14, and a cover 15. An opening 16c is formed in the housing 11. The board 13 has a terminal arranging part 13A. A plurality of the second terminals 14 are arranged on the terminal arranging part 13A of the board 13. The cover 15 has a plate-like shape, and covers an area of the board 13 which is positioned between the terminal arranging part 13A and the opening 16c. |
| US08684101B2 |
Frangible shape memory alloy fire sprinkler valve actuator
A temperature-activated valve for a conventional fire sprinkler utilizing a hyperelastic single-crystal shape memory alloy is described. The shape-memory element expands as it is heated, forcing a bolt to break, thereby opening the sprinkler valve. The devices described are less susceptible to accidental breakage than conventional actuators, and have fewer moving parts. Transition temperature of the shape memory alloy can be tuned to a narrow range. |
| US08684099B2 |
System and method for formation isolation
A technique employs a formation isolation valve that utilizes a ball rotatably mounted within a valve housing. The valve is designed to enable rotation of the ball about a fixed axis without translation of the ball. Rotation of the ball is achieved by connecting an arm to the ball at a position offset from the axis of rotation. A movable mandrel also is connected to the arm to enable selective actuation of the ball. |
| US08684092B2 |
System and method for providing additional blowout preventer control redundancy
An apparatus to allow backup or alternate fluid flow routes around malfunctioning BOP control components using a remotely installed removable hydraulic hose connection. The backup fluid flow route sends pressure-regulated hydraulic fluid to a BOP operation via an isolation valve rigidly attached to the BOP, then to a hose connected to an intervention panel on the BOP and finally through a valve that isolates the primary flow route and establishes a secondary flow route to allow continued operation. To increase reliability, the backup components route from a spare BOP function and are rigidly fixed to the BOP. |
| US08684091B2 |
Wellbore servicing compositions and methods of making and using same
A method of servicing hydrocarbon production equipment comprising locating at least a portion of a hydrocarbon flow conduit experiencing a loss of functionality; creating a port to access an interior flow bore of the hydrocarbon flow conduit; installing at least one piece of equipment proximate the access port, wherein the equipment has access to the interior flow bore via the access port; and placing a servicing composition into the conduit via the access port, wherein the servicing composition prevents the loss of materials from the interior of the hydrocarbon flow conduit to the surrounding environment. |
| US08684085B2 |
Storing device for stored substance and method for storing stored substance
A filter (13) is provided at a tip portion of an injection well (9). A pumping apparatus (5) pumps carbon dioxide stored in a carbon dioxide tank (3). The pumping apparatus (5) feeds carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide tank (3) into the injection well (9) by means of a pump. In the pumping apparatus, the pressure and temperature of carbon dioxide are maintained at respective predetermined levels or higher by means of a pressure regulation valve, a temperature regulator, etc., whereby carbon dioxide enters a supercritical state. The carbon dioxide having entered a supercritical state is fed in the direction of arrow A through the injection well (9), passes through the filter (13) provided at an end portion of the injection well (9), and is injected into a brine aquifer (11). Carbon dioxide injected into the brine aquifer (11) assumes the form of microbubbles. |
| US08684084B2 |
Method and apparatus for selective down hole fluid communication
Methods and apparatus for perforating a formation in a wellbore without perforating a well bore casing. The methods and apparatus include an external casing perforating device configured so as not to perforate the casing. The interior of the perforating device serves as a fluid flow path between the casing and the formation following perforation and a valve in the casing selectively opens and closes the flow path. |
| US08684079B2 |
Use of a solvent and emulsion for in situ oil recovery
Described is a way to reduce solvent usage in solvent-dominated oil recovery processes through the use of an emulsion. Injection of an emulsion into an oil reservoir is performed as an alternative or supplement to solvent injection to minimize solvent usage per unit amount of oil recovered. The emulsion may contain solvent and the solvent may form an external-phase of the emulsion. A solvent-external emulsion may be injected and formed using an aqueous liquid or a gas as the internal phase. The emulsion may be an aqueous-external, vapor-internal emulsion with solvent being injected separately or simultaneously. Polymer may be added to viscosify the emulsions and use them for flow diversion in a solvent-dominated process. |
| US08684076B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancement of fracture fluid clean-up with periodic shock waves
The method and apparatus for enhancing fluid removal from a fracture in a geologic formation by applying periodic/cyclic shock waves to the fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore which has undergone fracturing. In accordance with the invention, the method includes the steps of arranging a device attached to an end of a tubing string inside a wellbore in a vicinity of said fracture for generating shock waves, providing a liquid via the tubing string into the device for generating shock waves with the amplitude Pa of shock waves determined by a following expression: 0.3 MPa≦Pa≦1.4Pp−0.8ρgH, where Pp is a formation pore pressure, ρ is a formation density, g is a gravity acceleration, H is a depth of said fracture, Pa is an amplitude of the shock wave. |
| US08684069B2 |
Process for manufacturing a metal part by selectively melting a powder
A method of fabricating a metal part by selectively melting a powder, the method including: building up layer by layer on a plate and simultaneously with the part, at least one holder and support element for the part, the element being spaced apart and distinct from the part and being separated therefrom by a gap filled with non-melted powder; after the part has been made completely, removing at least some of the powder remaining in the gap between the part and the element, for example by suction, blowing, or vibration; and separating the part from the plate. |
| US08684068B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling horizontal oscillation of an edge dam of a twin roll strip caster
An apparatus and method for controlling the horizontal oscillation of an edge dam of a twin roll strip caster is provided. The apparatus includes an oscillation unit which horizontally oscillates an oscillation plate in accordance with an oscillation waveform so that an edge dam refractory coupled to the oscillation plate horizontally oscillates, a servo valve which outputs the oscillation waveform to the oscillation unit, and a control unit which applies the oscillation waveform to the servo valve, thus controlling the horizontal oscillation of the oscillation unit. The amplitude, frequency and waveform of the oscillation are variably controlled depending on casting conditions. The edge dam horizontally oscillates, using the servo valve and a hydraulic cylinder, thus rapidly removing edge skull and suppressing the generation and growth of skull, thereby preventing a casting roll or edge dam from being damaged. |
| US08684058B2 |
Roller assembly for use during tire construction
A roller assembly for use during tire construction includes a telescoping tube arrangement and a roller positioned thereabout. The telescoping tube arrangement has an inner tube section and an outer tube section and which can be adjusted in length to accommodate the width of the tire component under construction. The roller includes a cylindrical surface of a desired hardness which is positionable into engagement with the outer surface of the tire component under construction and which includes a plurality of roller sections which are positionable about the telescoping tube arrangement and in a side-by-side relationship with one another. In addition, each roller section defines a peripheral surface so that when the roller sections are positioned in a side-by-side relationship along the tube arrangement, the peripheral surfaces of the roller sections collectively provide the cylindrical surface of the roller. |
| US08684052B2 |
Device with a profiled rail and at least one fastening element
The invention relates to a device comprising a profiled rail (10) and at least one fastening element (12) for fixing a machine tool and/or a workpiece to the profiled rail (10). The fastening element (12) is provided with at least one clamping jaw (22, 24) and a clamping means (26) that is effectively connected to the clamping jaw (22) in order to brace the clamping jaw (22) with the profiled rail (10). According to the invention, the clamping means (26) is embodied as an eccentric lever. |
| US08684049B2 |
Gas cartridge adapter for fixing the same to a transmission and combustion chamber filling member of a gas fixing device and for disconnecting the same from the member
The adapter comprises a central tubular body extending on one side with an abutment and fixing base on the cartridge and, on the other side, with two fixing legs on an intermediary nose piece of the transmission and filling member able to be hinged for ensuring the fixing operation, disconnecting and ejecting wings being additionally provided. The disconnecting and ejecting wings are arranged for opening the fixing legs before driving them into translation. |
| US08684039B2 |
Shower assembly with supporting arm
A shower assembly with supporting arm has: a water inlet connected to the supporting arm and to a descending pipe; a switching valve body fixed and connected to the end of the pipe through an outer water inlet and having an outer and a inner water outlet connected to a ascending inner tube in the pipe; and an upper branch pipe fixed to the location of the water inlet and connected to the inner tube, of which the end has one or at least one upper water outlet, wherein the switching valve body has a valve core inside, which makes the pipe connected to the outer and the inner water outlet respectively or simultaneously. The switching valve body that is at the end of the pipe controls the current export from the upper and the outer water outlet beneath the switching valve body. |
| US08684034B2 |
Pressure relief valve
A micromechanical pressure relief valve arrangement comprises a stack of wafers. An active pressure relief valve is realized within the stack of wafers. A passive pressure relief valve is also realized within the stack of wafers, arranged in parallel to the active pressure relief valve. A check valve, also realized within the stack of wafers, is arranged in series with both the active pressure relief valve and the passive pressure relief valve. |
| US08684029B2 |
Check valve of hydraulic brake system
Disclosed is a check valve of a hydraulic brake system. The check valve includes a valve housing which includes a tapered front end having a smaller diameter than a middle end, the cylindrical middle end extending from the front end by a predetermined length to allow the ball and spring to be accommodated within the middle end, a rear end stepped from the middle end to have a greater diameter than the middle end, and a flange circumferentially bent from the rear end to have a greater diameter than the rear end, and a valve seat having an outer diameter equal to an inner diameter of the rear end so as to be press-fitted into the rear end of the valve housing. The check valve having a simplified configuration achieves size and weight reduction and is manufactured at low cost and high processing efficiency using pressing. |
| US08684026B2 |
Keg closure with safety mechanism
A closure for a keg comprises a housing and a valve element movable within the housing between closed and open positions. A lock mechanism is capable of holding the valve element in the open position, to vent gas from the keg and to thwart unauthorised re-filling after dispensing. The lock mechanism comprises: a first part movable with the valve element that comprises a lock element engageable with the housing; and a second part that is movable with the first part when the valve element moves from the closed position to the open position during filling, and thereafter is separable from the first part as the valve element returns from the open position to the closed position after filling. Separation of those parts enables the lock formation to engage with the housing to hold the valve element when the valve element returns to the open position upon dispensing. |
| US08684025B2 |
Dual faucet structure
A dual faucet structure includes a main body and two metallic pipes integrally formed with a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe of the main body. The main body has a water outlet between the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe. Each of the two metallic pipes has axial protrusions or grooves around an inner wall thereof. The cold water pipe and the hot water pipe have mating grooves or protrusions on outer walls thereof by injection molding to connect with the two metallic pipes. The present invention uses the environment friendly material to form the main body which connects with the metallic pipes. The dual faucet structure of the present invention is cost-effective and provides stable water flow and is environment friendly and has larger torque. |
| US08684020B1 |
Modified A-frame tent shelter
A modified A-frame tent or tarp shelter in which the fly or outer canopy is supported by two upright poles spaced apart on either side of a rectangular footprint. The poles are oppositely offset from the midpoint of the footprint on their respective sides, such that the canopy ridgeline between the poles crosses the footprint diagonally. Two corners of the canopy corresponding to corners of the footprint farthest from their respective (same-side) poles are raised and tensioned by short struts that, in cooperation with the offset poles, create a sidewall effect across the ends of the canopy over the head and foot ends of the footprint. The canopy may further include vestibule portions extending to the sides of the footprint, and the struts may also engage the vestibule portions at their respective corners. |
| US08684019B1 |
Cordlock
A cordlock of a mobility cane is provided including a body having a length greater than the inner diameter, a width less than the inner diameter, a depth less than the inner diameter, and a body opening extending through the depth and sized to accommodate the cord but to prevent passage of the widened portion. The depth of the body sized to accommodate the cord between the body and the inner wall when the cordlock is inserted in the cane. |
| US08684017B2 |
Standing parasol
So that a drive (38, 50, 52) can be formed in the case of a standing parasol (2) having a mast (12) and a collapsible parasol canopy with canopy and support struts (4, 6), in which the canopy struts (4) and the support struts (6) are respectively connected to an upper or a lower articulation ring (8, 10), and in which the upper articulation ring (8) is connected to a telescopic tube (22) which is guided in the mast (12) and can be raised and lowered and the telescopic tube (22) for raising and lowering is connected to a circulating member (34), it is proposed that the circulating member (34) may be actuated by way of an upper deflection roller (36) and a drive gear (50) that is arranged on the mast (12), and that the upper deflection roller (36) is arranged on a deflection support by means of a deflection roller bearing (28), the deflection support being secured to the mast and projecting into the telescopic tube (22). |
| US08684015B2 |
Tools and methods for processing microelectronic workpieces using process chamber designs that easily transition between open and closed modes of operation
Strategies for tool designs and their uses wherein the tools can operate in either closed or open modes of operation. The tools easily transition between open and closed modes on demand. According to one general strategy, environmentally controlled pathway(s) couple the ambient to one or more process chambers. Air amplification capabilities upstream from the process chamber(s) allow substantial flows of air to be introduced into the process chamber(s) on demand. Alternatively, the fluid pathways are easily closed, such as by simple valve actuation, to block egress to the ambient through these pathways. Alternative flows of nonambient fluids can then be introduced into the process chamber(s) via pathways that are at least partially in common with the pathways used for ambient air introduction. In other strategies, gap(s) between moveable components are sealed at least with flowing gas curtains rather than by relying only upon direct physical contact for sealing. |
| US08684013B2 |
Eye makeup fallout protector
An eye makeup fallout protector for use in shielding the user's face beneath the eye during the application of eye makeup includes a planar flexible shield member and supporting handle. The shield member is curved to conform generally to the user's lower eyelid. The handle is removable to facilitate cleaning and replacement of the shield member. |
| US08684011B2 |
Systems and methods for combing, drying, and straightening hair
The technology described herein provides systems and methods for combing, drying, and straightening hair with a device having one or more rows of teeth. Additionally, this technology provides for an adjustable tension mechanism that provides for the compression of hair, thus wringing it of water and providing the ability for a user to also straighten his or her hair. Furthermore, this technology provides for combing, drying, and straightening hair without utilizing an electric or heating means. |
| US08684006B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing oral appliance therapy for the treatment of sleep apnea
Systems and methods are provided for optimizing the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using an oral appliance. The oral appliance can be configured by non-dental staff to safely conform to the dentition of a patient. The appliance includes configurable trays that include retention material that conforms to the dentition of the patient. The position of the upper and lower trays relative to one another can be adjusted both horizontally and vertically. The position of the upper and lower trays can be locked into place to maintain the position of the trays at a preferred treatment position. Methods for creating an appliance customized for a patient are also provided. Methods for using the customized appliance in combination with sleep study data is also provide. Methods for using the customized appliance to with pre-operative assessments and sleep study data to predict and reduce the risk of perioperative complications are also provided. |
| US08684004B2 |
Ventilator mask with a filler and method of production
A ventilator mask having an upper part of an elastic material and a mask body, wherein the upper part of the mask is joined with the mask body of the ventilator mask by a mask connection region. A wall of the upper part of the mask bounds at least in certain regions of the wall a cavity which is filled with a filler at least in certain regions of the cavity and the cavity is formed at least in certain regions of the cavity along the periphery of the upper part of the mask. |
| US08684003B2 |
Breathing mask device and method and mold for producing same
A breathing mask device, a sealing lip device for a breathing mask device, a molding tool and a method for producing a corresponding breathing mask device and sealing lip device are described. An aspect of the invention is to provide ways that make it possible to create a breathing mask device that, with sufficiently strong tightness is distinguished by particular wearing comfort and which moreover can be produced advantageously in times of industrial production standpoints. According to an embodiment, a breathing mask device for administering a breathable gas is provided and includes a body structure that is sealed against a contact surface of a user's face, a sealing lip device that in combination with the body structure in part defines a breathing mask interior, a gel structure for at least intermittent and partial transmission of the retention forces, acting on the body structure, to the user's face area, and a gel material defining the gel structure is received in a gel receiving chamber defined at least in part by an elastically deformable receiving wall. The elastomer material intended for forming the receiving wall is integrally formed onto a wall portion of the breathing mask device, and is lifted or separated from this wall portion to form the gel receiving chamber. |
| US08683999B2 |
Mechanical ventilation in the presence of sleep disordered breathing
A method for controlling operation of a CPAP apparatus. The apparatus has a blower, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit for delivering air from the blower to the patient interface, a sensor for determining the pressure in the patient interface, and a control mechanism that causes air to be delivered at a desired pressure to the patient interface and that detects transitions between inhalation and exhalation of a respiratory cycle of a patient in order to synchronise the blower output with the patient's efforts. In one form the CPAP apparatus provides pressure in accordance with a bi-level waveform with at least one characterizing parameter of the waveform being automatically adjusted in accordance with indications of sleep disordered breathing. The indications of sleep disordered breathing can be one or more of snoring, apnea, hypopnea, and flow limitation. |
| US08683998B2 |
Multipurpose cannula
This invention relates to medical treatment and monitoring of a living body, and more particularly to a multipurpose apparatus and method for measuring a living body's respiratory airflow, analyzing the composition of a gas exhaled by a living body and/or insufflating a treating gas into the living body. |
| US08683996B2 |
Life support and microclimate integrated system and process
The present invention of one embodiment includes a combined microclimate, thermal management, life-support system for care of patient and system for measurement of vital signs. The system of one embodiment, provides active external heating and simultaneously provides active internal heating. |
| US08683992B2 |
Cooktop assembly comprising flush-mounted cooktop panel
The invention relates to an adjusting device (10;30;40) for adjusting and/or selecting one or more parameters of an appliance (50), wherein the adjusting device (10;30;40) comprises touch sensitive sensors (14), which are arranged in row, and a processing unit (18) for processing output signals of the sensors (14), whereas the processing unit (18) is designed in such a manner that an adjustment and/or a selection of parameters is realized by touching at least two of the sensors (14) in sequence, whereas the sensors (14) are arranged around a circumference of a torque proof actuation element (12). |
| US08683988B2 |
Systems and methods for improved engine cooling and energy generation
Embodiments of engine systems for improved engine cooling and work production are disclosed herein. A working fluid can be injected into a combustion chamber or an engine during any portion of an energy cycle to cool the engine and/or to produce useful work in addition to work generated by combustion events in the chamber. The system can include a monitoring system configured to measure conditions within individual combustion chambers. Based on the interior conditions of the chamber, the system can adaptively inject working fluid mixtures into the engine. The engine can be part of a cascading series of engines including a primary engine and a secondary engine that receives fluids from the primary engine and generates energy from the fluids. |
| US08683985B2 |
Belted gear assembly for driving a supercharger
A belted gear assembly for driving a supercharger includes a belt drive assembly for operatively connecting a gear drive assembly to an existing pinion shaft of an engine. The belt drive assembly includes a lower pulley assembly that is operatively connected to the pinion shaft and belted to an upper pulley assembly. The upper pulley assembly is operatively connected to a side gear of the gear drive assembly. The side gear engages an upper gear of the gear drive assembly, which is operatively connected to a lobe of the supercharger. Rotation of the upper gear thereby initiates rotation of the supercharger. The amount of boost provided to the supercharger is readily adjustable by simply changing the lower pulley assembly to adjust the RPM ratio for the supercharger. Each component of the belted gear assembly is isolated and fully self-contained, including a separate lubrication system and collection well. |
| US08683984B2 |
Thermocompression motor
A thermocompression motor includes a piston dividing a cylinder into a first and a second chamber and includes a heat exchanger having at least one air channel and at least one exhaust gas channel. In a first cycle, the first and second chamber are connected via the air channel, whereby air from the first chamber is pushed into the heat exchanger and heated air is conveyed from the heat exchanger into the second chamber. In a second cycle, fuel is burned in the second chamber. In a third cycle, only the connection of the second chamber to the exhaust gas channel is open during a subsequent volume increase of the first chamber. In a fourth cycle, fresh air is sucked into the first chamber during a further volume increase of the first chamber, while the connection between the first and second chamber via the air channel is interrupted. |
| US08683968B2 |
Variable valve assembly for internal combustion engine
Provided is a variable valve assembly for internal combustion engines which is capable of accurately determining whether an input rotational component and an output rotational component are fixed to each other. The variable valve assembly includes an intake camshaft for driving an intake valve and a crankshaft for driving the camshaft. The variable valve assembly has a function for changing the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft with respect to the crankshaft and a function for fixing the intake camshaft to the crankshaft. The variable valve assembly determines whether the intake camshaft is fixed to the crankshaft, on the basis of a total amount of phase variation HCC or the amount of variation in the relative rotational phase of the intake camshaft with respect to the crankshaft. |
| US08683963B2 |
Hydraulic control device for engine
A hydraulic control device is equipped with an oil jet that injects oil to a piston, an oil gallery through which oil injected by the oil jet and oil supplied to a lubrication part of an engine pass, an oil pump that pumps oil to the oil gallery, and a switching valve that is provided on an oil jet passage connecting the oil gallery and the oil jet together and leads oil supplied from the oil gallery to either the oil jet or an oil pan disposed at an upstream side of the oil pump. An ECU controls the switching valve on the basis of an engine speed and an engine cooling water temperature. |
| US08683953B2 |
Litter box for domestic animals
A litter box for a domestic animal includes a box-like body equipped with an upper support wall that has a through opening, a container of a granular litter material susceptible to absorb the animal excrements, and a first tubular duct arranged below the upper wall, which is substantially extended between the upper wall and the bottom of the body, for conveying the animal excrements towards a discharge zone in the lower part of the body. The receptacle surrounds a second tubular duct inside the first tubular duct, whose upper end faces the opening and whose lower end faces the bottom of the body, and which defines an internal edge of the receptacle for the purpose of retaining a quantity of the granular material therein. |
| US08683947B2 |
Liquid reservoir and bird feeder incorporating the same
A bird feeder generally in the form of hopper feeder that is coupled with a water reservoir. The hopper feeder generally includes a seed reservoir that receives and holds bird seed, which is dispensed to the birds by way of feeding stations. The hopper further provides a liquid reservoir for dispensing drinking water to visiting birds. |
| US08683945B2 |
Method and device for milking animals
The present invention relates to a method for milking animals wherein a negative pressure is periodically built up and relieved in a teat cup gap at a predetermined rate. The negative pressure is maintained over a predetermined suction phase (b) and relieved over a predetermined rest phase (d). The ratio between the suction phase (b) and the rest phase (d) changes at least once during the milking operation. In a preferred embodiment the first duration does not exceed a predetermined, first limit value and the second duration does not fall beneath a predetermined, second limit value. |
| US08683943B2 |
Plasma process apparatus and plasma process method
A disclosed plasma process apparatus is disclosed that applies a plasma process to an object to be processed, including a cylindrical processing container configured to be evacuatable to vacuum, a holding unit configured to hold plural objects to be processed and inserted into and to be extracted from the cylindrical processing container, a gas supplying unit configured to supply a gas into the processing container, an activating unit configured to be located along a longitudinal direction of the processing container and to activate the gas by plasma generated by a high frequency power, a cylindrical shield cover configured to surround a periphery of the processing container and to be connected to ground for shielding from high frequency, and a cooling device configured to cause the cooling gas to flow through a space between the cylindrical shield cover and the cylindrical processing container during the plasma process. |
| US08683936B1 |
Powerboat rooster tail depressor
A powerboat with a rooster tail depressor (RTD) includes a hull, a propulsion subassembly on the hull, and a rooster-tail-suppressing canopy on the stern that includes a downwardly facing surface no less than six inches above the dynamic water line of the stern where it functions to suppress the powerboat rooster tail for radar signature reduction and increased propulsion efficiency. Various embodiments include one or more of (i) a canopy having a downwardly facing surface that is arched (either curved or faceted), (ii) lift-to-drag ratio enhancing steps in the downwardly facing surface of the canopy, (iii) a rooster-tail-suppressing subassembly configured to enable articulation of the canopy in yaw and in trim, and (iv) operator-controlled port and starboard venting arrangements on the canopy that result in desired laterally directed thrust for enhanced maneuverability. |
| US08683935B2 |
Disconnectable chain connector
A mooring leg connector for use with a mooring leg extending up from the sea floor to connect a floating structure to be moored to the seabed wherein disconnection and connection of the mooring leg is done by pulling in and out a connector elongated body extending in the mooring leg direction. The connector has a latch mechanism for fixation of the mooring leg to the floating structure to be moored and preventing movement in the direction of the seabed, and a flexible part with a double articulation axis located at the bottom of the connector body above the attachment member, the connector body being received in a housing which is fixed to a part of the structure to be moored, wherein the latch mechanism includes guiding elements and followers or orientation pins between the body of the connector and the housing. |
| US08683934B2 |
Compact self-monitoring self-stabilizing air displacement watercraft lift
A free-floating, compact, self-stabilizing, self-monitoring, remote-controlled, shallow-water, solar, high-speed, air displacement watercraft lift constructed of polyethylene tanks, and non-metallic structure. This device provides vertical lifting by inflating 4 or more air tanks at once using a blower for each tank, pushing water out an exit hole on the bottom of each tank. Each tank has an electric valve for filling and another for exhausting air. Pairs of tanks are pivotally connected along the centerline, and pairs of tanks are connected with a union tube inside the axles. A monitoring system fills the air tanks if air leaks. The width of the lift is adjusted by adjusting the center bunk height, or by adding a spacer. |
| US08683933B1 |
Solid rocket braking system
The Device object of the present invention is a solid rocket motor integrated into a propulsion system. The system is designed to be effective for most type of transportation including airplanes, submarines, trains, and ships, such as oil tankers. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. |
| US08683927B2 |
Railroad car wheel truck
A wheel truck for a railroad car, including: a front wheel pair assembly and a rear wheel pair assembly; two side frame assemblies, each side frame assembly including a square box and journal-box guides; two spring suspension devices; and a bolster assembly including two ends disposed on the two spring suspension devices, respectively. The bolster assembly includes a pilot hole in the center and two mounting holes on the two ends, the pilot hole is rotationally matched with a cylindrical upper center plate of a car body for transmitting vertical and horizontal forces from the car body, and the two mounting holes are disposed above the two spring suspension devices, respectively. Each mounting hole receives a lower side bearing, and the lower side bearing is matched with a corresponding upper side bearing disposed on each side of the car body for transmitting the vertical load from the car body. |
| US08683925B2 |
Zip line transport trolley system
A trolley having a trolley upper portion; a trolley wheel carriage secured to the trolley upper portion; and a trolley lower portion extending downwardly from said trolley upper portion, allowing the trolley to be displaced along a box to box cable. |
| US08683924B1 |
Rail supported trailer way apparatuses, systems, and methods
System, apparatuses, and methods for supporting a trailer on a rail. The systems, apparatuses, and methods include a trailer for a rail. The trailer includes a first wheel to be supported by a first horizontal rolling surface of the rail, a wheel bracket attached to the first wheel by a first axle, and a trailer body attached to the wheel bracket, the trailer body having a hitch at a first end and having a coupler to receive the hitch of a second trailer at a second end. |
| US08683921B2 |
Modular decorating machine for conical products
A decorating machine applies artwork to a product having a central axis and a frustoconical surface around its central axis. The decorating machine includes a film with artwork, a moveable deck, and a roller. The moveable deck includes a rotating mount on which the product is rotatably mounted. The product undergoes a pendulum-like movement on the deck while the product rotates relative to the moveable deck. The roller has a frustoconical shape that generally corresponds to the frustoconical surface of the product. The film is located between the roller and the product. The roller provides heat and pressure to the film such that the artwork attaches to the frustoconical surface of the product. |
| US08683918B1 |
System for removing debris from a harvested tree crop product
A system for removing debris from tree crop product utilizes a plurality of screening and transport rollers which have disk-shaped members having projections that are curved and extend rearwardly in a direction opposed to the direction of rotation of the rollers, at least a portion of the projections of adjacent rollers overlapping to form voids. |
| US08683917B2 |
Stencil assembly for depositing food product and related sandwiching machine
A stencil assembly for use in depositing filling onto wafers includes a stencil tube defining a lengthwise passage for flow of filling, the stencil tube including an outer surface, and at least two axially spaced apart filling outlets passing through a wall of the tube. A first stencil die is positioned along the stencil tube and has an inner surface facing the outer surface of the tube in a region axially aligned with one filling outlet of the stencil tube, the first stencil die including at least one outlet extending from the inner surface of the first stencil die to an outer surface of the first stencil die. A second stencil die is positioned along the stencil tube and spaced from the first stencil die, the second stencil die having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the tube in a region axially aligned with another filling outlet of the stencil tube, the second stencil die including at least one outlet extending from the inner surface of the second stencil die to an outer surface of the second stencil die. |
| US08683916B2 |
Frying method and apparatus
An apparatus for frying foodstuffs, the apparatus comprising a fryer having inlet and outlet longitudinal ends, an oil recirculating system coupled to the fryer, a heat exchanger for heating the oil in the oil recirculating system, a hood above the fryer for collecting steam generated during the frying process, a conduit for conveying steam from the hood, and a compressor for compressing the steam, the compressor having an input connected to the conduit and an output for compressed steam connected to the heat exchanger. |
| US08683911B2 |
Linear actuator
A linear actuator includes a guide block constituting a guide mechanism. In the guide block, a pair of installation grooves are formed in a lower surface facing toward a cylinder main body. Ball circulation members having therein ball circulation holes are installed respectively in the installation grooves. Additionally, ball circulation passages through which balls circulate are provided. The ball circulation passages are made up from roll-reversing sections disposed on opposite ends of the ball circulation members, the ball circulation holes, second ball guide grooves formed in both side surfaces of the guide block, and first ball guide grooves of the slide table. |
| US08683910B1 |
Hydraulic cylinder with piston valve assembly
A hydraulic cylinder includes a cylinder assembly having a cylinder, defining an inner hydraulic chamber and being for reciprocating receipt of a piston and piston rod therein; a piston rod extending from the inner hydraulic chamber exteriorly of the cylinder; and a piston head assembly connected with the piston rod and disposed for reciprocation within the cylinder assembly. The piston head assembly includes a piston head and a valve assembly including a passageway defined in the piston head and a valve member having an outer surface and being sized and configured for reciprocation in the passageway between extended and retracted positions therein, the valve member defining at least one flat defined along the outer surface and at least one transition surface between the outer surface and the flat, the transition surface forming an angle with the flat of less than 90 degrees. |
| US08683902B2 |
Sheet post-processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system
A sheet post-processing apparatus that performs a cutting process on a booklet formed by a bundle of center-folded sheets of paper includes: a conveying member that conveys the booklet; a leading edge stopper capable of reciprocating in a booklet conveying direction and used for setting a cutting position by abutting on a center-folded portion of the booklet; and a supporting member that supports the booklet when the cutting position of the booklet is to be set. When the booklet is being conveyed, the conveying member and the conveyed booklet are located in a contact position, and when the cutting position of the booklet is to be set, each of the conveying member and the conveyed booklet is located in one of separated positions, and the cutting position of the booklet is set by the leading edge stopper while the conveyed booklet is supported by the supporting member. |
| US08683901B2 |
Stamping tool and treatment method for stamping tool surface
To enable fabrication of a precise stamped product having an extremely low surface roughness. Ripples 24 having depths ranging from 10 to 100 nm are formed with periodicities ranging from 100 to 1000 nm on a stamping tool surface that comes into contact with a workpiece material. The ripples 24 have a stripe shape extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of sliding between the stamping tool (die 21) and the workpiece material (the direction of the arrow a). The ripples 24 serve as micro pools. For example, a product that is required to have a surface roughness of the order of several tens of nm or lower can be satisfactorily stamped. |
| US08683898B2 |
Method of operating a high-speed shear
A high-speed shear for transversely cutting rolled strip with knife carriers which can be driven for rotation and are arranged in pairs opposite each other. The knife carriers are supported on shafts of gear wheels arranged at a fixed axial spacing in pairs opposite each other in a shear cassette. The shear cassette is mounted within an outer frame and the shear cassette is provided with a lifting device for raising or lowering the shear cassette within the outer frame. In a method for operating the shear, the two knife carriers are moved into a horizontal position for allowing the strip end to enter or travel through, and the shear cassette is moved within the outer frame into a raised transfer position. |
| US08683896B2 |
Ergonomic surgical instrument handle
Instrument handles isolate the functions of supporting the instrument and actuating controls on the instrument. An instrument handle may be grasped and supported by the less dexterous digits and palm of a human hand, and controls mounted on the instrument handle may be actuated by the more dexterous digits. The instrument handle may couple to an end effector so that the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder remain in a comfortable position when the end effector is positioned to act effectively on a selected portion of a workpiece, such as a surgical site. |
| US08683895B2 |
Single revolution snap action drive for surgical fasteners
There is provided a device for the delivery of surgical fasteners. The device improves the penetration of the fasteners and reduces the effort required for a surgeon to hold opposing pressure in order to deploy the fastener. The device comprises a lever in mechanical cooperation with a resilient element for storing energy; a drive mechanism which cooperates with at least one surgical fastener; and a release mechanism for rapidly releasing stored energy from the resilient element to the drive mechanism. In certain embodiments, at least partial depression of the lever stores energy in the resilient element while release of the lever from the at least partial depressed position does not release the stored energy from the resilient element. Additionally, the drive mechanism converts stored energy from the resilient element upon activation of the release mechanism to deliver the at least one surgical fastener. |
| US08683894B1 |
Positioning structure for a ratchet wrench
A positioning structure for a ratchet wrench contains a ratchet wrench including a driving head, a receiving cavity, a first groove, a second groove, and a hole. The receiving cavity has a driving member, and the driving member having a toothed portion. The first groove has two opposite retaining blocks each having a plurality of locking teeth so as to engage with the toothed portion and having an orifice and a receiving aperture, and between two receiving apertures is defined a first resilient element. The second groove has a directional control member mounted, and the directional control member has a limiting portion, a recessed portion, an actuation portion, and a shaft, wherein a second resilient element is fitted onto the shaft and is inserted into the hole of the second groove, and the actuation portion is inserted into two orifices of the two retaining blocks. |
| US08683893B2 |
Ratchet wrench
A ratchet wrench includes a main body provided at an end portion thereof with an accommodation, a pawl installed in the accommodation, and a ratchet wheel rotatably installed in the accommodation and engaged with the pawl. The main body has a through hole into which a plug is detachably inserted. The through hole of the main body is provided through a surface of the main body and communicated with the accommodation. Removing the plug from the through hole of the main body enables lubricant or cleaner to be poured through the through hole into and out of the accommodation for lubricating or cleaning the internal parts of the ratchet wrench so as to make the ratchet wheel run more smoothly. |
| US08683887B2 |
Rack-and-pinion steering apparatus
A rack-and-pinion steering apparatus comprises pinion teeth formed according to proper tooth specifications in other aspects under a larger pressure angle, thereby stably offering smooth and comfortable steering feeling over a long time. The module (m), number of teeth (z), tooth depth (h) and helix angle (β) of the pinion teeth (4) are set within the following ranges, under a pressure angle (α) set within a range of 24° to 30° and a given stroke ratio. module (m): 1.8 to 2.0 number of teeth (z): 7 to 13 tooth depth (h): 2 m to 2.5 m helix angle (β): 35° or smaller |
| US08683884B2 |
Motion conversion device, flexible actuator using the same, and joint driving unit
Three or more displacement generation mechanisms, which allow some of a plurality of guide members that are provided respectively to a plurality of guide holding members that is capable of reciprocally moving substantially perpendicularly to shifting directions of a reciprocally movable linear motion structural member with respect to a base member, and a rocking member that is provided to an end of a linear motion member capable of reciprocally moving in directions substantially in parallel with the shifting directions of the guide holding members so as to rock around an axis substantially perpendicular to the respective shifting directions of the linear motion structural member and the linear motion member, to be made in contact with each other so that some of the guide holding members are displaced relatively to the linear motion structural member, are operation-controlled, with a result that a transmission gear ratio between a displacement velocity of the linear motion member and a displacement velocity of the linear motion structural member is changed. |
| US08683881B2 |
Intragastric space fillers and methods of manufacturing including in vitro testing
An in vitro testing process for simulating conditions of a stomach, comprising, in combination: providing an intragastric device to an acetone bath; inducing swelling of the intragastric device; exacerbating weak spots in the intragastric device; observing the results; and estimating the results of an in vivo study. Improvements to an intragastric space filler to reduce failure at a balloon to shaft area including an adhesive fillet, washers, a balloon cuff and collar, a molded in balloon fillet, and a one-piece molded balloon assembly. |
| US08683879B2 |
Sample injecting device
A sample injecting device is provided for reducing carryover. The sample injecting device includes the following mode: a needle is set at a low descending speed when sample is injected into an injection port in a total-volume injection manner by the sample injecting device. When the needle is in contact with the injection port, the needle is set at a low speed, thereby increasing the accuracy of the position of the needle relative to an injection hole and decreasing friction between the needle and the injection hole. Contaminants present in the injection hole are prevented from easily flowing from the injection hole into an analyzing flow path, so as to achieve an excellent low carryover. |
| US08683878B2 |
Sampling device, truck having sampling device and method of sampling dry bulk
A sampling device has a valve body that comprises an inlet for connecting to an unloading pipe of a container containing dry bulk product, the inlet being shaped to receive a flow of dry bulk product from the container. The valve body has a first outlet which, when opened, discharges the dry bulk product that enters the valve body through the inlet. The valve body also has a second outlet which, when opened, discharges a sample of the dry bulk product, the second outlet having a cross-sectional area that is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the first outlet. The sampling device enables a sample of dry bulk product, e.g. cement, slag, fly ash, cement kiln dust, silica fume, silica sand, lime, alumina, flour, or any other similar dry powdery substance to be obtained safely from a transport container or vessel. |
| US08683870B2 |
Sensor device with stepped pads for connectivity
A sensor device includes at least one sensor device coupled to a substrate. A solder pad interface includes a plurality of steps, with at least a portion of the steps positioned at different planes, each of a step having a solder pad. A cable with a plurality of cable leads, is configured for each of a cable lead to be coupled to a solder pad. |
| US08683869B2 |
Monitoring fastener preload
The health of a structural joint clamped by fasteners is monitored by directly measuring the preload of the fasteners. The preload is measured by a transducer on the fastener and electronically transmitted to a monitoring station where the preload values may be analyzed to assess the health of the joint. |
| US08683861B2 |
Humidity sensor based on progressive corrosion of exposed material
A sensor senses a characteristic of an environment, e.g., humidity. The sensor has a substrate with strips of material that is sensitive to corrosion as a result of the characteristic. The strips are configured to respond differently to the characteristic. By means of repeatedly measuring the resistances of the strips, the environment can be monitored in terms of accumulated exposure to the characteristic. The strips are manufactured in a semiconductor technology so as to generate accurate sensors that behave predictably. |
| US08683860B2 |
Flow-gain based hydraulic actuator leakage test
A system and methods for non-optimal actuator detection are disclosed. A fluid valve controlling a fluid flow to a first actuator is activated, and the fluid valve is controlled to move the first actuator from an initial position to a first position and back to the initial position during a test interval. A measured valve position of the fluid valve is measured during the test interval, and a measured valve travel is calculated based on the measured valve position at an end of the test interval. A health status of the first actuator is determined based on the measured valve travel and an expected valve travel. |
| US08683854B2 |
Engine cooling system control
Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine system heating by stagnating coolant in one of a plurality of loops in an engine cooling system. Degradation of the various valves and thermostats of the cooling system can be diagnosed by adjusting the valve and monitoring changes in one or more of coolant temperature, transmission temperature and cabin temperature. Based on engine operating conditions, the various valves may be adjusted to vary coolant temperature in different regions of the cooling system, thereby providing fuel economy benefits. |
| US08683844B2 |
Sensor monitoring methods and systems
A method of monitoring a sensor of an exhaust system is provided. The method includes evaluating humidity of air entering the exhaust system; and monitoring operation of a sensor in the exhaust system based on the humidity. |
| US08683843B2 |
Spinning method for forming pipe end
A spinning method for forming pipe bodies of varying diameter. In the spinning method, when a necked portion is formed at the end of the pipe material by the spinning method, working rollers are restricted so as to return immediately before the pipe end instead of being allowed to axially move beyond the end of the working object pipe. The amount of diameter reduction at the pipe end is set to be smaller than that of the most diameter reduced portion connecting to the pipe end. A protruding portion of a so-called bellmouth shape is formed at the working end, thereby preventing generation of fractures originating at the working end of the base portion or the welded portion and generation of wrinkles during the spinning process. |
| US08683841B1 |
Apparatus and method to cut HVAC round and spiral ductwork and all attaching structures
Apparatus and method for cutting HVAC round duct and spiral duct and all attendant-attaching structures comprising a computer controlled machine able to cut round and spiral HVAC ducts and also the ability to send attendant-attaching structures that are then cut on a flat X and Y cutting machine. |
| US08683837B2 |
Methods of pressure forming metal containers and the like from preforms having wall thickness gradient
A method of forming a bottle-shaped or other contoured metal container by providing a hollow metal preform having a closed end and a wall thickness that decreases progressively in a direction away from the closed end, and subjecting the preform to internal fluid pressure to cause the preform to expand against the wall of a die cavity defining the desired container shape. The method may be employed in pressure-ram-forming procedures wherein a punch is advanced by means of a backing ram into the die cavity to displace and deform the closed end of the preform. |
| US08683836B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming sharp styling lines on metal panels
An apparatus and method for forming a style line with a sharp radius in a metal with lower formability than that of mild steel is disclosed. The apparatus and method use a die set with a means to back a portion of the metal having the style line formed with a material that moves with the surface of the style line as it is formed. In one embodiment an elastic member backs the metal panel, and in another embodiment a fluid medium backs the metal panel where the style line is formed. The apparatus and method achieve sharper radius style lines in metals like aluminum, advanced high strength steel, and ultra-high strength steel than a traditional hard surface die set can achieve. |
| US08683833B2 |
Electronic access control handle set for a door lock
The present invention provides for a handle set for a lock with a latch, the handle set having an authentication circuit and actuator in the interior handle that allow access to authenticated transponders. The present invention also provides a device and method for transmitting a rotational movement and force in an electronic lock, wherein the transmission takes place in a coupled state and not in a decoupled state and wherein the transmission of force does not damage an actuator that requires little energy to change between the coupled and decoupled states. A coupling cartridge of an electronic lock can easily be handed. The electronic lock can be retrofitted in installed mortise locks and used with cylindrical locks. The electronic lock can include a security feature that prohibits the electronic lock from changing between the coupled and decoupled states. |
| US08683830B2 |
Push pin security device
A security device is provided for attachment to an object having one or more security features for preventing unwanted removal of the security device from the object. The security device may include any one of a surveillance device, such as an electronic article surveillance tag, and an inventory device, such as a radio frequency identification tag. In a particular embodiment, the security device has at least two security features, one security feature comprises a support member that is configured to engage a head of a key, wherein the key is configured to provide a force to allow the support member to move a clip between a first state, a state that prevents the release of a pin from the clip, and a second state, a state whereby the clip allows the release of the pin from the clip. Another security feature comprises a lock moveable between a locked position, the locked position preventing the support member from moving the clip from the first state to a second state, and an unlocked position, the unlocked position allowing the support member to move the clip from the first state to a second state. A key is also provided, the key configured to apply at least two forces to a security device, one of the at least two forces respectively applied to each of at least two security features of the security device. |
| US08683826B2 |
Earring and method of using same
An earring and method of using same to accessorize a wearer's appearance. A band is preferably detachably engageable with the earring body. The band may be colored to facilitate color coordination by a wearer. |
| US08683825B2 |
He-3 recovery from natural helium by distillation
A system and method for recovering helium-3 from helium. A distillation column having a top section that is smaller in diameter than a main section is provided. The column also includes an intermediate condenser that condenses vapor from the main section and above a helium feed stream. Reflux to the column can be provided by liquid helium-3 from a conduit or from an overhead condenser. In a preferred cycle, the distillation column is operated at a subatmospheric pressure, and in a temperature range between 2.3 K and 4.3 K. |
| US08683822B2 |
Ice-making assembly and refrigerator using the same
A refrigerator includes a freezing chamber door provided with an ice-making assembly. Ice made by the ice-making assembly can be immediately drawn out to the outside by opening an exclusively used home-bar door. In addition, an ice-making case is coupled by a coupling formed integrally with the freezing chamber door and the ice-making case without a coupling tool or operation. Moreover, if a water bucket is installed to the ice-making case, a water supply hole of the lower end of the water bucket is opened by an opening and closing structure, so that water in the water bucket is automatically supplied to an ice tray. In addition, an ice-separating lever having a ⊂ shape is provided to simultaneously rotate a plurality of ice trays. Meanwhile, an ice bank cooperates with the home-bar door to be drawn out forward as the home-bar door is opened. |
| US08683820B2 |
Refrigerator and guide member that guides discharge of defrost water
A refrigerator includes an air guide that is provided with a defrost water hole and that is inclined toward the defrost water hole. The air guide guides cold air discharged from the cold air fan to a guide duct and also guides, to the defrost water hole, defrost water generated at the cold air fan. |
| US08683814B2 |
Gas turbine engine component with impingement and lobed cooling hole
A gas turbine engine component includes a gas path wall having a first and second opposing surfaces and a baffle positioned along the gas path wall. The baffle has impingement holes for directing cooling fluid onto the first surface of the gas path wall. A cooling hole is formed in the gas path wall and extends from a metering section having an inlet in the first surface through a transition to a diffusing section having an outlet in the second surface. A longitudinal ridge extends along the cooling hole between the transition and the outlet. The longitudinal ridge divides the diffusing section of the cooling hole into first and second lobes. |
| US08683811B2 |
Jet engine with compressor air circulation and method for operating the jet engine
In a jet engine with compressor air circulation provided for stabilizing the flow conditions, the compressed hot compressor air tapped from the flow path of the compressor (1) is first cooled in the bypass duct (3) and then resupplied to the upstream compressor via line (12). This reduces the thermal load of the blades and improves efficiency. |
| US08683806B2 |
Chamber-bottom baffle, combustion chamber comprising same and gas turbine engine fitted therewith
A baffle for the bottom of a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The baffle includes a flat portion of wall with an opening for an injector of the combustion chamber to pass through, two longitudinal edges for the assembly to two adjacent baffles and two transverse edges. At least one of the edges includes a joint cover arranging a housing along the edge for an edge of an adjacent baffle so as to seal the junction between the two edges. A combustion chamber incorporating the baffles is also disclosed. |
| US08683805B2 |
Injector seal for a gas turbomachine
An injector seal for a gas turbomachine includes a seal body having a first surface, an opposing second surface, a central opening configured and disposed to receive a gas turbomachine injector, an outer edge, and a plurality of passages extending through the seal body. The plurality of passages are configured and disposed to guide a fluid at the first surface through the second surface. |
| US08683801B2 |
Rankine cycle condenser pressure control using an energy conversion device bypass valve
The disclosure provides a waste heat recovery system and method in which pressure in a Rankine cycle (RC) system of the WHR system is regulated by diverting working fluid from entering an inlet of an energy conversion device of the RC system. In the system, an inlet of a controllable bypass valve is fluidly coupled to a working fluid path upstream of an energy conversion device of the RC system, and an outlet of the bypass valve is fluidly coupled to the working fluid path upstream of the condenser of the RC system such that working fluid passing through the bypass valve bypasses the energy conversion device and increases the pressure in a condenser. A controller determines the temperature and pressure of the working fluid and controls the bypass valve to regulate pressure in the condenser. |
| US08683799B2 |
Control device of turbocharger
A turbocharger includes a plurality of nozzle vanes provided on an outer circumferential side of a turbine wheel, a variable nozzle vane mechanism adjusting a flow of an exhaust gas with the nozzle vanes, and an actuator driving the nozzle vane mechanism. A control device for the turbocharger continues an abutting control that causes a movable member of the variable nozzle vane mechanism to abut against a stopper that regulates the movable range of the nozzle vanes as long as the engine is stopped while the vehicle is running. |
| US08683798B2 |
Stimuli-responsive product
Embodiments of a product such as a stimuli-responsive product can comprise a shape memory component and a nanofiber component that forms a fibrous microstructure or network. The resulting product can be responsive to stimuli, such as electrical stimuli, in a manner that cause the product to deform, deflect, and rebound. In one embodiment, the product can comprise an epoxy and a continuous non-woven nanofiber, the combination of which provides a product with enhanced actuation speed. |
| US08683795B1 |
Control valve for a hydraulic refueling boom system
A method for controlling fluid flow. A valve system may be kept in an open state in response to a fluid being at a selected level of pressure at any of a plurality of ports in a valve. The valve system may be for the valve, and the valve may comprise a housing, the plurality of ports on the housing, and the valve system located inside the housing. The valve system may be configured to be in a closed state when an absence of the selected level of pressure is present at all of the plurality of ports and in the open state when the selected level of pressure is present at any of the plurality of ports. The valve system may be kept in the closed state in response to an absence of the fluid being at the selected level of pressure at all of the plurality of ports. |
| US08683793B2 |
Method for recuperating potential energy during a lowering operation of a load
A method is provided for recuperating potential energy during a lowering operation of a load, wherein a hydraulic system is adapted to lift and lower the load. In the method, at least two energy recuperation modes are provided, one of the modes is selected in response to a current operating state, and the hydraulic system is controlled according to the selected mode. |
| US08683791B2 |
Method and system for homogenizing exhaust from an engine
The present invention relates to a method and system for homogenizing exhaust from an engine. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an automobile. The automobile can include a fuel delivery unit, an engine, an exhaust system, and a control unit. The exhaust system can include a swirl inducement unit, multiple sensors, and multiple catalytic converters. The swirl inducement unit can homogenize an exhaust from the engine. The swirl inducement unit can include a plurality of vanes and/or a plurality of protrusions. The protrusions can be a plurality of bumps and/or a plurality of semi-circular rings. The plurality of vanes can be rotatable with the rotation of the vanes being controlled by the control unit. The rotation of the vanes can be based on an operating condition of the engine. |
| US08683788B2 |
Exhaust gas purifying device
A general purpose property of an exhaust gas purifying device for mounting is improved by increasing the attaching pattern of an exhaust gas purifying device, in the case that the exhaust gas purifying device is attached to a diesel engine. An exhaust gas purifying device is provided with gas purifying filters purifying an exhaust gas discharged from a diesel engine, inner cases internally provided with the gas purifying filters, and outer cases internally provided with the inner cases. An exhaust gas inlet pipe having an exhaust gas inlet side is provided in the midstream portion in a longitudinal direction of the outer case. An exhaust gas inflow port is provided in one end side in a longitudinal direction of the catalyst outer case. An exhaust gas outlet side of the exhaust gas inlet pipe is structured such as to be connected to the exhaust gas inflow port of the catalyst outer case. |
| US08683784B2 |
Exhaust purification system of internal combustion engine
Inside an engine exhaust passage, in order from the upstream side, a hydrocarbon feed valve, oxidation catalyst, and exhaust purification catalyst are arranged. A first NOx purification method which lowers the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst by a predetermined period while maintaining it lean so as to remove NOx without causing NOx to be stored in the form of nitrates and a second NOx purification method which switches the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst from lean to rich by a period longer than the above period so as to remove NOx are selectively used in accordance with an operating state of the engine. |
| US08683773B2 |
System and method for leaking crack repair
Disclosed is a system and method for providing a concrete crack repair system that is capable of providing a pressurized seal that continues to resist the ingress of water even as the crack continues to open and close over time. A compressible seal is provided that may be inserted into and adhesively joined to a machined groove that follows the contour of the crack in the concrete surface. After its installation in the machined groove, grout may be injected into the machined groove below the compressible seal so as to fill the space between the compressible seal and the bottom of the machined groove, which grout may also flow into the groove that is adjacent the bottom of the machined groove, thus allowing pressurized grouting of the crack itself. The compressible seal may also include an interior, hollow chamber that may allow inflation of the compressible seal within the machined groove, thus forming a permanent pressurized seal above the crack. |
| US08683770B2 |
Connector assembly for connecting building members
A building assembly utilized in connecting building members together while permitting limited relative movement between the members. The assembly includes a structure such as a track or plate that includes one or more longitudinal slots. Integrally formed in the longitudinal slot is a breakaway washer that receives a fastener that extends into an adjacent structure. When a certain force is applied to the breakaway washer, the breakaway washer breaks away from the slot and this permits the slot to move about the breakaway washer and fastener which results in there being relative movement between two connected structures. |
| US08683768B2 |
Ceiling panel clip
A ceiling panel clip with improved characteristics includes a torsion spring retaining loop that has a free end captured beneath a frame member of the ceiling panel. The retaining loop at one end thereof is integral with a base portion of the clip and the free end extends downwardly to the base portion. The base portion and retaining loop preferably cooperate to capture a coiled portion of a torsion spring used to suspend the ceiling panel. Preferably, securing legs of the torsion spring are biased inwardly to allow the coiled portion to be inserted on the retaining loop. Release of the securing legs captures the coiled portion on the clip. |
| US08683767B2 |
Energy barrier, a rail for a building frame cavity insulation system and a method of assembling stacked layers of reflective dead air spaces
An energy barrier is made of adjustable width insulating rails, reflective insulation panels and a gasketing element to create a single layer or multi-layer stack of reflective dead air spaces within cavity spaces of framing members of a building envelope where an efficient energy barrier is desired. |
| US08683765B2 |
Wall structure for a building
The present disclosure relates to a wall structure of a building, including a first plate-shaped support body made of a solid foam material, the surface of which to be directed toward the inside of the building adjoins an insulation layer, a first wavelike metal wire grille, which is foamed at least partially into a surface of the first support body to be directed toward the outside of the building, and first fastening elements, which penetrate both the first metal wire grille and the first support body in order to fasten support elements, between which the insulation layer is accommodated. |
| US08683761B2 |
Mounting system for solar module array
A mounting system for a solar array can include a plurality of couplers that are designed to engage and disengage all modules without the use of rails that are greater than the maximum dimension of a solar module. The couplers can be configured to cooperate with height adjuster mechanisms. Additionally, the couplers can be configured to accommodate the engagement and disengagement of solar modules without the need to loosen or remove fasteners, for example, through a hook and tilt movement. |
| US08683760B2 |
Fixing system for solar panels
Fixing system for solar panels for use on principally flat roofs, consisting of a base and a roof penetration, which base can be anchored to the existing steel structure of the roof, which base is further suitable to be connected to the specified roof penetration, which roof penetration is equipped above with fixings for the attachment of the further structure of the solar panels, where the roof penetration includes an inner tube and an outer tube formed from principally rectangular tubes fitting one inside the other without contacting one another, at an angle of 45° so that rubber profiles can be pressed into the spaces between the inner tube and the outer tube, serving to provide thermal gaps and functioning as a mechanical connection between the inner tube and the outer tube. |
| US08683758B2 |
Cast structural yielding fuse
A yielding fuse device is provided for use in association with a brace member in a bracing assembly for a structural frame. The device includes arms or elements that yield flexurally when a bracing member moves in an axial direction, with the bracing assembly under either tension or compression loading conditions. The device of the present invention is particularly useful as a mass customized cast device. The device is well suited for seismic bracing applications. |
| US08683755B1 |
Directionally controlled elastically deployable roll-out solar array
A directionally-controlled roll-out elastically deployable solar array structure is disclosed. The structure includes one or more longitudinal elastic roll out booms that may be closed section or open section to allow for efficient rolled packaging onto a lateral mandrel. A flexible photovoltaic blanket is attached to a tip structure and to a lateral base support structure, but remains uncoupled from the longitudinal booms. The solar array system may be stowed simultaneously into a rolled package comprised of the roll out booms and the flexible planar blanket together, or onto independent rolls. Alternatively, the system may be stowed by rolling the booms, and accordion Z-folding the hinged flexible photovoltaic blanket into a flat stack. Structural deployment is motivated by the elastic strain energy of the roll out booms, and several methods of deployment direction control are provided to ensure a known, controlled, and unidirectional deployment path of the elastically unrolling booms. |
| US08683754B2 |
Insulating member for building construction
An insulating member is disposed between the top of a wall and the underside of a roof to more effectively insulate the structure and prevent condensation fostering growth of mold and mildew occurring along the surfaces of the wall, ceiling and roof. A first surface of the insulating member overlies the top plate of the wall extending inward between the ceiling joists a distance of at least 1.5 feet. A second surface overlies the outside surface of the wall extending downward along the exterior of the wall a distance of at least 0.5 feet. A third surface is shaped to substantially conform to the opposing underside of the roof deck such that the space between the roof deck and the wall top plate is sealed off by the insulating member. Multiple air flow pathways extend through the insulating member providing continuous air flow from soffit area into the attic space. |
| US08683753B2 |
Enclosure for secondary distribution modular switchgears
The subject of the invention is an enclosure for secondary distribution modular switchgears, applicable in protecting switchgears both against adverse weather conditions and against unauthorized inspections of high, medium and low voltage switch gear, and also against accidental access by unauthorized persons, or by wild animals and birds.The inventive enclosure containing a base-frame (3) to which the enclosure walls are attached and which is provided with a roof cover is characterized in that the base frame (3) is formed by a metal truss and contains two extreme base-frame modules, the left one (20) and the right one (23,) and at least one middle module (21 and/or (22) which are connected with one another by means of a pair of permanent connections formed by a socket (27a) and a prong (27b) and fastening and earthing plates (28a, 28b). |
| US08683746B2 |
Awning window unit with an operating and closing slide unit for the movable frame of the window unit
An awning window unit which includes a fixed frame (2); a movable frame (3) connected to the fixed frame by a pair of hinged members (4, 5) joined to respective members of the fixed frame and of the movable frame so as to allow the movable frame to move between a closed position, where the fixed and movable frames are in contact with each other, and an open position, where at least one lower rail (3c) of the movable frame is at a certain distance from the fixed frame towards the outside of the room where the window unit (1) is installed, and vice versa; and a movement arm (7) configured to move the movable frame from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa. |
| US08683739B2 |
Device for accommodating plant material and system for processing thereof
Aspects of the invention include a device (1) for accommodating plant material (4), such as in particular seed, but also a cutting, a seedling or other plant material. The device (1) comprises at least one holder (2) in which at least the plant material (4), and possibly herein a substrate material (5), can be placed, and the bottom of which is substantially open and can be closed with a closing element (6). |
| US08683736B1 |
Casting float with a separation member to retain the casting float in a partially opened condition, which also retains a hook and bait during casting and which fully opens when the casting float hits a body of water
A mechanism by which the hook and leader line are released from a casting float enclosure upon its impact with the water so that once the casting float enclosure opens, the leader line with hook and bait go into the water to attract a fish. A mechanism by which in the event the hook or leader line become snagged, the leader line would be lost but the casting float enclosure separately attached to the fishing line will be retrieved. A separating cage with a portion of the casting float to separate the hook and bait form the operating components of the casing float. |
| US08683735B1 |
Horizontally opposed universal outrigger assembly
The presently disclosed technology is directed to an outrigger assembly for a sport fishing boat. The outrigger assembly is provided with a base plate that mounts on the forward area of a T-top of the fishing boat. An outrigger pole containment assembly is in turn mechanically affixed to the base plate. A pair of telescoping outrigger poles is positioned within the outrigger pole containment assembly such that they are in a horizontally opposed configuration. Each pole is formed from a plurality of elongated tubular extensions, in a nested relationship, and is extensible outward to either the starboard or port side of the boat when being deployed. The outrigger assembly is provided with a plurality of manual or electrically operated reels for traversal of several fishing lines through line guiding means provided integral with the telescoping poles. |
| US08683731B2 |
Firearm laser sight alignment assembly
A firearm laser sight alignment assembly includes a laser module for emitting a beam along an optical axis, the laser module having an outer seat. The alignment assembly encompasses a resilient grommet mechanically engaging the outer seat in a first adhesive free interference fit. The grommet includes an external seat sized to form adhesive free interferences fits with a laser cover and the housing, as the laser cover engages the housing to retain the grommet with respect to the housing and the laser cover. Upon operable assembly, the interference fits substantially preclude axial and longitudinal movement between the grommet and the laser module as well as the grommet and the laser cover and housing, while allowing angular movement of the laser module to a desired alignment position. |
| US08683729B2 |
Ambidextrous thumb safety assembly
An ambidextrous thumb safety assembly, configured for use in a firearm, includes a first lever assembly for positioning on a first side of the firearm, a second lever assembly for positioning on a second side of the firearm, and a monolithic shaft assembly for coupling the first lever assembly and the second lever assembly. The monolithic shaft assembly includes a first support portion configured to rotatably engage a first portion of a frame of the firearm, a second support portion configured to rotatably engage a second portion of the frame of the firearm, and a control portion configured to selectively prohibit operation of a trigger mechanism of the firearm. |
| US08683728B2 |
Barrel safety device
Devices and methods for altering a firearm to prevent firing of rounds of a first size while allowing the firing of rounds of a smaller, second size are provided. In one embodiment, a barrel safety device prevents a live round from fully chambering in a firearm, while allowing a blank to be chambered and fired from the firearm. The barrel safety device includes a muzzle block, a rod, and a tip in one embodiment. The rod and the tip can be sized so as obstruct a portion of the barrel and/or the bullet chamber of the firearm, such that a round having a first length, such as a live round, contacts the tip of the barrel safety device and cannot be fully chambered. The rod and the tip can be sized so as to allow a cartridge having a second, smaller length, such as a blank cartridge, to be fully chambered without contacting the tip of the barrel safety device. |
| US08683726B1 |
Bullpup rifle fire control system
A novel fire control system for a bolt action firearm includes a firing pin sear located and controlled at one side of the forward end of the bolt. The sear configuration is optimum for rifles having a bullpup form. The location of the sear also provides clearance under the bolt for the bolt to be moved over a firearm magazine without interference with cartridges in the magazine. |
| US08683725B2 |
Receiver latching assembly for a firearm magazine
A magazine-latching assembly for a firearm is described. The magazine-latching assembly includes a latch body that is slideably disposed in a receiver. The latch body includes a notch that accepts an aft tab on a magazine. A locking member is pivotally disposed in the latch body and engages the receiver to lock the latch body in a forward position in which the magazine is locked into the receiver. The assembly includes a magazine-release lever that forms a portion of a trigger guard. Actuation of the magazine-release lever pivots the locking member out of engagement with the receiver, moves the latch body out of engagement with the aft tab of the magazine, and draws the forward tab of the magazine out of engagement with the receiver. The magazine-latching assembly is useable with twin-tab magazines and with bullpup-style firearms. The magazine-release lever is also configured for ambidextrous operation of the firearm. |
| US08683719B2 |
LED illumination footwear
A sandal includes a footwear body, one affixing strap and an illumination arrangement. The footwear body has top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of light cavities formed on the top surface of the footwear body. The affixing strap has a plurality of light admissible end portions and a body portion extended between the light admissible end portions, wherein the light admissible end portions are mounted in the light cavities respectively. The illumination arrangement is provided in the footwear body, and includes a plurality of illumination units mounted in the light cavities of the footwear body to generate illumination toward the light admissible end portions of the affixing strap respectively for illuminating the sandal in a predetermined illumination pattern. |
| US08683718B2 |
Footwear having independently articuable toe portions
Footwear including a sole, an upper, and a securement arrangement configured to secure the footwear to the foot of a wearer, where the sole and the upper delimit individual toe portions configured to receive, retain, and allow independent articulation of corresponding individual toes of a foot inserted in the footwear, and where the sole includes contouring and curvature which intimately corresponds to the shape of the foot. |
| US08683716B2 |
Shoe tongue securing device
A shoe having an upper with a tongue and an outer shell in which the tongue has a bulging extension on the medial side, in which the outer surface of the tongue has a connector that is aligned with a connector on the inner surface of the outer shell. When the connectors are aligned together, the tongue is secured to the outer shell. |
| US08683709B2 |
Portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine with multi-bus arm technology
A portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) with multi-bus arm technology that includes a manually positionable articulated arm portion, a measurement device, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit is configured to receive a position signal from the arm portion and to provide data corresponding to a position of the measurement device. The AACMM further includes a probe end, an accessory device, an encoder data bus, and a first device data bus. The encoder data bus is coupled to the arm portion and the electronic circuit, and the encoder data bus is configured to send the position signal to the electronic circuit. The first device data bus is coupled to the accessory device and the electronic circuit. The first device data bus is configured to operate simultaneously with and independently of the encoder data bus for sending accessory device data from the accessory device to the electronic circuit. |
| US08683705B2 |
Dosing spoon
A dosing spoon is provided with two bowl portions, each with a front end for oral insertion, a back end, and a top edge along the circumference of the bowl. The spoon also has a handle portion that extends between each bowl. The first and second bowl portions are sized and shaped to contain a 2.5 mL and a 5.0 mL dose, respectively, of a substance with a specific gravity in the range of about 1.1300-1.1700. A rib may be present on the bottom surface of the handle portion to provide both additional stiffening to the handle, as well as a de-nesting feature. |
| US08683702B2 |
Folding knife capable of preventing automatic folding
A folding knife capable of preventing automatic folding, which includes a handle having first, second and third plates, and a blade pivotally connected between the first and second plates by a pivot. The second plate is provided with a resilient stopper having a first end fixed to the second plate and a second end extending toward the first plate in a slanting manner. The third plate has one side corresponding in position to the second plate and concavely provided with an engaging hole. When the blade is fully rotated out of the handle, the second end of the resilient stopper presses against one end of the blade and thereby keeps the blade fully rotated out of the handle. Thus, when a force applied to the blade is excessively large, the resilient stopper will not be shifted away from the position against the blade. |
| US08683697B2 |
Large scale structures
A large scale structure includes a plurality of panels, wherein each panel has at least one opening therethrough. And each panel has opposed edge profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels and opposed end profiles that are positionable next to adjacent panels. A plurality of rods extend through aligned openings so as to interconnect the plurality of panels to one another. And a plurality of coupling nuts, each coupling nut attachable to an end of one of the rods, wherein the coupling nuts secure the panels to one another. An insert with apertures aligned with the openings allows a rod to extend through the insert and facilitate securement of the insert to the plurality of panels so as to form a section. Additional sections can be assembled as needed to form the structure. |
| US08683696B2 |
Positioning assembly for composite structure
A positioning assembly for a composite structure. An illustrative embodiment of the positioning assembly includes at least one vertical carriage support, at least one vertical carriage carried by the at least one vertical carriage support, at least one vertical motor drivingly engaging the at least one vertical carriage, a transverse carriage support carried by the at least one vertical carriage, a riser block carried by the transverse carriage support and at least one horizontal motor drivingly engaging the riser block. |
| US08683695B2 |
Method for forming a continuous rain water barrier
A pre-notched drip edge assembly and related method includes a plurality of drip edge sections interconnected end-to-end to form a continuous water barrier along a roof edge. Each drip edge section has a formed one-piece construction with a top flange and a bottom flange having an inverted L-shape with upper and lower legs. The forward edges of the top flange and the upper leg are integrally interconnected along a folded-over nose having a wedge-shape. A pair of notches are formed in the opposite ends of each drip edge section which extend through the upper edge of the lower leg and the forward edges of the upper leg and the top flange to define flat end tab areas that are inserted into the noses of the next adjacent drip edge sections to horizontally and vertically locate the same along the building roof. |
| US08683690B2 |
Flat tube, flat tube heat exchanger, and method of manufacturing same
A number of flat tubes, flat tube heat exchangers, and methods of manufacturing both are described and illustrated. The flat tubes can be constructed of one, two, or more pieces of sheet material. A profiled insert integral with the flat tube or constructed from another sheet of material can be used to define multiple flow channels through the flat tube. The flat tubes can be constructed of relatively thin material, and can be reinforced with folds of the flat tube material and/or of an insert in areas subject to higher pressure and thermal stresses. Also, the relatively thin flat tube material can have a corrosion layer enabling the material to resist failure due to corrosion. Heat exchangers having such flat tubes connected to collection tubes are also disclosed, as are manners in which such tubes can be provided with fins. |
| US08683683B2 |
Method for positioning and mounting an LED assembly as well as a positioning body for this purpose
In a method for positioning and mounting, on a carrier body (6), an LED assembly (1) preassembled on a circuit board (4), the circuit board (4) having the LED assembly (1) is placed and glued onto the carrier body (6), the LED assembly (1) being brought into the prescribed position relative to the carrier body (6) after being placed on the carrier body (6) by a positioning body (11) having centering elements (17) that contact the LED assembly (1) on one side and the carrier body (6) on the other, wherein the circuit board (4) having the LED assembly (1) is aligned with the carrier body (6). The positioning body (11) has a leg (15, 16) extending from a connecting part (12) and having centering elements (17) for contacting the LED assembly (1) on one side and the carrier body (6) on the other side. |
| US08683681B2 |
Room temperature low contact pressure method
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed for fabricating a rigid flex cable assembly. The method includes arranging one or more layers of a polyimide film having an electrically-conductive surface into a stack; applying an adhesive to the one or more layers of polyimide film; arranging a top and a bottom polyimide film to a top portion and a bottom portion of the stack to form the rigid flex circuit board; and selecting a suitable pressure and temperature at which to form the rigid flex assembly such that the one or more layers of polyimide film do not move with respect to one another during the fabrication. |
| US08683674B2 |
Method for stacking microelectronic devices
Method for stacking microelectronic devices using two or more carriers, each holding microelectronic devices in an array so they may be registered. Each device is releasably held by its edges in a carrier to allow access to top and bottom surfaces of the device for joining. Arrays of devices held in two or more carriers are juxtaposed and joined to form an array of stacked devices. A resulting stacked device is released from the juxtaposed carriers holding each device by releasing forces of the corresponding carrier urging upon edges of the device, thereby permitting removal of the stacked device. |
| US08683672B2 |
Nanomaterial-based gas sensors
A gas sensing device (nanosensor) includes a substrate with at least a pair of conductive electrodes spaced apart by a gap, and an electrochemically functionalized semiconductive nanomaterial bridging the gap between the electrodes to form a nanostructure network. The nanomaterial may be single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) functionalized by the deposition of nanoparticles selected from the group consisting of an elemental metal (e.g., gold or palladium), a doped polymer (e.g., camphor-sulfonic acid doped polyaniline), and a metal oxide (e.g. tin oxide). Depending on the nanoparticles employed in the functionalization, the nanosensor may be used to detect a selected gas, such as hydrogen, mercury vapor, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, water vapor, and/or ammonia, in a gaseous environment. |
| US08683671B2 |
Method for fastening a retainer of an airbag
The invention concerns a method for fastening a retainer of an airbag, in particular of a window bag, to a body of a motor vehicle. The method for fastening including the steps of: arranging the retainer on the body by inserting a hollow pin in a corresponding bodyshell opening; positioning a tool on the retainer; and pressing a pin into an opening of the hollow pin to radially expand the hollow pin, and thereby securing the hollow pin in the corresponding bodyshell opening. |
| US08683670B2 |
Method for partial disassembly of a bypass turbofan engine
A method and tooling for partial disassembly of a bypass turbofan engine wherein the longitudinal axis of the bypass turbofan engine remains generally horizontal during disassembly. The low pressure turbine module is removed with a low pressure turbine module horizontal removal tool. An extended bearing nut tool may be supported by a stabilization member and may remove a bearing nut. An extended high pressure turbine shaft stretching tool may stretch a high pressure turbine shaft to release a high pressure turbine shaft nut. An extended bearing pulling tool may be used to pull a bearing while the low pressure turbine shaft remains in place. A modified measurement bridge may be used to measure the position of certain components while the low pressure turbine shaft remains in place. A nozzle jig may be used to assemble nozzles and feather seals to create a nozzle module. And an arcuate datum may be used to make certain measurements from the aft end of the high pressure turbine shaft while the low pressure turbine shaft remains in place. |
| US08683669B2 |
Bone plate manufacturing method
A bone plate manufacturing method includes an image acquisition step, an image reconstruction step, a comparison step, a data retrieval step, a model designing step and a bone plate manufacturing step. The image acquisition step acquires an original 3D craniofacial image. The image reconstruction step uses an image processing system to perform image reconstruction of the original 3D craniofacial image to obtain a reconstructed 3D craniofacial image, and the image processing system comprises a plurality of mechanical data. The comparison step compares the original 3D craniofacial image with the reconstructed 3D craniofacial image and defines the image difference therebetween as a defected portion. The data retrieval step retrieves a portion of the mechanical data and defines a mechanical compensation area on the reconstructed 3D craniofacial image. The model designing step designs a bone plate mold. The bone plate manufacturing step manufactures a bone plate. |
| US08683668B1 |
Tool for engaging a grommet
A manually operable tool for engaging a grommet including a tool body having a first end having a handle, a second end having an opening to a tubular portion adapted for engagement with a peg, and a shaft segment. A clamp body is movably attached to the tool body, the clamp body includes a sleeve slidably coupled to the tool body around the shaft segment, a grommet clamp, and a control arm attached to the clamp body; wherein the control arm is adjustable between a first position and a second position; and first and second clamp jaws are movable relative to each other between an open clamp position and a closed position. |
| US08683664B2 |
Touch-and-close fastener part
A touch-and-close fastener part includes a two-dimensional carrier (1) and a main tang (7) extending from the carrier. The main tang has at least one secondary tang (9) located on it and supporting the main tang (7) on the carrier (1). The fastener part can be obtained as hooking elements (5), in particular by punching or cutting. The main tang (7) can be raised up about a bending line (13) forming a first connecting region with carrier (1), into a functional position over the carrier (1). The secondary tang (9) forms a connecting area lying against the carrier (1) and representing a second connecting region. |
| US08683663B2 |
Device for detachably fastening a camera to a carrying strap
The invention relates to a device for detachably fastening a camera to a carrying strap. The device for detachably fastening a camera to a carrying strap includes an eyelet piece comprising an eyelet, a flexible extension fixed to the eyelet piece, and a fastening element designed as a stand screw for securing to the camera, said element being disposed on an end of the flexible extension facing away from the eyelet piece. The special feature of the eyelet of the eyelet piece is that it has an opening in the peripheral rim thereof, through which a carrying strap, in particular a carrying strap that is part of another system, such as the carrying strap of a handbag or camera bag, can be threaded. |
| US08683660B2 |
Snap button
A snap button wherein when a male snap is removed from a female snap, a rotation between the snaps is limited, but is permitted normally. A male-side grooved surface is provided on a male snap radially outward from a projection of the snap with a plurality of grooves formed so that peaks and troughs of the grooves are arranged continuously in the circumferential direction. A female-side grooved surface similar to the male-side grooved surface is provided on a female snap radially outward from a projection-receiving space of the snap. The female-side grooved surface is inclined relative to the male-side grooved surface. When the male snap is removed from the female snap, each axis of the male snap and the female snap, which are yet in a coupled state, inclines relative to each other, causing the male-side grooved surface and the female-side grooved surface to partially engage with each other. |
| US08683656B2 |
Handle device of work machine
A work machine handle device includes a handle foldable relative to a frame. The frame has a handle support part about which the handle turns. The handle intersects the handle support part. Left and right attachment parts, which are portions where the handle intersects the handle support part, are supported by a handle turning mechanism with suitable pressure. |
| US08683655B2 |
Separated type hinge apparatus with return function
The present invention relates to a hinge apparatus for a door, and more particularly, to a separated type hinge apparatus with an automatic return function, in which a restoring device and a damping device are installed separately so that the overall length of the hinge apparatus is reduced, and thus the hinge apparatus may be buried less deeply. A separated type hinge apparatus comprises: an elastic casing; a first elastic member that provides a restoring force; a clutch device which is combined with one end of the first elastic member and controls the elastic force of the first elastic member to remain constant; a shaft penetratively combined through the clutch device in order to transmit a rotational force; and a spring fixing member which is coupled to the other end of the first elastic member and has a gear groove to control a spring elastic force. |
| US08683652B2 |
Furniture hinge
The invention relates to a furniture hinge comprising a base plate, which is designed to be fastened to a furniture body, and a hinge arm that is mounted so as to be movable by an adjustment device in a controlled manner relative to the base plate within a predetermined adjustment range, wherein the adjustment device prevents the hinge arm from falling from the base plate by displacement. The furniture hinge has a fall guard for the hinge arm which prevents the hinge arm from falling relative to the base plate upon uncontrolled displacement of the hinge arm caused by failure of the adjustment device, and the hinge arm is mounted so as to be movable relative to the base plate within the predetermined adjustment range despite the fall guard. |
| US08683642B2 |
Dual-functional screen cleaner
A dual-functional screen cleaner has a housing unit, a cleaning body, and a cleaning liquid container. The housing unit has a first housing and a second housing opposite the first housing. The first housing and the second housing have a first housing trough and a second housing trough respectively. The second housing trough has an upper housing trough and a lower housing trough opposite the upper housing trough. The cleaning body is removably accommodated in the lower housing trough. The cleaning liquid container is located in the upper housing trough. |
| US08683641B2 |
Scraper assembly
The invention pertains to a novel scraper assembly having a plurality of interchangeable scraper heads and handles and corresponding method for use. The scraper assembly further comprises a plurality of abrasive mechanisms, namely spring bristles, coiled springs, chainmail abraders and wire cloth abraders capable of effectively cleaning a surface without scoring or otherwise damaging the surface. The invention may be particularly useful for cleaning grills and ovens. Additionally, the invention may also be useful for shaping, adding texture to, stripping materials from or otherwise preparing a surface, including wood, metal or ceramic surfaces. |
| US08683640B2 |
Fabric care device
A fabric care device comprising a body having first and second ends for attaching respective first and second fabric care attachments, wherein at least one of the first and second ends is adapted to detachably attach one of the first and second fabric care attachments. An attachment for a fabric care device selected from the group consisting of a depiller, a delinter, a fabric pile restorer, and a brush. |
| US08683636B2 |
Oral-care device and system
A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof. |
| US08683635B2 |
Electric toothbrush
An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes at least one switch element and a control unit. The at least one switch element is operable by a user to switch the toothbrush to an on/off state, and operable by a user during the time that the at least one switch element is in its on state to select a brushing mode from a set of at least a first brushing mode and a second brushing mode. The control unit is arranged to control the electric toothbrush such that when the at least one switch element is operated to select a particular brushing mode in the on state, the toothbrush will then operate in that particular selected brushing mode when the at least one switch element is thereafter switched to an off state and then subsequently switched back to an on state, provided that the toothbrush was in the off state for a time period less than a threshold period (T). |
| US08683632B2 |
Internal valve and methods of use for inflatable objects
An internal valve (10, 10′ or 10″) and its methods of use for stabilizing and reinforcing inflatable objects are disclosed. The internal valve is a novel, simple modification to conventional check valves with the addition of a discharging means (14, 22 or 28)for external control. An internal supplemental chamber comprises one or more partitions that are secured, directly or by I-beams (40′), to main chamber's walls (40) of an inflatable object and stretched when the main chamber is inflated. With the internal valve as the passage to and from the main chamber, the enclosed or isolated supplemental chamber (30, 30′, 32, 34, 36 or 38) functions as a stabilizing or reinforcing component. A plurality of chambers 36 can form cylinder beams for an inflatable mattress. |
| US08683627B2 |
Mattress and bed deck cover
The present invention relates to a cover for a mattress and bed deck. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mattress and bed deck cover for an adjustable bed that reduces the exposure of the mattress and bed deck to unsanitary conditions. |
| US08683626B1 |
Hospital bed with conveyor mattress
A hospital bed with conveyor mattress that includes a loop mattress disposed overlying and attached to a conveyor belt disposed in operational communication with a plurality of transverse rollers horizontally disposed within a mattress frame, wherein the loop mattress is moveable in each of a first direction and a second direction and a plurality of hydraulic jacks enable inclinations of specific sections of the mattress relative each other to comfortably position a patient disposed upon the bed, as desired, and extant electronics and medical accoutrements are supportable, powerable, and securable proximal a patient disposed in the bed, whereby a patient is moveable upon the mattress at the press of a button and able to control peripheral electronics while in bed. |
| US08683625B1 |
Retention clip for a spray wand hose
A device to prevent a sink sprayer hose from becoming caught on under sink plumbing, such as shut-off valves, is herein described. The device comprises a semi-circular shield and a hinged retaining mechanism mounted to an underside of a kitchen sink around shut-off valves and adjacent to the sink sprayer hose. It is held in place to the wall or cabinet surface via a foam adhesive tape. The sprayer hose rests against it, thus preventing it from becoming caught on the shutoff valve as it is withdrawn. This allows for full withdrawal of the hose and elimination of the aggravation that occurs when the hose becomes caught on the valve/piping that is present. |
| US08683622B2 |
Drain system for bathtub with door
A drain system for a tub of the type having a tub body defining a bathing cavity, a doorway with door sill in the tub body and a door in the doorway. The drain system comprises a drain piping section adapted to be in fluid communication with a tub drain hole in a bottom of the bathing cavity for drainage of bathing liquid therethrough. A drain unit is adapted to be connected to a door drain hole in the door sill for drainage of liquid therethrough. The drain unit has an inner cavity and a check valve held releasably captive in the inner cavity. The check valve is manually removable from an exposed surface of the door sill. A pipe connects the drain unit to the drain piping section to direct liquid collected by the drain unit to the drain piping section. |
| US08689361B1 |
Method of making thin film probe tip for atomic force microscopy
A probe for atomic force microscopy may be provided by depositing a thin film onto a wafer substrate and etching the substrate to leave the thin film behind in the form of a handle, a cantilever, and a probe tip in the cantilever. In some embodiments, a thin film substrate for the probe may be accomplished by forming the probe mold on a first wafer, bonding a second wafer onto the first wafer, and patterning out the second wafer to define the substrate for the probe on the first wafer. The thin film may be deposited onto the exposed portions of the first wafer. Thereafter, portions of the first and second wafers may be removed to leave behind the probe. |
| US08689355B1 |
Secure recovery of credentials
An improved technique involves creating a new lockbox mechanism which is configured to work on a new or upgraded operating platform having different operating platform parameters, and then storing confidential information within the new lockbox (e.g., a copy of credentials which are also stored at a main site). When the new lockbox is then moved to the new or upgraded operating platform, the new lockbox mechanism properly works. Such operation enables the maintained compatibility with applications, control and maintenance of lockbox security throughout, and can be performed automatically and/or remotely. |
| US08689352B2 |
Distributed access control for document centric collaborations
Document collaboration may be implemented by executing an access interest specification phase. The access interest specification phase may include receiving access requests from collaboration participants for access to a document instance, the access requests specified using a document schema of the document instance and referencing at least one schema portion for access to a corresponding document instance portion based thereon, determining a common access interest group of the collaboration participants, based on the access requests, access credentials of the collaboration participants, and on an access control policy specified in terms of the access credentials, and providing a control data block to the participants of the common access interest group including information for generating a common secret key that is common to the participants of the common access interest group. The document collaboration may further be implemented by executing a collaboration phase. The collaboration phase execution may include encrypting the document instance portion using the access control policy, and providing access to the document instance for access to the document instance portion by an accessing participant of the common access interest group, the access including decryption of the document instance portion using the common secret key. |
| US08689340B2 |
Disk protection system
A method for protecting content on a medium including a token which implements at least a portion of a keyed function, providing a first encryption method and a first encryption key, inputting each one of a plurality of token inputs to the token and converting an output of the token to a function output, and storing a plurality of ordered pairs each including a function input and the corresponding function output, encrypting the plurality of ordered pairs using the first encryption method and the first encryption key, and storing the encrypted plurality of ordered pairs on the medium. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08689337B2 |
Systems and methods of fingerprinting and identifying video objects
Systems and methods are provided for identifying a video object using digital fingerprints. The digital fingerprints are generated from information extracted from the video object including encoded video. The digital fingerprints can be calculated in a manner that permits identification of both the video object and operational characteristics of the video object based on matching calculated digital fingerprints with known fingerprints of known video objects. Systems and methods are described that allow a DVD to be uniquely identified and identify whether the DVD is original, copied or pirated. Systems and methods are described for computing digital fingerprints from strings of bits in which certain additional data is optionally embedded. Systems and methods are described that permit media players to access known signatures of known video objects maintained on one or more databases and to identify video objects presented for playing on the media player. |
| US08689334B2 |
Security protection for a customer programmable platform
A method of preventing a customer programmable device from causing security threats to itself or to a communication system is provided. The method includes establishing one or more thresholds by programming or configuring of the device, detecting whether one or more of the thresholds have been exceeded using one or more detection mechanisms, and taking action in response to each threshold that has been exceeded. |
| US08689329B2 |
Scoping scripts in a page
A mechanism on a server divides a page of content into sections defined by dividers, and renders the page stream with dividers to a browser. The browser reads the web page with dividers, and partitions the DOM for the page to create partitions in the DOM according to the sections in the page. Partitioning the DOM allows scripts in each partition to be scoped according to defined access rights for each partition. In this manner, a script in one DOM partition cannot access information in another DOM partition unless the access rights for the partition that contains the script allow it. By scoping scripts to appropriate DOM partitions, potential hacker attacks may be prevented. |
| US08689322B2 |
Authentication method for information apparatus
Disclosed herein is an authentication method for an information apparatus. The method includes receiving a first password, generated based on the system time of the information apparatus, from an external device connected to the information apparatus, generating a second password based on the time at which the first password was received, and determining whether the firs and second passwords coincide with each other. |
| US08689320B2 |
Image forming apparatus with hard disk drive securely formatted
If the validity of authorization information read from a USB key is verified (S1 to S4), use-information that indicates “used” is written in both of the nonvolatile memory and the USB key (S7). In a case of an initial use of an image forming apparatus (Cp=1, S8), a screen for selecting whether to perform a secure format on a hard disk device or not is displayed on a control panel (S9). If an instruction from the control panel indicates performing a secure format (S10), or if the use of the image forming apparatus is not a first time (Cp>1, S8), overwrite process on the hard disk with dummy data device is performed (S13, S14), and a logical format is performed regardless of a selection on the screen (S16). |
| US08689316B2 |
Routing a packet by a device
Methods and apparatus for transferring packets in a packet switched communication system. A system is provided that includes an L2 device including a controller determining for each packet received whether the received packet is to be inspected, an inspection device operable to inspect and filter packets identified by the controller including using a zone specific policy and an L2 controller for transferring inspected packets in accordance with L2 header information using L2 protocols. |
| US08689315B2 |
Method for managing network filter based policies
A method and system are provided for adding, removing, and managing a plurality of network policy filters in a network device. Filters are installed in a framework and designated as active or disabled. Each filter has a priority. When a new filter is to be installed into the framework, it is compared to installed filters to determine if a conflict exists. If no conflict exists, the new filter is added as an active filter. If a conflict exists, a higher priority conflicting filter is added as active and a lower priority filter is added as inactive. |
| US08689313B2 |
Real time streaming data communications through a security device
An exemplary method of the invention is for connecting a plurality of clients to one another over a computer network for communication of real-time streaming data to one another, with at least one of the clients being separated by a security device from the network. Exemplary steps include each of the clients communicating a request to the server including a client address and a conference identifier, the server using the conference identifier to identify a conference address, and the server communicating a confirmation to each of the clients in a first protocol containing the at least one conference address. The at least one security device recognizes one or both of the confirmation and request as a signal to allow traffic to pass from said conference address to the respective client separated from the network by the security device. Each of the clients communicates real time streaming data to the conference address in a second protocol, and the server communicates real time streaming data received from each of the clients in the second protocol at the conference address to the others of the clients whereby the plurality of clients share real-time streaming data. |
| US08689309B2 |
Authentication token for identifying a cloning attack onto such authentication token
The invention relates to an authentication token for a communication network. The token may include a microprocessor, a memory, a stored secret key (Ki) and a set of instructions for controlling the microprocessor into performing an authentication calculation on the basis of a received random (RAND) and on the basis of the stored secret key. The token further includes a memory location dedicated for storing a counter value and it includes instructions for making the counter value evolve each time the authentication calculation is performed. |
| US08689307B2 |
System and method for providing a virtual peer-to-peer environment
An improved system and method are disclosed for peer-to-peer communications. In one example, the method enables the creation of a virtual endpoint that may operate within a peer-to-peer network to represent a device that is unable to operate as an endpoint. |
| US08689301B2 |
SIP signaling without constant re-authentication
A proxy server causes an authentication authority to authenticate a client in response to a first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) request of the client on a connection. It does not cause the client to be authenticated in response subsequent requests on the connection as long as the underlying connection is not broken, the subsequent requests are on behalf of the same client, the client has not been removed from the system, the client's password has not changed, a “safety net” timer has not expired, or any other policy that the server chooses to enforce. This eliminates the overhead of constant re-authentication in response to each SIP request. |
| US08689299B2 |
System and method for accessing a software application
Systems and methods for managing a user identity on a mobile device are provided. The system comprises the mobile device comprising a user agent and a client application, the user agent and the client application in communication with each other. The system further comprises an identity provider in communication with the mobile device, and a client service in communication with the mobile device. The user agent is configured to communicate with the identity provider and retrieve the user identity for the client application, and the client application is configured to transmit the user identity to the client service. |
| US08689296B2 |
Remote access of digital identities
A system and method for controlling distribution and use of digital identity representations (“DIRs”) increases security, usability, and oversight of DIR use. A DIR stored on a first device may be obtained by a second device for use in satisfying the security policy of a relying party. Release of the DIR to the second device requires permission from a device or entity that may be different from the device or entity attempting to access the relying party. Further, the use of the DIR to obtain an identity token may separately require permission of even a different person or entity and may be conditioned upon receiving satisfactory information relating to the intended use of the DIR (e.g., the name of the relying party, type of operation being attempted, etc.). By controlling the distribution and use of DIRs, security of the principal's identity and supervisory control over a principal's activities are enhanced. |
| US08689295B2 |
Firewalls for providing security in HTTP networks and applications
Systems and methods provide security to HTTP applications. Responses sent from a server, such as a web server, are analyzed and a signature is generated for each HTML object in that page. The signature is encrypted and sent to a client along with the contents of the page. When a client later sends a request, the system checks the signature associated with that request with the contents of the request itself. If the values, variables, lengths, and cardinality of the request are validated, then the request is forwarded to the web server. If, on the other hand, the request is invalidated, the request is blocked from reaching the web server, thereby protecting the web server from malicious attacks. The systems and methods offer security without being limited to a session or user. |
| US08689294B1 |
Systems and methods for managing offline authentication
A method for managing offline authentication. The method may include 1) identifying an attempt, by a user, to access a client device, wherein accessing the client device requires the user to be authenticated, 2) determining whether the client device is offline, 3) in response to determining that the client device is offline, authenticating the user using offline authentication, wherein offline authentication does not require an active network connection with a remote authentication service, 4) upon successful authentication of the user using offline authentication, allowing the user to access the client device, 5) monitoring the network-connection state of the client device, 6) detecting that the client device is online, and then 7) in response to detecting that the client device is online, locking the client device in order to require the user to reauthenticate using online authentication, wherein online authentication requires the active network connection with the remote authentication service. |
| US08689287B2 |
Federated credentialing system and method
A federated credentialing system, and a correspond method, includes credential issuers that interact with relying parties to provide system users with access to protected resources within the system. The system includes a relying party federated domain server including devices for identifying users and authenticating user access credentials and a credential issuer domain server including devices for verifying user identities and access credentials. The access credentials may be single smart cards. The single smart cards are operative to provide user access to both logical and physical protected resources of the relying party. The system also includes a federated trust broker in communication in communication with the relying party and credential issuer federated domain servers. The trust broker receives authorization requests from the relying party, routes the received requests to the credential issuer and receives in return authorization responses from the credential issuer and routes the responses to the relying party. The relying party grants users access to the physical and the logical protected resources based on information contained in the responses. |
| US08689285B1 |
Rule-based derived-group security data management
Methods for rule-based group security data management and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving a complex rule set corresponding to at least one electronic document, the complex rule set including a combination of granting rules, denying rules, and rule precedence. The method includes generating derived user groups according to the complex rule set. The method includes deriving grant rules for each electronic document according to the complex rule set to produce a derived grant rule set. The method includes storing the derived grant rules as associated with the electronic document. |
| US08689283B2 |
Security access control method and system for wired local area network
The present invention relates to a security access control method and system for wired local area network, the method includes the following steps: 1) a requester (REQ) negotiates the security policy with an authentication access controller (AAC); 2) the requester (REQ) and the authentication access controller (AAC) authenticate the identity; 3) the requester (REQ) negotiates the key with the authentication access controller (AAC). The direct identity authentication between the user and the network access control device is realized by the present invention; the negotiation and the dynamic update of the session key for the link layer data protection are realized; a variety of network architectures such as the enterprise network, the telecommunication network are supported; the scalability is good, the multiple authentication methods are supported; the authentication protocols with different security levels are supported, the requirements of the various subscribers are satisfied; the sub-modules of the protocol are independent, flexible, and easy to be accepted or rejected. |
| US08689278B2 |
Web service provision system, server device, and method
A web application server includes a user information management unit that manages user IDs and attributes such that each of the user IDs is associated with corresponding one of the attributes, a security policy management unit that manages security policies such that each of security policies is associated with corresponding one of the attributes, a security policy acquisition unit that acquires one of the security policies based on one of the attributes associated with one of the user IDs, and an HTML file generation unit that generates an HTML file in which a script to acquire personal data of corresponding one of users from an intra-company database server is embedded based on one of the security policies of the corresponding one of the users. |
| US08689274B2 |
Set-top box-based TV streaming and redirecting
A method for redirecting video content includes receiving a video signal at the set-top box and decoding the video signal to produce unrendered video data. The unrendered video data is encoded and provided to the remote device via a wide area network. By encoding unrendered, rather than rendered, video data for transmission to the remote device, the need for an encoding device external to the set-top box is obviated. |
| US08689272B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods for managing multimedia traffic across a common wireless communication network
Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for managing multimedia traffic across a common wireless communication network. Embodiments may include content devices, end point devices, a network node, and a wireless dongle. The network node and the wireless dongle may have application functions transmitting and receiving application data streams including a video application. The video application may include a conversion engine to compress, expand, or convert video data. Further, both the network node and the wireless dongle may transmit downstream video streams and receive upstream video streams. In addition, the network node may have a master controller function and a node management function, and a dongle management function each managing video traffic streams and application data streams. In addition, the dongle management function controls admission of a video traffic stream originating from the wireless dongle to the wireless communication network. |
| US08689271B2 |
Internet service provider callback for satellite systems
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for delivering purchase information comprising storing purchase information for a purchase of a user in a set top box. The set top box (STB) is configured to receive and display the broadcast signals through a tuner onto a display device. The STB establishes a connection to the Internet through a user initiated action (e.g., when the user accesses the Internet using the STB). A new transmission control/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) connection is obtained using the established user-initiated Internet connection without the user requesting the connection. A secure electronic connection is established with a server through the new TCP/IP connection. The purchase information is then transmitted from the STB through the secure electronic connection to the server. |
| US08689270B2 |
Broadcast pause and resume for enhanced television
Embodiments of the present invention provide for broadcast pause and resume for enhanced television. In some embodiments, software key frames identifying a state of a browser at a plurality of points in time may be used for synchronizing a series of graphics to a video stream. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08689269B2 |
Insertion points for streaming video autoplay
Techniques are described for presenting streaming media content to users in an engaging manner. A streaming media player may provide an interface that allows users to browse though a collection of available titles sorted into different categories (e.g., science fiction titles, television shows, westerns, etc.). The interface may be configured to automatically begin playback of one of the media titles at a designated insertion point, providing a user with a preview of the title. The insertion point itself may be selected as an interesting point in a given title, and therefore, likely to engage a user in that title. |
| US08689267B2 |
Variable bit video streams for adaptive streaming
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adapting playback bit rate in a content delivery system based on scene complexity of the video content as well as network conditions and other performance factors. A scene complexity map of the video content indicates the complexity levels of different scenes within the video content. Using the scene complexity map, a content player may download scenes of lower scene complexity levels from video streams encoded to lower bit rates to manage the bandwidth consumed to download the video content and allow for the downloading of scenes of higher complexity levels from video streams encoded to higher bit rates. |
| US08689261B2 |
System and method for integrating user-selected data with displayed video content
A video control system transfers a video signal to display a data/video integration menu and receives user instructions indicating user-selected data and display positioning for the user-selected data. The video control system transfers a data request and receives the user-selected data. The video control system receives video content. The video control system integrates the user-selected data and the video content into a video signal that positions the user-selected data relative to the video content according to the display positioning in the user instructions. The video control system transfers the video signal to display the integrated video content and user-selected data. |
| US08689254B2 |
Techniques and graphical user interfaces for preview of media items
Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces for presenting a media item on a computing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the media item is a video. A video information window can provide a user with information concerning the video and can enable the user to play at least a portion of the video on request. When the video is to be played, the video information window can expand to present a video playback region in which the video is provided when played. The video can be provided with high resolution and appropriate frame size. |
| US08689253B2 |
Method and system for configuring media-playing sets
A remote support site having a detector internally collecting information on a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic of a media-playing set or television and a server enabling specification of a preferred setting for such characteristic from this information. A method including maintaining a remote site, therefrom internally collecting information from the set about a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic, and therefrom specifying a preferred setting for such characteristic. A similar method but information detected upon user request about user-adjustable component for selecting on-screen characteristic and final step is remotely adjusting component. A similar method but information is about broadcast characteristic potentially selectable initially by user instead remotely specified initially. A similar method but information is about plural broadcast characteristics and final step is remotely providing settings for each. Two methods on menu-free TV control via remote and a method listing possible broadcast outcomes so user can readily target outcome to resolve. |
| US08689252B1 |
Real-time optimization of advertisements based on media usage
A method for optimization of advertisement selection includes determining that content received via a website channel and content received via an additional media channel are being concurrently consumed at a location. The additional media channel is one of a television channel, a radio channel, a movie channel, and a print channel. The method further includes receiving usage information regarding the content being consumed at the location via one of the website channel and the additional media channel, and selecting, based on the usage information, advertisements to concurrently present via the other channel at the same location. |
| US08689251B1 |
Content recognition for targeting video advertisements
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing advertisements. A plurality of advertisement targeting criteria is determined from a video stream or file. A first advertisement targeting criterion of the advertisement targeting criteria is associated with a first time position in the video. A second advertisement targeting criterion of the advertisement targeting criteria is associated with a second time position in the video. One or more first advertisements are provided, for presentation at or after the first time position in the video, based on the first advertisement targeting criterion. One or more second advertisements are provided, for presentation at or after the second time position in the video, based on the second advertisement targeting criterion. |
| US08689245B2 |
Optical pickup device transfer mechanism
A feed-screw type optical pick-up device transfer mechanism is provided for transferring an optical pick-up device through a base member coupled to a follower member in a state in which teeth of the follower member are engaged with a screw portion threaded around an external circumference of a driveshaft. The teeth of the follower member include two main teeth relating to the transfer of the optical pick-up device, and at least one subsidiary tooth provided between the two main teeth and not related to the transfer of the optical pick-up device. |
| US08689234B2 |
Providing real-time widgets in a web application framework
A method and apparatus for providing real-time widgets in a web application framework is described. In one embodiment, the method includes storing a topic in a framework widget. The method may also include receiving a data message, at a user computer system, from a message broker of a real-time web applications framework corresponding to the topic. In one embodiment, the method may also include executing one or more callback functions, specified by the framework widget, to process the data message in response to receiving the data message. |
| US08689230B2 |
Determination of running status of logical processor
An embodiment provides for operating an information processing system. An aspect of the invention includes allocating an execution interval to a first logical processor of a plurality of logical processors of the information processing system. The execution interval is allocated for use by the first logical processor in executing instructions on a physical processor of the information processing system. The first logical processor determines that a resource required for execution by the first logical processor is locked by another one of the other logical processors. An instruction is issued by the first logical processor to determine whether a lock-holding logical processor is currently running. The lock-holding logical processor waits to release the lock if it is currently running. A command is issued by the first logical processor to a super-privileged process for relinquishing the allocated execution interval by the first logical processor if the locking holding processor is not running. |
| US08689229B2 |
Providing computational resources to applications based on accuracy of estimated execution times provided with the request for application execution
A network system includes an application service provider (ASP) which is connected to the Internet and executes an application, and a CPU resource provider which is connected to the Internet and provides a processing service to a particular computational part (e.g., computation intensive part) of the application, wherein: when requesting a job from the CPU resource provider, the application service provider (ASP) sends information about estimated computation time of the job to the CPU resource provider via the Internet; and the CPU resource provider assigns the job by correcting this estimated computation time based on the estimated computation time sent from the application service provider (ASP). |
| US08689228B2 |
Identifying data communications algorithms of all other tasks in a single collective operation in a distributed processing system
Topology mapping in a distributed processing system, the distributed processing system including a plurality of compute nodes, each compute node having a plurality of tasks, each task assigned a unique rank, including: assigning each task to a geometry defining the resources available to the task; selecting, from a list of possible data communications algorithms, one or more algorithms configured for the assigned geometry; and identifying, by each task to all other tasks, the selected data communications algorithms of each task in a single collective operation. |
| US08689227B2 |
System and method for integrating capacity planning and workload management
A system for integrating resource capacity planning and workload management, implemented as programming on a suitable computing device, includes a simulation module that receives data related to execution of the workloads, resource types, numbers, and capacities, and generates one or more possible resource configuration options; a modeling module that receives the resource configuration options and determines, based on one or more specified criteria, one or more projected resource allocations among the workloads; and a communications module that receives the projected resource allocations and presents the projected resource allocations for review by a user. |
| US08689225B2 |
Attributing causality to program execution capacity modifications
Techniques are described for managing program execution capacity, such as for a group of computing nodes that are provided for executing one or more programs for a user. In some situations, dynamic program execution capacity modifications for a computing node group that is in use may be performed periodically or otherwise in a recurrent manner, such as to aggregate multiple modifications that are requested or otherwise determined to be made during a period of time. In addition, various operations may be performed to attribute causality information or other responsibility for particular program execution capacity modifications that are performed, including by attributing a single event as causing one capacity modification, and a combination of multiple events as possible causes for another capacity modification. The techniques may in some situations be used in conjunction with a fee-based program execution service that executes multiple programs on behalf of multiple users of the service. |
| US08689224B2 |
Methods and systems for preserving certified software through virtualization
A method for reusing certified software applications without recertification is provided. The method includes creating a virtual machine, that includes at least one of the software applications, the virtual machine including an operating system and at least one interface, certifying the virtual machines, and deploying the certified virtual machine in at least one representation of an underlying hardware platform. |
| US08689222B2 |
Controlling priority of multi-threaded hardware resources by system calls
A method, a system and a computer program product for controlling the hardware priority of hardware threads in a data processing system. A Thread Priority Control (TPC) utility assigns a primary level and one or more secondary levels of hardware priority to a hardware thread. When a hardware thread initiates execution in the absence of a system call, the TPC utility enables execution based on the primary level. When the hardware thread initiates execution within a system call, the TPC utility dynamically adjusts execution from the primary level to the secondary level associated with the system call. The TPC utility adjusts hardware priority levels in order to: (a) raise the hardware priority of one hardware thread relative to another; (b) reduce energy consumed by the hardware thread; and (c) fulfill requirements of time critical hardware sections. |
| US08689219B2 |
Systems and method for dynamically throttling transactional workloads
Systems (100) and methods (200) for managing transactional processing. The methods involve executing a first transaction (120) which is blocked by an exclusive lock of at least one second transaction (110) from accessing at least one resource of a system. Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether a Service Level Agreement (“SLA”) associated with the first transaction is being met. If it is determined that the SLA is not being met, the resources needed by the first transaction are identified. Subsequently, all executing transactions, that are using the resources needed by the first transaction, are identified. At least one of the identified transactions is then dynamically slowed down or speed up. The transaction is slowed down or sped up by: adjusting how many records are to be processed in each sub-transaction of the transaction; and/or increasing or decreasing the time period between commit operations of the transaction. |
| US08689218B1 |
Method for sharing a resource and circuit making use of same
A method is provided for interfacing a plurality of processing components with a shared resource component. A token signal path is provided to allow propagation of a token through the processing components, wherein possession of the token by a given processing component enables the latter to conduct a transaction with the shared resource component. Token processing logic is also provided for propagating the token from one processing component to another along the token signal path, the propagating being done at a propagation rate that is related to a transaction rate associated with the shared resource component. A circuit comprising a plurality of processing components and a shared resource component is provided wherein the plurality processing components and the shared resource components are interfaced with one another using the method proposed. |
| US08689216B2 |
Information processing apparatus and method thereof
Information of a user group used to distribute the execution result of a job of an image forming apparatus is held in a memory. The execution result of the job appended with result appropriating destination information required to specify a user group to which the execution result of the job is to be appropriated is received from the image forming apparatus. The execution result of the job is distributed to at least one user group specified by the result appropriating destination information appended to the received execution result of the job. Billing management of job execution associated with a plurality of groups can be adequately made. |
| US08689215B2 |
Structured exception handling for application-managed thread units
Methods, data structures, instructions, and techniques for structured exception handling for user-level threads in a multi-threading system are provided. Registered filter routines may be dispatched to a thread unit not managed by the operating system (OS). The dispatch may occur by allowing an OS-managed thread unit (proxy) to invoke the OS-provided structured exception handling service (including dispatcher) on behalf of the sequestered thread unit. Alternatively, an OS-managed thread unit may include dispatch code and may, without OS intervention, dispatch the filter routine to the sequestered thread unit. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08689214B2 |
Replication of machine instances in a computing environment
Disclosed are various embodiments for replication of machine instances in a computing environment. A clone machine instance is instantiated from a machine image associated with an original machine instance. A stored execution state of the original machine instance is applied to the clone machine instance. At least a portion of a series of stored events received by the original machine instance is applied to the clone machine instance. |
| US08689211B2 |
Live migration of virtual machines in a computing environment
A method for migrating a virtual machine (VM) in a computing environment is provided. The method comprises receiving a request to migrate a VM executing on a source host to a destination host; defining a recovery point to which the VM is restored during recovery from a fault; and iteratively copying a memory of the source host associated with the VM to the destination host. During the copying, the original state of each page in the memory is preserved. At some point, the VM suspends executing on the source host, copies state information associated with the VM to the destination host, and resumes executing on the destination host. If a fault is detected on the source host, the VM is restored to the recovery point using preserved information. |
| US08689210B2 |
Service node, network, and method for pre-fetching for remote program installation
A system for a package pre-fetching for a remote program installation. The system includes a cache and a service program unit. The service program unit receives a request for a package required for an installation of an operating system and at least one peripheral application thereof from a computing node. The service program unit determines a package request sequence by which the computer node issues one or more package requests according to a type of the computing node, so as to pre-read a subsequent package from an external storage device into the cache before the computing node issues a request for the subsequent package. |
| US08689207B2 |
Performing an in-place update of an operating storage device
A method of updating an original version of content to a new version of content, in a non-volatile memory storage device is provided. The method comprising: providing a non-volatile content memory storage area; performing, while at least part of the content memory storage is being used, at least one in-place update operation that comprises writing at least one block of content associated with a particular version onto a corresponding block of content associated with a version other than the particular version; and performing, while the at least one in-place update operation occurs, a rendering process that comprises provision of requested content from the content memory storage area. |
| US08689204B2 |
Methods and tools for creation of read-only-memory software binary images and corresponding software patches
There are described tools and methodologies for building Read Only Memory (ROM) mask software images and the corresponding data/code patching software images. One method is for creating ROM mask content having patch references included therein whereby patch reference errors are detected and corrected. A software patch for a ROM mask with existing patch references may then automatically be created. |
| US08689202B1 |
Scheduling of instructions
A method of automatically extracting information from an architecture description. A memory resident directed acyclic graph data structure comprising nodes representing instructions and edges whose weights represent dependencies between pairs of instructions is constructed. A list of ready nodes are maintained in the directed acyclic graph. A list of nodes not scheduled is maintained. And, it is determined whether the next instruction to be scheduled is to be taken from the list of ready nodes or from the list of nodes not yet scheduled. |
| US08689198B2 |
Compiling system and method for optimizing binary code
A compiling system and method for optimizing binary code. The method includes the step of replacing a memory access on a stack area in order to save a value of a register with local variable access. The method further includes: giving a call number to a call instruction and an inlined code in response to an inline expansion of a code to be called by the call instruction; creating a parent-child relationship information for at least one of the call number; processing the memory accesses with an escaped stack pointer as a base address if a stack pointer has escaped; prohibiting a replacement of a prohibited memory access if the stack pointer has escaped; and replacing unprohibited memory access with the local variable access if the stack pointer has escaped. |
| US08689194B1 |
Optimization identification
A computer readable medium including executable instructions that when executed perform a method for validating an optimization in generated code using an executable constraints document is provided. The medium can include instructions for relating an assumption to the optimization during code generation. The medium can include instructions for generating the executable constraints document during the code generation, the executable constraints document including information about the relating; and the medium can include instructions for executing the constraints document when the validating is performed, the validating including performing an operation based on a validation result produced by the validating, where the operation includes displaying the validation result to a user, storing the validation result, sending the validation result to a destination, or modifying the generated code. |
| US08689189B1 |
Systems and methods for testing widgets
Widgets or other code modules for applications written in structured languages such as HTML can be tested advantageously by separating the extraction and validation logic. To test the functionality of a widget in response to an action, widget features of interest are identified. Context and feature nodes for these features are extracted from a page tree structure to generate a property vector that is representative of the state of the widget. After performing the action, context nodes for the features are attached to the new page tree for the newly loaded page, and an observed property vector is generated that represents the state of the widget after the action. The previous property vector is used with updated state information to generate an expected property vector. The observed property vector is compared with the expected property vector, and if the vectors match the validation is claimed to be successful. |
| US08689188B2 |
System and method for analyzing alternatives in test plans
A method includes creating an initial test plan including initial estimates of effort and defect distributions, creating an alternative test plan including alternative estimates of effort and defect distributions, and displaying at least one metric of the initial test plan and the alternative test plan side by side for comparison by a user. |
| US08689182B2 |
Memory model for a layout engine and scripting engine
Various embodiments provide an interface between a Web browser's layout engine and a scripting engine. The interface enables objects from the layout engine to be recognized by a memory manager in the scripting engine and interact in a streamlined, efficient manner. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the interface allows browser layout engine objects to be created as objects that are native to the scripting engine. Alternately or additionally, in some embodiments, the native objects are further configured to proxy functionality between the layout engine and the scripting engine. |
| US08689181B2 |
Scripting web services
A process performed on a server includes configuring the server to enable script for a Web service to be defined dynamically, where the Web service includes an application program interface (API) for enabling access by, and interaction with, a computer program executing on a device other than the server. The process also includes compiling the script to produce machine-executable code for the Web service, receiving a call from the computer program to the Web service, executing the machine-executable code in response to the call to produce an output, and sending the output to the device. |
| US08689180B2 |
Systems and methods for resource leak detection
Systems and methods for detecting resource leaks in a program using static analysis are disclosed. Dynamically adjustable sets of must-access paths can be employed for aliasing purposes to track resources intra- and inter-procedurally through a program. Actionable reports are also disclosed, in which resource leaks are prioritized, filtered and clustered to improve utility. |
| US08689179B2 |
Transportable refactoring object
A system and a method associated with a system landscape having a plurality of independent systems are provided to determine a refactoring object associated with modification of at least one code-based object and transport the refactoring object to a set of independent systems in the system landscape where each independent system is coupled to a communications network. Furthermore modifications of code-based objects are arranged to be performed at each of the set of independent systems in the system landscape. |
| US08689176B2 |
Management of template versions
A computer implemented method, system, and/or computer program product modifies a master template for an executable document. A version architecture comprises a master template for a master document, a new variation document that describes what changes are to be made to the master template for a specific context, and a resulting modified template based on the master template and rule-based instructions found in the new variation document. A processor defines an executable master document from the master template that, when executed, produces a final product. Specific rules set out conditions for modifying the master template for the specific context. These specific rules are used to define a new variation document, which is applied against the master template to generate a context-specific modified template. The context-specific modified template is then used to generate a context-specific executable document that, when executed, generates a final context-specific product. |
| US08689175B2 |
Business rules management system
A system for generating and deploying rules in a business rule management system (BRMS) is described. An example system includes a communications module and a translator. The communications module may be configured to receive an input. The input may specify a rule expressed in a custom syntax. The translator may be configured to translate the rule expressed in the custom syntax into a translated rule. The translated rule may be in a form of a source code suitable for being compiled into an executable module. |
| US08689171B2 |
System and method for managing resources using a compositional programming model
A system and method for managing resources in a programming environment includes providing mutable entities including related data including triples, listening for changes in the related data, and triggering a first construct in accordance with the changes in the related data to update the mutable entities. Updates are propagated from the first construct to other constructs such that a cascade of updates occurs. The cascade of updates is executed concurrently such that the updates are propagated to completion and are executed all at once relative to other cascades of executing constructs. |
| US08689168B1 |
Reliability determination taking into account effect of component failures on circuit operation
A method includes testing to failure a plurality of semiconductor test structures, measuring a parameter of each semiconductor test structure after experiencing a failure, and generating a cumulative probability distribution function (CPDF) of cumulative probability versus the measured parameter after failure for the plurality of semiconductor test structures. The method further includes performing simulations for a circuit having an area using a model of a transistor that mimics the failure to determine a parameter threshold value that defines a minimum acceptable performance level of the circuit, determining a cumulative probability value from the CPDF that a transistor will not have the parameter at a level below the parameter threshold value, adjusting a value of the area of the circuit based on the cumulative probability value, and computing a first reliability value based on the adjusted area value. |
| US08689157B1 |
Extracting capacitance and resistance from FinFET devices
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for verifying an integrated circuit (IC) design. The method receives a process description file that specifies a process technology for building the IC. The process description file describes a particular device type in which a first conductor overlaps a second conductor by recessing from the second conductor in one or more cut-outs. Based on the process description file, the method finds a section of the IC design that matches the particular device type and uses the description of the particular device type to compute a capacitance value and a resistance value for the section of the IC design. |
| US08689154B2 |
Providing timing-closed FinFET designs from planar designs
An approach for providing timing-closed FinFET designs from planar designs is disclosed. Embodiments include: receiving one or more planar cells associated with a planar design; generating an initial FinFET design corresponding to the planar design based on the planar cells and a FinFET model; and processing the initial FinFET design to provide a timing-closed FinFET design. Other embodiments include: determining a race condition associated with a path of the initial FinFET design based on a timing analysis of the initial FinFET design; and increasing delay associated with the path to resolve hold violations associated with the race condition, wherein the processing of the initial FinFET design is based on the delay increase. |
| US08689150B2 |
Method of fabricating semiconductor device
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes preparing a layout of the semiconductor device, obtaining contrast of an exposure image of the layout through a simulation under a condition of using a crosspole illumination system, separating the layout into a plurality of sub-layouts based on the contrast of the exposure image, forming a photomask having a mask pattern corresponding to the plurality of sub-layouts, and performing an exposure process using the photomask under an exposure condition of using a dipole illumination system. |
| US08689149B1 |
Multi-patterning for sharp corner printing
Mask design techniques for sharp corner printing in liquid crystal displays are disclosed using multiple patterns. The viewing angle and color quality of thin film transistor liquid crystal displays are largely dependent upon electrode corner sharpness as patterned in a given metal layer. Depending on design style, critical elements include convex angles, concave angles, or both convex and concave angles. Angle sharpness is dependent upon the resolution limit of a given exposure system. Since critical design element requirements exceed the capabilities of one mask, two or more masks are implemented. The determination of critical pattern features within a given layer identifies angles that are problematic for fabrication. The critical pattern features are decomposed into multiple mask layers. The resulting multi-pattern arrangement is used to fabricate the critical design elements that make up the needed angles. |
| US08689147B2 |
System and method for using navigational and other commands on a mobile communication device
A wireless handheld communication device having a housing containing a display screen located above a physical keyboard. The keyboard includes a plurality of physical keys and corresponding indicia. Some of the keys are associated with alphabetic characters corresponding to a QWERTY array of letters A-Z and some are associated with numeric characters 0-9 corresponding to a telephone keypad arrangement. At least some of the keys associated with numeric characters are overlaid on the physical keys associated with alphabetic characters. A microprocessor is included that runs the device in at least a telephony mode, an email mode and at least one additional mode. The microprocessor displays a key-function map on the display screen indicative of enabled functions associated with particular physical keys of the keyboard which are different from any function signified by the indicia associated with the respective particular physical key. |
| US08689144B2 |
Electronic apparatus, program, and focus control method of electronic apparatus
The present invention provides an electronic apparatus having a superiority in a selecting operation to an object. When contents of documents having a plurality of objects are displayed, a default focus is automatically given to one object located near to a display center by a focus control program. When the display is scrolled by cursor keys of a remote controller, objects to be given the focus are sequentially changed in conjunction with the scroll. |
| US08689143B2 |
Graphically representing content relationships on a surface of graphical object
A collection of data stored in a computer-readable storage medium is provided, and a plurality of portions of the collection are associated with corresponding identifiers that are associated with positions of an object to be rendered. User selections of positions on the surface of the object are received. The portions associated with the user selected position are determined, and the portions are displayed at their respective position on the surface of the object. The selected portions can be displayed as being connected by graphical elements. |
| US08689142B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing media content searching capabilities
A method including receiving a user selection of a first media content, determining a second media content based on characteristics of the first media content in relation to characteristics of the second media content, and determining a third media content based on the characteristics of the second media content in relation to characteristics of the third media content. The method further includes causing, at least in part, display of a first icon representing the second media content and a second icon representing the third media content. |
| US08689141B2 |
Dynamic user interface for navigating among GUI elements
In one example, a computing device executes a plurality of application processes, each of which has an associated graphical user interface element. The computing device renders a common graphical user interface on a presence-sensitive screen. The common graphical user interface includes a currently rendered graphical user interface element associated with a currently selected application process from among the plurality of application processes; a tab row comprising a plurality of tabs, wherein each of the graphical user interface elements corresponds to one of the plurality of tabs; and a slide bar positioned proximate to the tab row. The computing device renders a first tab in the tab row with a larger size than other graphical tabs in the plurality of tabs responsive to receipt by the presence-sensitive screen of a gesture input associated with a region of the slide bar that is closest to the first tab. |
| US08689140B2 |
Remote control unit of air conditioning apparatus having a menu with items displayed in a predetermined order and a top item in the menu being different when a predetermined input is received
A remote control unit of an air conditioning apparatus includes a display unit, a cursor-moving member, a confirmation member, and a controller. The display unit displays a menu and a cursor that indicates an item among a plurality of items inside the menu and is moved by the cursor-moving member when operated by a user. The confirmation member is configured to decide that the item is to be executed. The controller controls the display unit in response to the cursor-moving member or confirmation member being operated. The controller positions an item corresponding to a predetermined input at the top of the menu upon receiving the predetermined input. |
| US08689137B2 |
Command user interface for displaying selectable functionality controls in a database application
An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls of a database application. When a task-based functionality tab is selected from the user interface, selectable functionality controls provided by the associated database application for performing aspects of a task related to the selected tab are presented in a ribbon-shaped user interface above a workspace in which a user is entering or editing data. Upon selection of a different task-based functionality tab, the presentation of functionality controls associated with the first task is removed, and selectable functionality controls associated with the second selected task-based functionality tab are presented in the user interface. The selectable functionality controls presented in the user interface are grouped into logical groupings for more efficient utilization. An extensibility model is provided for allowing users to develop and use customized user interfaces and to allow utilization of legacy user interfaces. |
| US08689135B2 |
Method of driving an interactive system and user interface system
The invention describes a method of driving an interactive system (1) comprising a user interface system (2) with an inherently sequential input/output modality (12) and comprising a plurality of applications (A1, A2, A3, . . . , An). In this method a first application (A1, A2, A3, . . . , An) is currently controlling the input/output modality (12) for performing an interaction with the user (U), wherein, at least for a certain period of time, a focus level is assigned to the first application (A1, A2, A3, An). The current interaction process of the first application (A1, A2, A3, . . . , An) is only terminated or paused and the control of the input/output modality (12) for performing an interaction is only transferred to a second application (A1, A2, A3, . . . , An) when an application-switching command (ASC) is received from the user (U) and according to the focus level of the first application (A1, A2, A3, . . . , An). Furthermore, an appropriate user interface system (2) with an inherently sequential input/output modality (12) and an interactive system (1) comprising such a user interface system (2) is described. |
| US08689131B2 |
Visual creation of computer-based workflows
Embodiments are provided for creating and executing a custom action in a workflow generated by an application program executing on a computer system. The application program may receive a selection of a custom action to execute in the workflow in a user interface generated by the application program. The application program may translate the custom action into a user interface button for executing the custom action in the workflow. The application program may display the button for executing the custom action in the workflow. The application program may also resolve references to external content in a shared workflow document by communicating with a workflow engine to register a callback function for receiving a location of the shared workflow document on a remote computer system. The workflow engine may send the location of the shared workflow document to the application program to enable access to the external content. |
| US08689130B1 |
Text field input
Techniques for providing a single text field and multiple different types of user input modes for inputting information into the single text field are described herein. In some instances, a user may enter a first portion of text into the text field in a first user input mode before inputting a second portion of text into the field in a second user input mode. The techniques may enforce a first set of rules associated with the first user input mode while the user enters the first portion of text. The techniques may then enforce a second, different set of rules associated with the second user input mode while the user enters the second portion of text. As such, the techniques enable a user to provide two or more different pieces of information into a single text field. |
| US08689124B2 |
Method, medium, and system for simplifying user management of products during online shopping
In accordance with a method for simplifying user management of products during online shopping, an informal storage space for a merchant's web site may be displayed when web pages from the merchant's web site are displayed. The informal storage space may be separate from a shopping cart for the merchant's web site. The informal storage space may include visual identifiers for products that are currently added to the informal storage space. Users may be permitted to compare the products that are currently added to the informal storage space. Users may also be permitted to make modifications to the informal storage space. State information for the informal storage space may be updated to reflect the modifications made to the informal storage space. |
| US08689118B2 |
Methods and apparatus to conceal portions of a visual object diagram in a process control system
Example methods and apparatus to conceal portions of a visual object diagram in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a selection to conceal a first functional block within a visual object diagram, wherein the first functional block is associated with a first view parameter, determining a link from a process control parameter within the first functional block to a first intersection within a second functional block within the visual object diagram, wherein the link is associated with a second view parameter, coupling the first view parameter and the second view parameter to the first intersection, and concealing the link and the first functional block. |
| US08689116B2 |
Email user interface
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems receive a reply or forward command for a selected email message in an email user interface and display a composition window in response to the command, wherein the displaying includes a sequence of images to create the illusion of the composition window popping out of the selected email message, the sequence of images including an initial image that is a copy of the selected email message, a final image of the composition window including an editable body, and at least one image between the initial image and the final image that has characteristics of both the initial and final images. |
| US08689114B2 |
Activity objectification for non-activity objects in an activity-centric collaboration
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to activity thread management and provide a method, system and computer program product for activity objectification for non-activity objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for activity objectifying non-activity/task objects in an activity-centric collaboration tool can be provided. The method can include selecting a non-activity/task object in an activity thread for an activity map of the activity-centric collaboration tool, and associating an activity attribute with the selected non-activity/task object. The non-activity/task object further can be decorated with a user interface control corresponding to a value for the activity attribute, and a state for the user interface control can be changed responsive to changes in the value for the activity attribute. |
| US08689113B2 |
Methods and apparatus for presenting content
Methods and apparatuses are described for organizing audio/visual content and prefetching selected audio/visual content configured to be displayed to a user. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for presenting content identifies a preference corresponding to a user; detects a current display window; and prefetches at least one audio/visual content in response, in part, to the current display window and the preference. |
| US08689109B1 |
Facilitating access to functionality via displayed information
Techniques are described for facilitating access of computing system users to restricted or other functionality, such as internal functionality of a business or other organization. The functionality access may be facilitated by an access provider system that executes on a client computing system of an authorized user, such as a program operating in conjunction with another presentation program that presents publicly available information by modifying interactions available to the user when using the presentation program or otherwise providing additional information to the user. In some situations, the additional information is provided by temporarily modifying the information being presented by the presentation program, such as to provide additional information that is related to functionality corresponding to a subject area of the currently presented information and/or corresponding to an aspect of the currently presented information that is indicated by the user. |
| US08689105B2 |
Real-time monitoring of perceived quality of packet voice transmission
The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time. |
| US08689104B2 |
Method for providing remote control device descriptions from a communication node
A method of providing a description of a remote control device to a communication device configured to interact with an electronic device over a communication network as a remote control device is presented. In the method, the communication device transfers an indication of the electronic device over the network to a communication node. Afterward, the communication device receives the description of the remote control device associated with the electronic device from the node over the network. The communication device transfers a command associated with the remote control device over the network to the electronic device, wherein the command is generated using the description of the remote control device. |
| US08689101B2 |
Font data processing system and method
A method of facilitating the processing of font data for electronic data transfers to client devices includes storing a list of client font capabilities associated with one or more client devices, accessing font data in an electronic data transfer addressed to at least one client device, the at least one client device corresponding to the one or more client devices, comparing the accessed font data to the list of client font capabilities associated with the one or more client devices, and identifying augment font data based on the comparing the accessed font data to the list of client font capabilities associated with the one or more client devices. Augment font data is then included in the electronic data transfer to the at least one client device. |
| US08689095B2 |
Grid presentation in web-based spreadsheet services
Users are enabled to navigate a spreadsheet document presented by a web service in a similar fashion to a locally executed spreadsheet application by retrieving blocks of grid data asynchronously in order to display or refresh the area(s) of the spreadsheet currently being viewed by the user as the user navigates the spreadsheet grid or dynamic updates occur. The blocks are laid out in the browser's user interface to fill the user's viewport as well as a predefined buffer around the edge of the viewport. As such, when the user scrolls or updates occur, data associated with blocks are added, updated, or removed in the browser as required to fill the user's viewport. |
| US08689092B2 |
Family of LDPC codes for video broadcasting applications
A family of quasi cyclic irregular low density parity check codes for video broadcasting applications. The parity check matrices of the constructed low density parity check codes have quasi-cyclic structures to facilitate hardware implementation and have proper check/bit degree distributions to offer frame error rate performance lower than 10−7. |
| US08689091B2 |
Data transmitting device, data receiving device, data transmitting/receiving device, and controlling method of data transmitting/receiving device
In a system, a data receiving device comprises a timing signal generation unit that generates a timing signal used for receiving the divided transmission data in each of the transmission paths, a data receiving unit that receives the divided transmission data transmitted by the data transmitting device for each of the transmission paths by using the timing signal generated by the timing signal generation unit, and an error detection unit that extracts the error detection information from the divided transmission data received for each of the transmission paths by the data receiving unit and detects an error of transmission data included in the divided transmission data by using the extracted error detection information. |
| US08689089B2 |
Method and system for encoding for 100G-KR networking
Various examples are provided for encoding for 100G-KR networking. In one example, among others, a coding method uses certain forward error correcting codes based on a given transcoding method and delivers the codes according to burst interleaving. In another example, a coding method includes receiving source data from a plurality of physical lanes, combining data from the physical lanes to generate a block, transcoding the block and encoding a data stream including the transcoded block. |
| US08689085B2 |
Method and apparatus for transmitting data in optical transport network
A method of transmitting data in an optical transport network is provided. The method comprises generating an optical transmission unit frame including an in-band area including a first area to which information data is allocated and a second area to which the information data is not allocated and an out-band area including parity information and transmitting the data through the optical transmission unit frame. |
| US08689082B2 |
Method of operating memory controller, and memory system, memory card and portable electronic device including the memory controller
A method of operating a memory controller includes reading data from a first block of a memory device; detecting degraded pages from a plurality of pages of the first block and counting a number of the degraded pages in the first block; and recharging or reclaiming the first block, which includes the degraded pages, based on the counted number of the degraded pages. |
| US08689077B2 |
Memory controller method and system compensating for memory cell data losses
A computer system includes a memory controller coupled to a memory module containing several DRAMs. The memory module also includes a non-volatile memory storing row addresses identifying rows containing DRAM memory cells that are likely to lose data during normal refresh of the memory cells. Upon power-up, the data from the non-volatile memory are transferred to a comparator in the memory controller. The comparator compares the row addresses to row addresses from a refresh shadow counter that identify the rows in the DRAMs being refreshed. When a row of memory cells is being refreshed that is located one-half of the rows away from a row that is likely to loose data, the memory controller causes the row that is likely to loose data to be refreshed. The memory controller also includes error checking circuitry for identifying the rows of memory cells that are likely to lose data during refresh. |
| US08689070B2 |
Method and system for scan chain diagnosis
Scan chain diagnosis techniques are disclosed. Faulty scan chains are modeled and scan patterns are masked to filter out loading-caused failures. By simulating the masked scan patterns, failing probabilities are determined for cells on a faulty scan chain. One or more defective cells are identified based upon the failing probability information. A noise filtering system such as the one based upon adaptive feedback may be adopted for the identification process. |
| US08689066B2 |
Integrated circuit test optimization using adaptive test pattern sampling algorithm
A method of implementing integrated circuit device testing includes performing baseline testing of a first group of chips using a full set of test patterns, and for chip identified as failing, determining, a score for each test pattern in the full set. The score is indicative of an ability of the test pattern to uniquely identify a failing chip with respect to other test patterns. Following the baseline testing, streamlined testing on a second group of chips is performed, using a reduced set of the test patterns having highest average scores as determined by the baseline testing. Following the streamlined testing, full testing on a third group of chips is performed using the full set of test patterns, and updating the average score for each pattern. Further testing alternates between the streamlined testing and the full testing for additional groups of chips. |
| US08689061B2 |
Interleaver device and receiver for a signal generated by the interleaver device
The inventive concept enables backward-compatible extension of existing interleaver-based transmission systems to the effect that in addition to an existing logical transport channel, which is interleaved using a standardized interleaver profile, further logical transport channels may be transmitted via the same physical transmission channel. In this context, the first transport channel obviously is reduced in terms of data rate, so that the additional transport channels may actually obtain a transmission capacity that is needed accordingly. Interleaver profiles of the further logical transport channels are derived, to this end, from the interleaver profile of the first transport channel. |
| US08689060B2 |
Process model error correction
A method for providing corrections for semantic errors in a process model can be implemented on a computer. The method can include identifying a change in the process model, the process model including one or more process model elements. The method can also include identifying one or more constraint violations for at least one of the one or more process model elements, and identifying one or more correction proposals for each constraint violation identified. |
| US08689057B2 |
Network apparatus, control method therefor, and storage medium
In a network apparatus for receiving a processing request transmitted from an external apparatus connected thereto via a network, it is detected that processing corresponding to the transmitted processing request has not been performed. If it is detected that the processing corresponding to the transmitted processing request has not been performed, a port number of a request destination of the transmitted processing request is recognized and an application corresponding to the recognized port number is specified as an application of a request destination of the transmitted processing request. Furthermore, it is determined whether the specified application is in an ON or OFF state. If it is detected that the processing corresponding to the transmitted processing request has not been performed and the specified application is in the OFF state, error information including information indicating the specified application is output. |
| US08689053B2 |
System and method for testing a software engine including a test subsystem simulating output for a base system in a test mode
A software engine has a base system in communication with service subsystems and test subsystems. The base system, the service subsystems, and the test subsystems are software applications that exchange data with one another while operating within the software engine. In one exemplary mode of operation, the base system receives outputs from the service subsystems. In another exemplary mode of operation, the base system receives outputs from the test subsystems that simulate the outputs generated by the service subsystems. An exemplary method of testing the software engine is also provided. Specifically, the illustrative method includes receiving an output during a service mode, switching from the service mode to a testing mode, and receiving the simulated output during the testing mode. The method steps may be performed by a computer executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. |
| US08689052B2 |
Performing asynchronous testing of an application occasionally connected to an online services system
In a method, system, and computer-readable medium having instructions for performing asynchronous testing of an application that is occasionally connected to an online services system, metadata describing at least a portion of an online services database is retrieved and the at least a portion of the online services database is authorized for replication at a software application, information is determined for an entity for an application database from the metadata, a request is sent for a database using the software application interface and the request has an asynchronous operation call to the database for the entity, an execution of the asynchronous operation call is recorded within a callback function, a response is received for the asynchronous operation call, and a result is determined for the software application performance. |
| US08689049B2 |
Corrective actions based on probabilities
Techniques for taking corrective action based on probabilities are provided. Request messages may include a size of a data packet and a stated issue interval. A probability of taking corrective action based on the size of the data packet, the stated issue interval, and a target issue interval may be retrieved. Corrective action may be taken with the retrieved probability. |
| US08689048B1 |
Non-logging resumable distributed cluster
A distributed reusable framework comprising a non-logging resumable workflow of actions that runs independently in parallel to upgrade each machine of a large distributed cluster of machines. A CHECK process and a RUN process are associated with each action in the workflow. The CHECK process determines dynamically the state of each action, and the RUN process brings an action to a completed state. Following a reboot on a machine, the workflow on the machine sequences back to its start and rechecks each prior action of the workflow to verify that each action is in a completed state before. Upon a failure of the upgrade on a single machine in the cluster, the failed machine can be fixed and the workflow can be resumed without redoing the work already done. Since the actual live state is verified on each machine of the cluster, log files are unnecessary. |
| US08689043B1 |
Fast failover with multiple secondary nodes
A method, system, computer system, and computer program product to quickly synchronize replicas of data stored at multiple secondary nodes upon failure of a primary node. Secondary nodes to which an update to data in a region of a storage area is sent are identified. When all of the secondary nodes have acknowledged the update, a notification is sent to each of the secondary nodes. Respective indicator(s) (e.g., “outstanding update” or “out of sync” indicators) can be set to indicate that the data have changed in respective region(s) at one of the secondary nodes when the update has been received at that secondary node. The indicator(s) can be reset for the respective region(s) when the notification sent by the primary node is received at the secondary node. Data in the region(s) can be synchronized with data at secondary nodes when either node has an indicator set for that region. |
| US08689036B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices without a voltage controlled crystal oscillator
Example systems, apparatus, and methods receive audio information including a plurality of frames from a source device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more audio samples and a time stamp indicating when to play the one or more audio samples of the respective frame. In an example, the time stamp is updated for each of the plurality of frames using a time differential value determined between clock information received from the source device and clock information associated with the device. The updated time stamp is stored for each of the plurality of frames, and the audio information is output based on the plurality of frames and associated updated time stamps. A number of samples per frame to be output is adjusted based on a comparison between the updated time stamp for the frame and a predicted time value for play back of the frame. |
| US08689035B2 |
Communication system, communication interface, and synchronization method
An interface board includes a synchronizer that synchronizes a first time that is a time of the interface board to a base time based on a master synchronization signal that is supplied by an external master time source and that defines the base time. The interface board also includes a comparator that compares a phase of a first synchronization signal that synchronizes to the first time with a phase of a shared synchronization signal sent by an interface controller that controls the interface board, and a notifier that notifies another interface board of a comparison result of the comparator. |
| US08689030B2 |
Electronic apparatus with display and display controller
An electronic apparatus includes a display, a display controller that displays an image on the display in accordance with an image signal input from outside, a first power supply unit that coverts an alternating-current power into a first power having a first voltage, and supplies the first power to the display, a shutoff unit that shuts off the alternating-current power being supplied to the first power supply unit, based on the image signal, and a second power supply unit that converts the alternating-current power into a second power having a second voltage, and supplies the second power to the display controller and the shutoff unit. |
| US08689029B2 |
Frequency and voltage scaling architecture
A method and apparatus for scaling frequency and operating voltage of at least one clock domain of a microprocessor. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to techniques to divide a microprocessor into clock domains and control the frequency and operating voltage of each clock domain independently of the others. |
| US08689021B1 |
System and method for selecting a power management configuration in a multi-core environment according to various operating conditions such as voltage, frequency, power mode, and utilization factor varied on a per-core basis
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising generating a plurality of power profiles for a corresponding plurality of processing cores, wherein each power profile of the plurality of power profiles includes power consumptions of a corresponding processing core under various operating conditions; generating a plurality of candidate configurations, wherein each candidate configuration comprises corresponding candidate operating conditions for the plurality of processing cores; and based at least in part on the plurality of power profiles, selecting a first candidate configuration of the plurality of candidate configurations for managing the plurality of processing cores. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08689018B2 |
Apparatus, method, and system for predictive power delivery noise reduction
An apparatus and method is described herein for reducing noise in a power distribution network for an interface. The power distribution network is characterized. And based on that characterization, worst case patterns for the interface are predicted and avoided. As one example, characterization includes providing a stimulus, such as a step function stimulus, and determining a mathematical function response, such as a step function response. Then, based on the step function response, a resonant frequency for the power distribution network is determined; from which patterns that cause the resonant frequency are identified/predicted. And when identified patterns are detected, they are scrambled or manipulated to avoid causing a worst-case noise scenario in an interface's power distribution network. |
| US08689016B2 |
Tamper prevention and detection for video provided over a network to a client
A system, apparatus, and method are directed to providing digital copy protection of media using a subscriber/publisher architecture. In one embodiment, a publisher employs various dynamic and/or static tamper detection, including, filter graph change detectors, ICE detectors, screen scraping detectors, debugger detectors, pattern recognizers, or the like. When a tampering event is detected by one or more of the publishers, the tamper event may be published for access by a subscriber. Published tamper events may be pushed to or pulled by the subscribers. When one or more subscribers receive the tamper event, the subscriber(s) may perform one or more tamper response actions according to various business rules, and/or other core rules. |
| US08689011B2 |
System and method for content protection
The invention provides a system and method for content protection. A system in accordance with an embodiment includes a media center connectable to a mobile master memory unit associated with an identifier, the media center including: a protection key; storage means for storing files identified by respective file identifiers; a processing unit comprising file encryption for encrypting each file before storage, using a title key computed from the protection key of the media center and for encrypting the title key using the protection key of the master storage device and the identifier of the master memory unit, the master storage device being further provided to write the encrypted title key in association with the corresponding file identifier to the master memory unit. |
| US08689010B2 |
Secure storage for digital rights management
Various embodiments utilize hardware-enforced boundaries to provide various aspects of digital rights management or DRM in an open computing environment. Against the backdrop of these hardware-enforced boundaries, DRM provisioning techniques are employed to provision such things as keys and DRM software code in a secure and robust way. Further, at least some embodiments utilize secure time provisioning techniques to provision time to the computing environment, as well as techniques that provide for robustly secure storage. |
| US08689004B2 |
Pluggable claim providers
A server system receives and installs multiple claim provider plug-ins. Each of the claim provider plug-ins implements the same software interface. However, each of the claim provider plug-ins can provide claims that assert different things. Claims provided by the claim provider plug-ins can be used to control access of users to a resource. |
| US08688999B2 |
Methods for identifying audio or video content
Methods and systems for identifying audio and video entertainment content are provided. Certain shortcomings of fingerprint-based content identification can be redressed through use of human-reviewers in a first party's social networking site environment. Access to a copy of a possible fingerprint-based match of user uploaded content is provided to a second party via a queue of an online interface provided by the first party. In response to providing access to the copy of the user uploaded content, manual human assessment data is obtained from the second party through the online interface. The manual human assessment data indicating a result of a comparison of the copy of the user uploaded content and data associated with reference content by one or more human reviewer(s). The manual human assessment data is used in concluding that the reference content corresponds with the user uploaded content. |
| US08688998B2 |
Resilent cryptographic scheme
A system and method are provided for enabling a symmetric key to be derived, the method comprising: obtaining a plurality of key parts, wherein the plurality of key parts when combined equal the symmetric key; encrypting a first of the key parts using a first cryptographic algorithm to generate a first encrypted value; encrypting one or more remaining key parts of the plurality of key parts using respective cryptographic algorithms to generate one or more additional encrypted values, wherein each key part encrypted is encrypted using a different cryptographic algorithm; and providing the first encrypted value and the one or more additional encrypted values to an other entity to enable the other entity to derive the symmetric key. |
| US08688989B2 |
Receiver non-repudiation via a secure device
Techniques for assuring a receiver's non repudiation of a communication are provided via cooperation with a secure device. A secure device operates within a local environment of a receiver and exchanges certificates with a sender via the receiver. The sender encrypts data in a communication with the receiver. Separately, the sender sends an encrypted version of a decryption key to the receiver. The receiver presents the encrypted version of the key to the secure device and the secure device supplies the decryption key for use by the receiver to decrypt the previously sent encrypted data. |
| US08688988B2 |
Transaction auditing for data security devices
Data security devices are provided which store user data and interact with terminal devices to provide information about the stored user data. Security device has memory for storing user data, an interface for transmission of data communications connectable to a data communications network, and a controller. The controller processes a request from the terminal device for information about said user data by first generating a message. The message is generated to permit verification, using secret data, that the message was generated by the controller. The controller sends the message to the terminal device for communication to a publication entity for publication of the message. The controller then receives from the terminal device a cryptographic construction. The controller checks validity of the cryptographic construction for said message, and subsequent supply of the information requested about the user data to the terminal device is then dependent on said cryptographic construction. |
| US08688986B2 |
Method for exchanging strong encryption keys between devices using alternate input methods in wireless personal area networks (WPAN)
A method for exchanging strong encryption keys between devices using alternate input methods. At least two devices that want to communicate with one another are set in key exchange mode. The at least two devices are to communicate with one another using a short range radio or personal area network. The at least two devices negotiate with one another to determine which of the at least two devices will generate an encryption key, wherein device A represents the negotiated device and device B represents the non-negotiated device. Device A generates the encryption key and transmits the encryption key to device B using an out-of band transmission channel. The out-of-band transmission channel may be transmitting the encryption key via audio tones. A validation process determines whether the transmission of the encryption key via the out-of-band transmission channel was successful. If the encryption key has been successfully validated, the at least two devices are enabled to automatically accept communications between them over the short range radio or personal area network. |
| US08688985B2 |
Data security method and apparatus using a characteristic preserving encryption
Provided is a data security method and apparatus using a characteristic preserving encryption. The data security apparatus includes an interface communicating with a user terminal or a database server, an input unit receiving information, an output unit outputting information, an encryption unit encrypting data in the data security method, a storage unit storing information, and a control unit controlling functions of the interface, the input unit, the output unit, the encryption unit or the storing unit. |
| US08688982B2 |
Monitoring based on client perspective
According to one general aspect, a method may include establishing a network tap point near, in a network topology sense, an intranet/internet access point device. The network tap point may provide a substantially non-intrusive means of viewing network communication through the intranet/internet access point. The method may include monitoring, via the network tap point, at least partially encrypted network communication between a client computing device that is within the intranet and server computing device that is within the internet. The method may also include analyzing the monitored at least partially encrypted network communication to generate at least one set of metrics regarding the performance of the network communication between the client computing device and server computing device. |
| US08688981B2 |
Method and apparatus for logging in a health information tele-monitoring device by using a personal portable device
A method of logging in a health information tele-monitoring device by using a personal portable device. The method includes issuing a security key embedded in a health information tele-monitoring device to a personal portable device, storing the security key issued by the health information tele-monitoring device in the user's personal portable device; requesting the user's personal portable device to authenticate the health information tele-monitoring device in order to connect the health information tele-monitoring device to a healthcare server; and authorizing access of the health information tele-monitoring device to the healthcare server. |
| US08688969B2 |
Cryptographic management apparatus, decryption management apparatus and program
A cryptographic management apparatus includes a storage unit which stores cryptographic key information containing a cryptographic key and cryptographic process condition information containing the cryptographic key information, a cryptographic process information input unit which receives an input of the object information and cryptographic key search request information, a cryptographic key information acquisition unit which acquires the cryptographic key information from the storage unit based on the search request information, a cryptographic module evaluation description information acquisition unit which acquires evaluation description information of the cryptographic module corresponding to the cryptographic key information, a cryptographic process ID creation unit which attaches an identifier of the cryptographic process condition information to the object information based on the cryptographic key information and the cryptographic module corresponding to the evaluation description information, and an output which outputs the identifier and the result of the cryptographic process executed on the object information. |
| US08688965B2 |
System and method for increasing platform network boot efficiency
Embodiments of the invention involve decreasing boot time by utilizing virtualization or partitioning techniques. In an embodiment, a hypervisor/platform partition controls the platform access to the boot target medium. The boot target medium may be a local medium or a remote medium on a server. When the boot medium is a local medium, the boot target data is selectively stored in a fast memory. When the boot target medium is a remote medium, the boot target data is stored in a local medium. When the system reboots, or an operating system on the platform is reset, boot target data may be retrieved from the fast, local memory rather than the original, slower boot target medium. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08688962B2 |
Gather cache architecture
Apparatuses and methods to perform gather instructions are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a gather logic module which includes a gather logic unit to identify locality of data elements in response to a gather instruction. The apparatus includes memory comprising a plurality of memory rows including a memory row associated with the gather instruction. The apparatus further includes memory structure to store data element addresses accessed in response to the gather instruction. |
| US08688950B2 |
Mainframe storage apparatus that utilizes thin provisioning
Each actual page inside a pool is configured from a plurality of actual tracks, and each virtual page inside a virtual volume is configured from a plurality of virtual tracks. A storage control apparatus of a mainframe system has management information that includes information denoting a track in which there exists a user record, which is a record including user data (the data used by a host apparatus of a mainframe system). Based on the management information, a controller identifies an actual page that is configured only from tracks that do not comprise the user record, and cancels the allocation of the identified actual page to the virtual page. |
| US08688945B2 |
Endless memory
A storage device includes a controller that is configured to execute safe deletion operations so as to free up storage space on the device in response to triggering events. The safe deletion operations ensure that the data states of a host device making use of the storage device and the storage device itself are synchronized so as to prevent deletion of data from the storage device before it is offloaded to another storage platform. |
| US08688942B2 |
Method and system controlling page open time for memory device
A method and apparatus adaptively controlling a page open time for a memory device are disclosed. The method includes determining a page open maintenance time of an access-requested page based on system information and intellectual property (IP) request information; and controlling closing of an open page based on the determined page open maintenance time. |
| US08688938B2 |
Data copying
A data processing system includes a host and a plurality of locations. A difference recording operation between a first location of the plurality of locations and a second location of the plurality of locations is started. A first operational relationship between a third location of the plurality of locations and the first location is started. A signal is sent in response to the first operational relationship starting after the difference recording operation. A first dataset is updated in response to the host writing data to at least one of the first location or the second location. The first dataset is updated with changes to the first location in response to the signal. |
| US08688932B2 |
Virtual computer system and method of controlling the same
In a virtual computer system controlling a disk volume and a virtual server which is connected to the disk volume, to which the area of the disk volume is allocated as a virtual disk and which executes a process using the allocated virtual disk, the virtual computer system erases information stored in the virtual disk allocated to the virtual server to be deleted correspondingly with the deletion of the virtual server. An administrative server may be provided to select a server system which is low in load from among plural server systems controlling virtual servers as a server system for erasing information stored in the virtual disk allocated to the virtual server to be deleted. |
| US08688929B2 |
Method for storing data as well as a transponder, a read/write-device, a computer readable medium including a program element and such a program element adapted to perform this method
A method for storing or reading data in a memory array of a transponder and a corresponding transponder, read/write device and program element is described. Therein, a data file system for storing data within the memory array is defined by a predetermined protocol. The method for storing additional data includes checking whether a memory size of the application data file is larger than the memory size indicated by the application data length indicator; and storing second application data in a partial memory area of the application data file not occupied by the first application data. Thereby, memory areas which, according to the predetermined protocol, are not used can be used for new applications, data can be hidden in these areas such that they can not be read by protocol compliant reader devices and the data structure read or written by the method of the invention is compatible with the former predetermined protocol. |
| US08688927B1 |
Capacity forecasting for backup storage
A system for capacity forecasting for backup storage comprises a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to calculate a set of linear regressions for subsets of a set of capacities at points in time. The processor is further configured to determine a selected linear regression from the set of linear regressions. The processor is further configured to forecast a full capacity time based at least in part of the selected linear regression. The memory is coupled to the processor and configured to provide the processor with instructions. |
| US08688922B1 |
Hardware-supported memory management
The present disclosure describes a memory block manager. In some aspects a memory block allocation request is received from a packet-based interface, a memory block is allocated to the packet-based interface, and allocation of the memory block to another packet-based interface is prevented. In other aspects a request to free a memory block is received from a packet-based interface and the memory block is freed to allow the memory block to be reallocated. |
| US08688921B2 |
STM with multiple global version counters
A software transactional memory system is provided with multiple global version counters. The system assigns an affinity to one of the global version counters for each thread that executes transactions. Each thread maintains a local copy of the global version counters for use in validating read accesses of transactions. Each thread uses a corresponding affinitized global version counter to store version numbers of write accesses of executed transactions. The system adaptively changes the affinities of threads when data conflict or global version counter conflict is detected between threads. |
| US08688912B2 |
Management of object mapping information corresponding to a distributed storage system
Systems and methods for managing mapping information for objects maintained in a distributed storage system are provided. The distributed storage system can include a keymap subsystem that manages the mapping information according to object keys. Requests for specific object mapping information are directed to specific keymap coordinators within the keymap subsystem. Each keymap coordinator can maintain a cache for caching mapping information maintained at various information sources. To manage the cache, the keymap system can utilize information placeholders that replace previously cached keymap information while a request to modify keymap information is being processed by the information sources. Each keymap coordinator can process subsequently received keymap information read requests in the event an information placeholder is cached as the current cached keymap information. |
| US08688908B1 |
Managing utilization of physical storage that stores data portions with mixed zero and non-zero data
A method and system is disclosed for storage optimization of thin provisioning. Non-zero data units within data portions are re-allocated to specifically designated one or more areas in the physical storage space and the physical address of the non-zero data unit within the designated area is associated with the logical address of the non-zero data unit. In case the data portion is allocated to the physical storage, the physical storage space initially allocated to the data portion is returned to the pool of available physical storage space, thereby freeing the storage space for storing other data. |
| US08688906B2 |
Apparatus and method for distributing writes asymmetrically among drives
An apparatus and method are disclosed for distributing writes asymmetrically. An asymmetric distribution module calculates an asymmetric distribution of writes for a plurality of drives. A write module writes data to each drive in accordance with the asymmetric distribution of writes. |
| US08688904B1 |
Method for managing data storage
A number of accesses of a portion of data at a first storage device is accumulated. The number of accesses is periodically decremented by a predetermined amount. Based at least in part on the number of accesses, it is determined whether the portion of data of is a candidate for migration to a second storage device. |
| US08688899B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for an interface between a memory controller and a non-volatile memory controller using a command protocol
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented for a direct interface between a memory controller and a non-volatile memory controller using a command protocol. A method includes receiving a command from a memory controller to a non-volatile memory controller over a wire interface by way of a command protocol. The memory controller is coupled to one or more processors and the non-volatile memory controller, in one embodiment, is coupled to non-volatile memory media. The command protocol includes a control path that enables the memory controller to distinguish among different memory modules. A method includes executing the command within the non-volatile memory controller in response to determining that the non-volatile memory controller is capable of satisfying the command. |
| US08688895B2 |
Memory system and data management method of flash translation layer thereof
A data management method includes determining the size of input data, storing the input data in a log block if the size of the input data is determined to be a write unit, and storing the input data in a partial block if the size of the input data is determined to be smaller than the write unit. The log block is a temporary block storing data of same addresses and the partial block is a temporary block storing data regardless of their addresses. The memory system includes a nonvolatile memory and a memory controller configured to control the nonvolatile memory. The memory controller is configured to temporarily store input data smaller than a write unit in a selected memory block even when the input data have different addresses. |
| US08688888B1 |
Computer peripheral device and operating method thereof
A computer peripheral device, which is adapted to a computer system having a system-end connecting interface, includes a device-end connecting interface, an impedance unit and a control unit. The device-end connecting interface includes a power pin and a ground drain pin. The power pin electrically connects to a power source of the computer system and generates a voltage level on the ground drain pin. The impedance unit electrically connects to the power pin and ground drain pin of the device-end connecting interface respectively and decreases the voltage level of the ground drain pin optionally. The control unit electrically connects to the ground drain pin of the device-end connecting interface and determines a USB specification of the system-end connecting interface according to the voltage level of the ground drain pin. |
| US08688880B2 |
Centralized serialization of requests in a multiprocessor system
Serializing instructions in a multiprocessor system includes receiving a plurality of processor requests at a central point in the multiprocessor system. Each of the plurality of processor requests includes a needs register having a requestor needs switch and a resource needs switch. The method also includes establishing a tail switch indicating the presence of the plurality of processor requests at the central point, establishing a sequential order of the plurality of processor requests, and processing the plurality of processor requests at the central point in the sequential order. |
| US08688877B1 |
Multiport memory architecture
The present disclosure describes techniques and apparatuses for multiport memory architecture. In some aspects serial data is received from a data port and converted to n-bit-wide words of data. The n-bit-wide words of data are then buffered as a k-word-long block of parallel data into a line of a multiline buffer as a block of k*n bits of data. The block of k*n bits of data is then transmitted to a multiport memory via a write bus effective to write the block of k*n bits of data to the multiport memory. |
| US08688876B1 |
Connector adapter
An adapter for providing connectivity between a host connector of a host device and an accessory connector of an accessory that is incompatible with the host connector is described. The adapter can include a host interface connector that is compatible with the host connector, and an accessory interface connector that is compatible with the accessory connector of the accessory. The adapter may further include an identification module that can provide adapter identification information to a host device connected to the host interface connector, and may also include an authentication module that can authenticate an accessory connected to the accessory interface connector. |
| US08688875B2 |
Host electronic device and host determination method
The present disclosure provides a host electronic device including a main operating circuit, a first peripheral bus, an interface circuit, a second peripheral bus, and a conversion device. The interface circuit is coupled between the second peripheral bus and a host computer for receiving an external command form the host computer through a transmission protocol compatible with a first interface. The conversion device is coupled between the first and the second peripheral bus including an external virtual adapter, an internal virtual adapter, and a network channel. Furthermore, the conversion device encodes and decodes the external command, and produces a decoded external command. A processor of the main operating circuit executes the decoded external command, such that the main operating circuit implements a corresponding operation. |
| US08688873B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring out of order data decoding
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for monitoring out of order data decoding. For example, a method for monitoring out of order data processing is provided that includes receiving a plurality of data sets that is associated with a plurality of identifiers with each of the plurality of identifiers indicates a respective one of the plurality of data sets; storing each of the plurality of identifiers in a FIFO memory in an order that the corresponding data sets of the plurality of data sets was received; processing the plurality of data sets such that at least one of the plurality of data sets is provided as an output data set; accessing the next available identifier from the FIFO memory; and asserting an out of order signal when the next available identifier is not the same as the identifier associated with the output data set. |
| US08688868B2 |
Steering data units to a consumer
A computer system may comprise a second device operating as a producer that may steer data units to a first device operating as a consumer. A processing core of the first device may wake-up the second device after generating a first data unit. The second device may generate steering values after retrieving a first data unit directly from the cache of the first device. The second device may populate a flow table with a plurality of entries using the steering values. The second device may receive a packet over a network and store the packet directly into the cache of the first device using a first steering value. The second device may direct an interrupt signal to the processing core of the first device using a second steering value. |
| US08688866B1 |
Generating recommendations for peripheral devices compatible with a processor and operating system of a computer
Computer program code (program code) identifies peripheral devices connected to a computer having a log file. Program code determines whether the peripheral devices identified are functioning properly or not functioning properly. The program code collects information about the configuration of the computer. The program code sets parameters that create a profile for the computer. The program code stores the profile and the log file in a database along with profiles and log files of other computers having peripheral devices identified by the program code. The program code utilizes the profiles and log files to generate recommendations for peripheral devices that are compatible with at least one processor and operating system of the computer. |
| US08688860B2 |
Personalized account migration system and method
A method for migrating information, and a migrator for migrating information, are disclosed. The method may include extracting organizational information from at least two service providers, accessing a first at least one of the at least two service providers upon selection of a migration selection interface by the user, receiving of a first plurality of information related to the user from one of the service providers, accessing a second at least one of the at least two service providers, and writing the first plurality of information to the second at least one of the at least two service providers. The migrator includes an importer in communicative connection with at least one migrate-from service provider, a normalizer that receives a first plurality of information from the importer and converts the first plurality to a standard format, a denormalizer that receives the standard format from the normalizer and converts the standard format to a second plurality of information, and an exporter communicatively connected to a migrate-to service provider, which exporter receives the second plurality of information from the denormalizer and sends the second plurality to the migrate-to service provider. |
| US08688859B2 |
Network transcoding system
The system is a distributed video transcoding system that allows content to be transformed from one digital format to another close to the ingest and delivery points to minimize the time and cost of the transfer between end points. Additionally by making transcoding an integral part of the distribution of content itself, significant efficiencies can be gained. The distribution can be improved by transcoding at different phases of the transfer. Within the system decisions can be made to utilize different transcoding resources based on various business rules and priorities. |
| US08688848B2 |
Method of establishing a media link for transmitting a large message mode CPM message to a group
The present invention provides a method of establishing a media transmission link for transmitting a large message mode Converged IP Messaging (CPM) message to a group. The method comprises the following steps: Session Description Protocol (SDP) media parameter negotiation is accomplished through session invite messages and success response messages among a transmitter CPM client, a source participation function entity, a controlling function entity, a destination participation function entity and a receiver CPM client; according to the negotiation result, media transmission links are respectively established between the transmitter CPM client and the source participation function entity, between the source participation function entity and the controlling function entity, between the controlling function entity and the destination participation function entity, and between the destination participation function entity and the receiver CPM client. The present invention solves the problem that there is a lack of the MSRP transmission link in the large message mode in the prior art. |
| US08688844B1 |
Establishing network connections between transparent network devices
Transparent network devices intercept messages from non-transparent network devices that establish a connection. Transparent network devices modify these messages to establish an inner connection with each other. The transparent network devices mimic at least some of the outer connection messages to establish their inner connection. The mimicked messages and any optional reset messages are intercepted by the transparent network devices to prevent them from reaching the outer connections. Transparent network devices modify network traffic, using error detection data, fragmentation data, or timestamps, so that inner connection network traffic inadvertently received by outer connection devices is rejected or ignored by the outer connection network devices. Transparent network devices may use different sequence windows for inner and outer connection network traffic. To prevent overlapping sequence windows, transparent network devices monitor the locations of the inner and outer connection sequence windows and may rapidly advance the inner connection sequence window as needed. |
| US08688841B2 |
System and method for content rights based on existence of a voice session
Systems and methods are provided for granting digital content access rights to shared content based on the existence of a voice session, such as a mobile telecommunications voice call, between users. In general, in the preferred embodiment, a voice session is established between a first user and a second user via associated devices. Either automatically upon establishment of the voice session or upon request by the first user, access rights to content shared by the first user are granted to the second user. The content shared by the first user may be content hosted by the device of the first user, another device associated with the first user, a third-party service, or the like. The access rights granted to the second user allow access to the content shared by the first user while the voice session between the first and second users is active. |
| US08688836B2 |
Limiting resources consumed by rejected subscriber end stations
A method performed in a network element coupled between a subscriber end station and an AAA server for avoiding AAA processing by at least temporarily suppressing AAA access-request messages for a rejected subscriber end station. The network element receives subscriber session-request messages from the subscriber end station. Subscriber session-request messages include information for verifying an identity that the network element transmits to the AAA server as AAA access-request messages. The network element receives AAA access-response messages corresponding to the AAA access-request messages. Responsive to an AAA access-response message, the network element determines that additional AAA access-request messages should be, at least temporarily, suppressed with regards to the subscriber end station. Responsive to determining, the network element suppresses any additional AAA access-request messages from being transmitted to the AAA server. The suppression of AAA access-request messages conserves execution resources in the network element and the AAA server. |
| US08688832B2 |
Load balancing for network server
Embodiments of the invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to load balancing for servers having multiple blades and provide a novel and non-obvious method, system and computer program product for load balancing at the blade level for servers having multiple blades. In one embodiment of the present invention, a blade server for performing load balancing may comprise a plurality of blades, each blade coupled with a plurality of outgoing ports. The blade server may further include a blade management module configured for monitoring throughput performance of the server and the plurality of blades, wherein each blade is coupled with a plurality of outgoing ports, instructing a blade to switch from a first outgoing port to a second outgoing port when throughput performance decreases and instructing the blade to switch from the second outgoing port back to the first outgoing port when throughput performance increases. |
| US08688830B2 |
Abstracting storage views in a network of computing systems
A storage tool can determine and provide an abstract view of storage systems in a network of computing system. The storage tool can utilize the abstract view in order to identify the storage systems based on the performance and capabilities of the storage systems without regard to the configuration of the storage system, storage devices in the storage system, or the details of the storage devices. |
| US08688827B2 |
Overlay network
Methods, apparatus and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a scalable and elastic two-level overlay computer network. A host network is provided. The host network includes a system of interconnected computers and can to support one or more transport layer protocols. A first overlay network is generated on top of the host network. The first overlay network includes one or more first-level nodal entities. At least some of the first-level nodal entities operate as factories for generating second-level nodal entities in a second overlay network. In response to receiving an instruction, one or more factories dynamically generate the second overlay network. The second overlay network includes several networked second-level nodal entities that can support data processing and data communication between the second-level nodal entities. |
| US08688825B1 |
System, method, and computer program for managing distribution of a finite amount of resources
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for managing distribution of a finite amount of resources. In use, a quota is received from a first repository, the quota including a portion of a finite amount of resources. Additionally, a plurality of requests is received from a plurality of entities, where each of the plurality of requests is requesting one or more of the resources. Further, the one or more of the resources are conditionally provided to the plurality of entities, in response to the plurality of requests. Further still, it is determined whether a predetermined amount of resources exist. Also, an additional quota is conditionally requested from the first repository, based on the determining. |
| US08688823B1 |
Association of network traffic to enterprise users in a terminal services environment
A solution for associating network traffic to enterprise users in a terminal services environment includes, at a network device configured as a terminal server, monitoring outbound network connections. If an outbound network connection is detected, a record is created indicating an association between the network connection and an enterprise user that initiated the network connection. The record is reported to a remote packet monitor which maintains a permanent log of the record. The permanent log may be used for tagging observed network traffic with an owning user. |
| US08688822B2 |
Push e-mail inferred network presence
The presence of a user or device on a network is inferred without requiring permission or exposure from a service provider or network operator. If updates for a user have been pending past a specified amount of time, the user can be inferred to not be present. If the user has requested updates within that specified time, the user can be inferred to be present. If presence cannot be inferred from past activity, a wake-up event can be sent to the user. The wake-up event can be piggy-backed on an existing protocol in order to have easy access to the user. If the user is present on the network, the user will respond to the wake-up event and the user's presence can be determined. If the user does not respond, it can be inferred that the user is not present. This presence can be provided to a third party. |
| US08688821B2 |
Automatic transmission of support information from storage apparatus
Backup storage apparatus and related methods that are operative to transmit error logs to a support organization. A controller controls and monitors a robotics assembly that loads and unloads storage media into and from storage devices. An operator control panel coupled to the controller controls functions of and displays information regarding the apparatus. An interface component communicates between the controller and a support organization. An algorithm displays a menu item for requesting that error logs be sent to the support organization, and transmits a request to the component to query the storage devices to generate a support ticket comprising error logs associated with the storage devices, combine the support tickets into a single composite file for transmission, and transmit the composite file to the support organization. |
| US08688817B2 |
Network connection hand-off using state transformations
Some embodiments provide a director agent, a server agent, and a specialized hand-off protocol for improving scalability and resource usage within a server farm. A first network connection is established between a client and the director agent in order to receive a content request from the client from which to select a server from a set of servers that is responsible for hosting the requested content. A second network connection is established between the server agent that is associated with the selected server and a protocol stack of the selected server. The first network connection is handed-off to the server agent using the specialized hand-off protocol. The server agent performs network connection state parameter transformations between the two connections to create a network connection through which content can be passed from the selected server to the client without passing through the director. |
| US08688816B2 |
High availability by letting application session processing occur independent of protocol servers
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing high availability in a session supporting multiple protocols. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide for high availability processing by decoupling an application session from protocol processing. That is, protocol processing can be performed at protocol nodes specific to each protocol session. The protocol nodes can then pass messages to and from a session node that performs session processing other than the protocol processing. The session of the first session node can be replicated on a second session node and, upon a failure of the first session node, control of the session can be passed to the second session node. The session can then be continued on the second session node according to a number of different models described herein. |
| US08688815B2 |
System and method for welder with help request functionality
A welder includes a network interface configured to connect to a network. The welder includes a user interface that indicates to a user entities to whom help requests may be sent and receives from the user a selection of an entity to whom to send a help request. A data store stores welder data and entity data. The welder data includes welder identification and location information, and the entity data correlates entities to respective communication modes. The welder includes a communication logic that receives signals from the user interface indicating the selection and receives from the data store the welder data and the entity data. The communication logic also generates the help request in at least one format corresponding and directed to a communication mode correlated to the selected entity. The welder further includes a processor that causes the network interface to transmit the help request in the network. |
| US08688812B2 |
Cluster computing—NIC based OS provision
A network interface card with read-only memory having at least a micro-kernel of a cluster computing operation system, a server formed with such network interface card, and a computing cluster formed with such servers are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, on transfer, after an initial initialization phase during an initialization of a server, the network interface card loads the cluster computing operation system into system memory of the server, to enable the server, in conjunction with other similarly provisioned servers to form a computing cluster. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08688806B2 |
Procedure, apparatus, system, and computer program for collecting data used for analytics
A procedure for operating a communication network including a network device that is in communication in the network with at least one user communication terminal and at least one server that server that provides content. The procedure includes receiving a message from one of the user communication terminal and the server, inserting at least one of an identifier of the user communication terminal and an identifier of the server in the message, and forwarding the message, including the at least one identifier inserted in the inserting, towards another of the user communication terminal and the server. A computer program, apparatus, and communication network also operate in accordance with the procedure. |
| US08688805B2 |
Scenario based content delivery
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing pertinent multimedia content to mobile subscribers based on dynamically created profiles. Users are provided information relevant to their interests based on dynamic profiles developed as a result of prior patterns of use, interest and behavior. Such profile generation is automated without need for active user participation in selecting what would be desirable information. |
| US08688803B2 |
Method for efficient content distribution using a peer-to-peer networking infrastructure
Disclosed is a method for efficiently distributing content by leveraging the use of a peer-to-peer network infrastructure. In a network of peers, a handful peers can receive content from centralized servers. These peers can then flood this content out to more clients who in turn can send the content along to others. Ultimately, a request for content can be fulfilled by locating the closest peer and obtaining the content from that peer. In one embodiment the method can be used to distribute content by creating content distribution groups of one or more client computing devices and redirecting requests for content from the server to the content distribution group. A further contemplated embodiment efficiently streams time sensitive data through the use of a spanning tree architecture of peer-to-peer clients. In yet another embodiment the present invention provides for more efficient use of bandwidth for shared residential broadband connections. |
| US08688800B2 |
Remote configuration of persistent memory system ATT tables
Various embodiments of systems and methods for remotely configuring network memory are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, comprises identifying a first device as having authority to control a memory device from a remote location, and writing start-up or reset parameters to memory of the memory device from the remote location, wherein the start-up or reset parameters are used to enable remote control of the memory device corresponding to remote direct memory access (RDMA) operations. |
| US08688799B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for reducing memory copy overhead by indicating a location of requested data for direct access
An apparatus for providing an efficient and reliable manner for transferring data via a network may include a processor and memory storing executable computer code causing the apparatus to at least perform operations including receiving a request for data from a device and enabling provision of information to a network stack. The information may include content indicating a location of the requested data for direct access by the network stack or a network driver, in response to receipt of the request. The computer program code may further cause the apparatus to enable provision of the requested data to the network driver, or enabling the network driver to retrieve the requested data, based at least in part on the indicated location of the requested data. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided. |
| US08688795B2 |
GPS embedded interactive network interface
A computer implemented system for generating an output message stream from multiple input streams in which particular messages are prioritized. |
| US08688792B2 |
Methods and systems for discovering configuration data
Systems and methods for discovering configuration data are disclosed. In accordance with one method, network configuration tokens for a system are identified. Further, potential configuration files are obtained by identifying running processes in the system, restarting the processes and monitoring the restarted processes to discover files opened by the restarted processes. In addition, files that include the identified network configuration tokens are selected from the potential configuration files. Moreover, the method includes determining, by a hardware processor, that a given token from the identified tokens is a true token by replacing the given token with a test token in at least one of the selected files, restarting the identified processes that read the given token, and identifying a change in at least one of system call activity or network activity in the system. |
| US08688788B2 |
System and method for automatically responding to a message sent to a user at an email server
A system and methods for adding a personal touch to auto-reply email messages is presented herein. The system and method involve a user enabling a personalized auto-reply feature in their email client, the email client communicating such enablement to a related email server, the email server receiving an email message for the user, the email server determining personal identifier of the sender of the email message and the email server sending a personalized auto-reply using the determined personal identifier to compose and send an auto-reply with a personal touch. The email server may determine the personal identifier through searching one of the user's address book or a global address list for an address entry having the reply address found in the received message's header or the email server may search the body of the received email message to determine personal identifier. |