| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08714129B2 |
Piston for an internal combustion engine
A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine has a piston upper part and a piston lower part. The piston upper part comprises a piston head, a continuous fire land and a continuous ring part. The piston upper part and the piston lower part are connected together by securing means and form a continuous cooling channel. According to the invention, the connecting means connecting the piston upper part and the piston lower part are embodied as cooling elements that are arranged in the cooling channel and that are made of heating-conducting material. |
| US08714128B2 |
Cylinder head for an internal combustion engine, with integrated exhaust manifold and subgroups of exhaust conduits merging into manifold portions which are superimposed and spaced apart from each other
A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine has a body integrating, in a single cast piece, an exhaust manifold and including a lower cooling jacket and an upper cooling jacket, The lower cooling jacket is longitudinally divided into a plurality of separate transverse chambers associated to various engine cylinders, while the upper cooling jacket has a portion extending longitudinally over the entire development of the head and communicating with separate transverse chambers located on the intake side of the head. The exhaust conduits integrated in the head form separate subgroups of exhaust conduits merging into manifold portions superimposed and spaced apart from each other. The lower cooling jacket has a portion thereof which extends in the area of the body of the head which separates the superimposed portions of the abovementioned subgroups of exhaust conduits. |
| US08714126B2 |
Solar panel motor oil heating system, product and method
A motor oil heating system for a vehicle comprising one or more solar panels comprised of one or more photovoltaic cells; one or more heaters thermally coupled to the motor oil, wherein the solar panels are electrically coupled to the heaters and power the heaters based on a voltage generated by the solar panel such that the heaters warm the engine oil. |
| US08714124B2 |
Cover structure for internal combustion engine
A cover structure, for an internal combustion engine, that can inhibit lubricating oil from remaining at a protrusion portion is provided. The cover structure for an engine includes a chain case that covers a timing train mechanism, and a timing train chamber is formed between the chain case and the engine main body. The chain case includes bolt insertion holes provided at side marginal portions and directed toward the engine main body, a variable-valve boss portion and a second-oil-path boss portion that protrude from a wall portion toward the engine main body and form a recessed portion where lubricating oil for lubricating the timing train mechanism remains, and a first rib that is protruding from the wall portion toward the engine main body and provided upper than at least the recessed portion. |
| US08714121B2 |
Split-cycle air hybrid V-engine
A split-cycle air hybrid engine with improved efficiency is disclosed in which the centerline of a compression cylinder is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the centerline of an expansion cylinder such that the engine has a V-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the centerlines of the respective cylinders intersect an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. Modular crossover passages, crossover passage manifolds, and associated air reservoir valve assemblies and thermal regulation systems are also disclosed. |
| US08714120B2 |
Single component intake/exhaust valve member, fuel distribution system, and cooling system for combustion-powered fastener-driving tool
A new and improved combustion-powered fastener-driving tool utilizes a new and improved single component in-take/exhaust valve member which integrally defines both the intake and exhaust valves thereon. The intake/exhaust valve member is axially movable within the combustion chamber, and operatively cooperates with wall structure of the combustion chamber. When the intake/exhaust valve member is disposed, for example, at a first upper position, both the intake and exhaust ports defined within the wall structure of the combustion chamber are closed so as to permit the ignition and combustion phases of the tool-firing cycle to proceed, whereas, conversely, when the intake/exhaust valve member is disposed, for example, at a second lower position, both the intake and exhaust ports within the combustion chamber are open so as to permit incoming air to scavenge combustion exhaust products and to subsequently mix with injected fuel in preparation for the commencement of another tool-firing cycle. |
| US08714118B2 |
Balanced five stroke, five cylinder barrel cam type internal combustion engine
A balanced five-stroke cycle, five cylinder engine, wherein the five cylinders are parallel and arranged around a shaft mounted in a centrally disposed bore in the engine block, wherein the shaft is parallel to the cylinders, wherein power pistons in the cylinders dwell motionless for the intake part of the cycle between the vacuum stroke and the compression stroke of each power piston; induction of the combustion mixture resulting from the partial vacuum created by the vacuum stroke of the power piston, and wherein the position of each power piston is governed by a power piston cam mounted on the shaft, the shaft and bore on the centroidal axis of symmetry of the radially spaced apart array of five cylinders corresponding to the pistons, the opening and closing of exhaust ports governed by an exhaust piston cam mounted on the shaft moving exhaust pistons along the cylinders. |
| US08714117B2 |
Free piston linear alternator utilizing opposed pistons with spring return
A free piston linear alternator includes a cylinder having a pair of outer chambers, a pair of opposed pistons and a combustion chamber disposed between the opposed pistons. Each outer chamber is disposed between respective ones of the pistons and a respective outer end of the cylinder. The pistons are axially opposed from each other and independently generate electric current when each of the pistons linearly translate. Each of a pair of return members is disposed within a respective one of the outer chambers, and each of the return members is configured to return respective ones of the pistons to a respective first position from a respective second position after combustion. |
| US08714116B2 |
Engine cooling fan speed control system
A fan cooling system and method are provided to control fan speed for cooling vehicle motor components while minimizing power consumption by the fan and reducing engine fuel consumption for an engine partially powering the fan. The fan cooling system raises engine coolant temperature of a vehicle in motion to derive a fan speed demand so that fan speed may be reduced. The fan cooling system selects a maximum fan speed demand from one or more fan speed demands to command fan speed based on various sensed inputs, including engine coolant temperatures. The fan cooling system also improves cooling efficiency by incorporating slipheat protection for the fan so as not to overdrive the fan for cooling. |
| US08714113B2 |
Bark deterrent apparatus with internal vibration sensor
A bark deterrent apparatus with an internal vibration sensor. The probeless bark deterrent apparatus uses an internal mechanical vibration sensor that detects vibrations induced in the housing. The probeless bark deterrent apparatus eliminates the external probe used in conventional bark deterrent devices to pick up vibrations at the dog's throat and communicate them to a mechanical vibration sensor to be eliminated while still allowing accurate bark detection. |
| US08714109B2 |
Animal fixation device and animal fixation method
In order to provide an animal fixation device and an animal fixation method which are able to euthanize and fix the animal instantaneously and steadily, a columnar cage in which animal is arranged, a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the cage, an euthanizing gas supply mechanism configured to supply euthanizing gas into the cage, and a solid refrigerant supply mechanism configured to supply a solid refrigerant into the cage are provided. The euthanizing gas supply mechanism includes a gas manifold for euthanizing which is connected to the cage so that the euthanizing gas flows on an inner wall of the cage along a circumferential direction. The solid refrigerant supply mechanism includes a solid refrigerant supply line which is connected to the cage so as to be able to supply the solid refrigerant during rotation of the cage. |
| US08714107B2 |
Automatic milk separation
The present invention, relates to separating a first quantity of milk drawn from a milking animal in an automatic milking machine from a second quantity of milk drawn from a milking animal in said milking machine. Comprising the steps of milking an animal using said automatic milking machine, collecting a small representative amount of said milk during said milking, analysing at least a part of said small representative amount of milk using an on-line cell counter for counting the number of cells in said milk, and operating a valve depending on the counted number of cells so that if the counted number of cells are below a threshold said milk is collected in a first container and if said counted number of cells are equal to or above said threshold said milk are directed to either a drain or a second container. |
| US08714101B2 |
Powder coating booth
A powder spray for lengthy parts includes a booth wall structure comprised primarily of doors. A moveable roof may be raised and lowered to clean powder overspray from the interior surfaces of the booth. A cleaning process may be performed with a sideways extraction mode and a downward extraction mode. The mode change occurs when a bulkhead that travels with the moveable roof blocks the inlet duct to the recovery system. The recovery system may be a cyclone system for example. The doors of the booth are hinged so that they can be positioned for spraying operations and cleaning operations. Live hinge designs are provided and hose stress relief designs are also provided. The roof may carry accumulators for pressurized air that feed cleaning nozzles as the roof descends. In addition, exhaust air may be used to assist cleaning the interior surfaces as the roof descends. All of the energy provided for cleaning and color change may be provided by accumulators. |
| US08714099B1 |
Pontoon framing system
A pontoon framing system using complimentary cross members and pontoons to form a pontoon frame. Making the pontoon is done by providing a flat sheet of material that has lateral edges. Rectangular notches extending inwardly at lateral edges are located opposite each other. The sheet is rolled into a cylinder so the notches in the sheet form a notch into the final cylinder that forms a central portion to the pontoon. The lateral edges are joined, and this is typically done by welding. A cross member having a rectangular cross section is placed into the notch formed in the cylindrical central portion. The cross member is then joined to the cylinder.The complimentary shape of the cross member and pontoon may also be produced by having a cylindrical central portion and then removing an arcuate portion of material in the cross member to match the shape of the pontoon. |
| US08714097B2 |
Seed metering cassette for seeding implement
The present invention is directed to a seed metering assembly comprised of a set of stand-alone modular seed metering units. Each seed metering unit is selectively driven by a common drive member, such as a drive shaft. When a seed metering unit is engaged with the drive member, the unit will meter granular material. On the other hand, when the seed metering unit is not engaged with the drive member, the metering unit will not meter granular material. Hence, the present invention provides a seed metering apparatus in which the number of seed metering units can be scaled to match the number of distribution headers of a seeding implement. |
| US08714095B2 |
Method and device for controlling bed height of fluidized bed gasification furnace in gasification facility
A fluid medium separated by a medium separator is supplied to a gasification furnace into which a raw material is also charged. The fluid medium is extracted through any of fluid medium extraction ports connected to a gasification furnace at vertical intervals, and is guided to a combustion furnace. Thus, a bed height and a retention time of the fluid medium in the gasification furnace are separately controlled. |
| US08714094B2 |
Fuel fluidizing nozzle assembly
A grate assembly for a fluidized bed reactor includes a plurality of parallel air ducts extending side-by-side in a substantially horizontal plane and defining spaces therebetween through which coarse material from the fluidized bed descends. A plurality of nozzle assemblies is attached to each air duct for supplying fluidizing air from within the air duct into the fluidized bed. Each of the nozzle assemblies includes a nozzle formed from a tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with the air duct, and an outlet end in fluid communication with the inlet end. An orifice is disposed at the outlet end of the nozzle, and the nozzle is bent proximate the outlet end to direct a primary direction of a stream of fluidizing air flowing from the orifice toward the air duct such that an angle θ between the primary direction and the substantially horizontal plane formed by the air ducts is between about 30 to about 90 degrees. |
| US08714092B2 |
Pivot switch system and method
A switch system for a guided automatic transit vehicle (GATV) is adapted for maintaining a first path of travel or for redirecting the first path of travel of the GATV. The switch includes a continuous guide having a first end and a pivotable second end opposite the first end. The continuous guide has a first edge with a first edge profile and a first continuous sidewall and a second edge with a second edge profile and a second continuous sidewall. A pivot point having a pivot axis is provided at the pivotable second end. The switch system pivots about the pivot point from a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switch system maintains the GATV along the first path of travel via the first continuous sidewall. In the second position, the GATV travels along a second path via the second continuous sidewall. |
| US08714091B2 |
Gas generator
A gas generator includes, a housing integrated at an upper circumferential wall plate and a lower circumferential wall plate, an ignition device chamber defined by a cup-shaped container disposed at a bottom plate of the housing, a combustion chamber surrounding the ignition device chamber, an annular filter facing a top plate of the housing, and a retainer supporting the filter and including an annular bottom surface supporting a lower surface of the filter and a cylindrical wall surface being press-fitted directly or indirectly to a circumferential wall plate of the housing. A circumferential wall of the cup-shaped container in the vicinity of the bottom surface abuts against or is positioned close to an inner circumferential surface of the filter. During activation, when the housing deforms, the annular filter gas-tightly attaches to the top plate of the diffuser shell, and a combustion gas is discharged radially outward through the filter. |
| US08714090B2 |
Time control device for the movement of a micro-machined and safety and arming device comprising such a time control device
A time control device for the movement of a micro-machined or micro-engraved counterweight with respect to a substrate, said counterweight incorporating at least one face having at least one indentation intended to cooperate with at least one other indentation on a housing in which said counterweight moves so as to ensure the delaying of said movement of said counterweight, wherein said one indentation on said counterweight respectively on said housing receiving said counterweight is made on at least one flexible tongue itself integral with said counterweight respectively said housing, said at least one flexible tongue being able to be deformed by bending during the displacement of said counterweight. |
| US08714084B2 |
Screen printing apparatus and screen printing method
The present invention provides a screen printing apparatus and screen printing method which, in screen printing that is to be performed on the upper surface of a circuit board, and the bottom surfaces of recess openings in the upper surface, can efficiently perform a printing work while ensuring an excellent printing quality. In a screen printing apparatus which prints a paste for bonding an electronic component on an upper surface and a bottom-surface of a recess, a printing apparatus 2(1) and a printing apparatus 2(2) which sequentially 10 print the paste in two steps on the circuit board are placed in series. The printing apparatus 2(1) on the upstream side includes a bottom-surface printing mask which is provided in correspondence with the bottom surface of the recess, and a closed squeegee mechanism 36A which butts against and slides over an upper surface of the bottom-surface printing mask to 15 pressurize and supply the paste. The printing apparatus 2(2) on the downstream side includes an upper-surface printing mask which is provided in correspondence with the upper surface and an opened squeegee mechanism 36B which butts against and slides over an upper surface of the upper-surface printing mask to fill the paste into pattern holes. |
| US08714081B2 |
Press for ultrasonic welding device
A safety device for a press having a head for applying force, a single fixed pressure source for actuating a low force pressure driven actuator and a high force pressure driven actuator for the head, wherein the operation of the head is limited to only with the low force actuator until the head is in a safe position, when the head is determined to be in a safe position the high force actuator's use is permitted. |
| US08714078B2 |
Apparatus for spacing and aligning pieces of food dough
An apparatus for spacing and aligning triangular-like shaped pieces of food dough in one direction, which pieces are arranged so that they form a plurality of columns, wherein the directions of the pieces of the adjacent columns are alternately opposite each other, by rotating the pieces clockwise and counterclockwise at 90 degrees.The apparatus continues to alternately rotate the pieces 9 clockwise and counterclockwise at 90 degrees, which pieces 9 are cut and separated from a sheet 7 of food dough and are carried sequentially downstream from upstream by conveyors 3, 5, comprising pin-holding members 67 fixed to rotating rods 63, which rods 63 can move vertically and rotate clockwise and counterclockwise at 90 degrees, wherein the pieces 9 can be aligned so that one of the apexes of the triangular-like-shaped pieces 9 is oriented toward the upstream side of the direction for carrying the pieces 9. |
| US08714076B2 |
Tea steeping assembly
A system and process for steeping tea in a vessel is disclosed. The present invention incorporates the use of an infusing filter seated on or within a vessel and a lid or retaining mechanism to steep tea in water. The vessel has an retaining ledge that supports a mating infuser placed inside. The infuser seats in a stationery position on the mating ledge inside the vessel, offset from the center of the vessel, to allow for stirring, pouring or drinking of the resulting beverage without introducing the infusible material into the resulting steeped beverage product. The infuser comprises a filter element that holds the infusible material and allows contact with the water. The infusing filter is retained in its seated position in the cup, ether by a lid or positive locking mechanism that allows for the safe and convenient portage of the tea steeping assembly. The tea steeping assembly introduces a system that has the ability to produce a beverage product in a process that is entirely biodegradable and compostable. |
| US08714074B2 |
Length-adjustable piston cylinder unit comprising a safety device
A length-adjustable piston cylinder unit comprises a casing; a guide and sealing unit; a piston rod; a piston; a first interior portion; a second interior portion which faces away from the first interior portion; an adjustment valve; a guide sleeve which is arranged for displacement on the casing, the guide sleeve being secured to the piston rod at a sleeve end and comprising at least one latch opening which is spaced from the sleeve end along the central longitudinal axis; and a latch sleeve arranged on the guide sleeve, the latch sleeve comprising a latch protrusion for engagement into the latch opening, with the latch protrusion of the latch sleeve being arrangeMc in the latch opening of the guide sleeve for arranging the piston cylinder unit in a secured position so that the displaccability of the guide sleeve connected with the piston rod relative to the casing is blocked. |
| US08714069B1 |
Mine clearance system and method
A mine clearing system and method remotely deploys line charge from a remotely controlled two-wheeled vehicle. The wheels are connected together via a central hub shaft. Individual battery operated hub motors on each wheel communicate with a central controller and receiver mounted inside the hub shaft. The power source for the motors is contained within the hub shaft, with a battery recharge port located on the hub shaft. The line charge is wrapped around the central hub shaft. An operator uses a remote control console in communication with the receiver and central controller in the hub shaft to independently control each wheel of the vehicle. A camera can hang from a hub shaft bearing on the outside of one wheel so as to be gravitationally stabilized during vehicle movement. The camera can broadcast signals to a display at the remote control console. |
| US08714066B2 |
Apparatus for holding a plate-like material during a separation process
An apparatus for holding a plate-like material during a separation process. The apparatus includes a separating device that is movable, during the separation process, in a first axial direction that is transverse to a second axial direction that the plate-like material is conveyed in during the separation process. The apparatus also includes first and second transport tables. The first transport table has a first contact surface and the second transport table has a second contact surface. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are spaced apart by a gap along which the separating device is movable. The apparatus also includes at least one holding device that is operable hold the plate-like material relative to the first and second contact surfaces such that the plate-like material is movable along the first and second contact surfaces. The holding device is configured to support the plate-like material such that a first surface of the plate-like material, on which a cutting beam of the separating device impinges, faces toward the first and second contact surfaces during the separation process. |
| US08714063B2 |
Cutting and transferring apparatus and cutting and transferring method
A cutting and transferring apparatus configured to from a second sheet by cutting a continuous body of second sheets and to transfer the second sheet onto a continuous body of topsheet. The cutting and transferring apparatus includes a blade roll having a blade; a bed knife; and a transfer roll configured to transfer the second sheet onto the continuous body of topsheet. The transfer roll receives an edge portion of the continuous body before cutting. The blade and the bed knife cut the continuous body of the second sheets, in a state where the machine direction MD and a vertical direction coincide with each other. |
| US08714062B2 |
Cutting device, method and use for cutting of a line extending from a floating vessel
Cutting device, method and use are for cutting of a line extending from a floating vessel. The cutting device is structured for placement on the vessel. The cutting device comprises: at least one guide structured for directional steering of the line past a cutting area for the line; and at least one of the following cutting-promoting devices: at least one induction coil device directed inwards toward the cutting area and structured for heating, hence weakening, of the line within the cutting area; and at least one moveable cutting knife with an opposite contact surface directed inwards toward the cutting area and also structured for cutting of the line within the cutting area. |
| US08714060B2 |
System for accurately cutting sheet material
Successive strips of material may be cut to uniform widths by placing at least a first spacing guide on an edge of the material so that the first spacing guide overlies the material and placing at least a second spacing guide in contact with the first spacing guide so that the second spacing guide overlies the material and so that combined widths of the spacing guides correspond to desired width of the strips. A hand support maybe placed adjacent the second spacing guide and in overlying relationship with the material. The first and second spacing guides may be removed from the material and the material may be cut along an edge of the hand support. |
| US08714057B2 |
Ratcheting device for an electronic torque wrench
An electronic torque wrench including a wrench body, a wrench head configured to engage a workpiece, a first sensor producing a first output signal, that is proportional to an amount of torque being applied to the workpiece, a grip handle, a second sensor producing a second output signal that is proportional to an amount of rotation being applied to the workpiece, a user interface including an input device for inputting a preset torque value, and a processor for converting the first output signal into a current torque value, comparing the current torque value to the preset torque value, and converting the second output signal into a first angle value through which the workpiece has been rotated after the current torque value exceeds the preset torque value. |
| US08714056B2 |
Torque limiting mechanism with lock bushing
A torque limiting mechanism used for securing fasteners is described. The torque limiting mechanism consists of a shaft, a torque gear having a plurality of ball bearings, a threshold bearing and a variable force applying subassembly. The torque limiting mechanism further consisting of a lock bushing and retaining ring placed circumferentially around the proximal end of the shaft. The lock bushing and retaining ring reduce structural misalignments and increase the accuracy of the device. |
| US08714055B2 |
One-way ratchet wheel element
A one-way ratchet wheel element has engaged and linked driving wheel and driven wheel in a body. The side of the body that connects with the driving wheel has a shifting space. A tooth section is provided on a wedge opposite to the shifting space. When the driven wheel rolls and engages with the tooth section, there is a resistance to the rotation of the driving wheel, forming an engagement state. When the driven wheel is away from the tooth section on the wedge, it is in the idle state. |
| US08714050B2 |
Faucet handle
A faucet handle includes a handle having a containment space, the containment space having an assembly aperture on a top surface, the assembly aperture accepting a limiting member, with two limiting ribs disposed adjacent to two opposite sides of the assembly aperture. A plurality of adjusting members respectively have a through aperture and two engaging columns adjacent to sides of the through aperture. Each engaging column is inserted between the two limiting ribs of the handle. The adjusting member also has two engaging slots adjacent to another side of the through aperture and an assembly device having an assembly base. The assembly base has an assembly space and two positioning columns adjacent to the assembly space, and each positioning column engages with an engaging slot of the adjusting member. |
| US08714039B2 |
Stroke-restricting device of linear actuator and wire-reeling mechanism thereof
The present invention relates to a stroke-restricting device of a linear actuator and a wire-reeling mechanism thereof. The linear actuator includes a base and a telescopic pipe. The stroke-restricting device includes a box, a movable member, a block, a pair of switches, and a wire-reeling mechanism. The box is fixed to the base and has a wall plate. The wall plate is provided with a through-hole. The movable member includes a rod penetrating the through-hole and movable with respect to the box. The block is fixed to the rod. The pair of switches is fixed to the box to correspond to the block. Each of the switches has a trigger portion for generating electrical signals by means of contact of the block. Each of the trigger portions is located at two opposite ends of a moving path of the block. The wire-reeling mechanism includes a wire disposed in the telescopic pipe and moving therewith. One end of the wire is connected to the movable member. By this structure, only a small space can be used to control a limit position of a long distance. |
| US08714034B2 |
Gas flux measurement using traps
A passive sampling apparatus and method for measuring the cumulative mass of a selected gas being transported through a known cross-sectional area, for example, a soil surface, during a chosen period of time, using absorbent material, are described. Two quantities of absorbent material are disposed in a hollow container, such as a pipe section, and spaced apart such that they may be readily separated for analysis. The absorbent material closest to the soil captures the gas leaving the soil. Under reversed flow conditions, for example when the ambient air enters the ground because of fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, the upper absorbent material captures the component of interest entering the apparatus, thereby preventing this gas from entering the lower material and disturbing the measurement. The apparatus can therefore sequester the component of interest without being affected by the direction of gas transport. |
| US08714033B2 |
Catcher pin assembly
A catcher pin assembly for attachment to a catcher link of an aircraft frame, the catcher pin assembly having an engine mounting element, a catcher pin, a compressible element, and a nut, which is lockable to the catcher pin, the compressible element being compressed between the pin and the mounting element and/or between the mounting element and the nut, in the assembled condition of the assembly, such that the compressible element applies a predetermined resistance to rotation of the catcher pin relative to the mounting element. The invention also relates to a method of testing a catcher pin assembly to determine if the catcher pin is carrying load from the catcher link, the method including applying a predetermined torque to the catcher pin sufficient to overcome the resistance to rotation of the catcher pin when it is unloaded, and determining whether the catcher pin rotates relative to the mounting element. |
| US08714032B2 |
Universal force measurement apparatus and method
A universal force measurement apparatus has a top plate onto which a first test object is mounted. The top plate is connected to a middle plate via a sliding member, for example a linear ball slide having a one dimensional degree of freedom. A first load cell is connected to the top plate and the middle plate, hereby preventing them from moving relative to one another in the direction of the degree of freedom of the sliding member. The mid plate is then connected to a second load cell which registers forces in the vertical direction. The second load cell is also connected to a base plate which is placed on a rigid surface. Forces from another object or media acting on the first test object will now be registered by the first and second load cells in the horizontal and vertical directions. |
| US08714031B2 |
Flowmeter materials for a beverage machine
A flowmeter, in particular for a beverage preparation machine, includes a housing, such as a moulded housing, delimiting a measuring chamber, and a measuring body, such as a moulded body, rotatably mounted in the measuring chamber. The housing and the measuring body are made of at least one of polyoxymethylene, polyformaldehyde or polybutyleneterehpthalate. |
| US08714028B2 |
Insertion vortex fluid flow meter with adjustable geometry
A fluid flow meter includes a fitting attachable to a waterworks valve or pipeline so as to extend at least partially through an insertion aperture thereof. A measurement cylinder is pivotally attached to the fitting, and includes a fluid vortex generating obstruction. A sensor body extends through the fitting and has a sensor element at an end thereof disposed in the measurement cylinder and generally aligned with the obstruction to detect fluid vortices generated by the obstruction. The measurement cylinder is selectively movable from a position generally aligned with the fitting, to a position generally parallel to the fluid flowing through the valve or pipeline. |
| US08714026B2 |
Strain sensing with optical fiber rosettes
One or more mechanical parameters of a structure subjected to a force or condition are measured using distributed, optical fiber sensing technology. At least a curved portion an optical fiber having is attached to an object. A distributed, optically-based, strain sensing technique is used to determine strain information associated with multiple points along the curved portion of the fiber. The determined strain information is processed to generate one or more representations of one or more of the following: an expansion of the object, a thermal gradient associated with the object, or a stress-induced strain at multiple locations on the object corresponding to ones of the multiple points. An output is generated corresponding to the representation. |
| US08714024B2 |
Load measurement method and device
A device for axial load measurement on a mechanical control device having a rotating shaft may be used to derive a torque measurement. A mechanical control device may comprise a valve actuator for fluid flow control devices. The load measurement device may include a beam operatively connected to a rotatable shaft and configured to deform under axial displacement of the shaft. A sensor may be coupled with the at least one beam and configured to produce an output signal related to the axial displacement of the shaft. The beam may be retained between two bearings on the rotatable shaft at a first end, and fixed to a housing of the mechanical control device at a second end. The first end of the beam may displace axially with the rotatable shaft. The beam may comprise a discrete segment of a uniform width and thickness. |
| US08714022B2 |
Capacitance pressure sensor
The present invention provides a capacitance pressure sensor having a traces structure which can stably measure a pressure. A capacitance pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a substrate having a first insulation layer to a third insulation layer; a diaphragm placed to face the substrate so that a reference chamber is formed between the diaphragm and the substrate; a first electrode on the substrate 1, facing to the diaphragm; a second electrode on the diaphragm, which is disposed so as to face the first electrode; a trace connected to the first electrode, for electrically connecting the first electrode to the outside; and a second trace connected to the second electrode, for electrically connecting the second electrode to the outside. The traces penetrate the first insulation layer from the reference chamber side of the substrate toward the side opposing to the reference chamber of the substrate, and also are bent between each of the insulation layers. |
| US08714018B2 |
Method for the non-destructive testing of a test object by way of ultrasound and corresponding device
The non-destructive testing of a test object by way of ultrasound includes: (a) radiating directed ultrasonic pulses into the test object at an irradiation angle β wherein the irradiation angle β is set electronically, (b) recording echo signals that result from the ultrasonic pulses radiated into the test object, and (c) determining an irradiation position X0 in which echo signals can be recorded that can be associated with an error in the volume of the test object. The method also includes (d) determining the irradiation angle βmax for which the ERS value of the error reaches its maximum at position X0, (e) changing the irradiation position X0→X1 on the surface of the test object, the change of the irradiation position being captured, and (f) electronically adjusting the irradiation angle β in such a manner that the ERS value of the error reaches its maximum in the changed irradiation position X1. |
| US08714015B2 |
Joint quality inspection and joint quality inspection method
A joint quality examining device and method for accurately examining in real time the qualities of the joints of all the products where joining members are joined to members to be joined. A joining device includes an ampere meter, a frequency meter, an encoder, and a recording unit the four for detected the joining waveform produced in a joining process, a feature point extracting unit for extracting from the deleted joining waveform a feature point related to an after-endurance physical quantity usable for evaluation of the quality which the joint is required to have after an endurance test, a calculating formula setting unit storing the calculation formula for calculating the after-endurance physical quantity, a calculating unit for calculating the after-endurance physical quantity of the joint from the feature point extracted by using the calculation formula, and a judging unit for judging whether or not the joint quality of the joint is acceptable on the basis of the comparison of the calculated after-endurance physical quantity and a predetermined threshold. |
| US08714012B2 |
Microelectromechanical gyroscope with inversion of actuation forces, and method for actuating a microelectromechanical gyroscope
A microelectromechanical gyroscope includes a body and a driving mass, which is movable with respect to the body according to a driving axis and is capacitively coupled to the body. The gyroscope moreover includes a driving device, which forms a microelectromechanical control loop with the body and the driving mass and is configured for supplying to the driving mass driving signals having a common-mode component and respective differential components so as to maintaining the driving mass in oscillation according to the driving axis. The driving device is provided with an actuation stage configured for inverting in a controlled way the sign of the differential components of the driving signals. |
| US08714008B2 |
Thermal fluid flow sensor and method of manufacturing the same
In a thermal sensor with a detection part and a circuit part formed on the same substrate, an insulating film for protection of the circuit part causes problems of lowering in sensitivity of a heater, deterioration in accuracy due to variation of a residual stress in the detection part, etc. A layered film including insulating films is formed on a heating resistor, an intermediate layer is formed thereon, and a layered film including insulating films is formed further thereon. The intermediate layer is specified to be a layer made up of any one of aluminum nitride, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, titanium nitride, tungsten nitride, and titanium tungsten. This configuration enables the layered film on the upper part of the detection part to be removed using the intermediate layer as an etch stop layer, which solves problems of lowering in sensitivity, a variation in residual stress, etc. resulting from these. |
| US08714003B2 |
Wind tunnel with a closed section for aeroacoustic measurements with an anechoic coating
A wind tunnel with a closed section for aeroacoustic measurements with an anechoic coating including: a) a first cavity having a thickness D1 in a range of 20≦D1≦50 mm filled with a fibrous material with a flow resistance R in a range of 10≦R≦50 kRayl/m; b) a first microperforated panel having a thickness t1 in a range of 0.25≦t1≦0.75 mm and with a perforation percentage p1 in a range of 15%≦p1≦30%; c) a second air cavity having a thickness D2 in a range of 10≦D2≦30 mm; d) a second microperforated panel having a thickness t2 in a range of 0.25≦t2≦0.75 mm and with a perforation percentage p2 in a range of 15%≦p2≦30%. The perforations of the panels can be circular or longitudinal slot-shaped having a diameter d or width w in a range of 0.2≦d, w≦0.5 mm. |
| US08713999B2 |
System and method for automated optical inspection of industrial gas turbines and other power generation machinery with multi-axis inspection scope
Internal components of power generation machinery, such as gas and steam turbines are inspected with an optical camera inspection system that is capable of automatically positioning the camera field of view (FOV) to an area of interest within the machinery along a pre-designated navigation path and capturing images without human intervention. Automatic camera positioning and image capture can be initiated automatically or after receipt of operator permission. The pre-designated navigation path can be defined by operator manual positioning of an inspection scope within the power machine or a similar one of the same type and recording of positioning steps for future replication. The navigation path can also be defined by virtual simulation. The inspection system includes a multi-axis inspection scope suitable for inspection within the turbine section of a gas turbine. |
| US08713997B2 |
Systems and methods for collecting tear film and measuring tear film osmolarity
A sample receiving chip comprising a substrate that receives an aliquot volume of a sample fluid and a sample region of the substrate, sized such that the volume of the sample fluid is sufficient to operatively cover a portion of the sample region. The energy imparted into the sample fluid is transduced by the sample region to produce an output signal that indicates energy properties of the sample fluid. The sample receiving chip also includes a channel formed in the substrate, the channel configured to collect the aliquot volume of a sample fluid and transfer the aliquot volume of sample fluid to the sample region. |
| US08713995B2 |
Liquid gas vaporization and measurement system and method
A liquid gas vaporization and measurement system, and associated method, for efficiently vaporizing a continuous sample of liquid gas, such as liquid natural gas (LNG), and accurately determining the constituent components of the gas. A constant flow of liquid gas sampled from a mass storage device is maintained in a vaporizing device. Within the vaporizing device the liquid gas is flash vaporized within heated narrow tubing. The liquid gas is converted to vapor very quickly as it enters one or more independently operating vaporizer stages within the vaporizing device. The vapor gas is provided to a measuring instrument such as a chromatograph and the individual constituent components and the BTU value of the gas are determined to an accuracy of within +/−0.5 mole percent and 1 BTU, respectively. |
| US08713992B2 |
Device and method for analysing a performance of an engine
The present invention relates to a device for analyzing a cylinder wise performance of an internal combustion engine, comprising ion current measurement means that are arranged to measure an ion current in a engine and that are also arranged to produce a first signal corresponding to a measurement performed by said ion current measurement means, and also comprising an amplifier that is connected to said ion current measurement means and that is arranged to receive and amplify said first signal in order to produce an amplified signal, and further also comprising first analyzing means for analyzing said amplified signal for detecting an indication of a knock event in the engine, wherein said amplifier is a variable-gain amplifier and that said device further comprises second analysis means that is arranged to receive and analyze said amplified signal and to adjust a gain of said amplifier. The invention also relates to a method for analyzing a performance of a engine. |
| US08713988B2 |
Use of gas void fraction measurement is the closed loop control of a fermentation process
A technique related to a fermentation process; where a signal processor receives a signal containing information about an amount of entrained air in a mixture forming part of a fermentation process in a tank; and determines a level of foam in the tank based at least partly on the amount of entrained air in the mixture. The signal processor may also provide a control signal for controlling an amount of defoamer (or antiforming agent) added to the mixture in the tank so as to control the production of foam within the tank by controlling the amount of defoamer added to the mixture in the tank. |
| US08713986B2 |
Electronic torque wrench calibration device and using method thereof
An electronic torque wrench calibration device is for calibrating a torque value and a pivot angle of an electronic torque wrench. The electronic torque wrench calibration device includes a base, a driving member, a torque setting member and a dial plate. One end of the driving member is driven by a electronic torque wrench, and the other end of the driving member is pivotally connected to the base. The torque setting member is disposed on the base. The torque setting member provides the driving member with a predetermined resistance against a pivotal rotation. The dial plate is pivotally disposed on a surface of the base and linked with the driving member. The dial plate includes a plurality of angular scale markings located on a surface of the dial plate. |
| US08713985B2 |
Calibration and accuracy check system
Calibration and accuracy check systems for a chemical sniffer, such as a breath alcohol tester, which utilize the dispensing of droplets with determinable concentration of alcohol and/or other liquids in a determinable number either directly to a reaction chamber, or into a carrier gas which can be sampled. The systems generally provide for accurate sample concentration being provided to the breath tester while also providing for a simplified system which can be easier to move, and require less operational complexity, than prior wet or dry calibrating systems. |
| US08713984B2 |
Multiple mode, bi-directional universal bending apparatus
Apparatus and methods for use of synchronized plural epicyclical transmissions to stabilize and to drive an output gear of a machine capable of bending tubing, conduit, and pipe requiring high torque, as well as swaging, cutting, and threading. One embodiment of the apparatus includes multiple transmissions encircling and engaged with a centrally mounted motor. Another embodiment of the apparatus includes multiple transmissions, each engaged with a mounted motor. Transmissions can be equidistantly spaced around the perimeter of an output gear. |
| US08713983B2 |
Rolling mill and roll thereof
A roll coupled to a separately manufactured axle rotates together with the axle in order to perform a rolling process. The roll includes an inner cylindrical surface, an outer cylindrical surface and both side faces, and at least one key way provided on at least one of the side faces is arranged adjacent to the inner cylindrical surface rather than said outer cylindrical surface, The key way is in a concave curved shape and is a portion of a spherical surface or of an ellipsoidal surface. |
| US08713982B2 |
Device for explosive forming
The invention relates to a device for explosive forming of workpieces, comprising an ignition chamber and an ignition mechanism, wherein an explosive agent can be ignited at an ignition location in the ignition chamber using the ignition mechanism, and an ignition chamber outlet is provided, to be improved such that the ignition mechanism has a longer service life. The aim is achieved by a device wherein an impact breaker is provided in the propagation path (37) of the detonation wave. |
| US08713981B2 |
Equipment of supplying lubricant and method of supplying lubricant
The invention provides equipment for supplying lubricant for a rolling roll of a rolling mill comprising a plurality of spray nozzles for spraying a lubricant and a gas in a particulate or atomized state to the rolling roll, a lubricant feed device for feeding the lubricant to the spray nozzles, and a gas feed device for feeding the gas to the nozzles. The amount of lubricant supplied from side spray nozzles is larger than the lubricant feed rate from the center spray nozzle, and the amount of lubricant supplied from the spray nozzles between these side spray nozzles and center spray nozzle is not more than the amount of lubricant from the side spray nozzles and not less than the lubricant from the center spray nozzle. Thus uneven wear and roughness is reduced in the axial direction of the rolling roll. |
| US08713977B2 |
Laundry treating appliance with balancing system
A laundry treating appliance having a drum, defining a treating chamber, with a lifter and a balancing system having at least one balancing ring and a reservoir located in the lifter and a liquid supply system fluidly coupled to the reservoir. Liquid may be supplied to the ring and to the reservoir through the ring to offset an imbalance in a laundry load located within the drum. |
| US08713975B2 |
Laundry treating appliance control system
A control system for a fabric treating appliance configured to determine one or more operating parameters of a cycle of operation as a function of a user-selected performance goal weighting. |
| US08713972B2 |
Precision glass roll forming process and apparatus
A process and apparatus for precision glass roll forming a supply of molten glass at a glass temperature of 1000° C. or higher. A pair of hot forming rolls having a surface temperature of about 500° C. or higher, vertically below the glass feed, that thin the supplied stream of molten glass to produce a formed glass ribbon. A pair of cold sizing rolls maintained at a surface temperature of about 400° C. or lower, vertically below the forming rolls, that thin the formed glass ribbon glass to produce a sized glass ribbon having a desired thickness and a desired thickness uniformity. The sized glass ribbon may have a thickness of 1 mm or less that varies in thickness by no more than +/−0.025 mm. |
| US08713970B2 |
Method for producing fluorophosphate glass, glass material for press molding and optical element
In order to produce a fluorophosphate glass including P5+ at a small content on the composition thereof, the composition is adjusted so as to provide well-balanced chemical durability and thermal stability. In the production of a fluorophosphate glass in which O2−/P5+>3.7, Al3+ content is in a predetermined amount or more and p5+ content is in a predetermined amount or less, a glass raw material is prepared by using an AlF3 in which the content of Al2O3 is limited to the range from 1 to 5% by mass, and the raw material is melted to produce the fluorophosphate glass. |
| US08713968B2 |
Method and apparatus for making a 3D glass article
A method of making a 3D glass article includes forming at least one marker on an edge of a 2D glass piece. The 2D glass piece is thermally reformed into a 3D glass article, where the at least one marker formed on the edge of the 2D glass piece is carried over to an edge of the 3D glass article. The 3D glass article is aligned on a support using the at least one marker on the edge of the 3D glass article. Then, the edge of the 3D glass article is finished to a final shape and dimension. |
| US08713964B2 |
Method and device for separating a gas mixture by cryogenic distillation
The invention relates to a cryogenic distillation apparatus for a gas mixture, including a purification apparatus for purifying a gas mixture in a system with a plurality of adsorbant bottles, a column system, a capacity, means for feeding a cryogenic liquid to the capacity, means for feeding a vaporized liquid from the capacity to a column of the system, a vaporizer in the capacity for vaporizing the contained liquid; means for feeding a calorigenic gas to the vaporizer, and means for drawing a liquid from the capacity. |
| US08713960B2 |
Ice supplying apparatus and refrigerator having the same
An ice supplying apparatus, being provided in a refrigerator, includes an ice maker unit, which is configured to supply ice pieces produced therein to an outside of a freezer room door; an ice storage unit, which is configured to store the ice pieces produced by the ice maker unit; an ice discharger unit, which is provided within the ice storage unit to discharge the ice pieces below; and a shrinking portion, which is provided in the ice storage unit and defines an interior space thereof as small as it goes down, through building up a lower surface, among interior surfaces defining that interior space of the ice storage unit, for supporting the ice pieces stored therein from a lower portion thereof, by a surface inclining to a horizontal direction, wherein the ice discharger unit is disposed in a lower portion of the shrinking portion. |
| US08713957B2 |
Thermoelectric-enhanced, vapor-condenser facilitating immersion-cooling of electronic component(s)
Cooling methods are provided for immersion-cooling one or more electronic components. The cooling method includes: providing a housing at least partially surrounding and forming a fluid-tight compartment about the electronic component(s) and a dielectric fluid disposed within the fluid-tight compartment, with the electronic component(s) immersed within the dielectric fluid; and providing a vapor-condenser, heat sink, and thermal conductive path. The vapor-condenser includes a plurality of thermally conductive condenser fins extending within the fluid-tight compartment, and the heat sink includes a first region and a second region, with the first region of the heat sink being in thermal contact with the vapor-condenser. The thermal conduction path couples the fluid-tight compartment and the second region of the heat sink in thermal contact, and includes a thermoelectric array, which facilitates transfer of heat from the fluid-tight compartment to the second region of the heat sink through the thermal conduction path. |
| US08713950B2 |
Method of operating a cooling system and cooling system
In a method of the application, cooling energy is produced by a refrigerating device. The cooling energy produced by the refrigerating device is supplied to at least one cooling station by a cooling circuit, circulating in which is a refrigerant, which upon release of its cooling energy to the at least one cooling station is converted from the liquid to the gaseous state and is then converted back to the liquid state by corresponding pressure- and temperature control in the cooling circuit. Upon transfer of the cooling system to its state of rest, a control value disposed in the cooling circuit is controlled in such a way that a desired operating pressure (ρβ) arises in the cooling circuit downstream of the control valve. Refrigerant cooled by the refrigerating device is received in a reservoir disposed upstream of the control valve in the cooling circuit. |
| US08713940B2 |
Self-contained in-ground geothermal generator
A method of using geothermal energy to produce electricity by lowering a geothermal generator deep into a pre-drilled well bore below the Earth's surface. A self contained geothermal generator includes a boiler, a turbine compartment, an electricity generator, a condenser and an electric cable. The condenser includes a distributor chamber, a peripheral chamber and plurality of tubes disposed within the peripheral chamber. The peripheral chamber of the condenser surrounds the turbine, electric generator and distributor chamber departments and is cooled with a separate closed loop system. The condenser cools and converts exhausted steam back in liquid state and returns it back into the boiler for reheating. Water contained within the boiler is converted to high-pressure, super heated steam due to heat from hot rocks contained within a pre-drilled well bore. The steam is used to produce electric energy which is transported up to the ground surface by the electric cable. |
| US08713933B2 |
Apparatus and process for recovering energy from bouyancy and gravitational forces
An apparatus and process for capturing mechanical work from the kinetic energy of a moving vessel driven by buoyancy and gravitational forces. The apparatus comprises a moving vessel, gas compression means, force transfer means, a conduit, and a force recovery means. In use, the submerged moving vessel receives compressed gas, generating a buoyancy force in the moving vessel. As the moving vessel rises in water and approaches the top of its upstroke, the moving vessel releases the gas, causing the moving vessel to sink. A first component of the buoyancy force is transmitted from the moving vessel, through the force transfer means, to the gas compression means, where it compresses gas. The compressed gas is channeled through the conduit into the charging valve while the moving vessel sinks. The charging valve releases the compressed gas from the conduit into the moving vessel, and the moving vessel's vertical oscillation cycle repeats. |
| US08713931B2 |
Hydraulic circuit for working machine
A working vehicle, wherein flows of hydraulic oil delivered under pressure from two or more hydraulic pumps are joined together and the joined hydraulic oil can be taken out. A working vehicle is provided with two hydraulic pumps independent of each other and adapted to deliver hydraulic oil under pressure, a mode switching valve (230) capable of being switched to a flow joining position (K) at which flows of the hydraulic oil delivered under pressure by the two hydraulic pumps are joined together, PTO ports (260, 261) out of which the hydraulic oil is taken, and a PTO switching valve (240) provided downstream of the mode switching valve (230) and switching flow of the hydraulic oil so that the oil can be delivered under pressure to the PTO ports (260, 261). |
| US08713929B2 |
Systems and methods for energy storage and recovery using compressed gas
The invention relates to methods and systems for the storage and recovery of energy using open-air hydraulic-pneumatic accumulator and intensifier arrangements that combine at least one accumulator and at least one intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. |
| US08713928B2 |
Dynamically tuned wave energy converter
A wave energy converter comprises a pitching floating vessel and means for converting the pitching motion to electrical power.By varying the distribution of the ballast mass in the vessel and by varying the vessel's immersed length the moments of inertia of mass and of added mass are varied and wave-bridging is controlled.The immersed length of the vessel is varied by changing the draft of a v-shaped hull. Roll and yaw are suppressed by a vertical fin held at a substantial depthInside the vessel is a compact pendulum that is a combination of tracked and folding pendulums.Both vessel and compact pendulum can be simultaneously and dynamically tuned over the range of periods that characterize high-energy ocean swells. |
| US08713924B2 |
Device and method for producing electrical energy from exhaust gas and motor vehicle
A device and a method for producing electrical energy from an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine include a generator with an exhaust gas inlet, an exhaust gas outlet and a heat exchange portion therebetween. The heat exchange portion includes a plurality of flow paths for the exhaust gas. The flow paths are at least partially surrounded by thermoelectric elements which are in thermally conductive communication with a cooling device on a side facing away from the flow path. A motor vehicle having the device or carrying out the method, is also provided. |
| US08713923B2 |
Exhaust system for motorcycle
An exhaust system for a motorcycle includes a plurality of exhaust pipes connected respectively to exhaust ports of cylinders of a multi-cylinder engine; a manifold portion connected to the exhaust pipes; and a muffler connected to a downstream side of the manifold portion, the manifold portion being disposed below the engine, wherein the manifold portion is disposed sideways of an oil pan disposed below the engine so as to overlap the oil pan when seen in a side view of the motorcycle, and the exhaust pipes are connected to the manifold portion from a front side of the motorcycle. |
| US08713922B2 |
Engine exhaust purification device
In an exhaust filter, a urea hydrolysis catalyst is supported on a first portion of an inner wall of a cell passage on the inlet side, and a first NOx reducing catalyst is supported on a second portion of the inner wall of the inlet-side passage downstream of the first portion. A second NOx reducing catalyst is supported on a third portion of an inner wall of a cell passage on the outlet side where the third portion overlaps with the first portion in a direction of intersection with the exhaust flow into the exhaust filter or is downstream of the first portion. An oxidation catalyst is supported on a fourth portion of the inner wall of the outlet-side passage downstream of the third portion where the fourth portion overlaps with the second portion in the direction of intersection or is downstream of the second portion. |
| US08713918B2 |
Device for purification of exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a device for purification of exhaust gases for the exhaust gas line of an internal combustion engine, with an exhaust gas channel which is made multi-flow in a specified region and has several component exhaust gas lines, and with a metering device by means of which a specified amount of a reducing agent can be metered into the exhaust gas channel in the region upstream from the catalytic converter arrangement at specified times. According to the invention, a metering channel which branches off from the single metering device is assigned to each of the component exhaust gas lines, and a specified proportion of the amount of metered reducing agent can be supplied to each component exhaust gas line via the metering channels. |
| US08713916B2 |
NOx purification system and method for control of NOx purification system
An NOx purification system and a method for control of the NOx purification system. Two oxidation catalysts are provided upstream of an ammonia solution supply unit, and an in-cylinder fuel injection is so controlled that hydrocarbon in exhaust gas is mainly oxidized by an upstream one of the oxidation catalysts and nitric oxide in the exhaust gas is mainly oxidized by a relatively downstream one of the oxidation catalysts. NOx in the exhaust gas is purified by feeding an ammonia solution to a selective reduction NOx catalyst. The system adjusts to the concentrations of HC, NO and NO2 going to the selective reduction NOx catalyst to proper values so as to purify the NOx efficiently by the selective reduction NOx catalyst, and improve NOx purification performance in a lower temperature range. |
| US08713913B2 |
Method for operating a particle filter
A method for operating a particle filter that filters particles contained in the exhaust of motor vehicle combustion engines. A conditioning step is performed such that the separation efficiency of the particle filter for particles is increased relative to the value existing in the new condition. |
| US08713912B2 |
Solid propellant rocket motors employing tungsten alloy burst discs and methods for the manufacture thereof
Embodiments of a solid propellant rocket motor are provided. In one embodiment, the solid propellant rocket motor includes a pressure vessel having a cavity therein, a solid propellant disposed within the cavity, a nozzle fluidly coupled to the cavity, and a tungsten alloy burst disc positioned proximate the nozzle. The tungsten alloy burst disc is configured to block gas flow through the nozzle when the tungsten alloy burst disc is intact and to fragment at a predetermined burst pressure. Embodiments of a method are further provided for manufacturing a burst disc. In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of forming a burst disc from a tungsten alloy. Embodiments of a burst disc are still further provided. In one embodiment, the burst disc includes an outer annular portion, and a central portion comprising a tungsten alloy. |
| US08713905B1 |
Braided eye splice and method
A braided eye splice is presented that is formed with the braider yarns of the rope, in which the braider yarns are braided back into the rope. A braided section of rope may be used as a braider yarn or combined with another braider yarn to form the splice. The tensile failure of ropes made with this splice occurs outside the spliced section, suggesting that full rope strength is maintained. |
| US08713900B2 |
Apparatus for packaging low count packages of absorbent articles
An apparatus for providing low count packages of absorbent articles during a high speed manufacturing process. The apparatus including a conveyor configured to serially convey a plurality of absorbent articles; a continuously rotating stacker that includes an infeed, an outfeed and a plurality of cassettes; an extraction station that includes an extractor configured to remove at least one absorbent article from at least one absorbent article containing cassette. At least a portion of the extractor is positioned at an angle to compensate for the continuous rotation of the stacker. |
| US08713898B2 |
Package with lid sealing system
A package includes a container and a lid adapted to mate with a brim of the container. The lid closes a top opening in the container when mounted on the container. |
| US08713894B2 |
System and method for barrier cable embed alignment
A method and apparatus for barrier cable anchorage in a concrete formwork such that individual anchors are positioned relative to each other and to the formwork. A galvanized plate is provided with series of holes spaced from a reference point at the plate edge, and a registered assembly of individual anchors are provided in the holes. Female threaded plate caps are secured within the holes for frontal engagement, and a PSR stud is secured to each plate cap on the back side. The assembly is frontally set against the formwork with the reference point spaced from an external datum. The formwork is cured and barrier cables are affixed to the plate caps through the plate by threaded engagement with a barrel anchor and wedge. After tensioning, each cable is anchored to the formwork in desired relative proximity to one another and to the external datum. |
| US08713888B2 |
Vertical nailer for a roof panel structure
A roof panel structure having a purlin comprising a truss, the truss having a substantially horizontally disposed top surface. A nailer board is attached to the top surface, and a first subpurlin is attached to the nailer board and is extends at least partly along the top surface such that the first subpurlin is arranged to be supported by the top surface. The nailer board is arranged vertically on the top surface. |
| US08713887B2 |
System for reinforcing a building structural component
The present invention relates to a method and system for reinforcing building structural components. The system includes a rigid continuous stirrup elongated along a longitudinal axis. Portions of the stirrup may be inserted from a lateral direction into cells between webs of the building structural component in an unobstructed fashion. The system also includes at least one reinforcing member situated within a corridor along the length of the stirrup. |
| US08713884B2 |
Methods and arrangements for metal building roof insulation
A metal roofing system includes at least one roof clip including a base portion secured to the upper portion of the at least one purlin, and flanged legs extending from opposite sides of the base portion, and a thermal spacer washer assembled between the at least one roof clip and the at least one purlin. |
| US08713881B2 |
Solar panel securing system
A solar panel securing system is provided. In another aspect, a solar or photovoltaic panel assembly is mounted to a building roof in a screw-free manner. Another aspect employs a snap-in connection between a member pre-assembled to a solar panel and a roof-mounted bracket. A further aspect adhesively bonds a bracket directly to a glass surface of a solar panel. A method of securing a solar panel is additionally provided. |
| US08713880B2 |
Light transmission panels, retaining clip and a combination thereof
A glazing panel system is provided with improved glazing panels, retention clips and/or U-shaped connectors. The retention clip may engage the glazing panels at locations lower than top ends of the upstanding seam flanges. In one embodiment, an internal U-shaped connector is positioned to engage the seam flanges while an external U-shaped connector covers the internal connector and the seam between adjacent glazing panels. The glazing panels may be formed with pockets adjacent the base of the upstanding seam flanges to receive a portion of the retention clip to apply retention forces at locations below the upper ends of the seam flanges. The retention clips may be formed with an upper transverse portion that is movable relative to the base portion of the clip to accommodate panel expansion and contraction. Also, a thicker plate or portion may be provided at a top flange for the retention clip to provide increased resistance to uplift loads trying to bend the flange. |
| US08713878B2 |
Sealant joint backer support
The present invention relates to a sealant joint backer support that can be used to prevent three-sided adhesion at a joint when an exterior weather seal is applied. In an embodiment, a bond breaker backer support of the present invention includes a resiliently flexible front face having a groove, wherein the groove is configured for adjusting the bond breaker backer support after installation; and a pair of resiliently flexible legs extending, respectively, from a first end and a second end of the flexible front face. |
| US08713874B2 |
Wall restoration system and method
One illustrative embodiment of a wall restoration system includes an air-handler and a wall structure assembly. The wall structure assembly can enclose a portion of a wet wall to form a passage through which air flows to dry the wall portion. |
| US08713872B2 |
Brackets for assembly of a floating wall
Disclosed are a floating wall bracket and a method for constructing a floating wall using floating wall brackets. A floating wall bracket may have bracket walls designed to hold a vertical member with at least one fastening tab disposed perpendicular to said bracket walls, at least one attachment means to attach the at least one fastening tab to a base plate member, and at least one friction means that provides enough friction to hold the weight of the vertical member, but not so much friction that it will stop the vertical member from moving within the bracket once a floating wall assembly is incorporated into a building/structure. The bracket may also have at least one guide/lateral support flange disposed parallel to the bracket walls and sized/places to guide installation of the floating wall brackets and to provide lateral support to the vertical members of the floating wall assembly. |
| US08713869B1 |
Suspended containment wall system
A suspended containment wall system including a support rail with a hook track positioned thereon and a hanging panel. The hanging panel further includes: (i) an attachment rail with a hook track oriented to engage the hook track of the support rail; and (ii) a panel body connected to the attachment rail. |
| US08713868B2 |
Stackable office panels
An upper stackable panel is provided for use with lower panels having a structural panel to panel, connector mount located at least at each upper corner of said lower panel, to which a panel to panel connector can be secured by at least one fastener. The upper panels have a structural panel mounting member located at least at each bottom corner, at a location adjacent an upper corner panel to panel connector mount when the upper panel is positioned on top of the lower panel. Each lower corner panel mounting member has a fastener configuration which is compatible with that of the adjacent upper corner panel to panel connector mount on the lower panel. At least one fastener secures each said bottom corner panel mounting member to its adjacent upper corner panel to panel connector mount, to create a structural connection between the upper and lower panels at each of their respective lower and upper corners. |
| US08713866B2 |
Hinge reinforced frame assembly
A frame assembly includes an elongate frame jamb and an elongate hinge reinforcement member, the elongate hinge reinforcement member being secured to the elongate frame jamb such that the elongate frame jamb may be vertically supportable by the elongate hinge reinforcement member at a reinforcement member base end. The elongate hinge reinforcement member is retained within a jamb longitudinal channel formed by the elongate frame jamb. The elongate hinge reinforcement may be configured to include mounting holes located substantially equidistant between side reinforcement walls of the elongate hinge reinforcement member. |
| US08713862B2 |
Device for securing the edge of a floor covering to a profile construction
A device for removably securing the edge, provided with a profiling, of a floor covering to a profile construction delimiting the floor covering, the profile construction being in particular a step nosing profile with an angular step profile and a base profile which can be secured on a step and the angular step profile having a step leg with a covering wing and a stop leg, wherein an interchangeable insert which is configured as a profile rail and is arranged such that it can be removed and can be adapted in its position to the profile construction and on which is configured, at least on one of its two mutually opposite longitudinal edges, a retainer which cooperates with the profiling of the edge of the floor covering and is configured to be at least partly complementary to the profiling. |
| US08713858B1 |
Roof attachment flashing system
A roof attachment flashing system for preventing water penetration when utilizing an L-foot to attach a structure to a roof. The roof attachment flashing system generally includes a flashing member which is adapted to be utilized to seal penetrations of a roof which are necessitated by the installation of an L-foot for securing a roof attachment such as solar panels to the roof. The flashing member includes a receiver member at its first end which includes a raised portion defining a slot on its lower surface that will sealably cover the horizontal portion of the L-foot. A mounting bracket extends upwardly from the receiver member for securing the flashing member to the vertical portion of the L-foot. When installed, the flashing member will prevent water from leaking into the roof through any penetrations into the roof caused by installation of the L-foot. |
| US08713856B1 |
Folding swivel seat and table
A seating system with a platform and a semicircular table mounted on the platform. Four folding swivel seats are mounted and arranged in an arcuate arrangement around the semicircular table wherein each folding swivel seat has a seat portion, a back and a center of the seat portion. Each folding swivel seat is a seat distance wherein the seat distance is at least 8 inches to no more than 24 inches. Adjacent folding swivel seats are separated by a distance from the center of adjacent folding swivel seats. Two folding swivel seats are separated from a projection of a table flat portion. |
| US08713852B2 |
Invisible sliding door
A sliding door may include a rail slidably supported by a rail anchor, a body part fixed to the rail, a main arm hinge-connected with the body part, a driving bar hinge-connected with the body part, a first link hinge-connected with the main arm and the driving bar, a second link hinge-connected with the main arm and a first slot of the driving bar, a door part hinge-connected with the main arm and having a second slot hinge-connected with the second link through the first slot, a gear part of the main bar, a first drum engaged to the gear part, a first cable connected with the first drum and the rail anchor, a second drum rotatably mounted at the rail, a second cable wound around the second drum and connected with the first drum, and a third cable connected with the second drum and the rail anchor. |
| US08713846B1 |
Remote control interchangeable decoy
A remote control decoy for luring game animals includes a motorized frame with wheels, a wireless remote controller, and at least one life-like decoy shell. The motorized frame is a miniature wheeled vehicle having battery-powered drive and steering motors and a mounting plate for securing the decoy. The wireless controller transmits control signals to a receiver within the motorized frame, thereby allowing a user to remotely control the movement of the decoy. In use, the user moves the decoy in order to lure prey while occupying a concealed location. The user can also selectively interchange the type of decoy being used. |
| US08713837B2 |
Light weight stiffened gun stock
A light weight stiffened gun stock is disclosed herein. The gun stock utilizes structural members oriented in a grid pattern resulting in a high strength-to-weight ratio. The grid pattern can be an isogrid, orthogrid, hoop-grid pattern, or a combination thereof. The structural members define the form of the gunstock, and provide recoil absorption to reduce the amount of recoil experienced by the shooter. |
| US08713836B1 |
Automatic trigger guard for firearms
A retrofit able Trigger Guard assembly is the invented embodiment, which is attached permanently to an existing firearm or can be integrated to any firearm during manufacturing. This assembly is attached permanently under the muzzle of any firearm, typically a hand gun. In general, the invented mechanism operates under the force of gravity and certain relevant lever action extends guard plates on both side of the trigger assembly, thereby making it in operable. The guard plates are extended over the trigger guard of the firearm as soon as the gun is pointed downward. This mechanism is locked inside the assembly by an electrical miniature solenoid, which release the lock in order to facilitate the retraction only if the firearm is leveled and the bio metrics of the user matches the pre stored finger prints in the memory of the assembly, therefore, only authorized user can activate the trigger. |
| US08713830B2 |
Cover member and sticker
A cover member includes: a cover body that is located such that a reverse surface of the cover body faces an engine; a sticker that has a sticker body and an adhesive layer, the sticker body being formed such that the sticker body covers an aesthetically-designed concave portion that is formed on a top surface of the cover body, the adhesive layer being provided on a reverse-surface side of the sticker body to adhere the sticker body to the cover body; and a communication path that communicates an interior of the aesthetically-designed concave portion with the atmosphere. |
| US08713829B1 |
Temporary reusable sign apparatus
A temporary reusable sign apparatus that includes a substantially flat sign board having one or more openings and front and rear sides, and a securing means for securing the substantially flat sign board to a supporting structure. The front side includes a dry-eraseable marker surface configured to receive one or more indicia. The securing means is configured to deflectably receive and thereby frictionaly engage a portion of the supporting structure. |
| US08713826B1 |
Display end unit structure
A rack system for displaying products comprises a rack unit supporting some of the products so as to be accessed at a forward facing product dispensing face. The rack unit has a side portion facing generally perpendicular to the dispensing face. A corner member is supported on the side portion and comprises a first wall portion extending generally forwardly to a vertical edge adjacent the product dispensing face, and a second wall portion extending generally laterally outward from the side portion to a second vertical edge. The first and second edges each have a retaining portion extending vertically. A flexible signage member is supported on the corner member in a flexed condition between the retaining portions with a signage surface that is concave outwardly between the retaining portions. The signage member is supported and retained on the corner member by a biasing of the signage member to extend wider than a distance between the retaining portions. |
| US08713820B2 |
Guides for lacing systems
Lacing systems are disclosed for use with footwear or other articles. The lacing system can comprises flexible webbing lace guides. In some embodiments, a lace guide can include a first lace guide element and a second lace guide element. The lace can pass through the first and second lace guides consecutively on the first side of the article before crossing to the opposing side of the article. The first and second lace guide elements can be angled towards each other to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide elements. In some embodiments, the lace guide can have a central portion that is less flexible than the end portions so as to reduce the occurrence of sharp turns in the lace path through the lace guide when tension is applied to the lace. |
| US08713819B2 |
Composite sole structure
Embodiments relating to a lightweight sole structure are disclosed. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a lobed member having a protruding portion associated with a cleat member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a chambered member located in an indention in an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a cleat member having an outer layer, an intermediate layer, and an inner layer. In some embodiments, a method of making a sole structure may include injecting a chambered member in between an upper member and an intermediate member. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include a plurality of zones having varying degrees of flexibility. In some embodiments, the sole structure may include cleat members having penetrating portions for penetrating into the ground surface. |
| US08713815B2 |
Method and device for drying bulk capillary-porous materials
The present invention relates to the vacuum drying of capillary porous bulk materials.The method involves preheating of the material, its loading into the vacuum drying chamber having heating elements followed by cycle-by-cycling heating of the material and vacuum creation in the rapid vacuum impulse action mode with stage-by-stage single or multiple reduction of pressure in the range from 0.1 MPa to 0.0001 MPa followed by the exposure to vacuum unless the material temperature is stabilized. Said cycles are repeated unless the required material moisture is achieved. Cooling of the material is performed in the same drying chamber by alternating cooling in spouted bed and vacuum impulse action.The device comprises two vacuum chambers cone-shaped at their bases with heaters mounted inside them, material loading/unloading system, one or several receivers with pumps connected in parallel to them and connected via vacuum pipeline system with quick-acting valves to the drying chamber inlet. |
| US08713812B2 |
Axle guide
The axle guide has a generally rectangular base having a thickness, a top surface, and an opposite bottom surface, a first end and an opposite second end, and a right side and an opposite left side. The top surface has a lengthwise spine with less height than the thickness of the base. The first end has a threaded aperture receiving a screw which secures a planar gauge. The gauge has its own thickness, generally that of the desired gap between a wheel hub and the car body. The gauge has a generally slotted shape secured by the screw to the first end. The gauge is preferably H shaped or alternately C shaped. The slot of the gauge receives the shaft of an axle. |
| US08713810B2 |
Chalk box
A chalk box includes a housing with an opening and a rotatable reel disposed within the housing. An elongated line is arranged to be wound on the reel. A reel winder is arranged to rotate the reel to wind the line on the reel. A movable cover is mounted to the housing and is movable between an open position and a closed position, the cover when open permits a powder or a fluid marker material to be placed into the housing through the opening in the housing. The movable cover includes an elastomeric material enabling the cover to seal with the housing when the cover is closed to prevent leakage of the marker material at an interface between the movable cover and the housing. A releasable lock is arranged to releasably lock the cover in the closed position, the releasable lock being manually manipulable by a user's fingers to release the lock to permit access into the housing through the opening. The elastomeric material is overmolded onto and thus permanently connected to the relatively rigid material of the movable cover. |
| US08713809B2 |
Fluxgate sensor and electronic compass making use thereof
Provided is a flux gate sensor comprising the following: a magnetic core having a first wiring layer formed on a board, a first insulating layer formed in such a way as to cover the aforementioned first wiring layer, and a magnetic core which is formed on the aforementioned first insulating layer and which has a central portion and an end portion that continues to the aforementioned central portion, that has a width larger than the width of the aforementioned central portion, and that is located on either side of the aforementioned central portion; a second insulating layer which covers the aforementioned magnetic core and which is formed on the aforementioned first insulating layer; and a second wiring layer formed on the aforementioned second insulating layer. |
| US08713808B2 |
System and method for projecting a visible line on an athletic field surface
A temporary line projection system designed to be grasped by hand and moved, by a single human operator, into a desired location as, for example, along the sidelines of a football field adjacent to where a first down line is to be projected. The system comprises a movable structure that is dimensioned and arranged to be supported by and project upwardly from an athletic field surface. A laser source is supported by the movable structure and is maintained by the movable structure at an elevated location relative to the athletic field surface. This allows the laser source to direct optical energy downward upon the field while the movable structure is maintained substantially in a first orientation relative to the athletic field surface. A sensing arrangement is operative to determine when the movable structure is no longer maintained substantially in the first orientation and a switch is operative to disable the laser source when the movable structure is no longer maintained substantially in the first orientation. |
| US08713806B2 |
Power tool
A power tool includes a power source, a speed change mechanism and a tool bit. The speed change mechanism includes first and second rotating shafts disposed parallel to each other, a first power transmission path provided with a first gear train and a first clutch and a second power transmission path provided with a second gear train and a second clutch. The power transmission path is switched between the first power transmission path and the second power transmission path while the first and second gear trains are held engaged, by shifting of the first and second clutches between the power transmission state and the power transmission interrupted state according to a load applied to the tool bit. The speed change mechanism further includes a switching retaining mechanism, a switching preventing mechanism, a switching set value adjusting mechanism or a switching mechanism. |
| US08713805B2 |
Hand cutting tool
A hand cutting tool includes a handle lock assembly configured to retain handles of the cutting tool in a closed position. The handle lock assembly includes a latch that pivots with respect to a first handle about a latch axis from a locked position to an unlocked position and a pin manually movable with respect to a second handle between an engaged position and a released position. In a latched position of the handle lock assembly, the latch is in the locked position and engages the pin in the engaged position to retain the second handle in the closed position, and in an unlatched position of the handle lock assembly, the latch is in the unlocked position and is disengaged from the pin in response to the pin being manually moved to the released position to allow the second handle to move toward the open position. |
| US08713792B2 |
Method of manufacturing a printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a Cu wiring pattern formed on a substrate. A first metal layer is formed on the Cu wiring pattern. A second metal layer is formed on the first metal layer. The first metal layer has a less reactivity with Cu than the second metal layer. The first metal layer and the second metal layer together cause an eutectic reaction. |
| US08713791B1 |
Soldering fixture
A soldering fixture is disclosed having a unitary base member configured to maintain a printed circuit board and an electrical connector in a particular orientation during soldering. The unitary base member includes a lateral channel dimensioned to maintain a plurality of wire leads associated with the electrical connector in a spaced relationship with the printed circuit board. The unitary base member further includes a wire alignment tool configured to align the plurality of wire leads in the particular orientation such that the plurality of wire leads are in juxtaposition with a plurality of solder pads affixed to one or more surfaces of the printed circuit board. |
| US08713788B2 |
Method for fabricating miniature structures or devices such as RF and microwave components
Multi-layer, multi-material fabrication methods include depositing at least one structural material and at least one sacrificial material during the formation of each of a plurality of layers wherein deposited materials for each layer are planarized to set a boundary level for the respective layer and wherein during formation of at least one layer at least three materials are deposited with a planarization operation occurring before deposition of the last material to set a planarization level above the layer boundary level and wherein a planarization occurs after deposition of the last material whereby the boundary level for the layer is set. Some formation processes use electrochemical fabrication techniques (e.g. including selective depositions, bulk depositions, etching operations and planarization operations) and post-deposition processes (e.g. selective etching operations and/or back filling operations). |
| US08713786B2 |
Metal ring and method of producing the same
To provide a metal ring excellent in durability by reducing decrease in margin of strength and concentration of tensile stress at its both widthwise end portions and to efficiently realize a production method of the same, a metal ring is formed in an endless band-like body having a nitride layer on its surface portion and constituting part of a metal belt of a belt type continuously variable transmission, the nitride layer being constituted by a first nitride layer portion positioned on an outer circumferential side, a second nitride layer portion positioned on an inner circumferential side, and third nitride layer portions positioned on both widthwise end sides, and the layer thicknesses of the third nitride layer portions being smaller than either one of the layer thicknesses of the first nitride layer portion and the second nitride layer portion. |
| US08713783B2 |
System and method for manufacturing bed supports for chromatography columns
This invention provides a method a method of manufacturing a bed support for a chromatography column is disclosed. The method includes: placing the outer ring of the bed support on a support plate of a machine having a transitional stage; placing the mesh disk into the above ring, pressing another support plate on the mesh disk; rotating the transitional stage; providing a roller attached to the transitional stage with a certain force that is applied over the rim of the ring; and continuously applying the force of the roller onto the ring until a rim of the ring bends then assembles into the mesh disk. |
| US08713781B2 |
Trim attachment method and associated product
A decorative trim assembly and the process of manufacturing includes providing a clip, supplying an elongated metal bright strip, and inserting the clip inside the metal bright strip. Subsequently, bending the assembled bright strip with the clip along its longitudinal extent provides a final conformation of the structure. It is subsequently secured to a weatherstrip by snap-fit operation. The end customer maintains the ability to service the decorative trim piece independently of the weatherstrip system. |
| US08713779B2 |
System and method for preparing winding mandrels for forming reels
Disclosed is a system to be combined to one or more rewinding machines (1) for forming reels or logs of web material wound around winding mandrels. The system, whose function is to prepare the winding mandrels with the related winding cores positioned thereon, comprises in combination: a robot (5) for extracting winding mandrels (A) from formed reels (BB); a cutting unit (7) for cutting tubes (T) for forming tubular winding cores (AT) of settable axial length; an insertion unit (9), for introducing the winding mandrels into a set of tubular winding cores. |
| US08713776B2 |
System and tool for installing combustion liners
An installation tool and method are disclosed for installing a combustion liner within a combustor. The installation tool comprises a frame and a pusher block. The frame includes a substantially horizontal member and a plurality of side members. The pusher block is disposed between the side members and may be configured to push against the combustion liner. |
| US08713775B2 |
Apparatus and method for servicing dynamoelectric machine components in-situ
An apparatus and method are provided for servicing a dynamoelectric machine component. The apparatus includes a tool delivery mechanism adapted for delivering a tool to a desired location in the dynamoelectric machine, and a tool support fixture adapted to be secured onto the body of the dynamoelectric machine, where the tool support fixture can be used for supporting and adjusting the tool delivery mechanism. A sleeve mechanism is attached to the tool support fixture, and the sleeve mechanism is disposed around a portion of the tool delivery mechanism. The apparatus is adapted to service the component of the dynamoelectric machine in-situ. |
| US08713764B1 |
Connector structure
A connector structured to removably attach an object to a support platform including an elongated, rigid material base having a locking assembly disposed thereon and including a retainer and a gripping member. The gripping member is movably connected to the retainer and disposable relative to the base into both a locking orientation and a release orientation, wherein the locking orientation comprises a predetermined portion of the gripping member disposed in gripping, at least partially penetrating relation to an exposed surface of a corresponding part of either the support platform or the supported object. An activating member is connected to the gripping member and movable therewith, wherein positioning force exerted on the activating member will selectively dispose the gripping member between the locking and release orientations. |
| US08713755B1 |
Insert assembly for an applicator
An insert assembly for an applicator is built from two semi-cylindrical retention jaws connected by a living hinge. Each of the semi-cylindrical retention jaws has a plurality of stake pins, while the first semi-cylindrical retention jaw has a locator receptacle and the second semi-cylindrical retention jaw has a locator insert. An insert is placed between the two retention jaws, which then close to secure the insert between the retention jaws. The locator receptacle receives the locator insert from the second semi-cylindrical retention jaw, helping to align the two retention jaws. The plurality of stake pins impale the insert, holding it in place. In addition to being secured by the stake pins, the insert is supported by an interior ridge. The insert assembly can then be slid into a barrel sleeve, held in place by a press fit or by a removable mounting system, such as a lug mount. |
| US08713753B2 |
Nozzle for a vacuum cleaner
Provided is a nozzle for a vacuum cleaner. The nozzle for the vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle body defining an outer appearance thereof, a vibration member disposed in the nozzle body, the vibration member separating foreign substances from a surface to be cleaned, a driving motor providing a driving force to the vibration member, and a power transmission unit configured to convert a rotation movement of the driving motor into a linear movement of the vibration member. The vibration member repeatedly strikes the surface to be cleaned by the driving force of the driving motor. The nozzle for the vacuum is advantageous in that it can easily suck dusts scattered during cleaning. |
| US08713745B2 |
Thick and thin ice scraper
An ice scraper adapted to remove materials such as ice, frost, and/or snow from automobile window glass surfaces or other window glass surfaces that has a longitudinally extending handle composing of two separate ice scraping devices. The flat scraping device which is similar to most traditional ice scrapers is designed to remove thick ice and snow by applying force from the handle in a general parallel direction to the length of the handle against the surface to be scraped. The opposite or opposing side of the intermediate portion of the ice scraper body contains a double beveled edged circular shaped ice scraper designed to remove frost/thin ice using a clockwise or counter clockwise motion, utilizing the handhold or flat scraping surface or both as a handle. A handle composed of two angles that aid in the use of both the flat scraping device and circular working edge. |
| US08713742B2 |
Enhanced sponge mop
An enhanced sponge mop is presented for extracting cleaning solution from a mop head. The enhanced sponge mop may include a mop block structure, a hinged connector, and a sponge structure. Also, a rod may be threaded through a mop handle and attached to the hinged connector on one end and a pressure applying member on the other end. When the pressure applying member is moved from one position to another, swivels located on the mop block structure may allow a sponge attached to the sponge structure to be wrung. In addition, the mop block structure may include rails that mate with teeth located on the hinged connector to give additional stability to the enhanced sponge mop. |
| US08713741B2 |
Apparatus and method for cleaning pipes and pipe systems
An apparatus (50) is provided for use in internal cleaning of at least one pipe (10), which apparatus (50) is arranged for connection to a first pipe end (14) of the at least one pipe (10) and to a second pipe end (15) of the at least one pipe, wherein the apparatus (50) at least comprises a coupling device designed for connection to a reservoir of pressurized gas, a pressure chamber (20) for introduction of cleaning pigs (21) and a pig receiver (23) for receiving cleaning pigs (21) which have passed through the at least one pipe (10). The apparatus (50) further comprises a pressure booster (29) for pressurizing a liquid fluid and at least one valve means (16,17) so as to allow a cleaning pig (21) to be driven through the at least one pipe (10) by means of either the pressurized gas or the pressurised liquid fluid. |
| US08713736B2 |
Control method of a laundry machine
A laundry machine and a control method thereof are provided in which laundering ability may be improved while also improving efficiency and noise/vibration. The laundry machine employs a plurality of drum motions by varying drum rotational speed, drum rotational direction, and drum starting and stopping point, to provide different motion of laundry items in the drum. |
| US08713734B2 |
Aerated bumper and liner system for a baby crib
An aerated bumper and liner system for a baby crib provides increased airflow into and out of the baby crib while creating a soft pad to guard the baby against injury. The bumper and liner system includes pads with apertures that allow for added air circulation. Each pad may further include ties for attaching the pad to the bars of the crib. Support stays are included in the liner pads to help ensure that the liner pad do not sag once put in place in the crib. |
| US08713730B2 |
Medical transport device
Embodiments of the invention are directed to medical transport devices, more particularly, to spineboards. In one embodiment, a spineboard includes an upper panel assembly joined to a lower panel assembly by one or more latch assemblies and one or more hinge assemblies. An upper moveable belt wrap about the upper panel assembly and is driven by a motorized drive roller while a lower moveable belt is wrapped about the lower panel assembly and driven by a separate motorized drive roller. The upper and lower moveable belts counter-rotate relative to one another. The upper moveable belt is used to load and unload an injured person from the spineboard while the lower moveable belt is used to advance the spineboard toward and away from the injured person. |
| US08713729B2 |
Devices and systems for supporting a user
A device for supporting a user includes a frame for supporting the torso of the user. The frame may be oriented in a left, middle and right orientations. The user's arms extending through openings, which permit the user to position the arm adjacent the frame without the user's body weight on the user's shoulder or arm. |
| US08713727B2 |
Siderail assembly for patient support apparatus
A siderail assembly includes a guide, a support frame coupled to the frame and movable between first and second positions, and a barrier coupled to the support frame and movable therewith. The siderail assembly further includes a handle coupled to the barrier to move between a first position and a second position relative to the barrier. The siderail assembly may include electronic controls to change the position or limit movement of various portions of a patient support apparatus on which the siderail assembly may be coupled. |
| US08713724B1 |
Pool drain assembly with annular inlet
The swimming pool floor or spa floor drain assembly includes a drain cover having an annular upper opening to serve as a fluid flow inlet, a fluid flow opening within a drain body below the mouth and a sidewall interconnecting the annular upper opening with the fluid flow opening. A support structure positions the plug within the drain body such that a substantial portion of the plug sidewall is spaced apart from the drain body sidewall to define a fluid flow channel having a first comparatively larger cross sectional area in proximity to the drain body mouth and a second comparatively smaller cross sectional area in proximity to the drain body outlet. The variation in cross sectional area from the drain body mouth to the drain body outlet provides a lower fluid flow velocity at the mouth than at the outlet when fluid is transferred through the floor drain assembly. |
| US08713722B2 |
Flushing arrangement for a WC, and method of operating such a flushing arrangement
A flushing arrangement for a WC, comprising a toilet bowl which has an inlet and an outlet, there between a U-bend, and pulse generating elements for generating a pulse with which water which is present in the U-bend and forms an air trap is accelerated, for a flushing operation, in the direction of the outlet. The pulse generating elements are arranged in the U-bend and have a plurality of nozzles, or at least one annular gap extending in the circumferential direction of the U-bend. The nozzles or the at least one annular gap generate, in the water in each case, a flow which is directed substantially towards the outlet. The nozzles or the at least one annular gap are arranged directly upstream of an ascending region or in an ascending region of the U-bend. |
| US08713721B2 |
Urinal installed with a conductive sensor
The present invention discloses a conductive sensor and a urinal having conductive sensor. Said conductive sensor is installed in the sewer pipe of the urinal or toilet, which comprises an insulating body and a detecting electrode used for detecting the electric conductivity of the liquid in the sewer pipe. Said conductive sensor also comprises a self-cleaning device used for cleaning the end of the detecting electrode. Said self-cleaning device comprises a housing, a piston unit and a brush head unit. A water inlet pipe connected with the tap water pipe and a water outlet pipe connected with the sewer pipe are installed to said housing. Said brush head unit comprises a brush head used for cleaning the end of the detecting electrode. Thus, the detected result of conductive sensor and the urinal having conductive sensor are more reliable and the device is easy to be maintained. |
| US08713715B1 |
Crotch access system
A crotch access system for trousers, overalls, or coveralls features a rapid access closure at a crotch. The system features a leg covering garment having a first leg tube, a second leg tube, and a tubular torso component. A first leg first end and a second leg first end are attached to a tubular torso component second end intersecting at the crotch. The system features a first leg slit located on a first leg tube inside and a second leg slit located a second leg tube inside. The system features a first leg zipper located in the first leg slit and a second leg zipper located in the second leg slit for repeatedly opening and closing the second leg slit. The system features a first leg flap located over the first leg slit and a second leg flap located over the second leg slit. |
| US08719958B2 |
Method and apparatus for content management
The present disclosure relates generally to audio and video processing. One claim recites a portable apparatus comprising: electronic memory comprising one or more identifiers, each of the identifiers being associated with previously accessed audio or video items, with each previously accessed audio or video item including an identifier associated therewith; and a logic processor programmed for: a. restricting access to an encountered audio or video item if an identifier associated with the encountered audio or video item is one of the one or more identifiers associated with the previously accessed audio or video items, and b. limiting a number of content items with different user identifiers that can be accessed in a predetermined amount of time. Other claims and combinations are provided as well. |
| US08719953B2 |
System and method for enhanced protection and control over the use of identity
A method of protecting use of an entity's identity is provided. The method comprises setting a status of the identity to a first state, the first state defining a scope of permitted use of the identity, changing, in advance of an intended use of the identity, the status to a second state defining a scope of permitted use of the identity that is different from the first state, requesting use of the identity after the changing; and returning, after the requesting, the state back to the first state. |
| US08719950B2 |
Access control apparatus and storage medium
According to one embodiment, an access control apparatus suspends the resource access event prior to access of the resource access device when the resource access event is started. The access control apparatus acquires attribute information from the attribute management device by using the deny-type policy in the access control policy and decides the permission or the denial of the access based on this attribute information and the deny-type policy. The access control apparatus releases the suspension when a result of decision in the supplied access decision result is indicative of the permission and no obligation-type policy is present in the access decision response. |
| US08719949B1 |
Parameter based operation
A device may include communication logic to receive a request to perform an activity on behalf of a client, where the activity is related to a primary application and a secondary application. The communication logic may send a response that allows the client to perform the activity when the client is authorized. The device may include evaluation logic to determine whether the client is related to the primary license and to determine whether a secondary license related to the secondary application is available. The evaluation logic may allocate the available secondary license to the client for use with the secondary application when the secondary license is available. The evaluation logic may authorize the client to perform the activity when the secondary license is allocated to the client. |
| US08719947B2 |
Protection of audio or video data in a playback device
Method and apparatus to prevent hacking of encrypted audio or video content during playback. Hackers, using a debugging attachment or other tools, can illicitly access encrypted data in memory in a playback device when the data is decrypted during playback and momentarily stored in digital form. This hacking is defeated here by methodically “poisoning” the encrypted data so that it is no longer playable by a standard decoder. The poisoning involves deliberate alteration of certain bit values. On playback, the player invokes a special secure routine that provides correction of the poisoned bit values, for successful playback. |
| US08719946B2 |
System and method for securely retrieving and playing digital media
A system for securely downloading and playing coherent digital content such as music and preventing its play by unauthorized users. The system may include mass server/storage devices for receiving and storing digital content having predetermined gaps; and client devices communicating with the server/storage devices, and providing authorization to proceed. During playing of the digital content by the client devices, the missing gaps may be filled into the appropriate places, to allow the play of the coherent digital content. |
| US08719945B2 |
Customer error screen capture
A method for capturing a user's view of an electronic screen having an error message in a health management application without showing private information of the user includes receiving an error message from a web service responding to a request for a web page by the user. The method includes receiving an electronic file of the web page with the error message, redacting private information of the user from the electronic file to create a redacted electronic file, and storing the redacted electronic file in a support log module. |
| US08719940B1 |
Collaborative phishing attack detection
Described herein are methods, network devices and machine-readable storage media for detecting whether a message is a phishing attack based on the collective responses from one or more individuals who have received that message. The individuals may flag the message as a possible phishing attack, and/or may provide a numerical ranking indicating the likelihood that the message is a possible phishing attack. As responses from different individuals may have a different degree of reliability, each response from an individual may be weighted with a corresponding trustworthiness level of that individual, in an overall determination as to whether a message is a phishing attack. A trustworthiness level of an individual may indicate a degree to which the response of that individual can be trusted and/or relied upon, and may be determined by how well that individual recognized simulated phishing attacks. |
| US08719937B2 |
Methods and systems for network attack detection and prevention through redirection
Methods and systems for detection and/or prevention of network attacks can include the use of multiple and/or time-dependent addresses coupled with filtering by the directory or naming service. The directory service can respond to requests for the address of a resource by returning an address that can be relocated over time by coordinating the directory service entry with the host and network address configuration data and/or by returning an address specific to the requestor. Thus, the directory service can track and build profiles of matches between requestors and accesses. The methods and systems can use the time dependent addresses and profiles to distinguish legitimate accesses from unauthorized or malicious ones. Requests for non-valid addresses can be misdirected to “empty” addresses or to detection devices. |
| US08719934B2 |
Methods, systems and media for detecting non-intended traffic using co-visitation information
A non-transitory processor-readable medium stores code representing instructions to be executed by a processor to receive data associated with access by a first plurality of entities to a first website location and to receive data associated with access by a second plurality of entities to a second website location. The processor is also caused to define a co-visitation factor for each of the first website location and the second website location based on the received data. The processor is also caused to, if the co-visitation factor of the first website location and/or the co-visitation factor of the second website location is over a predefined threshold, select the first website location and/or the second website location as target website locations. The processor is caused to send a signal to set a flag associated with each target website location indicating the target website location as a suspicious website location. |
| US08719927B2 |
Data filtering by using a communication device including an interface on a display showing a domain name
Technologies are generally described for data filtering for communication devices. In one example, a method of receiving data from a data source on a communication device is disclosed. The method includes determining, at the communication device, a domain name of the data source. The method also includes determining, at the communication device, one or more communication networks the communication device is connected to. The method further includes processing, at the communication device, the domain name for acceptance based on the one or more connected communication networks. The method also includes receiving the data from the data source, at the communication device, if the domain name is accepted. |
| US08719926B2 |
Denial of service detection and prevention using dialog level filtering
A method may include receiving a session initiation protocol (SIP) request message and determining whether a dialog exists corresponding to the request message. The method may also include determining whether the dialog is in a first phase or a second phase when a dialog exists corresponding to the session control protocol message and querying a table indicating valid protocol requests for the determined phase to determine whether the received request message is valid. The method may include rejecting the request message when determined that the request message is not valid. |
| US08719925B1 |
Content-addressable memory based enforcement of configurable policies
A monitoring device for monitoring transactions on a bus includes content-addressable memory (“CAM”) and a response policy unit. The CAM includes an input coupled to receive a bus transaction tag based on bus traffic on the bus. The CAM stores data tags associated with rules of a security policy to compare the bus transaction tag to the data tags. The CAM generates an output signal indicating whether one or more matches occurred. The response policy unit is coupled to the CAM to receive the output signal from the CAM and to execute a policy action in response to the output signal. |
| US08719923B1 |
Method and system for managing security operations of a storage server using an authenticated storage module
The present invention provides a technique, in a network storage system, for a key management module (KMM) managing security operations within the storage server using an authenticated storage module (ASM) such as a smart card of the storage server. The KMM may process encryption key information (key information) generated by an encryption engine of the storage server to associate a key with a storage object of the storage server. The processed key information may then be stored by the KMM to a key map of the ASM, for which the ASM performs security services prior to storing information to the key map. The KMM may then request key information stored in the key map from the ASM, and forward the key information to the encryption engine for performing cryptographic operations on data of the storage object. |
| US08719920B2 |
Arrangements for identifying users in a multi-touch surface environment
Arrangements to identify, in some form, multiple participants by an interactive surface system utilizing multi-touch technology are disclosed. The interactive surface system could identify, authorize, and allocate space on a surface for a participant based on identifying at least one attribute of the participant such as an object associated with the participant. The method can include searching for a first distinctive attribute of the participant, assigning an identifier to the attribute, and storing the identifier for future use. Other embodiments are also disclosed. |
| US08719918B2 |
Method and device for distributed security control in communication network system
With migration of network technology and more and more requirements of user equipment for accessing to Internet, the network security faces more and more severe situation. There is provided a method for distributed security control in communication network system and the device thereof in order to improve security and operatability of network operator. In the method, firstly the network controller establishes a network security control mechanism, which is used for a second network device to check the validity of the data package from the user equipment; secondly, the network controller sends the network security control mechanism to the second network devices; lastly, the second network device checks the validity of the data package from the user equipment according to the network security control mechanism, and discards the data package if the data package is invalid. With the present invention, security and operatability of the communication network may be improved greatly, particularly, the functionality of address anti-spoofing can be implemented in the network with a WLAN architecture in centralized control. |
| US08719909B2 |
System for monitoring the unauthorized use of a device
The invention is directed to systems and methods for detecting the loss, theft or unauthorized use of a device and/or altering the functionality of the device in response. In one embodiment, a device monitors its use, its local environment, and/or its operating context to determine that the device is no longer within the control of an authorized user. The device may receive communications or generate an internal signal altering its functionality, such as instructing the device to enter a restricted use mode, a surveillance mode, to provide instructions to return the device and/or to prevent unauthorized use or unauthorized access to data. Additional embodiments also address methods and systems for gathering forensic data regarding an unauthorized user to assist in locating the unauthorized user and/or the device. |
| US08719905B2 |
Secure and efficient login and transaction authentication using IPhones™ and other smart mobile communication devices
To authenticate a user of a mobile communication device for login or transaction authorization, a first application on the device directs transmission of a request for authentication of the user to a security server. A second application on the device receives the request for authentication from the security server and directs presentation of the received request for authentication to the user by the device. The second application receives a user input to the device indicating that the requested authentication should proceed and in response directs transmission of an indication that the requested authorization should proceed, to the security server. In response to this latter transmission, the second application receives a PIN from the authentication server. The first application directs transmission of the PIN received by the second application to the network site, which validates the transmitted PIN, in order to authenticate the user or the transaction to the network site. |
| US08719902B2 |
Secure communication device, secure communication method, and program
A secure communication device for high-speed encryption/decryption authentication including network stack processing. An encryption/decryption authentication controller of the secure communication device acquires the result of processing of the encrypted/decrypted or authenticated previous packet from an encryption/decryption authenticator and controls a network protocol processor so that the second half of the processing of the network protocols of the previous packet and the first half of the processing of the network protocols of the current packet are continuously performed. |
| US08719901B2 |
Secure consultation system
A secure consultation system is disclosed that enables an owner entity to securely store its most secure and private data such that designated entities of the owner entity and a consultant entity can execute application programs on that data and thus, to consult on the operation and correctness of the application programs and the data. |
| US08719900B2 |
Validating updates to domain name system records
Disclosed are various embodiments for validating updates to domain name system (DNS) records. A request is received to modify at least one DNS record associated with a domain owned by a domain owner. The request to modify the at least one DNS record is compared with at least one policy. The at least one policy is configurable by the domain owner. The requested modification to the at least one DNS record is selectively granted based at least upon the comparison. |
| US08719897B2 |
Access control method for tri-element peer authentication credible network connection structure
An access control method for a TePA-based TNC architecture is provided, including: 1) performing encapsulation of user authentication protocol data and platform authentication protocol data in the TePA-based TNC architecture: 1.1) encapsulating the user authentication protocol data in a Data field of TAEP packets, and interacting with the TAEP packets between an access requestor and an access controller, and between the access controller and a policy manager, to perform mutual user authentication between the access requestor and the access controller, and establish a secure channel between the access requestor and the access controller; and 1.2) encapsulating the platform authentication protocol data in a Data field of TAEP packets, and, for platform authentication protocol data between the access requestor and the access controller, encapsulating a TAEP packet of the platform authentication protocol data in a Data field of another TAEP packet to form a nested encapsulation. |
| US08719896B2 |
Widget host container component for a rapid application development tool
A widget host container serves as a component that may be added via a rapid application development tool, such as Oracle International Corporation's Application Development Framework. The rapid application development tool may be used to install the widget host container, for example, in a region of a user interaction environment, such as an application or a suite of user interactive applications, created by the rapid application development tool. If desired, one or more selection devices, such as a drop down menu, may be provided to select particular widgets for use and display. Features may be provided for organizing both personal and enterprise widgets. Security settings control access to web widgets, and an option to allow or restrict access to web widget display options in the container. |
| US08719888B1 |
Video encoding and serving architecture
Techniques for delivering content, such as videos, over a network are described. A core server and an edge server are provided. The core server has local storage. The edge server has local storage. A set of video frames is partitioned into a first group and a second group. Video frames in the first group are encoded into a scalable encoded stream. The scalable encoded stream is sent to the local storage at the edge server. The second group of video frames is encoded into a set of supplemental encoded streams using the scalable encoded stream as a reference. The supplemental encoded streams are encoded such that the bit rate and/or resolution of any two supplemental encoded streams is different. The set of supplemental encoded streams is stored in the storage of the core server. |
| US08719887B2 |
Communicating ancillary information associated with a plurality of audio/video programs
A system includes a receiver and a communication interface. The receiver is adapted to tune to an audio/video portion over a transport medium. The communication interface is adapted to receive announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video content directed to a first addressable location and to receive a special announcement directed to the first addressable location. The special announcement indicates availability of the announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video program, and the announcement data is associated with the tuned audio/video content and indicates enhancement data is being transmitted. The controller is adapted to redirect the announcement data to a second addressable location other than the first addressable location in response to the special announcement. |
| US08719885B2 |
Systems and methods for accessing recoverable program content
Content delivery systems and methods are operable to provide recoverable program content to a media device. An exemplary embodiment detects an occurrence of a qualifying event, wherein the qualifying event is associated with an unavailable portion of a program of interest; communicates a request to establish a backchannel between the media device and a program content device in response to detecting the occurrence of the qualifying event; communicates a request for a recoverable portion of the program of interest from the media device to the program content device over the backchannel, wherein the requested recoverable portion of the program of interest corresponds to the unavailable portion of the program of interest; and receives at the media device the recoverable portion of the program of interest from the program content device. |
| US08719879B2 |
Method and apparatus for content delivery
A method for recording linear content and delivering it for time-shifted viewing is described. The linear content may be recorded live by the content delivery system in response to user requests. The content delivery system divides the recording into at least two portions, the first portion of sufficient duration to permit real time continuous playback of the recorded content on the customer premises equipment (CPE) if the first portion has previously been transmitted to the CPE and the second has not been transmitted. The content delivery system transmits the first portion to the CPE prior to playback, and the second portion is streamed to the CPE after playback has begun. The playback is under control of the CPE from local storage. |
| US08719874B2 |
System and method of streaming audio from a common video device
The present invention discloses a system and method for rendering an audio signal over a wireless communication device where the video signal associated with the audio signal is being output to one or more displays in an audio-video system. The audio-video system includes a controller that outputs the video signal to the one or more displays, and a transceiver that transmits an audio signal associated with the video signal to the wireless communication device. A transceiver in the wireless communication device receives the transmitted audio signal from the audio-video system, and an audio processing circuit renders the audio signal as audible sound to the user of the wireless communication device. |
| US08719873B2 |
Digital downloading jukebox system with user-tailored music management, communications, and other tools
A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via an Internet-enabled device or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system. In some exemplary embodiments, changes via a first user interface on a first device are reflected on second user interface on other properly-configured devices. |
| US08719872B2 |
Consumer access systems and for providing same
Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced consumer access to information sources and controllable entities. An Access device can be a stand alone device such as a DVD player in which the DVD disk contains the back-end information network. Other Access devices obtain the back-end information network from remote sources. By way of a specific example, the consumer can then view a game and interactively select every television camera located at the game venue. |
| US08719866B2 |
Episode picker
In a method and system for accessing content, a selection of a media content item having at least one set of episodes is received. Each of the at least one set of episodes is displayed as a user-selectable element in a user interface. A selection of a user-selectable element corresponding to a set of the at least one set of episodes is received. The display of the selected user-selectable element is expanded to display the episodes of the set within the selected user-selectable element, with each episode of the episodes of the set being represented by an additional user-selectable element. A selection of an episode from the set of episodes is received. At least one content source from which the selected episode is available to be retrieved is displayed. A content source of the at least one content source from which the selected episode is to be retrieved is received. |
| US08719865B2 |
Using viewing signals in targeted video advertising
At a client, a video is received. The video includes one or more advertisement slots. The video is played back to a user. During the playback of the video, an impending advertisement slot is detected. One or more advertisements are requested for placement in the advertisement slot. The one or more advertisements are received and placed in the advertisement slot. |
| US08719862B2 |
Method for enhancing digital video recorder television advertising viewership
A method for enhancing digital video recorder television advertising viewership provides a method wherein the first or last number of seconds of a commercial break are carefully authored to provide a “teaser” to entice the viewer to watch multiple commercials during the commercial break instead of skipping the commercial break using the fast forward or jump functions of the DVR. A bookending function displays an advertisement before and/or after a program that has been recorded on the DVR's storage device is played to the viewer. The viewer selects a recorded program from the DVR's storage device to playback. Before the program is played back, an advertisement is retrieved from the storage device and is displayed before the program is run. Another advertisement is retrieved and then played after the program is over. |
| US08719861B2 |
System and method for distributing dynamic event data in an internet protocol television system
A method for distributing dynamic event notification data in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system including receiving at an IPTV server the dynamic event notification data indicating an occurrence of a dynamic event; identifying at the IPTV server a current IPTV viewer associated with an IPTV end user client device; retrieving at the IPTV server an event filter for the current IPTV viewer; filtering at the IPTV server the dynamic event notification data through the event filter for the current IPTV viewer; and sending from the IPTV server to an end user client device associated with the current IPTV viewer, the dynamic event notification data when the dynamic event notification data passes through the event filter. |
| US08719857B1 |
Systems and methods for providing parental control features in video mosaic environments
Systems and methods for providing parental control support in video mosaic environment are disclosed. Upon receiving a request for a video mosaic page, screen data, which may include parental control information, is received. The screen data may identify the video assets in the video mosaic page. A determination is made whether the video assets in the video mosaic page are locked or unlocked by parental controls in force on the user equipment. Locked assets may be masked and individually unlocked upon verification of a parental control access code or PIN. Unlocked assets may be presented in cells, or windows, in the video mosaic page and may also be individually locked and subsequently masked. A separate set of parental control settings may be maintained for video mosaic pages or the mosaic parental control commands may be resolved with system parental control settings. |
| US08719853B2 |
Flexible video-on-demand viewing period
A flexible video-on-demand viewing period is varied depending on whether the customer has completed viewing the entire program, allowing the viewing period to be extended if the customer has not completed viewing the entire program. The approach better assures the customer that they will have the opportunity to complete viewing the entire program, compared to a fixed rental period, while assuring program copyright owners that the utility of the rental is limited, fundamentally as intended, preserving the future value of the asset. The approach also enables viewers to retain bookmarks as needed for content that is not naturally tied to a rental period, such as subscription video-on-demand, without unnecessarily enlarging their list of active rentals. |
| US08719849B1 |
Decoupled application program-operating system computing architecture
A method of application program-operating system decoupling includes performing, through an application program configured to execute on a client machine, a system call to a first operating system executing on a server machine over an interconnect configured to couple the server machine to the client machine. The method also includes serving the application program configured to execute on the client machine through the first operating system executing on the server machine in accordance with the system call. |
| US08719847B2 |
Management and marketplace for distributed home devices
A home device management technique is described that allows a user to manage a network of distributed home devices. Special application modules, driver modules, and service exchange ports are employed. Each application modules implements some functionality in the home, preferably using one or more devices in the home distributed system. Each driver module provides the logic for operating one or multiple distributed home devices and is capable of receiving commands from application modules and sending them to devices, detecting events for an associated type of home device, translating the detected event into a format usable by the application modules and notifying the application modules of the events. Events are communicated between the application modules and the driver modules by using one or more service exchange ports. Access control policies are employed to control access to the home devices. The application and driver modules can be obtained over a network from a home marketplace that can also determine their compatibility and interoperability with the home devices. |
| US08719846B2 |
Real-time information feed
A computer-implemented method for updating a web user interface on a client device is provided. A router back-boned to the Internet communicates with the client device web-user interface data defined in markup language to dynamically update the web-user interface on the client device. The router contains no logic regarding the web-user interface running on the client device. The client device has a browser server for dynamically updating the web-user interface through downloading and caching the data from the router. The browser server on the client device has (i) a user interface model of the web-user interface running on the client device defined in Javascript, and (ii) a JavaScript Runtime Engine for dynamically converting the downloaded and/or cached web-user interface markup language data into JavaScript objects. The web-user interface is dynamically updated by combining steps (i) and (ii). |
| US08719845B2 |
Sharing and synchronization of objects
Sharing of objects may be implemented in a way that allows programs to use shared objects in much the same way that they would use local objects. In one example, a program creates an object and sets properties through normal instructions that would be used to create a local object. The program then registers the object with a shared object model, which may be maintained by a shared object server. For each machine on which the object may be used, a shared object runtime monitors for changes to the objects, and notifies the server of these changes. The server updates the object, and notifies other machines of changes to the state of the object. The shared object runtimes on those machines receive notification of the changes, and update the local copies. |
| US08719839B2 |
Two way communication support for heterogenous processors of a computer platform
A computer system may comprise a computer platform and input-output devices. The computer platform may include a plurality of heterogeneous processors comprising a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit) GPU, for example. The GPU may be coupled to a GPU compiler and a GPU linker/loader and the CPU may be coupled to a CPU compiler and a CPU linker/loader. The user may create a shared object in an object oriented language and the shared object may include virtual functions. The shared object may be fine grain partitioned between the heterogeneous processors. The GPU compiler may allocate the shared object to the CPU and may create a first and a second enabling path to allow the GPU to invoke virtual functions of the shared object. Thus, the shared object that may include virtual functions may be shared seamlessly between the CPU and the GPU. |
| US08719835B2 |
Ranking service units to provide and protect highly available services using the Nway redundancy model
Presented are methods and apparatus for protecting a plurality of High Availability (HA) Service Instances (SIs) with a plurality of Service Units (SUs) with an Nway redundancy model. Any of the SUs associated with the Nway redundancy model can simultaneously be assigned an active HA state for some of the SIs and a standby HA state for other SIs. However, only one SU can have the active state for any given SI. The Nway redundancy model is a configured prior to runtime operation. |
| US08719832B2 |
Capacity management of applications on server resources
A resource management system for managing resources in a computing and/or communications resource infrastructure is disclosed. The system comprises a database for storing a model of the resource infrastructure. The database defines a set of resources provided by the infrastructure; a set of software applications operating within the infrastructure and utilizing resources; and associations between given applications in the model and given resources to indicate utilization of the given resources by the given applications. The model can be used to perform resource utilization analysis and failure impact analysis. |
| US08719829B2 |
Synchronizing processes in a computing resource by locking a resource for a process at a predicted time slot
Synchronizing processes in a computer system includes creating a predictability model for a process. The predictability model establishes a predicted time slot for a resource that will be needed by the process. The method further requires establishing a predictive request for the resource at the predicted time slot. The predictive request establishes a place holder associated with the process. In addition, the method requires accessing another resource needed by the process for a period of time before the predicted time slot, submitting a request for the resource at the predicted time slot, and processing the request for the process at the resource. |
| US08719827B2 |
Processor and program execution method capable of efficient program execution
A processor for sequentially executing a plurality of programs using a plurality of register value groups stored in a memory that correspond one-to-one with the programs. The processor includes a plurality of register groups; a select/switch unit operable to select one of the plurality of register groups as an execution target register group on which a program execution is based, and to switch the selection target every time a first predetermined period elapses; a restoring unit operable to restore, every time the switching is performed, one of the register value groups into one of the register groups that is not selected as the execution target register group; a saving unit operable to save, prior to the restoring, register values in the register group targeted for restoring, by overwriting a register value group in the memory that corresponds to the register values; and a program execution unit operable to execute, every time the switching is performed, a program corresponding to a register value group in the execution target register group. |
| US08719825B2 |
Prompting for execution or delay of scheduled job
The present invention provides for the adjustment of the timing of a scheduled job including determining when the execution time of a scheduled job is within a predetermined time period. Prior to this time, a job execution notification is generated and submitted to an end user. The notification includes a request for time delay in the event the job should not be executed on the time noted. If the job should be delayed, a user may submit a delay request including a time delay. Upon receipt, an internal timing parameter is temporarily reset based on the delay request. The job is then automatically rescheduled for the prescribed time. If no other delay is incurred, once the job is executed, the internal timing parameter is then reset to its original time value. |
| US08719824B2 |
Dynamically configurable command and control systems and methods
A method and system in a Service Orchestration Architecture environment that provides rules engine-based service orchestration, task, and alert management for collaboration between one or more nodes of operation. The system provides multiple levels of configurability. In one aspect, the system includes a rules engine to define the command and control (C2) service orchestration. |
| US08719823B2 |
Managing latency introduced by virtualization
A component manages and minimizes latency introduced by virtualization. The virtualization component determines that a currently scheduled guest process has executed functionality responsive to which the virtualization component is to execute a virtualization based operation, wherein the virtualization based operation is one that is not visible to the guest operating system. The virtualization component causes the guest operating system to de-schedule the currently scheduled guest process and schedule at least one separate guest process. The virtualization component then executes the virtualization based operation concurrently with the execution of the at least one separate guest process. Responsive to completing the execution of the virtualization based operation, the virtualization component causes the guest operating system to re-schedule the de-scheduled guest process. |
| US08719819B2 |
Mechanism for instruction set based thread execution on a plurality of instruction sequencers
In an embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes managing user-level threads on a first instruction sequencer in response to executing user-level instructions on a second instruction sequencer that is under control of an application level program. A first user-level thread is run on the second instruction sequencer and contains one or more user level instructions. A first user level instruction has at least 1) a field that makes reference to one or more instruction sequencers or 2) implicitly references with a pointer to code that specifically addresses one or more instruction sequencers when the code is executed. |
| US08719817B2 |
Virtualization intermediary/virtual machine guest operating system collaborative SCSI path management
A method of direct access by a virtual machine (VM) running on a host machine to physical storage via a virtual function (VF) running on an input/output (IO) adapter comprising: providing by a virtualization intermediary running on the host machine an indication of an active path associated with a virtual storage device; obtaining by a guest driver running within a guest operating system of the VM the stored indication of the active path from the shared memory region; dispatching an IO request by the guest driver to the VF that includes an indication of the active path; and sending by the VF an IO request that includes the indicated active path. |
| US08719816B2 |
Extendable framework for distributed applications and data
A system and method are configured to provide a virtual application desktop and communication channel. The system includes a virtual machine executing on an operating system within which multiple applications can concurrently execute. A plurality of applications can each have a protected namespace and be configured to execute using the virtual machine. Each of the plurality of applications can have a request box. A centralized communication engine can be configured to control communications between each request box. In addition, the centralized communication engine can be configured to retrieve, transfer and distribute data between the request boxes of the plurality of applications in response to requests from the plurality of applications. |
| US08719812B1 |
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamically modifying and utilizing a software package description for software installation
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamically modifying and utilizing a software package description for software installation are disclosed. According to one method, a software package that includes a software description file is loaded on a hardware platform. The software description file is dynamically modified based on the software package and the hardware platform. The method also includes utilizing the modified software description file to install the software package on the hardware platform. |
| US08719810B2 |
Program upgrade system and method for over the air-capable mobile terminal
An apparatus and method for updating a program of a mobile terminal using an Over-The-Air (OTA) programming mechanism is provided. The program upgrade apparatus includes a first memory for storing a reference version of the program and at least one upgrade package; a second memory for loading an upgrade version of the program; a communication unit for enabling the mobile terminal to communicate with an external system; and a control unit for controlling the communication unit to download the upgrade package in response to an upgrade notification message from the external system, installing the upgrade package within the first memory, generating an upgrade version of the program by merging the upgrade package and the reference version in response to an install command, and operating the mobile terminal with the upgraded version of the program. |
| US08719802B2 |
Interprocedural exception method
An interprocedural exception analysis and transformation framework for computer programming languages such as C++ that (1) captures the control-flow induced by exceptions precisely, and (2) transforms the given computer program into an exception-free program that is amenable for precise static analysis, verification, and optimizations. |
| US08719801B2 |
Timing analysis of concurrent programs
Described are various techniques by which a concurrent program is analyzed with respect to timing. In one aspect, code fragments in a concurrent program are modified and/or instrumented by inserting iteration counters inside loops. Examples of modified fragments include those corresponding to concurrently executing code fragments, non-blocking concurrent code fragments, blocking concurrent code fragments, fragments having a loop that may not terminate, fragments having interlocked operation, or fragments having a timeout. Such fragments are modified and/or flagged so as to provide the summary data. When statically analyzed, the instrumented code provides complexity information regarding each fragment, or combinations of fragments, such as concurrent fragments. Summary data regarding the concurrent program is provided by processing the complexity information into at least one computation graph. |
| US08719800B2 |
Accelerating replayed program execution to support decoupled program analysis
A virtual machine system decouples dynamic program analysis from program execution. Program analysis is decoupled from program execution through the use of a virtual machine to record program execution and an analysis platform to replay and analyze the program execution. Optimization techniques are applied to prevent the analysis platform from falling too far behind the program execution platform during replay. |
| US08719799B2 |
Measuring coupling between coverage tasks and use thereof
Test coverage is enhanced by measuring various types of coupling between coverage tasks. The coupling measurements may be implicit coupling measurements, explicit coupling measurements, coding coupling measurements, performance coupling measurements, resource coupling measurements or the like. Based on the coupling measurements, different coverage tasks may be grouped together. For example, closely coupled coverage tasks may be grouped together. The groups may also be determined based on an initial distribution of groups, by combining groups having closely coupled member coverage tasks. The groups may be ordered and prioritized, such as based on the size of the groups and the number of uncovered tasks in each group. The groups may also be ordered, such as based on coupling score which aggregate the coupling measurements of the member coverage tasks. |
| US08719796B2 |
Parametric trace slicing
A program trace is obtained and events of the program trace are traversed. For each event identified in traversing the program trace, a trace slice of which the identified event is a part is identified based on the parameter instance of the identified event. For each trace slice of which the identified event is a part, the identified event is added to an end of a record of the trace slice. These parametric trace slices can be used in a variety of different manners, such as for monitoring, mining, and predicting. |
| US08719794B2 |
Fake check-in entries posted on behalf of social network users
An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application. |
| US08719786B2 |
Method for performing conditionalized N-way merging of source code
A method combines N versions of a C/C++ program into a single, semantically correct, unified program, while maintaining the semantics of each version within N. The problem of merge conflicts is avoided by conditionalizing changes that potentially conflict, according to a set of preprocessors definitions that uniquely define the version within N. Conditionalization is realized through C/C++ preprocessing directives (e.g., #if, #else, #elif). |
| US08719784B2 |
Assigning runtime artifacts to software components
A system and computer program product for assigning runtime artifacts to software components. Source code and metadata are extracted from a library, where the metadata includes a component membership for the source code. A compile unit is formed from the extracted source code and metadata. Runtime artifacts are produced from the compile unit or an element derived from the compile unit. Each runtime artifact is interrogated to determine the defined component for each runtime artifact. The determined component is recorded. |
| US08719783B2 |
Determining release differences
A method, computer program product, and system for determining release differences is described. A method may comprise determining a first difference, the first difference corresponding to one or more activities that were at least one of: added to a main branch between a first release branch and a second release branch, and removed from the main branch between the first release branch and the second release branch. The method may further comprise determining a second difference, the second difference corresponding to one or more activities that were at least one of: added to the first release branch, and removed from the first release branch. The method may additionally comprise determining a third difference, the third difference corresponding to one or more activities that were at least one of: added to the second release branch, and removed from the second release branch. A delta activity set may be determined. |
| US08719781B2 |
Universal and adaptive software development platform for data-driven applications
A software application platform that abstracts a computing platform, a database layer, and a rendering medium is disclosed. A platform-independent application programming interface is disclosed, as well as an abstract database layer. The abstraction of the database layer comprises two sub-layers, including a layer having a uniform interface that treats data records as plain objects and a layer having constructs that facilitate the automated generation of user interfaces for data record navigation and management. Further, a software application platform that is independent of rendering medium is disclosed. |
| US08719776B2 |
System for creation and distribution of software applications usable on multiple mobile device platforms
The present invention provides a mobile application ecosystem comprising a mobile application development kit and store, both of which are implemented as web-based services such that creation, testing, and distribution of mobile applications, as well as discovery, investigation, and delivery of same, can all be performed using a standard web browser. The mobile application development kit offers common capabilities across all target mobile device brand and brand groups, allowing the same application construct to work unmodified on all, while building the application in a manner that is native to each, thereby avoiding any requirement to embed a separate common runtime or virtual machine on every mobile device. |
| US08719773B2 |
Workflow data binding
A workflow data binding system facilitates binding of a data component to a feature of a software component. Prior to the binding, a graphical indication of the software component and a graphical indication of the feature of the software component are displayed. In addition, an indication of an element of the data component is displayed in a display area approximately adjacent to the displayed software component. The workflow data binding system receives a user input command to bind the data component to the feature of the software component. The user input command may include dragging the indication of an element of the data component from the data component display area to the feature of the software component and subsequently dropping it on the feature. As a result, the workflow data binding system automatically generates script or code that provides executable instructions to bind the feature of the software component to the data component. |
| US08719772B2 |
Programming library usage capturing and representation
A computer system may provide various resources to users through one or more programming libraries, such as application programming interfaces (APIs), in order to standardize access to such resources through various general-purpose mechanisms. These programming libraries may be operated by other programs, such as task-specific user interfaces, through which a user may utilize the programming library without having to understand its structure and functions. However, in many scenarios, a user may wish to know the manner of invoking a programming library to achieve an invoked behavior, or may wish to reproduce the behavior without having to utilize the user interface. A user may therefore capture an invocation of the programming library, and may generate an instruction set representing the captured invocation that may be studied, copied, modified, subsequently performed, etc. |
| US08719771B2 |
Method and system for test reduction and analysis
Disclosed is a method, system, and computer program product that reduces the size of a failing test. A tree is created from the test's programming code, where the tree represents the syntactical and the semantic bounds between the programming code elements. By analyzing this tree and iteratively pruning the irrelevant sub-trees it is possible to eliminate many non necessary parts of the code, and recreate a new legal test, which represents the same error, but is potentially much smaller and therefore easier to understand and debug. |
| US08719768B2 |
Accretion of inter-namespace instances in multi-tenant CIMOM environment
A system and method for identifying duplicate or similar class instances existing in two or more Common Information Model (CIM) namespaces, accreting them, and thereafter returning a set of class instances and their associated information based on predetermined criteria. In different embodiments of the invention, an abstraction layer is implemented to provide a consolidation namespace operable to aggregate CIM instance data from two or more namespaces into a single namespace. A CIM client management application can then access and search the resulting consolidation namespace for all CIM class instances instead of iteratively browsing individual namespaces. A consolidation provider queries CIM namespaces to enumerate instances of CIM namespaces, which are consolidated in the Interop namespace, and similarly enumerates class instance data, which is consolidated in the consolidation namespace. |
| US08719755B2 |
Graded dummy insertion
Among other things, one or more techniques for graded dummy insertion and a resulting array are provided herein. For example an array is a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) array, a metal oxide metal (MOM) array, or a resistor array. In some embodiments, a first region and a second region are identified based on a density gradient between a first pattern density associated with the first region and a second pattern density associated with the second region. For example, the first pattern density and the second pattern density are gate densities and/or poly densities. To this end, a dummy region is inserted between the first region and the second region, the dummy region includes a graded pattern density based on a first adjacent pattern density and a second adjacent pattern density. In this manner, graded dummy insertion is provided, thus enhancing edge cell performance for an array, for example. |
| US08719751B1 |
Simultaneous switching noise analysis
A method for determining an impact of simultaneous switching noise (SSN) for a linearly based metric is provided. The method includes generating a waveform representing an impact of SSN from a rising aggressor for each of at least two victim pins associated with the metric and generating a waveform representing an impact of SSN from a falling aggressor for each of at least two victim pins associated with the metric. The waveforms from the rising aggressor are collapsed into a single waveform for the rising aggressor and the waveforms from the falling aggressor are collapsed into a single waveform for the falling aggressor. The single waveform for the rising aggressor and the single waveform for the falling aggressor are merged into a merged waveform. Through a computing device, switching window SSN analysis of the circuit design is performed with a common uncertainty removal utilizing the merged waveform. |
| US08719749B2 |
Timer match dithering
A counter/timer circuit and a method of operating the counter/timer circuit are described. In one embodiment, a method of operating a counter/timer circuit involves determining a match condition by comparing a count value of the counter/timer circuit with a value stored in a match register of the counter/timer circuit and delaying an assertion of the match condition based on a value programmed in a match companion register of the counter/timer circuit. The match companion register is associated with the match register. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US08719747B2 |
Single event upset mitigation for electronic design synthesis
Technology is disclosed herein that provides for modifying a circuit design to reduce the potential occurrence of single event upset errors during operation of a device manufactured from the synthesized design. After a circuit design has been synthesized to a particular abstraction level, a static timing analysis procedure is run on the design. The slack values for paths within the design are determined based upon the static timing analysis procedure. Subsequently, delays are added to selected paths within the design based upon the slack values. |
| US08719745B2 |
Method and system for automatically establishing hierarchical parameterized cell (PCELL) debugging environment
A system and method are provided for establishing an automated debugging environment in an Electronic Design Automation (EDA) work flow for the debugging of parameterized cells (PCELLS/PyCELLS) in a layout. A user may merely select a particular PCELL within a hierarchical PCELL and the system and method will determine dependencies thereof. The source code for the selected PCELL and its dependencies may be located and loaded. At least one breakpoint may be set in the source code of the selected PCELL. The source code for the selected PCELL and its dependencies may be executed to be arrested at the set breakpoints. Upon the arrest of execution, a debugging environment may be established and the located source code of the selected PCELL may be displayed along with values for parametric components thereof and progression control tools. |
| US08719743B1 |
Method and system for implementing clock tree prototyping
Disclosed is an improved method, system, and computer program product for implementing flexible models to perform efficient prototyping of clock structures in electronic designs, which allows for very efficient analysis of the electronic designs. Some approaches pertain to usage of the flexible abstraction models that also include clock abstractions to more efficiently perform analysis upon the electronic designs. This allows greater analysis efficiency with regards to timing analysis and physical analysis. |
| US08719741B2 |
Guarding logic inserting method based on gated clock enable signals
A semiconductor integrated circuit device is disclosed. The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a first circuit whose output never or seldom changes when the output from an Enable generator is off, a second circuit whose output frequently changes, an input controller which receives the respective outputs from the second circuit and the Enable generator and passes through the input from the second circuit only when the output from the Enable generator is on, a combination circuit which receives the respective outputs from the first circuit and the input controller, and a memory which receives the output from the combination circuit and is driven by the output from the clock controller. |
| US08719736B1 |
Compact and accurate wafer topography proximity effect modeling for full chip simulation
A method for correcting topography proximity effects (TPE) for an integrated circuit (IC) design is described. This method includes dividing the IC design into a plurality of levels (z-direction). Each level can be decomposed into one or more elementary geometries. These elementary geometries can be top view geometries, cross-sectional geometries, half-plane geometries, geometries with single slope sides, and/or geometries with multiple slope sides. The one or more elementary geometries can be compared to primitives in a library. A transfer matrix can be generated using the matching primitives and the elementary geometries. A disturbance matrix can be calculated based on the transfer matrix. This disturbance matrix can advantageously capture a spectrum of a reflective electric field from a spectrum of an incident electric field. Wave propagation through a photoresist layer can be performed using the disturbance matrix for the plurality of levels. A light intensity for TPE correction can be computed based on the wave propagation. |
| US08719733B2 |
Selecting a navigation hierarchical structure diagram for website navigation
Implementing website navigation includes deriving a confidence level for at least one leaf node of a website navigation category diagram using historical user operation data; generating one or more navigation hierarchical structure diagrams based on the website navigation category diagram; determining a searching cost associated with each of the one or more navigation hierarchical structure diagrams; determining the navigation hierarchical structure diagram associated with the lowest searching cost; and implementing at least in part a website navigation mode using the navigation hierarchical structure diagram associated with the lowest searching cost. |
| US08719732B2 |
Method and system for applying 3D switch panel in instant messaging tool
A method and system for applying 3D switch panel in instant messaging tool. The method includes creating a window, and creating a plane model according to the window; receiving a command for triggering rotation; and rotating the plane model to drive the interface window of the instant messaging tool to rotate. The adoption of the method and the system provided can use the 3D to switch panels of the instant messaging tool, which can satisfy users' individual demands and improves the usability of the instant messaging tool. |
| US08719727B2 |
Managing an immersive environment
This document describes techniques and apparatuses for managing an immersive environment. These techniques and/or apparatuses enable a user to select when, where, or under what conditions to present applications in this immersive environment. |
| US08719723B2 |
Displaying data sensitive targets
Users are often in environments that require specific inputs into a device. However, it can be advantageous to display a limited number of targets to a user for inputting information. Therefore, the can be a selection of a limited target set based on a user activity and/or environment. The limited target set can be display to a user through a display, commonly a visual display. |
| US08719716B2 |
Locked element for use in a graphical modeling environment
A locked element and methodology are provided for use in a block diagram model of a graphical modeling environment. The locked element displays within the block diagram model but access to the functionality of the locked element requires authorization. Without authorization the locked element will not function. Authorization may also be required to access the implementation details of the locked element. Without authorization the implementation details of the locked element cannot be viewed or modified. In certain implementations, any code generated from a locked element without authorization is obfuscated. |
| US08719712B2 |
Adaptive display for patient monitoring
A system for displaying physiological parameters includes: a central processing unit (CPU) that is configured to control operation of a monitor device; a display screen; and a set of one or more computer readable data storage media storing software instructions that, when executed by the CPU, cause the monitor device to: detect a device that is added to the system, the device being used to measure at least one physiological parameter associated with a patient; provision the device; allow a user to select a skin defining a layout for displaying data associated with the physiological parameter measured by the device; allow the user to select a position of a window displaying the skin, the position selected from one of a plurality of cells on a matrix displayed on the display screen; and display the window on the display screen at the position. |
| US08719711B2 |
Image forming apparatus, display screen customizing method and computer-readable storage medium
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of programs to be utilized via corresponding display screens, a screen structure information managing part to manage screen structure information of the display screens, and a customizing information managing part to manage customizing information which records customizing contents with respect to the display screens. The image forming apparatus further includes a screen generating part to generate each display screen corresponding to the plurality of programs, based on the screen structure information and the customizing information related to each display screen. |
| US08719710B2 |
Geographic location notification based on identity linking
A user maintains notification setting information having temporal periods capable of controlling, at least in part, the dissemination of information describing the on-line presence of the user within an instant messaging system or the geographic location of one or more mobile communications devices used by the user. The user may use multiple identities to communicate within the instant messaging system and/or with the mobile communications device or devices. The user can maintain sets of temporal periods for each of the multiple identities. Only one identity may be used at a specific time to communicate to a specific other identity, but the multiple identities of the user may be linked such that on-line presence and/or geographic location associated with one of the identities is disseminated based on the temporal periods set for one or more of the multiple identities. |
| US08719709B2 |
Method for interfacing with a memory card to access a program instruction
A method for interfacing with a memory card is provided. In this method, a selection of a program instruction is provided and the program instruction associated with the selection is read from the memory card. The program instruction thereafter is executed. Systems and computing devices for interfacing with the memory card also are described. |
| US08719703B2 |
Systems and methods for editing a web page
By analyzing a web page, the web page can be divided into component parts. Specifically, the web page can be divided into items, templates and the remaining HTML. Then, using dedicated user interfaces, each component part can be separately edited. To facilitate editing, the component parts not being edited can optionally be suppressed or presented in abbreviated form, and all parts can optionally be shown in the same order in which they occur in the web page. The live version of the web page is then updated with the edited version of the component parts, taking into consideration any contributions from other users made during the editing process. |
| US08719700B2 |
Matching a page layout for each page of a document to a page template candidate from a list of page layout candidates
A computer-implemented method and system for generation of page templates are provided. The method includes providing a document in computer memory. Using a computer processor, page elements within the document are identified and labeled. For each page of the document, a set of geometric relations between pairs of page elements co-occurring on the page is computed, and the set of geometric relations is associated with the page. The method also includes generating a set of page template candidates based at least in part on the computed geometric relations, selecting page templates from the set of page template candidates, and outputting the selected page templates. |
| US08719687B2 |
Method for summarizing video and displaying the summary in three-dimensional scenes
A computer-implementable method for creating a summary video with depth information, comprising: recognizing moving objects from the input original video; generating an animated moving object cutout for each of the recognized moving objects by duplicating and stacking successive frames in the input original video containing images of the respective moving object; constructing a scene background by using texture of scenes in the input original video and estimating any missing portion; rendering a Dynamic 3D Scene by using depth information of foreground objects in the input original video and the scene background to create a three-dimensional scene and overlaying the animated moving object cutouts on to the three-dimensional scene according to their respective longitude, latitude, and depth locations in the three-dimensional scene; and synthesizing the summary video, by using the Dynamic 3D Scene. |
| US08719686B2 |
Probability-based multi-level LDPC decoder
Various embodiments of the present invention are related to methods and apparatuses for decoding data, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for probability-based multi-level LDPC decoding. For example, in one embodiment an apparatus includes a horizontal updater in a low density parity check decoder operable to iteratively perform row processing to update probabilities of multi-level symbol values, a vertical updater in the low density parity check decoder operable to iteratively perform column processing to update the probabilities of the multi-level symbol values, and a check sum calculation circuit operable to calculate total soft values for the multi-level symbol values. |
| US08719685B2 |
Magnetic disc controller and method
An apparatus includes, in at least one aspect, a plurality of buffers and circuitry configured to store encoded data in one buffer of the plurality of buffers concurrently with storing other data in another buffer of the plurality of buffers and to write the stored encoded data from the one buffer to a storage device concurrently with storing encoded other data in the other buffer, replacing the stored other data in the other buffer. |
| US08719684B2 |
Guard interval signaling for data symbol number determination
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communications and, more particularly, to techniques for accurately determining a number of data symbols in a data packet. The techniques provided herein may allow a receiving terminal to correct number of symbol calculations based on such ambiguous length field values. |
| US08719681B2 |
Diagnostic tool for metrology errors caused by communication activities
Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems for detecting communications of a first meter board by a second meter board and correlating the time and duration of the communications with metrology data gathered during that time. In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided for diagnosing metrology errors caused by communication activities of a meter board. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving a signal, wherein the signal indicates a presence of communication activities between a first processor of a meter and another device over a network; recording a time of receipt and duration of the communication activities between the first processor of the meter and another device over the network; and correlating the time and duration of the communication activities between the first processor of the meter and another device over the network with metrology data of the meter measured at the same time and duration. |
| US08719679B2 |
Transmission apparatus reception apparatus and communication system
To improve performance of a decoder even in a system with the coder configuration determined by inserting a doping bit sequence known between a transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus in an information bit sequence to transmit, the transmission apparatus is a transmission apparatus that transmits radio signals to the reception apparatus, and is provided with a doping section 23 that inserts a doping bit sequence which is known between the transmission apparatus and the reception apparatus in an information bit sequence to transmit to the reception apparatus, coding sections 11a, 11b that perform error-correcting coding on a bit sequence with the doping bit sequence inserted therein, a puncturing section that performs puncturing on a bit sequence subjected to the error-correcting coding, and a wireless transmission section 24 that transmits a bit sequence subjected to the puncturing. |
| US08719673B2 |
Mitigation of transmission errors of quantized channel state information feedback in multi antenna systems
Methods are disclosed for improving communications on feedback transmission channels, in which there is a possibility of bit errors. The basic solutions to counter those errors are: proper design of the CSI vector quantizer indexing (i.e., the bit representation of centroid indices) in order to minimize impact of index errors, use of error detection techniques to expurgate the erroneous indices and use of other methods to recover correct indices. |
| US08719667B2 |
Method for adding redundancy data to a distributed data storage system and corresponding device
The invention proposes a method and device for adding redundancy data in a distributed data storage system. Among others, the invention allows to keep impact on network resources low through the use of coordinated regenerating codes according to the invention. |
| US08719660B2 |
Apparatus and methods for indicating the health of removable storage devices
Disclosed are apparatus and techniques for indicating health of a memory system having a controller and nonvolatile memory array. In one embodiment, the invention pertains to a method for indicating health of a removable memory system that is removably coupled with a host device. After the memory system is coupled with a host device, a first health status is output via an external electrical or mechanical interface of the memory system. One or more health metrics of the memory system are monitored. After a first predefined limit is reached with respect to the one or more health metrics, a second health status is output via the external electrical or mechanical interface of the memory system. The first health status differs from the second health status. |
| US08719658B2 |
Accessing memory during parallel turbo decoding
A method for accessing extrinsic information in a turbo decoder is disclosed. Operation phases for Forward State Metric Calculators (FSMCs) and Reverse State Metric Calculators (RSMCs) in multiple maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) decoders are misaligned differently based on whether a current half iteration is even or odd. First extrinsic information is read from a memory into the FSMCs and RSMCs using the misaligned operation phases. Second extrinsic information is determined using the MAP decoders. Each row of the second extrinsic information is stored to a different bank in the memory using the misaligned operation phases. |
| US08719657B2 |
Hybrid codec apparatus and method for data transferring
In a hybrid codec apparatus for data broadcasting, an encoder divides a source file into N sections, generates N principal encoded data after coding on a first finite field and k additional encoded data after coding on a second finite field, then transmits a group of coefficient encoded data and the N+k encoded data to a decoder. The decoder merges the group of coefficient encoded data and the N+k encoded data, and decodes the N principal encoded data on the first finite field. When the decoder fails to decode the N principal encoded data, the decoder uses the k additional encoded data to assist the data decoding on the second finite field. After the decoding, a recovered source file is produced. |
| US08719655B2 |
Method and device for communicating data across noisy media
A method includes defining a model matrix of size (n−k)×n, where n and k are positive integers, and where the model matrix includes a first sub-matrix corresponding to positions of data bits and a second sub-matrix corresponding to positions of parity bits. The second sub-matrix includes a multi-diagonal matrix with a triple diagonal structure. The triple diagonal structure includes a first and second central diagonals and a last row diagonal. Bits of the first and second central diagonal and the last row diagonal are equal to 1 and a remainder of bits in the multi-diagonal matrix are equal to 0. The method further includes: generating a compact matrix based on the model matrix; generating a parity matrix based on the compact matrix; determining the parity bits based on the parity matrix; and transmitting a codeword, based on the parity bits, over a channel and between communication devices. |
| US08719652B2 |
Flash storage device with read disturb mitigation
A method for managing a flash storage device includes initiating a read request and reading requested data from a first storage block of a plurality of storage blocks in the flash storage device based on the read request. The method further includes incrementing a read count for the first storage block and moving the data in the first storage block to an available storage block of the plurality of storage blocks when the read count reaches a first threshold value. |
| US08719650B2 |
Self-diagnosis system and test circuit determination method
Provided are a self-diagnosis system and a test circuit determination method that are capable of determining normality of a test circuit which diagnoses a test target circuit. A self-diagnosis system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a test circuit including first and second diagnosis controllers which determine normality of a test target circuit by using an execution result of a test pattern in the test target circuit; and a test circuit determination unit which determines normality of the test circuit by comparing a normality determination result of the test target circuit output from the first diagnosis controller with a normal determination result of the test target circuit output from the second diagnosis controller. |
| US08719648B2 |
Interleaving of memory repair data compression and fuse programming operations in single fusebay architecture
An approach for interleaving memory repair data compression and fuse programming operations in a single fusebay architecture is described. In one embodiment, the single fusebay architecture includes a multiple of pages that are used with a partitioning and interleaving approach to handling memory repair data compression and fuse programming operations. In particular, for each page in the single fusebay architecture, a memory repair data compression operation is performed on memory repair data followed by a fuse programming operation performed on the compressed memory repair data. |
| US08719647B2 |
Read bias management to reduce read errors for phase change memory
Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to read performance of phase change memory. During a reading process, a bias condition can be applied to a memory cell to determine the memory cell's state. The determined state of the memory cell can depend on a threshold voltage of the memory cell. The threshold voltage of the memory cell may shift over time. The shift in threshold voltage may result in read errors. The applied bias condition may be modified based on the resulting read errors. |
| US08719645B2 |
Runtime dynamic performance skew elimination
For runtime dynamic performance skew elimination in a computer environment, an exemplary computer environment is configured for calculating a rank heats by utilizing a plurality of fine-grained statistics collected at an extent granularity, including considering bandwidth (BW) and input/outputs per second (IOPS) metrics. An adaptive data placement plan is generated to relocate the data. |
| US08719644B2 |
Method and system for diagnosing apparatus
A method and a system for diagnosing an apparatus are provided. The method for diagnosing the apparatus includes: determining whether the apparatus is to enter a diagnostic mode after a system is started; performing a diagnosis of the apparatus by executing a diagnostic proge apparatus is determined to enter the diagnostic mode; and performing a normal BIOS or EFI startup when the apparatus is determined not to enter the diagnostic mode. An accurate diagnosis of the apparatus can be realized by firstly determining whether the apparatus is to enter a diagnostic mode after a system is started, if yes, then the apparatus entering the diagnostic mode, and if not, then the apparatus performing a normal BIOS or EFI startup. Moreover, in case of a memory or PCI/PCIE bus error in the apparatus, since the diagnostic program is loaded prior to the BIOS startup, the fault can be diagnosed. |
| US08719640B2 |
Mouse motion trajectory testing system
A mouse motion trajectory testing system includes a testing fixture and an electronic calculator connected to the testing fixture. The testing fixture includes a testing base, a rotatable member under the testing base, and a controlling unit. The testing base is used for fixing the tested mouse thereon. The controlling unit is used for driving the rotatable member to be rotated for a preset number of revolutions at a preset speed, so that the tested mouse generates a motion signal. The electronic calculator has testing program for receiving the motion signal from the tested mouse, thereby judging whether the tested mouse is qualified or not. |
| US08719636B2 |
Apparatus method, and storage medium for fault cause extraction utilizing performance values
Performance information which is a possible generation cause of a fault is extracted accurately.A fault cause extraction apparatus 10 includes a storage unit 12 and a correlation-destruction-propagation detecting unit 25. Here, the storage unit 12 stores a correlation model including one or more correlation functions, each of which is generated based on a time series of performance information including a plurality of types of performance values in a system and transforms a performance value for one of the types being an input to a performance value for another one of the types being an output. The correlation-destruction-propagation detecting unit 25 calculates a degree of influence of a performance value for a base point that is one of the types upon the system, based on the number of base point propagation functions, the base point propagation functions being the correlation functions used to transform a performance value for the base point to a performance value for one of other the types being transformable from the base point directly or indirectly and not being input of the correlation function. |
| US08719634B2 |
System health and performance care of computing devices
A system and computer program product for system care for a computing device. In one embodiment, a process includes analyzing one or more software and hardware components of the computing device by a system care program of the computing device, analyzing system health of the computing device based on the one or more software and hardware components based on at least one of status and settings of the one or more software and hardware components, and analyzing performance of the computing device based on the one or more software and hardware components based on signature profiles of the one or more software and hardware components The process may also include determining one or more solutions for the computing device by the system care program based on the system health and performance of the computing device, and displaying a report including the one or more solutions. |
| US08719632B2 |
Implementing enhanced EPO protection for indirection data
A method and a storage system are provided for implementing indirection tables for persistent media or disk drives with enhanced emergency power outage (EPO) protection for the indirection data, such as shingled perpendicular magnetic recording (SMR) indirection tables. Chaining of indirection data is provided with one block pointing to another block of the indirection data stored to disk or flash memory. An EPO-safe buffer is used to store a metadata entry responsive to completing each host write command. Each metadata entry is added to a metadata block, a pointer is stored in the EPO-safe buffer to a current metadata block and a previous metadata block. For a next EPO-safe buffer update entries are removed for the previous metadata block, keeping the last two metadata pointers and last metadata block. |
| US08719630B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring interrupts during a power down event at a processor
In a particular embodiment, a method of monitoring interrupts during a power down event at a processor includes activating an interrupt monitor to detect interrupts. The method also includes isolating an interrupt controller of the processor from the interrupt monitor, where the interrupt controller shares a power domain with the processor. The method also includes detecting interrupts at the interrupt monitor during a power down time period associated with the power down event. |
| US08719628B2 |
Multi-core system, method of controlling multi-core system, and multiprocessor
A multi-core system 1 according to the present invention includes a plurality of OSs: OS[1] 110 and OS[2] 120 set as a main system and a standby system for a sound reproducing function. The standby-system OS[1] 110 sets a timer 17 according to a DMA transfer completion interruption request to detect a failure of the main-system OS[2] 120 according to detection of timeout by the timer 17. Upon detection of a failure of the main-system OS[2] 120, the standby-system OS[1] 110 is switched as the main-system OS[2] 120 to operate a device driver 114 on a side of the standby-system OS[1] 110, thereby continuously executing audio mixing processing of audio data and DMA transfer request processing. |
| US08719623B2 |
Optimized placement of virtual machines in a network environment
Systems and methods for reducing risk of service interruptions for one or more virtual machines (VMs) in a computing environment are provided. The method comprises computing a placement scheme for placing at least one VM on one or more hosts according to a set of placement constraints defined for the VM, wherein the set of placement constraints comprises at least one availability constraint defined for the VM, wherein the availability constraint designates a N resiliency level, wherein N corresponds to number of host failures that may occur before the services provided by the VM are interrupted. |
| US08719622B2 |
Recording and preventing crash in an appliance
A computer implemented method for recording a crash in an appliance is provided. The method includes the following steps: running a core process to perform a transaction, which will make the core process undergo at least one state sequentially, wherein each state includes at least one call stack; executing a supervisor process to generate a state record, to sequentially record all undergone states of the core process in the transaction; in response to a crash of the core process in the transaction, generating a fault record to record all call stacks in a latest state of the core process; generating a crash report according to the state record and the fault record. |
| US08719618B2 |
Dynamic cache correction mechanism to allow constant access to addressable index
A technique is provided for a cache. A cache controller accesses a set in a congruence class and determines that the set contains corrupted data based on an error being found. The cache controller determines that a delete parameter for taking the set offline is met and determines that a number of currently offline sets in the congruence class is higher than an allowable offline number threshold. The cache controller determines not to take the set in which the error was found offline based on determining that the number of currently offline sets in the congruence class is higher than the allowable offline number threshold. |
| US08719617B2 |
Method and device for realizing IP multimedia subsystem disaster tolerance
A method for realizing an Internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystem (IMS) disaster tolerance includes the steps as follows. An S-CSCF receives a user registration, and backs up necessary data which is required when a user service processing is restored on a storage entity in a network. An I-CSCF of user's home domain receives a service request of the user, and if it is found that the S-CSCF currently providing a service for the user fails, assigns a new S-CSCF to the user, and forwards the service request to the newly assigned S-CSCF. The newly assigned S-CSCF interrogates and acquires subscription data of the user and the necessary data backed up by the original S-CSCF from the storage entity, and then restores the user service processing according to the subscription data and the backup data. A device for realizing an IMS disaster tolerance is also provided. |
| US08719614B2 |
Apparatus and method for generating a timing signal
An apparatus is provided for generating a timing signal having an input for receiving a first signal indicating successive time intervals, means for receiving a second signal indicating successive time intervals, and a generator adapted to generate a timing signal based on the second signal and on a relationship between one or more time intervals of the first signal and one or more time intervals of the second signal. This arrangement enables a timing signal to be generated using a time signal produced by a source or device and to be based on a time signal produced by another source or device. |
| US08719607B2 |
Advanced Pstate structure with frequency computation
A mechanism for power management of processors using Pstates is provided. In a chiplet of a processor in a data processing system, a request is received to change a Pstate from a current Pstate to a requested Pstate. A determination is made as to whether the requested Pstate is less than or equal to a maximum Pstate. Responsive to the requested Pstate being less than or equal to the maximum Pstate, a frequency associated with the requested Pstate is computed thereby forming a computed frequency. An operating frequency of the chiplet is then adjusted to the computed frequency without involvement from a central power control entity. |
| US08719605B2 |
Method for detecting a trigger to a program not actively being reviewed by the user and performing a power saving action without placing the device as a whole into a sleep state
A trigger can relate to power usage of a computing device that a computer program to be run or running on the computing device causes. Detection of the trigger causes performance of a power-saving action. The power-saving action relates to the computer program to reduce the power usage of the computing device. The power-saving action is a strictly software-oriented action. An amount of power of the computing device used in detecting the trigger and performing the power-saving action is less than a reduction of the power usage of the computing device that results from performing the power-saving action, resulting in a net power usage reduction. |
| US08719603B2 |
Accessory device authentication
Accessory device authentication techniques are described. In one or more embodiments, connection of an accessory device to a host computing device is detected. Responsive to the detection, an authentication sequence may occur to verify an identity and/or capabilities of the accessory device. Upon successful authentication of the accessory device, the host device may authorize the accessory device for power exchange interactions with the host device. The host device may then draw supplemental power from a power source associated with the authorized accessory device, such as a battery or power adapter. The host device may also enable the accessory device to obtain and use power supplied by the host device in some scenarios. Power exchange between a host device and an authorized accessory may be managed in accordance with capabilities of the accessory device that are identified during authentication. |
| US08719602B1 |
Enabling system-wide power user options
A computing device, such as a mobile communication device, is provided that enables a user to adjust a power user setting indicative of the user's experience level and/or automatically adjusts the power user setting in response to predetermined conditions. The power user setting may then be provided to or retrieved by applications to adjust the operating mode of the application based on user experience or by web servers to vary content delivery based on user experience. |
| US08719601B2 |
Dynamic remaining maximum power allocation to secondary port while staying within optimal efficiency range of power supply
Methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting the amount of power (or current) distributed to one or more connected devices via electrical interfaces. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first module adapted to detect current drawn by a first set of ports, and a second module adapted to adjust the current provided to a second set of ports based on the detected current. The second module is also optionally adapted to distribute unreserved current among the devices according to an allocation protocol. In the exemplary context of a plurality of interconnected serial bus devices, the invention enables a device to draw more current than that required to be reserved for that device (such as to comply with a specification such as USB), yet without increasing the total amount of power which must be dedicated to the serial ports as a whole. Power supply efficiency may also be advantageously optimized. |
| US08719599B2 |
Monitoring subsystem power
A method for monitoring subsystem power includes, with a power control system of an electronic device, receiving energy usage data from one of a plurality of subsystems within the electronic device, with the power control system, maintaining energy usage data for the plurality of subsystems within the electronic device, and with the power control system, providing integrated energy usage data to one of the plurality of subsystems. |
| US08719598B2 |
Power OK distribution for multi-voltage chips
A method and apparatus for powering up an integrated circuit (IC). An IC includes a plurality of power domains each coupled to receive power from one of a plurality of power sources. Each power domain includes a power-sensing unit. A power-sensing unit in a first one of the plurality of power domains is coupled to receive a first power ok signal from an upstream power domain, and is configured to assert a second power ok signal to be provided to a second power domain. A power-sensing unit in the second power domain is coupled to detect the presence of voltage in the first power domain, and to receive the first power ok signal. When the power-sensing unit in the second power domain has both sensed the presence of power in the first power domain and received the second power ok signal, a third power ok signal is asserted. |
| US08719597B2 |
Power control system, power control method, and computer system thereof
A power control system, a power control method, and a computer system thereof are disclosed. The power control system comprises a control module for receiving a control signal. A power management module is used for receiving a power signal and outputting an auxiliary power. A first switch module receives the control signal and controls the power management module to output the auxiliary power to the control module by the control signal. A second switch module controls the first switch module. After receiving the control signal, the control module determines whether the control signal is continuously received until a predetermined time. If yes, the control module controls the first switch module to transmit the auxiliary power continuously with the second switch module and receives the power signal to execute a boot procedure. |
| US08719594B2 |
Storage availability using cryptographic splitting
Methods and systems for maintaining data connectivity in a secure data storage network are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes assigning a volume to a primary secure storage appliance located in a secure data storage network the primary secure storage appliance selected from among a plurality of secure storage appliances located in the secure data storage network, the volume presented as a virtual disk to a client device and mapped to physical storage at each of a plurality of storage systems. The method further includes detecting at one of the plurality of secure storage appliances a failure of the primary secure storage appliance. The method also includes, upon detecting the failure of the primary secure storage appliance, reassigning the volume to a second secure storage appliance from among the plurality of secure storage appliances, thereby rendering the second secure storage appliance a new primary secure storage appliance. |
| US08719588B2 |
Memory address obfuscation
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to provide, to a memory device, an obfuscated clear-page address derived from a clear-page address that is not the same as a key-page address and/or providing, to the memory device, an obfuscated key-page address derived from the key-page address when the obfuscated clear-page address is the same as the key-page address. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. |
| US08719587B2 |
Computer implemented method for generating a pseudonym, computer readable storage medium and computer system
The invention relates to a computer implemented method for generating a pseudonym for a user comprising entering a user-selected secret, storing the user-selected secret in memory, computing a private key by applying an embedding and randomizing function onto the secret, storing the private key in the memory, computing a public key using the private key, the public key and the private key forming an asymmetric cryptographic key, erasing the secret and the private key from the memory, and outputting the public key for providing the pseudonym. |
| US08719584B2 |
Mobile, wireless hand-held biometric capture, processing and communication system and method for biometric identification
A mobile, wireless biometric identification system includes a biometric capture device, associated software and processes which enable a commercially available wireless communication device, such as a smartphone, using a commercially established wireless communication networks, to capture a digital image of a human biometric (iris, fingerprint, etc.) for transmission via a secure connection to a central server. The capture device is designed to focus on the difficult task of capturing the highest possible quality image for encoding and comparison, while the overall system is designed to leverage the existing cellular communication network. At the server level, the server system receives the image, encodes the image to a biometric template, and compares the encoded template to a plurality of reference templates stored in a database to identify the individual. Identification data is then transmitted back to the smartphone device and displayed. |
| US08719579B2 |
Handling receipts in cross component message processing
By automatically obtaining the entirety of a received message to be included, an outgoing message that includes the received message can be processed in a manner that securely and accurately represents the intended outgoing message. Alternatively, a server can assemble a composite message from a new message and an original message and, in cooperation with a wireless messaging device, sign the composite message. In both the above contexts, handling message receipts when message processing ahead of message transmission involved more than one component may be facilitated by storing appropriate expected receipt content during the message processing, either on the device or the server. Validation of the receipt can then be accomplished through use of the stored expected receipt content in a manner that retains the benefits of message processing ahead of message transmission that involves more than one component. |
| US08719573B2 |
Secure peer discovery and authentication using a shared secret
During a security technique, an electronic device determines a name by a applying a function to a shared secret, which is shared between a user and another user. This name is advertised in a network. After discovery by another electronic device (which is associated with the other user), the electronic device generates a first encrypted message from an unencrypted message using a cryptographic key. The electronic device provides the first encrypted message to the other electronic device, and receives a second encrypted message from the other electronic device. Using the cryptographic key, the electronic device decrypts the second encrypted message. Moreover, the electronic device receives confirmation that the other electronic device was able to decrypt the first encrypted message, thereby authenticating that the secure connection has been established. |
| US08719571B2 |
Systems and methods for providing secure multicast intra-cluster communication
Systems and methods which facilitate secure multicast communications between any valid node of a cluster using authentication between a node joining the cluster and any single node which is validly part of the cluster are disclosed. In accordance with embodiments, a cluster key is utilized to provide security with respect to intra-cluster communications. The cluster key of embodiments is shared by a node which is already part of the cluster with a node joining the cluster only after these two nodes mutually authenticate one another. The mutual authentication handshake of embodiments implements a protocol in which a session key is calculated by both nodes, thereby providing a secure means by which a cluster key may be shared. Having the cluster key, each node of the cluster is enabled to securely communicate with any other node of the cluster, whether individually (e.g., unicast) or collectively (e.g., multicast), according to embodiments. |
| US08719570B2 |
Mobile terminal for secure electronic transactions and secure electronic transaction system
The present invention relates to a roaming electronic transaction terminal. It also relates to a secure system for electronic transactions comprising one or more roaming terminals. The terminal (1) has an application package support (2) and a coupler (3) for carrying out the read and write operations on a medium that are required for the electronic transactions in conjunction with the application package. The coupler (3) comprises means for creating a write time window and a read time window on the basis of a secure input signal, all writing and all reading being disabled outside of the corresponding windows. The invention applies notably for the securing of terminals carrying out checks and contractual transactions on supports equipped with processors and memories, it being possible for these supports to be through contactless read and write cards comprising for example transport entitlements, payment means or any other entitlements to be turned to account. |
| US08719558B2 |
Distinguishing circuit
A distinguishing circuit includes first to fifth resistors, a front panel connector, and a jumper. The front panel connector includes first to tenth pins. When the ninth pin is connected to the tenth pin through the jumper, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) chip will determine whether a computer system is a first type. When the eighth pin is connected to the tenth pin through the jumper, the BIOS chip will determine whether the computer system is a second type. |
| US08719555B2 |
Method for overcoming livelock in a multi-threaded system
A microprocessor pipeline arrangement 1 includes a plurality of functional units P1, P2, P3, . . . , PN. A number of the functional units P1, P3, PN have access to a respective cache memory C1, C3, CN from which it can retrieve data needed to process threads that pass through the pipeline. The pipeline arrangement 1 also includes a number of monitors to determine when the system enters a state of livelock (e.g. inter-cache livelocks, intra-cache livelocks and/or “near-livelock” situations): a top-level monitor MT to detect livelock situations in the pipeline as a whole; and second-level (“local”) monitors M1 and M3 associated with individual caches C1 and C3.If the system is determined to have entered a livelock state, e.g. by the top-level monitor MT, the number of threads able to change the contents of one or more of the caches C1, C3, CN is reduced. |
| US08719553B2 |
Method for re-circulating a fragment through a rendering pipeline
A microprocessor pipeline arrangement 1 includes a plurality of functional units 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Each functional unit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 also has access to a respective cache memory 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Threads for processing are received by the first functional unit 2 from an external source 12, and output by an end functional unit 6 of the pipeline to an output target 13. If a thread encounters a cache-miss on its passage through the pipeline, the thread is allowed to continue to pass through the pipeline in the normal manner. However, when the thread reaches the end of the pipeline, it is sent via a loopback path 14 back to the beginning of the pipeline to be sent through the pipeline again. In this way, any thread that has not completed its processing on passing through the pipeline can be sent through the pipeline again to allow the processing of the thread to be completed. |
| US08719551B2 |
Processor with arbiter sending simultaneously requested instructions from processing elements in SIMD / MIMD modes
The present invention provides an information processing apparatus and an integrated circuit which realize parallel execution of different processing systems, and which do not require the provision of a dedicated memory storing instructions for common processing The information processing apparatus comprises: a plurality of processor elements; an instruction memory storing a first program and a second program; and an arbiter interposed between the processor elements and the instruction memory, the arbiter receiving, from each of the processor elements, a request for an instruction, from among instructions included in the first program and the second program, and controlling access to the instruction memory by the processor elements, wherein the arbiter arbitrates requests made by the processor elements when the requests are (i) simultaneous requests for different instructions included in one of the first program and the second program or (ii) simultaneous requests for an instruction included in the first program and an instruction included in the second program, and when two or more of the processor elements simultaneously request a same instruction included in one of the first program and the second program, the arbiter, when judging that the instruction memory is available to the two or more processor elements, outputs the same instruction to the two or more processor elements. |
| US08719550B2 |
Reconfigurable processing system including synchronized postprocessing
Source code to be processed is analyzed and configuration data in implementing in accordance with each of plural implementation systems is created and is stored in a local memory of a DRP incorporating system. When execution of target processing is started, the implementation system determination processing calculates estimated processing time when the configuration of each of the implementation systems is adopted and determines the optimum one of the implementation systems based on a combination of the estimated processing time and the circuit scale of the configuration. |
| US08719547B2 |
Providing hardware support for shared virtual memory between local and remote physical memory
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a memory management unit (MMU) having entries to store virtual address to physical address translations, where each entry includes a location indicator to indicate whether a memory location for the corresponding entry is present in a local or remote memory. In this way, a common virtual memory space can be shared between the two memories, which may be separated by one or more non-coherent links. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08719546B2 |
Substitute virtualized-memory page tables
Embodiments of techniques and systems for using substitute virtualized-memory page tables are described. In embodiments, a virtual machine monitor (VMM) may determine that a virtualized memory access to be performed by an instruction executing on a guest software virtual machine is not allowed in accordance with a current virtualized-memory page table (VMPT). The VMM may select a substitute VMPT that permits the virtualized memory access, In scenarios where a data access length for the instruction is known, the substitute VMPT may include full execute, read, and write permissions for the entire guest software address space. In scenarios where a data access length for the instruction is not known, the substitute VMPT may include less than full execute, read, and write permissions for the entire guest software address space, and may be modified to allow the requested virtualized memory access. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08719540B1 |
Fractal layout of data blocks across multiple devices
A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium for mapping block numbers within a region to physical locations within a storage system. Block numbers are mapped within a region according to a fractal-based space-filling curve. If the region is not a 2k by 2k square, then the region is broken up into one or more 2k by 2k squares. Any remaining sub-region is centered within a 2k by 2k square, the 2k by 2k square is numbered using a fractal-based space-filling curve, and then the sub-region is renumbered by assigning numbers based on the order of the original block numbers of the sub-region. |
| US08719539B2 |
Using heuristics for field types of a structure to categorize dynamic memory allocations
A programming and debugging system determines a block of dynamically allocated memory in an inferior process memory space corresponds to a structure and casts the block of memory as an instance of the structure. The programming and debugging system determines a field type of a field in the instance of the structure and determines whether memory data pertaining to the block of dynamically allocated memory satisfies one or more criteria in heuristics data associated with the field type. The programming and debugging system categorizes the block of dynamically allocated memory based on the determination of whether the memory data satisfies the one or more criteria of the field type. |
| US08719531B2 |
System and method for performing data retention that incorporates environmental conditions
A solid-state storage system is described with a method for adjusting the frequency of data retention operations. The data retention operation frequency can be increased or decreased according to a variety of environmental factors such as error code frequency, system temperature, altitude, and other operating conditions. These factors can indicate an increased or decreased risk of failure and accordingly provide increased or decreased rates of data retention operations. |
| US08719527B2 |
Increasing memory capacity in power-constrained systems
A method for increasing a capacity of a memory is provided in the illustrative embodiments. Using an application executing using a processor wherein the memory includes a set of ranks, the memory is configured to form a cold tier and a hot tier, the cold tier including a first subset of ranks from the set of ranks in the memory, and the hot tier including a second subset of ranks from the set of ranks in the memory. A determination is made whether a page to which a memory access request is directed is located in the cold tier in the memory. In response to the page being located in the cold tier of the memory, the processing of the memory access request is throttled by processing the memory access request with a delay. |
| US08719526B2 |
System and method for partitioning multiple logical memory regions with access control by a central control agent
A method for securely handling processing of information may include controlling from within a chip, access to at least one portion of an on-chip memory by a plurality of on-chip clients that have pre-determined access to the at least one portion of the on-chip memory. The pre-determined access may be governed by pre-determined access rules that are hard-coded within the chip. At least one of the plurality of on-chip clients may access at least a portion of the on-chip memory. The on-chip memory may be accessible by at least another one of the plurality of on-chip clients. The pre-determined access rules may comprise at least one address range within the on-chip memory corresponding to at least one of the plurality of on-chip clients. |
| US08719516B2 |
Memory having internal processors and methods of controlling memory access
Memories having internal processors and methods of data communication within such memories are provided. One such memory may include a fetch unit configured to substantially control performing commands on a memory array based on the availability of banks to be accessed. The fetch unit may receive instructions including commands indicating whether data is to be read from or written to a bank, and the address of the data to be read from or written to the bank. The fetch unit may perform the commands based on the availability of the bank. In one embodiment, control logic communicates with the fetch unit when an activated bank is available. In another implementation, the fetch unit may wait for a bank to become available based on timers set to when a previous command in the activated bank has been performed. |
| US08719508B2 |
Near neighbor data cache sharing
Parallel computing environments, where threads executing in neighboring processors may access the same set of data, may be designed and configured to share one or more levels of cache memory. Before a processor forwards a request for data to a higher level of cache memory following a cache miss, the processor may determine whether a neighboring processor has the data stored in a local cache memory. If so, the processor may forward the request to the neighboring processor to retrieve the data. Because access to the cache memories for the two processors is shared, the effective size of the memory is increased. This may advantageously decrease cache misses for each level of shared cache memory without increasing the individual size of the caches on the processor chip. |
| US08719507B2 |
Near neighbor data cache sharing
Parallel computing environments, where threads executing in neighboring processors may access the same set of data, may be designed and configured to share one or more levels of cache memory. Before a processor forwards a request for data to a higher level of cache memory following a cache miss, the processor may determine whether a neighboring processor has the data stored in a local cache memory. If so, the processor may forward the request to the neighboring processor to retrieve the data. Because access to the cache memories for the two processors is shared, the effective size of the memory is increased. This may advantageously decrease cache misses for each level of shared cache memory without increasing the individual size of the caches on the processor chip. |
| US08719505B2 |
Method for increasing cache size
A method for increasing storage space in a system containing a block data storage device, a memory, and a processor is provided. Generally, the processor is configured by the memory to tag metadata of a data block of the block storage device indicating the block as free, used, or semifree. The free tag indicates the data block is available to the system for storing data when needed, the used tag indicates the data block contains application data, and the semifree tag indicates the data block contains cache data and is available to the system for storing application data type if no blocks marked with the free tag are available to the system. |
| US08719503B2 |
Configurable cache and method to configure same
A method includes receiving an address at a tag state array of a cache. The cache is configurable to have a first size or a second size that is larger than the first size. The method includes identifying a first portion of the address as a set index and using the set index to locate at least one tag field of the tag state array. The method also includes identifying a second portion of the address to compare to a value stored at the at least one tag field and locating at least one state field of the tag state array associated with a particular tag field that matches the second portion. The method further includes identifying a cache line based on a comparison of a third portion of the address to at least two status bits of the at least one state field and retrieving the cache line. |
| US08719493B2 |
Memory controller-independent memory sparing
An information handling system (IHS) includes a memory controller, a memory device, and firmware. A failing memory region and a spare memory region are included on the memory device. A memory buffer in the memory device is coupled to the failing memory region and the spare memory region. The memory buffer is operable to perform copy operations without instruction from the memory controller in order to copy data from the failing memory region to the spare memory region in response to firmware operations performed by the firmware. Firmware operations may include instructing the memory controller to produce additional refresh or calibration operation time periods, or providing an instruction to perform a data transfer operation to the spare memory region. The memory buffer is also operable to route requests from the memory controller to one of the failing memory region and the spare memory region during the copy operations. |
| US08719490B2 |
Storage array, storage system, and data access method
A storage array, a storage system, and a data access method. A data access method of a storage device includes: transferring data input from a user interface chip to a non-volatile storage device through a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIE) link, where the user interface chip and the non-volatile storage device are connected to the PCIE link, and the non-volatile storage device includes a memory and a non-volatile storage medium; writing the data to the memory of the non-volatile storage device; and writing the data written in the memory of the non-volatile storage device to the non-volatile storage medium. The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are advantageous for reducing occupation of PCIE links due to data access and improving system performance. |
| US08719488B2 |
Efficient mapping of data blocks in a flash cache
A storage device made up of multiple storage media is configured such that a flash memory serves as a cache for data stored on a backend storage device having one or more magnetic storage media. The storage device includes a controller configured to maintain a direct mapping from respective backend block addresses of the backend storage device to respective physical addresses of the flash memory. Such mapping is used to translate a backend block address of the backend storage device at which a first block is stored into a physical address of the flash memory at which the first block is cached. |
| US08719483B2 |
Multi-root PCI express switch, boot method thereof, and multi-root PCI manager program
Provided is an MRA (multi-root aware) PCI express switch accommodating a plurality of root complexes. The MRA PCI express switch includes: a setting register storing necessary information to set a PCI tree based on a switch connection topology and a physical connection state; and a virtual switch bridge controller storing necessary information to establish a virtual PCI tree, irrespective of a status of the setting register. The root complexes can be booted based on the information in the virtual switch bridge controller. |
| US08719481B2 |
Method and arrangement for streaming data profiling
A circuit arrangement includes a plurality of functional units each of which comprises a plurality of data processing modules and a local controller. The plurality of data processing modules run a common system clock and are connected by a streaming data bus running a handshake-type streaming data transfer protocol. A profiling module of the circuit arrangement assesses control signals tapped at predefined interfaces of the streaming data bus during real time operation, for determining link performance and communication patterns for profiling and debugging purposes, and hence constitutes a simple and low cost approach for assessing intra-component and inter-component link performance and communication patterns on large SoCs. A method for profiling data flow for use in such a circuit arrangement is also provided. |
| US08719478B2 |
Deadlock prevention
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media with executable instructions stored thereon for preventing deadlocks are provided. An inter-device mutex (IDM) can be locked for a first client. An error message can be sent to a second client in response to a received first lock command from the second client while the IDM is locked for the first client. A number of second lock commands from the second client while the IDM is locked for the first client can be received. The IDM can be unlocked for the first client in response to an unlock command received from the first client. The IDM can be locked for the second client in response to a received third lock command from the second client, wherein the third lock command is received subsequent to unlocking the IDM for the first client. |
| US08719476B2 |
Communication system, master device and slave device, and communication method, configured to handle plural concurrent requests
A communication system includes a master device and slave devices. Each slave device includes a request signal generation part configured to, when data to transmit is generated, generate a request signal indicating a transmission request to a master device; and a transmission part configured to transmit the request signal to the master device. The master device includes a request signal reception part configured to receive the request signals from the slave devices; a selection part acting configured to select one of the slave devices according to the request signals received by the reception part; a transmission part configured to transmit a signal indicating to allow data transmission to the slave device selected by the selection part; and a data reception part configured to receive data from the selected slave device. |
| US08719475B2 |
Method and system for utilizing low power superspeed inter-chip (LP-SSIC) communications
Inter-chip connectivity may be provided in a computing device, which may comprise a USB host and at and at least one USB device embedded within the computing device, based on Universal Serial Bus version 3.0 (USB3.0) interface. In this regard, internal communication of data between the USB host and embedded USB device may be performed via USB3.0 SuperSpeed signals. The USB host and/or the USB3.0 interface may be configured to enable USB3.0 internal communication of data, and to reduce power consumption during the internal communication of data compared to external USB3.0 communications. Configuration of the USB3.0 interface for internal communication of data may comprises modifying and/or adjusting physical (PHY) layer, link layer, and/or protocol layer related parameters, functions, resources, and/or operations. The USB3.0 SuperSpeed signals may be communication using scalable low voltage signaling (SLVS). In this regard, Input/Output (IO) Swing may be set based on loopback training sequence. |
| US08719474B2 |
Interface for communication between internal and external devices
An interface, for communication between an internal device and an external device, includes two bus lines of a bus for bidirectional data transfer and at least a first control line, by means of which a control signal can be transferred from the external device to the internal device. |
| US08719469B2 |
Alignment of instructions and replies across multiple devices in a cascaded system, using buffers of programmable depths
Buffers of programmable depths are used in the instruction and reply paths of cascaded devices to account for possible differences in latencies between the devices. The buffers may be enabled or bypassed such that the alignment of instruction and result may be performed at the boundaries between separate groups of devices having different instruction latencies. |
| US08719466B2 |
Direct data transfer for device drivers
A method for performing direct memory access includes obtaining, by a application executing on a host, a kernel address space identifier of a first driver kernel memory. The application sends the kernel address space identifier to a second device driver. The second device driver obtains, using the kernel address space identifier, a cookie structure binding the first driver kernel memory to a second device driver address space for the first driver kernel memory. The application sends a request for a direct memory access operation. The request includes a location identifier of a location storing a data object in the first driver kernel memory. Based on the cookie structure, the second device driver performs, using the location identifier, the direct memory access operation to transfer the data object from the first driver kernel memory to a second driver kernel memory. |
| US08719465B2 |
Method and apparatus for distributed direct memory access for systems on chip
A distributed direct memory access (DMA) method, apparatus, and system is provided within a system on chip (SOC). DMA controller units are distributed to various functional modules desiring direct memory access. The functional modules interface to a systems bus over which the direct memory access occurs. A global buffer memory, to which the direct memory access is desired, is coupled to the system bus. Bus arbitrators are utilized to arbitrate which functional modules have access to the system bus to perform the direct memory access. Once a functional module is selected by the bus arbitrator to have access to the system bus, it can establish a DMA routine with the global buffer memory. |
| US08719463B2 |
Processor with tightly coupled smart memory unit
An information processor includes a central processing unit core and a tightly coupled smart memory unit, the central processing unit core having a direct memory access unit. The tightly coupled smart memory unit having a memory unit coupled to the central processing unit core and a control register, and status register coupled to the central processing unit core and a local processing unit that processes data stored in the memory unit. |
| US08719462B1 |
Systems and methods for distributed log file processing
A log file processing system includes a data storage device and a processing circuit configured to retrieve log file data from the data storage device and to create a bundle including a plurality of data chunks using the log file data. The processing circuit is configured to assign the bundle to a first processing pipeline of a set of multiple processing pipelines in response to a request from the first processing pipeline. The processing circuit is configured to store a global available timestamp for the bundle upon assigning the bundle to the first processing pipeline. The global timestamp is a time threshold before which the bundle is ineligible to be assigned to any of the multiple processing pipelines. |
| US08719458B2 |
Apparatus and methods for communicating with programmable devices
A circuit arrangement includes a programmable logic device. The programmable logic device includes configuration logic circuitry. The programmable logic device also includes configurable interconnects. The circuit arrangement further includes a storage device configured to provide data to the programmable logic device. The storage device communicates with the programmable logic device via a bi-directional interface. |
| US08719453B2 |
Inter-domain context transfer using context transfer managers
A method and apparatus for improved context transfer in heterogeneous networks is presented. Context information is collected from source entities in a first access network by a context transfer manager and transmitted to a context transfer manager of a second access network which forwards the context information to target entities therein. In one of the context transfer managers at least a part of the context information is translated from a format supported in the first access network to another format supported in the second access network. The method may be carried out proactively preceding a handover or reactively following a handover. In one embodiment, context transfer within one access domain is performed directly between access routers, whereas context transfer between different access domains is performed via the context managers. In another embodiment, beacons from access points are counted in order to determine candidates for a pending handover. |
| US08719452B1 |
Correction of client-assigned timestamps
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for correcting client-assigned timestamps. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by one or more servers, a data packet that includes (i) data referencing one or more client-side events, (ii) data referencing a respective time that a client has assigned to each event, and (iii) data referencing a transmission time that the client has assigned to the data packet. The method also includes assigning, by the one or more servers, a receipt time to the data packet, and comparing, by the one or more servers, the transmission time that the client has assigned to the data packet to the receipt time that the one or more servers have assigned to the data packet, to determine a time correction factor. |
| US08719451B1 |
System and method for on-the-fly, post-processing document object model manipulation
A method and system for on-the-fly post-processing of a Document Object Model of a Web-page server-side is disclosed herein. The present invention analyzes the Web-page and builds a Document Object Model of the Web-page on the server-side. The present invention then identifies a plurality of elements of the Document Object Model of the Web-page for manipulation, manipulates the plurality of elements of the Document Object Model of the web-page to create a Web-page with a manipulated Document Object Model, and transmits the Web-page with the manipulated Document Object Model to the client-side. |
| US08719450B2 |
Internet protocol (IP) address translation
Translation of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) addresses is contemplated, such as for use in allowing IPv4 devices to connect with IPv6 device without requiring the IPv4 devices to specify the IPv6 address of the connected-to IPv6 device. The IPv6 addresses may be translated to IPv4 addresses suitable for use with the IPv4 devices in a manner that sufficiently compresses the IPv6 for use with the more bit limited nomenclature of an IPv4 address. |
| US08719447B2 |
Heterogeneous service provider model through pay-for-performance based transit settlements
A method and system of a heterogeneous service provider model through pay-for-performance based transit settlements are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of Point of Presence (POP) locations between a head office and a branch office in a heterogeneous computer network configured to communicate data through a pay-per-performance peering relationship between different entities of the heterogeneous computer network. In this embodiment, the system implements a debit-credit mechanism configured to handle payments as well as penalties associated with violation of a pair-wise mutual agreement between independent for-profit entities providing network services in a segment of the heterogeneous computer network. |
| US08719446B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for defending a network
Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising: within a backbone network: for backbone network traffic addressed to a particular target and comprising attack traffic and non-attack traffic, the attack traffic simultaneously carried by the backbone network with the non-attack traffic: redirecting at least a portion of the attack traffic to a scrubbing complex; and allowing at least a portion of the non-attack traffic to continue to the particular target without redirection to the scrubbing complex. |
| US08719438B2 |
System and methods for accelerated data storage and retrieval
Systems and methods for providing accelerated data storage and retrieval utilizing lossless data compression and decompression. A data storage accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data compression encoders that are configured to compress data. The compressed data is subsequently stored in a target memory or other storage device whose input data storage bandwidth is lower than the original input data stream bandwidth. Similarly, a data retrieval accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data decompression decoders that are configured to decompress data at a rate equivalent to or faster than the input data stream from the target memory or storage device. The decompressed data is then output at rate data that is greater than the output rate from the target memory or data storage device. |
| US08719435B2 |
Devices and methods for scheduling transmission time of media data
Disclosed are a method and device for scheduling transmission time of media data. The media data comprises a plurality of media data units. In one embodiment, the device comprises: a first determination unit configured to determine a latest time for transmitting each media data unit; a second determination unit configured to determine an earliest time for transmitting each media data unit; and a scheduling unit configured to schedule a transmission time for each media data unit by rule of: if the determined latest time for a media data unit is not less than the determined earliest time for said media data unit, the scheduling unit selects a maximal one from the determined earliest time and a predetermined transmission time for said media data unit as the transmission time, otherwise, the scheduling unit schedules the transmission time at the determined earliest time. |
| US08719433B2 |
Methods and apparatus for scalable secure remote desktop access
The invention provides scalable, secure, and easily administerable methods and systems for providing remote access to networked resources by combing aspects of physical access limitation measures with traditional computer access limitation measures. The methods and systems utilize an enrollment administration system for specifying enrollment rules, an enrollment system configured to communicate with the enrollment administration system to permit enrolling a first networked resource if permitted by specified enrollment rules, and a remote access system for granting a user remote access to the first networked resource if the user successfully enrolled the first networked resource. |
| US08719425B2 |
Method and system for messaging and communication based on groups
Systems and methods providing users with a rich web experience are disclosed. In one embodiment, a client and at least one server are in communication using a dual communication link. In another embodiment, a markup language based instant messaging application is disclosed. The instant messaging application may include group instant messaging. The instant messaging application may also provide group member persistence and message persistence at the server. In another embodiment, a card based web application is disclosed, where the card information and character may be shared with other users or within a group. The cards may also be configurable by users. |
| US08719421B2 |
Cross domain interaction of a web application
A method and system for cross domain interaction of a Web application are proposed, wherein a Web application belonging to a first domain needs to interact with a service belonging to a second domain. The method comprises: by the Web application, creating an iFrame in a webpage, wherein the iFrame is belonging to the first domain; creating a form in the iFrame; submitting the form to a Web server providing a service belonging to the second domain; and refreshing the iFrame by receiving a response from the Web server, changing the domain, to which the iFrame is belonging, to the second domain, and performing cross domain interaction with the service belonging to the second domain with the information contained in the form. |
| US08719420B2 |
Administration of access lists for femtocell service
System(s) and method(s) are provided for a femtocell account management service and access thereto. The account service management can be accessed through a broadband network and comprises two operational layers deployed within respective demarcation zones. A first layer includes a web tier that provides landing webpage and a legacy account manager that enables account management for mobility subscribers. A second layer includes an application layer associated with femtocell service, an application layer for legacy accounts, and a middleware component that provides functional connectivity application layers and backend service component. Account management service allows secure login to femtocell account and redirection amongst femtocell and legacy service components, and enables manipulation of access list(s) that regulate access to femto service. Manipulation of access list(s) includes addition, deletion, and edition of entries, which include unique identifier(s) for mobile devices and related control flags. A femtocell database retains account profile(s) that include access list(s). Access list(s) and updates thereof can be supplied to macrocell network. |
| US08719416B1 |
Multiple subparts of a uniform resource locator
A hyperlinking process identifies a uniform resource locator within content (e.g., within a web page, document, etc.). The hyperlinking process further identifies a plurality of subparts of the uniform resource locator. In this manner, each subpart represents a distinct location separately referenceable from a location referenced by the entire uniform resource locator. Additionally, the hyperlinking process receives a selection of a subpart of the uniform resource locator that identifies a selected subpart. In response to the selection of the subpart, the hyperlinking process references the distinct location associated with the selected subpart. |
| US08719415B1 |
Use of temporarily available computing nodes for dynamic scaling of a cluster
Techniques are described for managing distributed execution of programs, including by dynamically scaling a cluster of multiple computing nodes performing ongoing distributed execution of a program, such as to increase and/or decrease computing node quantity. An architecture may be used that has core nodes that each participate in a distributed storage system for the distributed program execution, and that has one or more other auxiliary nodes that do not participate in the distributed storage system. Furthermore, as part of performing the dynamic scaling of a cluster, computing nodes that are only temporarily available may be selected and used, such as computing nodes that might be removed from the cluster during the ongoing program execution to be put to other uses and that may also be available for a different fee (e.g., a lower fee) than other computing nodes that are available throughout the ongoing use of the cluster. |
| US08719409B2 |
Network accelerator for controlled long delay links
A communication system for providing network access over a shared communication link is disclosed. The communication system includes a user access point, a network access point and a communications link. The user access point is coupled to one or more user terminals that access a remote network. The network access point is coupled to the remote network. The communications link couples the user access point and the network access point. The communications link is at least partially controlled by the network access point, which monitors information passed between the remote network and the user access point to create an estimate of future usage of the communications link by the user access point based on the information. The network access point allocates communications link resources for the user access point based on the estimate. |
| US08719404B2 |
Regular expression searches utilizing general purpose processors on a network interconnect
A first hardware node in a network interconnect receives a data packet from a network. The first hardware node examines the data packet for a regular expression. In response to the first hardware node failing to identify the regular expression in the data packet, the data packet is forwarded to a second hardware node in the network interconnect for further examination of the data packet in order to search for the regular expression in the data packet. |
| US08719403B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitor and notification in a network
A user specifies one or more monitoring/probing rules on a client station. These rules specify user instructions for monitoring and probing conditions, events, and data on monitored sites on the Internet. The client station transfers the rules to the monitoring site, which also processes and interprets the rules. When the monitoring site processes these rules, it results in (1) allocation of space and (2) creation or initialization of agent programs, which will effect periodic monitoring of Internet sites and send data back to the monitoring site. If the retrieved information at the monitoring site satisfies the user-specified conditions, the monitoring site will conduct further exploration to gather more information that may help determine the causes of these conditions. The results of such a probe may be obtained from the monitoring site or the Internet, and are communicated by the monitoring site to the client station. |
| US08719400B2 |
Flexible delegation of management function for self-managing resources
Included are method, article of manufacture, and device that serve to identify the status of a network resource along with whether the network resource is a self-managing resource. When autonomic management capabilities are identified, an autonomic management rule for management of the network resource may be generated and sent, over a network, for receipt and use by the identified self-managing resource. |
| US08719399B2 |
Adaptive file delivery with link profiling system and method
An adaptive file delivery system and method transmits a data file, such as an audio-video file, over a network or collection of networks in segments, each segment transmitted during a different time period. Each time period has a transmission portion to transmit its associated file segment and a wait portion in which no further interaction with the network occurs regarding the transmitted segment. In some implementations, the duration of the transmission portion of each time period is sufficient to reach a steady-state throughput condition, which allows the traffic load status of the network or networks to be determined from rate measurements of file segment transmissions. The duration of the wait portion of each time period is at least long enough to limit the average rate of file segment transmission to adapt to network traffic load variations while causing the entire file to be delivered in a predetermined delivery deadline. |
| US08719397B2 |
Method and system for email and PIM synchronization and updating
A system for sending data from at least one computing device, which may be an email server, located at a user location, to a plurality of handsets. The system includes an internal system monitor associated with the at least one computing device, and the monitor provides application connectors deployed at the user location. The system also includes at least one wireless gateway router and a mobile client, which provides a client infrastructure installed on the plurality of handsets, such that the at least one computing device acts uni-directionally and thereby provides secure delivery of the data. |
| US08719394B2 |
Method and arrangement for a modification of network management schema
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement in a communication system in which a network management architecture comprises modules representing a virtual reality of network nodes (24) and network links under management. Organization of said modules and information contained in said modules are based on a pre-determined network management schema, whereby said network nodes (24) and said network links are managed by accessing and manipulating said modules. The network management schema is modified by reducing the amount of information in said modules. Then, the modified network management schema is used for managing said communication network system and thereby facilitating communication network system management. |
| US08719391B2 |
Method and system for controlling contextual information push services
A system, server, method, and computer program product are disclosed for facilitating the creation of push messages pertaining to context dependent services and managing their delivery to mobile wireless devices having diverse routing, scheduling, and context or event-triggering requirements. A web-based interface is presented on an administrator console for defining profiles specifying content delivery characteristics for a plurality of mobile wireless devices. The profiles can include a recipient characteristic, a message delivery mode characteristic, and a bearer characteristic. A Service Manager is coupled to the web-based interface and to a plurality of access points, for pushing a message via a specified bearer, using a specified delivery mode, to one of the plurality of mobile wireless devices of a specified recipient satisfying one of the defined profiles of content delivery characteristics when the one device is located within a coverage area of one of the plurality of access points. |
| US08719388B2 |
Method for installing a web package within a manufacturing executing system
A method enables the administration of resources (content) in web packages. By automatically adding a prefix to the resource name causing a name conflict, even resources having the same name can be handled when installing a new web package by the virtual file system mapping the resources to which a prefix has been added to the physical content required for the web application. |
| US08719384B2 |
Service discovery methods
Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for service discovery. The method includes receiving a first service advertisement by a first device. The first service advertisement includes at least a service of a second device. Further, the method include updating a service directory of the first device to include the service of the second device, and transmitting a second service advertisement by the first device. The second service advertisement includes at least the service of the second device, and can be used by a third device to effect use of the service of the second device. |
| US08719382B2 |
Method and system for data processing
Methods and systems are provided for processing data generated in a vehicle group. One example embodiment comprises evaluating one or more quality parameters of a first data set generated at a first vehicle in the vehicle group by a first data capture device, and based on the evaluation, off-boarding the first data set for storage purposes. Based on a link quality of a communication system of the vehicle group, the first data set may be off-boarded to a second vehicle in the vehicle group or to a remote storage device. In one example, if the quality parameter of the first data set is higher, the data may be stored on a second vehicle, while if the quality parameter of the first data set is lower, a second data set generated at the second vehicle by a second data capture device may be stored on the second vehicle. |
| US08719376B2 |
Remote download of content
A system and method for delivering content is disclosed. A content download service initially registers client computing devices to receive content. Therefore, when the content download service receives a request from a requesting client computing device to download content to a receiving client computing device, the content or download instructions are sent to the receiving client computing device. Downloading is controlled by the content download service and a software agent installed on the receiving client computing devices when they are registered. Content request and content download occur over a computer network, such as the Internet. The content may be stored by the content download service and supplied to the receiving client computing device by the download service, or stored by a content supply service and supplied to the receiving client computing device either directly or via the content download service. |
| US08719374B1 |
Accessing large data stores over a communications network
A method for facilitating access to a large data store is disclosed. The method includes reading the large data store, allocating a heap of at least 100 megabytes in a first memory, and storing the data store in the heap, wherein a memory address is associated with each memory element in the heap, and wherein each memory address comprises a base address unique to the first memory and an offset value from the base address. A second server allocates space in a second memory and stores a particular group of memory elements from the first memory in the second memory. Next, a graphics processing unit calculates new memory addresses for each of the memory elements in the particular group by adding a new base address, unique to the second memory, to the offset value of each memory address, and transmits the new memory addresses to the second memory. |
| US08719373B2 |
Dynamically optimizing delivery of multimedia content over a network
A method includes connecting a communications device to an Internet Multimedia Subsystem network. The method includes transmitting presence information indicating multimedia capabilities of the communications device and requesting multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content. The method includes detecting connection of a peripheral device to the communications device and determining that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device. The method includes updating the presence information to indicate the increased multimedia capabilities and transmitting the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information. The method includes receiving the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities and presenting at least some of the adjusted multimedia content on the peripheral device. |
| US08719370B2 |
Method and system for transmitting large message mode converged IP messaging
The present invention provides a method and system for transmitting a large message mode CPM message. A MSRP link is created respectively between a CPM client at a sending end and a participating function entity at a source end, between the participating function entity at the source end and a CPM control function entity, and between the CPM control function entity and an inter-working function entity based on a media negotiation process before the CPM client transmits a large message mode CPM message to a non-CPM system receiver in a target group; then, the CPM client at the sending end sends the contents of the large message mode CPM message to the inter-working function entity through each created MSRP link sequentially; and the inter-working function entity sends the received contents of the large message mode CPM message to the non-CPM system receiver after performing protocol conversion on the received contents. The method and the system solve the problem that a large message mode CPM message cannot be transmitted to a group in the prior art and the user experience is improved. |
| US08719366B2 |
Profile and consent accrual
Consent management between a client and a network server. In response to a request for consent, a central server determines if requested user information is included in a user profile associated with a user and if the user has granted consent to share the requested user information. A user interface is provided to the user via a browser of the client to collect the requested user information that is not included in the user profile and the consent to share the requested user information from the user. After receiving the user information provided by the user via the user interface, the service provided by the network server is allowed access to the received user information, and the central server updates the user profile. Other aspects of the invention are directed to computer-readable media for use with profile and consent accrual. |
| US08719362B2 |
Tiered storage interface
The cloud storage services are extended with a cloud storage service access protocol that enables users to specify a desired storage tier for each data stream. In response to receiving storage tier specifiers via the protocol, the cloud storage service performs storage operations to identify target storage devices having attributes matching those associated with the requested storage tier. The cloud storage service stores a data stream from the storage client in the identified target storage device associated with the desired storage tier. Storage tiers can be defined based on criteria including capacity costs; access latency; availability; activation state; bandwidth and/or transfer rates; and data replication. The cloud storage service protocol allows data streams to be transferred between storage tiers, storage devices to be activated or deactivated, and data streams to be prefetched and cached. The cloud storage services may charge storage clients based on storage tier use and associated operations. |
| US08719352B2 |
Reputation management for network content classification
A system derives a reputation for a plurality of network addresses, the reputation of each network address determined by analyzing a plurality of high-level email features related to one or more emails originating from the network address. The plurality of high-level email features include domain registration analysis, hashed term frequency indexing, persistent communication, address age, correlation analysis, zombie detection, and hash vault matching. |
| US08719351B2 |
Image rescale based on defined characteristics
A system and method automatically rescales an electronic message having one or more associated content. When the electronic message is generated and the associated content connected to the message, an agent of the electronic message application checks predefined settings/configurations of the message client. The sender's e-mail client checks a plurality of conditions, such as, the condition of the network, the type of network, the status or capacity of the receiving inbox of an intended recipient client, and the geographic destination of the message. Based on these dynamic content rescale settings, the sender's client dynamically and optimally rescales the associated content before forwarding the electronic message with the rescaled content to the recipient client. Rescaling of the associated content may be performed by the message exchange server or the recipient client. The recipient client may later request and receive a copy of the associated content without rescaling. |
| US08719350B2 |
Email addressee verification
The disclosure is directed to email addressee verification. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: obtaining an email message including at least one email address; evaluating each email address of the email message against at least one email rule, and assigning a score to each email address based on the evaluation; and comparing the score assigned to each email address to a threshold, and flagging any suspect email address based on the comparison. |
| US08719349B2 |
System and method for providing a radio-like experience
A system and method for providing a radio-like experience may comprise providing a personal media library (PML)-based playlist, including receiving media elements from a listener's PML, creating a playlist of the media elements using professional broadcast scheduling software and providing the playlist to the listener. A system and method of providing a radio-like experience may also comprise creating a playlist of media elements according to the user preferences for a media genre and for perishable content and providing the playlist to the listener.A method of distributing user-generated content may comprise incorporating user-generated content into a playlist of media elements according to the listener preference and providing the playlist to the listener. A method of distributing user generated content may also comprise receiving user-generated content, incorporating the user-generated content into a playlist of media elements of the recipient and providing the playlist to the recipient. |
| US08719347B1 |
Scoring stream items with models based on user interests
A system and method for generating a stream of content includes a content stream module that generates a model based on user input and/or prior activities using heterogeneous data sources. The heterogeneous data sources include search, entertainment, social activity and activity on third-party sites. The content stream module retrieves candidate content items that have interests that are similar to the user. The candidate content items are compared to the model and scored based upon interestingness of the content item to the user. The content stream module generates the stream of content from the candidate content items. |
| US08719345B2 |
Database replication using collaborative data transfers
Techniques are described herein for propagating continuously generated data from a seed to a plurality of peers without requiring the seed to send the new data to all peers, and without establishing static sender/receiver relationships between the peers. The data generated by the seed is divided into a number of “windows”, where each window is divided into a number of “pieces”. The seed sends the data piece-by-piece to different peers. The peer to which the seed sends any given piece may be selected at random. The peers exchange pieces until all pieces of a window are obtained by each peer. When a peer receives all pieces of a window, the pieces are applied at the peer, and the process repeats for the next window. |
| US08719342B2 |
Third-party session modification
The present invention relates to a method, system, client device, conference server device and computer program product of controlling media composition in a multi-party conversation involving a central control point (50). At a participant (10) of said multi-party conversation, a scope information (SoM) which specifies members of said multi-party conversation is selected and added to a session modifying request. The session modifying request is transmitted to the central control point (50) which initiates a media modification at the specified members in response to the scope information (SoM). Thereby, a client can control whether media modification is applied to the whole conference, selected participants or only between the client itself and the conference server. |
| US08719340B2 |
Information processing device, content providing method and program
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing device, comprising a communicating unit capable of communicating with one or more content servers through a network, an information obtaining unit for obtaining content type information indicating a type of content, which may be provided by each of the one or more content servers, from each content server using communication by the communicating unit, and a user interface unit for allowing a user to select a desired content type out of the content type indicated by the content type information and allowing the content server capable of providing at least one content belonging to the selected content type to provide the at least one content. The content type information is the information capable of identifying a type of a container included in a content directory of each content server. |
| US08719339B2 |
Software and method that enables selection of one of a plurality of online service providers
A novel electronic information transport component can be incorporated in a wide range of electronic information products, for example magazine collections, to automate the mass distribution of updates, such as current issues, from a remote server to a wide user base having a diversity of computer stations. Advantages of economy, immediacy and ease of use are provided. Extensions of the invention permit automated electronic catalog shopping with order placement and, optionally, order confirmation. A server-based update distribution service is also provided. In addition, an offline web browser system, with hyperlink redirection capabilities, a novel recorded music product with automated update capabilities and an Internet charging mechanism are provided. |
| US08719337B1 |
IPv6 to web architecture
A system allows first users to connect through an IPv4 web interface to access content (e.g., information and services) of second users who provide the content using IPv6. The second users are effectively mobile web servers. In an implementation, the system is a streaming media network (e.g., lifecasting) where first users are video viewers and second users are streaming video providers. In the system, a second user runs a home agent client (e.g., plug in) that connects to a home agent server using IPv6. The home agent client and server encapsulate and deencapsulate the IPv6 information. Information is transmitted and routed using IPv6 in an IPv4 environment. Any number of second users connect to the first user's content via an IPv4 web interface. |
| US08719336B2 |
Method and apparatus for thwarting traffic analysis in online games
The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for routing data in a network-based computer game via proxy computers. The method and system includes a set of techniques that utilizes the proxy computers to thwart traffic analysis in high-speed games while continuing to satisfy the games' latency requirements. The method and apparatus facilitates thwarting multiple classes of traffic analysis, including inspection of unencrypted header fields, observation of packet size, correlation of packet timing, and collusion among players. A matchmaking system for matching players in a network-based computer game in a manner that resists traffic analysis is also provided. |
| US08719335B2 |
Framework for development of integration adapters that surface non-static, type-safe service contracts to LOB systems
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates integrating two or more applications for secure sharing of data. A line of business (LOB) system can include a portion of metadata associated with a business application. An adapter can employ a dynamic service contract to the LOB system, wherein the service contract is a fluid contract constructed in real time from a portion of metadata selected within the LOB system. Moreover, the adapter can enable a client to access the portion of metadata selected via the service contract. |
| US08719334B2 |
High data rate interface
A data Interface for transferring digital data between a host and a client over a communication path using packet structures linked together to form a communication protocol for communicating a pre-selected set of digital control and presentation data. The signal protocol is used by link controllers configured to generate, transmit, and receive packets forming the communications protocol, and to form digital data into one or more types of data packets, with at least one residing in the host device and being coupled to the client through the communications path. The interface provides a cost-effective, low power, bi-directional, high-speed data transfer mechanism over a short-range “serial” type data link, which lends itself to implementation with miniature connectors and thin flexible cables which are especially useful in connecting display elements such as wearable micro-displays to portable computers and wireless communication devices. |
| US08719333B2 |
System and method for collecting content using templates for distribution to internet users
A collaborative Internet data mining system for facilitating a group effort from a plurality of guides to the Internet, by automatically processing the information provided by the guides and thereby create a branded or uniform look and feel to the web sites supported by the plurality of guides. |
| US08719330B2 |
Terminal apparatus and electronic equipment communicable with media content providing server and media content storage sites, and a non-transitory medium storing a program therefor
There are provided a terminal apparatus by which media content relating to a connected electronic equipment can be easily acquired, an electronic equipment which can easily acquire media content relating to the electronic equipment itself, and a program. When a user actually operates an electronic music instrument and changes an operation state, a media content providing server receives state data indicating the operation state after the change from the electronic music instrument through a client terminal, receives a list of media content relating to the electronic music instrument and coincident with a present operation state of the electronic music instrument among a lot of stored media content from many media content storage servers on a communication network based on the state data, and displays it on a display of the client terminal. When the user selects one of media content from the list and instructs acquisition thereof, the media content providing server acquires corresponding media content data from a media content storage server storing it and transmits it to the client terminal. |
| US08719329B2 |
Imaging device, imaging system, image management server, image communication system, imaging method, and image management method
An imaging device includes an imaging unit that images a subject to generate electronic image data; and a communication unit that communicates with a plurality of servers through a network. The imaging device also includes an image file generating unit that generates an image file including first interpretation subject information interpreted by any one of the plurality of servers. |
| US08719325B2 |
Method to initiate server based collaboration on e-mail attachments
Server-based collaboration is initiated by an email. When the user creates the email message with attachments, a collaboration website is provisioned. The collaboration website allows collaborations on the attached documents by the recipients of the message. The ease of collaboration with email and the advantages of the collaboration server are thus both available to the user. |
| US08719324B1 |
Spectral modular arithmetic method and apparatus
A new hardware architecture is disclosed that performs the modular exponentiation operation, i.e., the computation of c=me mod n where c, m, e, n are large integers. The modular exponentiation operation is the most common operation in public-key cryptography. The new method, named the Spectral Modular Exponentiation method, uses the Discrete Fourier Transform over a finite ring, and relies on new techniques to perform the modular multiplication and reduction operations. The method yields an efficient and highly parallel architecture for hardware implementations of public-key cryptosystems which use the modular exponentiation operation as the basic step, such as the RSA and Diffie-Hellman algorithms. The method is extended to perform the multiplication operation in extension fields which is necessary to perform exponentiation or various other operations over these extension fields. |
| US08719323B2 |
Methods for efficient state transition matrix based LFSR computations
A method for efficient state transition matrix based LFSR computations are disclosed. A polynomial associated with a linear feedback shift register is defined. This polynomial is used to generate a single step state transition matrix. The single step state transition matrix is then modified into a more general k-step state transition matrix. The resultant combined matrix is reduced in size and can be multiplied by a state input vector, ultimately producing a plurality of next state-input vectors thereby providing improved efficiency in computing a LFSR. |
| US08719322B2 |
Floating point format converter
A computer program product for converting from a first floating point format to a second floating point format, each floating point format having an associated base value and being represented by a significand value and a exponent value, comprising an executable algorithm to perform the steps of: determining the second exponent value by multiplying the first exponent value by a predefined constant and taking the integer portion of the result, the predefined constant being substantially equivalent to the logarithm of the first base value divided by the logarithm of the second base value; determining a bias value substantially equivalent to the second base value raised to the second exponent value divided by the first base value raised to the first exponent value; and determining the second significand value by multiplying the first significand value by the bias value. |
| US08719320B1 |
Server-side, variable drive health determination
The relative health of data storage drives may be determined based, at least in some aspects, on data access information and/or other drive operation information. In some examples, upon receiving the operation information from a computing device, a health level of a drive may be determined. The health level determination may be based at least in part on operating information received from a client entity. Additionally, a storage space allocation instruction or operation may be determined for execution. The allocation instruction or operation determined to be performed may be based at least in part on the determined health level. |
| US08719318B2 |
Knowledge storage and retrieval system and method
A system and method for representing, storing and retrieving real-world knowledge on a computer or network of computers is disclosed. Knowledge is broken down into permanent atomic “facts” which can be stored in a standard relational database and processed very efficiently. It also provides for the efficient querying of a knowledge base, efficient inference of new knowledge and translation into and out of natural language. Queries can also be processed with full natural language explanations of where the answers came from. The method can also be used in a distributed fashion enabling the system to be a large network of computers and the technology can be integrated into a web browser adding to the browser's functionality. |
| US08719311B2 |
Providing homogeneous views of information collections in heterogeneous information storage sources
A method, apparatus and computer program product, for generating a framework for supporting a homogeneous view of an information collection managed in a heterogeneous system of information storage sources. The framework includes an information collection data model mapped to an information source data model, and an information storage services data model mapped to the information source data model. The information collection data model defines information to be collected and stored as an information collection in one or more information storage sources. The information source data model references data sets containing the information defined in the information collection data model. The information storage services data model defines information storage services for accessing and performing operations on the one or more information storage sources storing the information collection. The framework allows a user to view and perform operations on the information collection without knowing how the information collection is stored. |
| US08719306B2 |
Managing adapter association for a data graph of data objects
The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for managing adapter association for a data graph of data objects. Specifically, under the present invention, a data graph of data objects is generated (e.g., on a server), and then serialized. In performing the serialization, the data graph is translated into bits. In one embodiment, the bits are communicated to a client over a network, and then translated back into the data graph (i.e., deserialized). An adapter is associated with each of the data objects after the data graph is deserialized. This avoids the “overhead” involved with associating and having active adapters during deserialization. |
| US08719303B2 |
Method for enhancing the computation of CSS and accuracy of computing hardware and to promote the computation speed
This invention proposed a new algorithm. By multiply the proposed weight coefficients of this invention, CSP and CSS can be computed without computing for the mean(s) of the data. After the proposed weight coefficients of this invention undergo factorization, it can promote a new recursive and real time updatable computation method. To test the accuracy of the new invention, the StRD data were separately tested using SAS ver 9.0, SPSS ver15.0 and EXCEL 2007 for comparison. The results showed that the accuracy of the results of the proposed invention exceeds the level of accuracy of SAS ver9.0, SPSS ver15.0 and EXCEL 2007. Aside from an accurate computation, this new invented algorithm can also produce efficient computations. |
| US08719302B2 |
Methods, apparatus and software for analyzing the content of micro-blog messages
Methods, systems and software are described for analyzing micro-blog messages to detect abnormal activity of interest. The system includes a clusterer for clustering micro-blog messages received over a first period of time, a classifier for scoring the clustered messages; a knowledge base, a rule generator for generating classification rules from the knowledge base; and a matcher for matching the scored messages to information requests. Methods for operating the system and its components are described. |
| US08719299B2 |
Systems and methods for extraction of concepts for reuse-based schema matching
In one embodiment, an approach to automated recurring concept extraction, from a plurality of input data models (schemas) is presented. The approach converts input data models to graphs, with typed elements. The graphs are mined for closed subgraphs that have a defined minimum support. The identified subgraphs can be filtered with a relevance metric. These subgraphs are converted to schemas or an appropriate representation, and stored for reuse in a repository. The repository can be used to automate further transformation or mapping of schemas presented to a system that uses the repository. In one example, the repository is used in a schema covering process to perform schema transformation. |
| US08719293B2 |
Generating improved document classification data using historical search results
A server system accesses, respectively, historical query information for queries that have search results corresponding to first information items and second information items and classification data of the first information items. Initially, the first information items are classified and the second information items are unclassified. Based on the classification data of the first information items and the historical query information, the server system generates classification data for the second information items and stores the generated classification data therein. In response to requests for service from client devices, the server system provides customized services to the client devices using the second information items and the corresponding classification data generated for the second information items. |
| US08719291B2 |
Information extraction using spatial reasoning on the CSS2 visual box model
A method for extracting tabular information from a web source by determining a plurality of coordinates for a plurality of visualized element nodes on the web source; determining a subset of the plurality of visualized element nodes based on the plurality of coordinates to obtain a candidate web table, wherein each of the subset of the plurality of visualized element nodes constitutes a logical cell of the candidate web table; determining textual content corresponding to the subset of the plurality of visualized element nodes as the textual content would appear after rendering the web source in a browser; and transforming the candidate web table into an explicit representation of relative spatial relation between at least one of the logical cell; and saving the explicit representation in a structured document format. |
| US08719285B2 |
System and method for automatic presentation of content-related data with content presentation
A content item is requested by a user via the user's computing device. In response, data, such as a set of facts, related to the requested content item is identified and served with the requested content item for presentation with the content item at the user's computer device. The related data can comprise facts related to the content item, and the related data can be presented as a graphic, such as part of a multi-dimensional graph, in connection with the presentation of the content. The related data can be retrieved from a facts database using search criteria formed using tags obtained for the requested content item. |
| US08719279B2 |
System and method for assessing and ranking newsworthiness
A system and method for determining a newsworthiness score for a news story, including the steps of receiving data describing a news story from a client, comparing the data describing the news story to a set of pre-determined factors, locating the factors that are present on the set of pre-determined factors in the data, adding pre-calculated values to a running total, the newsworthiness score, for each factor found in the data. |
| US08719278B2 |
Method and system of scoring documents based on attributes obtained from a digital document by eye-tracking data analysis
In one exemplary embodiment, a set of attributes derived from an element of a first digital document is obtained. The element is identified from eye-tracking data of a user viewing the digital document. A search query of a database comprising at least one query term is received. A set of documents in the database is identified according to the search query. An attribute score is determined for each document. The set of documents are sorted according to the attribute score. Optionally, a commonality between the query term and at least one member of the set of attributes may be determined. The search query may be generated by the user. The database may be a hypermedia database. |
| US08719277B2 |
Sentimental information associated with an object within a media
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer readable media, for receiving user input data that includes a sentimental identifier and an indication of at least one of an amount of pressure and an amount of time used to select a sentimental input. The user input data is associated with a media, and the associated media includes a plurality of objects. For each user input data, the user input data is associated with a portion of the associated media. The user input data is aggregated based upon the portion of the associated media. An average sentiment value is determined based upon the sentimental identifier and the indication of at least one of the amount of pressure and the amount of time used to select a sentimental input for at least one of the displayed objects. |
| US08719275B1 |
Color coded radars
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for displaying search results are disclosed. In an embodiment, this may comprise receiving search results, receiving information about search result scores according to a plurality of criteria, creating a star in the radar chart based on the search result scores, coloring the star based on the search result scores, and displaying the radar chart. Different weight may be given to each search result score. Multiple search results may be displayed in one radar chart, or multiple radar charts may be used. Color intensity and hue may be used to represent difference in the search result scores. |
| US08719272B2 |
Sharing of audio files and selected information including tagging information
A media data tagging method. The media data includes one or a combination of audio, video and textual data. The method includes surveying at least a portion of media data received by a device, the media data having metadata associated therewith. The surveying process is preferably performed during playback of the media data. The method further includes detecting generation of a tagging instruction. The tagging instruction can be generated via a user interface. A tag data indicative of the media data is then generated in response to the generation of the tagging instruction. The tag data is then transmitted to the device. The tag data is for subsequent at least one of identification and location of the media data. |
| US08719271B2 |
Accelerating data profiling process
A data profile request is handles by utilizing data in a distributed file system. Tabular data is extracted from a data source and stored in a distributed file system. Each table in the tabular data is split by columns, which are each stored in separate files in a set of physical nodes of the distributed file system. In response to a data profiling request, a master node determines, based on the profiling request, which groups of files are needed to be on a same physical node in order to perform the profiling analysis. The master node creates jobs using physical nodes that contain the requisite files needed for each job. |
| US08719268B2 |
Utilizing metadata generated during XML creation to enable parallel XML processing
A method, computer program product, and system for enabling parallel processing of an XML document without pre-parsing, utilizing metadata associated with the XML document and created at the same time as the XML document. The metadata is used to generate partitions of the XML document at the time of parallel processing, without requiring system-intensive pre-parsing. |
| US08719267B2 |
Spectral neighborhood blocking for entity resolution
A processing device of an information processing system is operative to obtain a plurality of records, documents, web pages or other data objects, and to construct a binary tree using a bipartition procedure in which subsets of the data objects are associated with respective nodes of the tree. Evaluation of a designated modularity for a given one of the nodes of the tree is used as a stopping criterion to prevent further partitioning of that node and to indicate designation of that node as a leaf node of the tree. The resulting leaf nodes of the tree provide a non-overlapping partitioning of the plurality of data objects. The processing device is further operative to perform a neighborhood search on the tree to identify pairs of the plurality of data objects that match the same entity, and to store an indication of the matching pairs of data objects. |
| US08719262B1 |
Identification of semantic units from within a search query
A search engine for searching a corpus improves the relevancy of the results by classifying multiple terms in a search query as a single semantic unit. A semantic unit locator of the search engine generates a subset of documents that are generally relevant to the query based on the individual terms within the query. Combinations of search terms that define potential semantic units from the query are then evaluated against the subset of documents to determine which combinations of search terms should be classified as a semantic unit. The resultant semantic units are used to refine the results of the search. |
| US08719260B2 |
Identifying the unifying subject of a set of facts
A method and system for identifying a subject of a document and facts included within are described. A source document that includes facts and linking documents that include hyperlinks to the source document are identified. The anchor texts of the hyperlinks are identified and candidate labels are generated based on the anchor texts. One of the candidate labels is selected as the unifying subject of the facts. An information set, distinct from the source document, is stored in a facts database, wherein the stored information set includes the unifying subject, and source document information associating the source document with the information set. |
| US08719259B1 |
Providing content based on geographic area
Described are example processes for providing content based on a size of a geographic area associated with the content. The example processes may include the following operations: determining, based at least in part on bids provided in an auction, candidate content items for output in response to an input query; obtaining geographic areas associated with the candidate content items; selecting a candidate content item having a smallest geographic area; and outputting the selected candidate content item in response to the input query. |
| US08719257B2 |
Methods and systems for automatically generating semantic/concept searches
In various embodiments, a semantic space associated with a corpus of electronically stored information (ESI) may be created and used for concept searches. Documents (and any other objects in the ESI, in general) may be represented as vectors in the semantic space. Vectors may correspond to identifiers, such as, for example, indexed terms. The semantic space for a corpus of ESI can be used in information filtering, information retrieval, indexing, and relevancy rankings. |
| US08719256B2 |
Method and system for improvement of request processing
A system and method of processing a request including improving usage and/or performance of resources is disclosed. Information relating to a user request may be provided to one or more resources which process the information and provide a result. A result and/or other information may be provided to a human assistant or guide who may process information to produce a result and/or review a result(s). Information provided by a guide may be processed and provided to a resource, which may improve the performance of a resource. A resource(s) and/or a guide(s) may be selected and/or provided with activities based on ratings and/or rankings associated with a request, which may optimize usage of system resources. Information obtained may be provided for various purposes. |
| US08719244B1 |
Methods and systems for retrieval of information items and associated sentence fragments
Methods and systems for retrieval of information items and associated sentence fragments are described. One method described comprises identifying at least a first entry in an index relevant to a search query, wherein the first entry comprises a first information item and a first associated sentence fragment, and wherein the index comprises a plurality of information items and associated sentence fragments, and generating a search result set relevant to the search query comprising at least the first information item. |
| US08719243B2 |
Methods and systems for filtering data for interactive display of database data
Interactive database viewing is provided. A server associated with a database accesses a stored result set from a database query. The server presents a portion of the result set in a list view to a client device remote from the server and the cache memory, where the portion presented is based on filter selection based on fields of the data. In response to changes to the filter selection, the server can dynamically alter the list view without having to again access the database. If a change to the filter selection requests data outside the cached result set, the server accesses the database and updates the cached result set. Inline editing of the data in the list view can be applied back to the database by the server. |
| US08719242B2 |
System and method for a database access statement interceptor
A database access interceptor includes a statement pool and a table buffer. The statement pool and the table buffer are associated with physical database connections. The interceptor may include a separate instance of the statement pool for each physical database connection. Similarly the interceptor may include a separate instance of the table buffer for each physical database connection. |
| US08719240B2 |
Apparatus and method to sequentially deduplicate groups of files comprising the same file name but different file version numbers
A method to sequentially deduplicate data, wherein the method receives a plurality of computer files, wherein each of the plurality of computer files comprises a label comprising a file name, a file type, a version number, and file size, and stores that plurality of computer files in a deduplication queue. The method then identifies a subset of the plurality of computer files, wherein each file of the subset comprises the same file name but a different version number, and wherein the subset comprises a maximum count of version numbers, and wherein the subset comprises a portion of the plurality of computer files. The method deduplicates the subset using a hash algorithm, and removes the subset from said deduplication queue. During the deduplicating, the method receives new computer files comprising the same file name, stores those new computer files to the deduplication queue, but does not add those new computer files to the subset. |
| US08719237B2 |
Method and apparatus for deleting duplicate data
Present invention provides a method and an apparatus for deleting duplicate data. The method include: receiving a modified data block for a user file stored in the data storage system; querying whether the modified data block is found in the system data block file; if the modified data block is not found in the system data block file, adding the modified data block to the system data block file, and updating an index relationship of the user file with the system data block file to include an index pointing to the modified data block added in the system data block file. With the method and apparatus for deleting duplicate data provided by embodiments of the present invention, the duplicate data after modification is deleted, which improves the performance in modifying other data block files and improves the effect of deleting the duplicate data. |
| US08719235B2 |
Controlling tape layout for de-duplication
Example methods and apparatus concern creating and/or manipulating a tape-specific layout for a tape based de-duplication repository. One example apparatus include a processor, a memory, a set of logics and an interface to connect the processor, the memory, and the set of logics. The apparatus may include a tape layout logic configured to determine the tape-specific layout for a de-duplication data set. The tape-specific layout may be based on forensic data acquired for the de-duplication data set. The apparatus may also include a write logic configured to write the de-duplication data set to a tape according to the tape-specific layout. The forensic data may identify, for example, the order in which sub-blocks are accessed, reference counts, access frequency, access groups, and other access information. |
| US08719228B1 |
Method and system for identifying obsolete discussion threads in a forum
The invention relates to a method for identifying obsolete discussion threads. The method includes extracting keywords from a discussion thread and assigning a keyword score to each keyword. The method further includes identifying a change event that is a change affecting a topic of the forum, extracting a keyword from a recorded medium recording the change event, comparing the keyword from the recorded medium with the keywords from the discussion thread to identify a matching keyword, and reducing the keyword score of the matching keyword to a reduced score based on the matching keyword matching the keyword from the recorded medium. The method further includes aggregating the keyword score assigned to each keyword to obtain a total score for the discussion thread, and displaying a warning on a user interface that includes the discussion thread when the total score is below a pre-specified threshold. |
| US08719227B1 |
Dynamic membership management in a distributed system
Transactional database replication techniques are disclosed that do not require altering of the database management system implementation. A replicator module includes a dynamic membership manager, which is configured to manage the persistent membership of a coordination group. The persistent membership can be, for example, a durable set of sites that can replicate changes amongst themselves. Changes from sites not in the persistent membership are discarded. The set of recovered members is a subset of the persistent membership. The persistent membership changes incrementally by either removing or adding members. Failed members may still be part of the persistent membership. The dynamic membership manager module manages the modification of the persistent membership, initialization of replicas, and propagation of membership information. |
| US08719223B2 |
Cloud storage solution for reading and writing files
Systems and methods of the present invention provide for a user uploading a file and a customized metadata about the file to a file storage system, and reading the same back upon request. This information may be forwarded to an application, possibly an API, which may divide the file into a plurality of file chunks if the file is greater than a predetermined file size. One or more tracker servers may check a database to locate optimal or current file locations for the file or file chunks to be stored within the file storage system. These optimal or current locations may be returned from the tracker servers to the application/API which may perform an HTTP request to write the file to or read the file from the file storage system. The file write may be validated and finalized, and the successful write or read may be displayed to the user on a user interface on a client. |
| US08719221B2 |
Method and apparatus for planning event using calendar application in mobile terminal
A method and apparatus for planning an event using calendar application in an electronic device preferably includes entering information associated with duration of event. A calendar application scans the calendar to identify one or more set of continuous holidays corresponding to the duration of event. A number of additional days available leave is also identified with each of the one or more set of continuous holidays to fulfill the duration of the event in addition to the continuous holidays. Further, a list can be created of one or more proposed range of dates corresponding to the duration of event, the one or more set of continuous holidays and the number of additional days leave. One or more proposed range of dates and the number of additional days associated with each of the one or more proposed range of dates from the list can be is displayed. |
| US08719216B2 |
Caching of web form post-query requests
A method for obtaining a result for a post-query may include: (a) Algorithmically treating the query to create a signature. (b) Composing a pseudo-get web identifier including a web address identifying a responding station and the signature. (c) Sending the query via a network to the responding station to request the result. (d) Determining whether the result is stored in a cache unit in the network. (e) If the result is stored in a cache unit, providing the result to the requesting station. (f) If the result is not stored in a cache unit, acquiring the result from the responding station. (g) Storing the result in a receiving cache unit. (h) Sending a resubmitted query via the network to the responding station in a format appropriate to retrieve the stored result from the receiving cache unit. The resubmitted query format includes the signature phrase. |
| US08719214B2 |
Combining medical binary decision diagrams for analysis optimization
In particular embodiments, a method includes accessing first binary decision diagrams (BDDs) representing data streams from sensors, selecting portions from the first BDDs based on ease-of-analysis, and constructing a second BDD by performing an OR operation between the selected portions of the first BDDs. |
| US08719213B2 |
Contextually transformed learning layer
A computer-implemented transformational protocol is applied to contextually transform an originating computer-implemented structure into a fuzzy network-based structure. The originating structure may be a hierarchy, for example. The fuzzy network-based structure is adaptively modified based on behavioral information, and recommendations delivered to users may be generated in accordance with the fuzzy network-based structure and inferences from a plurality of usage behaviors. The recommendations may be generated in accordance with a network neighborhood within the fuzzy network-based structure that is based, at least in part, on a navigational context within the originating structure. |
| US08719208B2 |
Certainty factor decay
Various embodiments provide a way to decrease the certainty of a piece of information. In at least some embodiments, a certainty factor and a decay rate are associated with the piece of information. The certainty factor indicates the certainty of a piece of information. As time passes, the decay rate is applied to the certainty factor to reduce the certainty factor, thereby providing an indication that the certainty of the information has decreased. |
| US08719206B2 |
Pattern-recognition processor with matching-data reporting module
Disclosed are methods and devices, among which is a device that includes a pattern-recognition processor. The pattern-recognition processor may include a matching-data reporting module, which may have a buffer and a match event table. The buffer may be coupled to a data stream and configured to store at least part of the data stream, and the match event table may be configured to store data indicative of a buffer location corresponding with a start of a search criterion being satisfied. |
| US08719205B2 |
Physical infrastructure management system
Systems and methods of the present invention allow for the discovery of physical location information about network assets and the delivery of that information to network administrators. In addition, environmental and other information about network asset locations can be provided to an administrator. Intelligent patch panels and power outlet units are installed in network cabinets to facilitate the acquisition and reporting of physical infrastructure information, including information about network resource availability. |
| US08719204B2 |
Displaying resources based on shared contexts
A user data engine residing on an endpoint machine generates a current user context reflecting a specific flow of operations performed by an end-user when interacting with a software application. A context engine residing on a sever machine compares the current user context to one or more stored user contexts included in a context database and generates a similarity value based on each comparison. A resource engine identifies resources in a resource database that are associated with the stored user contexts and then generates a relevance score for each resource based on the similarity scores corresponding to the stored user contexts with which those resources are associated. The resource engine transmits a resource list reflecting the identified resources to the user data engine based on the relevance scores. The user data engine displays on a display screen of the endpoint machine information associated with resources reflected in the resource list. |
| US08719203B2 |
Method and apparatus for time-based decay of knowledge base ratings
In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a plurality of ratings associated with an element, where the plurality of ratings includes at least a first rating and a second rating. The method also includes applying a first weighting factor to the first rating and applying a second weighting factor to the second rating. The first weighting factor is different from the second weighting factor. Finally, the method includes determining a cumulative rating using the first weighting factor, the second weighting factor, and the plurality of ratings. The cumulative rating is associated with the element and the second weighting factor is arranged to discount the second rating. |
| US08719202B1 |
Methods, devices, and mediums associated with monitoring and managing exercise fitness
A method, device, or medium associated with monitoring and/or managing exercise fitness may include receiving substantially real-time vital data associated with a particular user and retrieving historic fitness data associated with the particular user. The historic fitness data may be updated with the real-time vital data, and the updated historic fitness data may be compared with a pre-existing fitness standard. A personalized fitness plan for re-aligning the updated historic fitness data with the pre-existing fitness standard may be generated based, at least in part, on a result of the comparing. |
| US08719200B2 |
Cyberpersonalities in artificial reality
The invention concerns cyberpersonalities, including their and varied use in artificial reality. A cyberpersonality is comprised of a base personality (12). The base personality (12) is selected from a set of base personalities, each one representing the personality of a theoretical person. The cyberpersonality also includes a dynamic personality (14) that reflects the actual person (real or company) that the cyberpersonality is meant to represent and is able to learn. Information contained in the base (12) and dynamic (14) personality can be used to allow the person that the cyberpersonality mimics to interact in the artificial reality without direct control. The cybersonality can chat with third parties, including asking questions and answering questions, so as to learn more about each other. Other uses are related to searching, advertising and direct marketing. |
| US08719198B2 |
Collaborative location and activity recommendations
Techniques describe constructing a location and activity recommendation model to identify relationships between locations and activities. To construct the model, the process obtains global positioning system (GPS) logs of geographical locations collected over time and identifies stay points representing locations visited by an individual user. The process also identifies points of interest in a region using a database and correlates a relationship between activity to activity by submitting queries to a search engine. The information gathered is used to fill locations and activities in a location-activity matrix. Recommendations may be made for a location and/or activity when given a user query, based on a user's present geographical location, or a prediction of a user's interest. |
| US08719196B2 |
Methods for monitoring computer resources using a first and second matrix, and a feature relationship tree
One embodiment of a method of the present invention for monitoring computer resources provides for retrieving a set of resource-metric records for a predetermined time interval, forming a first mathematical matrix containing metric's values arranged on date-time and resource-metric axes, creating a second mathematical matrix containing features and a third mathematical matrix containing weights, building a feature relationship tree, generating a predicted value for the resource-metric identifier, determining a variance between predicted value and metric's value, and triggering an alert if the variance exceeds a predetermined alert threshold. |
| US08719192B2 |
Transfer of learning for query classification
Transfer of learning trains a new domain for the classification of search queries according to different tasks, as well as the generation of a corresponding domain-specific query classifier that may be used to classify the search queries according to the different tasks in the new domain. The transfer of learning may include preparing a new domain to receive classification knowledge from one or more source domains by populating the new domain with preliminary query patterns extracted for a search engine log. The transfer of learning may further include preparing the classification knowledge in each source domain for transfer to the new domain. The classification knowledge in each source domain may then be transferred to the new domain. |
| US08719188B2 |
Determining a dynamic user profile indicative of a user behavior context with a mobile device
Methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture for use in a mobile device to determine whether a dynamic user profile is to transition from a first state to a second state based, at least in part, on one or more sensed indicators. The dynamic user profile may be indicative of one or more current inferable user behavior contexts for a user co-located with the mobile device. The mobile device may transition a dynamic user profile from a first state to a second state, in response to a determination that the dynamic user profile is to transition from the first state to the second state, and operatively affect one or more functions performed, at least in part, by the mobile device based, at least in part, on the transition of the dynamic user profile to the second state. |
| US08719186B2 |
Historical utility consumption disaggregation
A computer-implemented method for itemizing energy consumption to generate and present a utility consumption profile based on disaggregated historical utility consumption data is disclosed. The computer-implemented method comprises obtaining data indicating historical utility consumption of a dwelling over a time period. A non-seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data is then determined by first computing an average utility consumption based on one or more predetermined intervals within the time period, and then computing the non-seasonal portion by applying the average to the time period. The non-seasonal portion is then subtracted from the historical utility consumption data to obtain a seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data. The seasonal and/or non-seasonal portion may be further disaggregated by end-use methods, and presented to the user in the utility consumption profile. |
| US08719185B2 |
Method and system for tracking and budgeting energy usage
An energy tracking and reporting system can receive data inputs from multiple sources regarding one or more properties. A central database receives the information and correlates the information for numerous outputs. Information received by the central database can include, for example, property location, property size, property type and property use. Also, occupancy information, energy sources, utilities servicing the property, weather, ISO, environmental guidelines, and the traded or other standard price for the utilities can be stored. The system can calculate a number of factors from the data and return values to the central database. The system can track data trends and store additional information for budgeting, user reporting and certification compliance reporting. Modules can analyze the market rates, calculate efficiency benchmarks, analyze the data stored on the central database and provide the user with multiple tables and charts analyzing all of the factors that tie into energy usage. |
| US08719180B2 |
Delivery point identity services
A method and system for providing services to a mail delivery point are presented. According to the method, a delivery point identifier is acquired from a device located at the delivery point. Then, delivery point data is accessed corresponding to the delivery point identifier, and mail delivery services are provided in response to the delivery point data. The delivery point data are modifiable by a recipient who receives physical mail at the delivery point, and the delivery point data includes recipient preferences. |
| US08719175B2 |
Office building inefficiency factor and space planning circulation factor calculation system and method
A system and method for calculating a space required for a tenant in a building includes determining the areas of rooms required by the tenant. A circulation factor for each of the rooms based on the area of each room is calculated. The total of the room areas and the circulation factors are added to determine a pure space required by the tenant. The losses in actual usable space are determined for a building and an inefficiency factor is calculated based on these losses. The pure space is multiplied by the inefficiency factor to obtain a building efficiency loss. The building efficiency loss is added to the pure space to obtain the space required for the tenant in the building. The system may be configured on a network computer system or a standalone computer. |
| US08719174B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for collaborative and integrated intellectual property management
A method, system, and computer program product for collaborative and integrated intellectual property management are provided. The method includes defining a sequence of phases for an intellectual property management model. The phases are defined by task-based components in conjunction with a workflow component and a messaging component. The task-based components specify a sequence of tasks implemented for achieving a desired outcome for a respective phase and also specify at least one of a resource and a role assigned to implement one or more of the sequence of tasks. A portion of the task-based components interact and share information with others of the task-based components via the workflow component and messaging component, thereby integrating operations between respective task-based components and phases. The method also includes applying the intellectual property management model to a set of inputs associated with data corresponding to a request to protect a proposed idea or concept. |
| US08719170B2 |
Method and system for transferring software and hardware feature licenses between devices
A method and system for transferring licenses between electronic devices supporting licensable features. Specifically, in a method a request is generated for transferring a license between first and second electronic devices. The request includes first information unique to the first electronic device, second information unique to the second electronic device. The request is sent to a license distributor to generates a master key. The master key includes a removal key including the first information and an add key including the second information. The removal key is used to remove the license from the first electronic device when the first information matches official versions of the first information. The add key is revealed from the master key when the license is successfully removed. The add key is used to add the license to the second electronic device when the second information matches official versions of the second information. |
| US08719167B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced authorization fraud mitigation
A consumer uses a web client to transmit purchase information associated with a transaction to a merchant server. The purchase information is transmitted via a web acceleration server. The web acceleration server identifies enhanced authorization data associated with the transaction. The web acceleration server creates a pseudo authorization message. The web acceleration server transmits the pseudo authorization message to a transaction account issuer. The merchant server transmits an authorization request to the transaction account issuer. The transaction account issuer determines that the authorization request and the pseudo authorization message are associated with the same transaction. The transaction account issuer merges the authorization request and the pseudo authorization message and performs a fraud analysis. The transaction account issuer transmits an authorization response to the merchant. |
| US08719166B2 |
Iterative processing of transaction information to detect fraud
A fraud management system is configured to store rules for detecting fraud, receive a transaction from a merchant, process the transaction using a first subset of rules to generate a fraud score for the transaction, and output information regarding the fraud score to the merchant to assist the merchant in determining whether to accept, deny, or fulfill the transaction. The fraud management system is further configured to receive, after outputting the information regarding the fraud score to the merchant, additional information relating to the transaction, re-process the transaction using a second subset of rules to generate an update fraud score, and output information regarding the updated fraud score to the merchant to assist the merchant in determining whether to accept, deny, or fulfill the transaction. |
| US08719160B1 |
Processing payment items
Payment items are received and processed in the course of a financial transaction. For example, a paying bank may receive an electronic transmission corresponding to a imaged check from a depositing bank. The paying bank may attempt to identify a reason for return within the payment item. If a reason for return is found, a determination may be made that the payment item is a re-clear payment item that has been previously transmitted by the depositing bank and returned by the paying bank. After determining that a payment item is a re-clear, the item may be processed within the paying bank along an abbreviated processing path for faster and less costly item processing. For example, in systems in which duplicate detection is performed on payment items, re-clear items may be classified separately and need not undergo certain automated and/or manual duplicate detection processes. |
| US08719157B1 |
System and method for investing public deposits
A method, system and program product for operating an exchange method for municipal and/or state funds from banking institutions, comprising: accessing, one or more electronic databases holding data on client transaction accounts and funds in aggregated accounts and banking institutions holding Federal government securities; obtaining transaction data; generating instructions to deposit/transfer funds to or withdraw/transfer funds; receiving data for a first deposit from a first one of the banking institutions, where the first deposit comprises municipal funds and/or state funds; selecting, at least another of the banking institutions holding government securities to receive at least a portion of the first deposit of municipal funds and/or state funds; selecting, a plurality of client transaction accounts from one or more of the other banking institutions for the transfer of funds to the first banking institution; generating instructions to deposit/transfer funds. |
| US08719155B2 |
Vehicle rental transaction system and method
A vehicle rental transaction system and method which provide a vehicle lot owner with a choice of options for vehicle security and customer convenience. The vehicle rental transaction system includes a computer for identifying a customer as part of a rental transaction involving a vehicle, and for sending a wireless message to the vehicle containing instructions for preparing the vehicle for the customer. Example instructions include, but are not limited to, unlocking doors and a trunk of the vehicle, adjusting power seats and power mirrors in accordance with customer preferences, adjusting climate control settings in accordance with the customer preferences, adjusting radio station settings in accordance with the customer preferences, and adjusting GPS settings in accordance with the customer preferences. |
| US08719142B1 |
Seller categorization
Disclosed are methods for competitive pricing implemented in software for commerce in an electronic marketplace. A vendor may identify rivals: competitors against which the vendor most directly competes by dint of having similar reputation and market positioning. Using specified pricing models applied to filtered price data periodically gathered by spider-crawling competitors on the Internet, a vendor may adjust product prices to match rivals while accounting for overall marketplace price trends. |
| US08719141B1 |
Apparatus and method for conducting a recurring auction using a participant retention mechanism
The present invention includes a method and system for trading goods and services through recurring auctions. Recurring auctions are increasingly popular form of markets for perishable and time-sensitive resources. Traditional auctions strive to motivate bidders to bid their true valuation of the resources traded. Yet, when successful, they also quickly divide the recurring auction bidders into permanent winners and permanent losers. The latter have no incentive to stay in the market, so they leave, decreasing the competitive pressure and depressing pricing. The present invention introduces a novel winner selection method to maintain customers' interest in auction participation that employs participant retention mechanism in assigning traded resources to bidders. The winners are selected from a wider range of bidder ranks than in traditional auction mechanisms. For a group of bidders, winner selection takes into account bid values, allocation of resources and participation of each bidder in the previous auction rounds. |
| US08719131B1 |
Allocating financial risk and reward in a multi-tenant environment
Multi-tenant resources can be funded using payment submitted with requests for those resources, such that the resources do not need to be associated with a specific user account. A resource can be allocated and available as long as payment has been provided. If a user wants the resource to be available for additional processing, for example, the user can submit another request with additional funding. The funding can come in the form of donations from any user, or in the form of investments where the investor expects some return on the investment in the form of revenue, visibility, or other such compensation. One or more management components can track funding for various resources, can accept and select bids for period of sponsorship, and can manage various donation models. |
| US08719128B2 |
Computer-facilitated secure account-transaction
The handling of accounts and account transactions are implemented using a variety of different systems and methods. According to one embodiment a computer-facilitated system is implemented for handling accounts held by a user at a financial institution and an educational institution. A first database stores account balance information associated with a first account held at one of the institutions. A second database stores account balance information associated with a second account held at the other institution. Logic, located at one institution, encrypts an identifier of the first account, associates a resulting encrypted identifier with the second account and decrypts the encrypted identifier. A database interface transmits the encrypted identifier to the second database for storage. A user interface provides the user with the account balance information associated with the accounts in response to the logic decrypting the encrypted identifier. |
| US08719127B2 |
Network commerce system with lead-based feedback
A network commerce system comprises a product sale listing searchable by a consumer and comprising one or more products provided by a third-party vendor in a pay-per-lead format. A pay-per-lead tracking module is operable to track consumer leads provided to the third-party vendor; and a feedback system enables at least one of the consumer and the third-party vendor to leave feedback regarding a lead tracked via the pay-per-lead tracking module. |
| US08719123B2 |
Reporting circuit breaker and system
A circuit breaker having internal power monitoring and data signal generating apparatus, and a system for utilizing such a circuit breaker in a facility having a plurality of tenants served by branch circuits from a plurality of distribution panels. The circuit breaker radiates signals indicative of power consumption of the branch circuit protected thereby, together with a unique address identifier tied to one tenant. Electrical billings are based on summing all signals for each tenant. Changes to branch circuits during tenancy will not disturb correct billings since individual circuit breakers are associated with that tenant using power supplied by each branch circuit. Hence changes to branch circuits may be limited to modify building space locations served by the modified branch circuit, and need not be further modified to maintain correct billing in light of the circuit changes. |
| US08719122B1 |
Income itemization
Information provided with a direct deposit, a deposited check, or other negotiable instrument may be used to determine state, city, county, and/or other local income tax liability. Based on information associated with the deposit, the financial institution may determine where a user performed the work that triggered the income payment, where the income payment took place, what type of work is associated with the income payment, etc. This information may be used by the financial institution to provide income itemization and income tax liability information to the user via a user computing device. |
| US08719118B2 |
Method for managing drilling pipes, drilling tools, well tubing, and the like in ground drilling
A method for managing drilling rods, drilling tools, well—tubing and the like for ground drilling, particularly for exploring deposits of fossil fuels or geothermal reservoirs. An electronic data processing system stores information regarding the inventory and the present storage location of parts to be inserted into the well, such as drilling rods, drilling pipes, lining tubing, intermediate parts, drill bits, and the like, with additional information being saved in the computing system regarding the installation position and/or installation sequence of all parts inserted into the well so that the computing system can indicate to a user when and from where which part shall be fed to the well hole—supply system and/or to what location which part shall be returned to for storage when it must be removed from the well, and/or the computing system controls an automatic storage, supply, and restorage device. |
| US08719117B2 |
Method and apparatus to manage network based return processing
A return-processing server, computer-readable medium, and method for managing return processing of a product from a manufacturer includes receiving information from a database regarding the manufacturer's return procedures for a product, receiving information from a client system of a product to be submitted for return-processing, creating an electronic debit invoice in accordance with the information regarding the manufacturer's return procedures for the product and the information received from the client system regarding the product to be submitted for return-processing; and storing the electronic debit invoice in a debit invoice database accessible to the manufacturer for processing return credit. |
| US08719116B2 |
Methods for purchases using customer computer
Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant. |
| US08719112B2 |
Invocation of accessory-specific user experience
An accessory-specific user experience can be invoked at a mobile host device attached to an accessory device. The mobile device can receive accessory device information from the accessory and transmit the accessory device information to an online marketplace. The mobile device can receive information indicating accessory-specific goods or services available from the online marketplace and display the received information as part of the invoked user experience. The accessory device information can comprise accessory usage categories as well as additional information about the accessory. A marketplace can select accessory-specific goods or services based on the received accessory device information based on matching between accessory attribute values associated with the goods and services and accessory attributes values contained in the received accessory device information. The accessory device can be a docking station connected to additional accessories and the accessory device information can comprise information pertaining to the additional accessories. |
| US08719111B2 |
Lowering reserve online auction method and system
The present disclosure provides for a method and system for conducting an online lowering reserve auction including creating an auction by specifying an item for auctioning, a retail price of the item, a total number of options offered for sale during the auction, a sale price of each option, and a time duration for the auction, while the auction is open, selling an option, while the auction is open, receiving a bid for the item, if the total number of options offered for sale are purchased, designating as the winning bid the highest bid amount received, if the auction time for the item has expired and if the combination of the amount of the highest bid received and of the proceeds from the sale of the options are greater than the retail price of the item, designating as the winning bid the highest bid amount received. |
| US08719106B2 |
Identity theft and fraud protection system and method
A system and method for preventing personal identity theft when making online and offline purchases requires a Purchaser to first subscribe and become a Member user by registering, providing relevant personal identity information, and establishing two-way multi-factor authentication information for security purposes. The ID protection system obtains a controlled use card (CUC) through a CUC issuer on behalf of the Member for use in making each purchase transaction. The CUC is anonymous with respect to user (Member) identity and may be a purchase-specific single-use card or a multi-purpose card with no traceable connection to any other financial account. When the Member makes a secure purchase, the Merchant is presented with anonymous information, except in instances where the Member's real identity information is required (e.g. airline tickets). |
| US08719105B2 |
Dynamic reconfiguration of web pages based on user behavioral portrait
A method is provided for determining a website user behavioral portrait based on navigation on the website and dynamically reconfiguring web pages based on those portraits. In accordance with the method, data relating to the progress of a user through a website is recorded, and an ongoing behavioral portrait of the user is built based on the data. The portrait is then used to dynamically reconfigure web content. |
| US08719103B2 |
System, method, and apparatus to facilitate commerce and sales
A system and method for conducting commerce and sales operations is disclosed. A sales representative identifies a customer, chooses a product, and completes a sales transaction using a front-end POS software application. The sales data is transferred to a central storage server, where a master database is created with the data from the front-end POS software application. The central storage server transmits and receives data from back-end corporate servers and databases and creates a master database containing data from corporate applications. The front-end POS software devices uses a holster that includes a docking station, sliding cradle for a mobile device, a card reader, and an infrared scanner to identify products and complete payment. |
| US08719100B1 |
Interactive delivery of information through images
An image store including images from photo agencies is established by an image management system. Marketers interact with the image management system to review images in the image store and tag objects shown in the images. The object tags identify and provide information about the objects shown in the images. The marketers define campaigns having payment conditions indicating types of engagement with the images that trigger payments by the marketers. Publishers interact with the image management system to select images and publish the selected images to clients used by consumers. The publishers also provide the consumers with tag modules that execute on the clients to display the information about the objects shown in the published images. Consumer interactions with the displayed information are reported to the image management system, and the system accounts for payments by the marketers if the payment conditions are satisfied. |
| US08719099B2 |
Apparatus and method for advertising in digital photo frame
A novel digital photo frame is configured to display user-loaded photographs, moving pictures, and other personal data and corporate-paid advertisements which are dynamically updatable by an advertising data distribution center or another communications service provider, such as a cellular service provider computer or another device. The invention also discloses a related, novel method of advertising in a digital photo frame with dynamically-updatable-ads, in which initial advertising fees for one or more dynamically-updateable ads at least partially pay for manufacturing costs of the digital photo frame for inexpensive distribution of the digital photo frame to a targeted consumer. |
| US08719098B2 |
Real-time product delivery during customer-driven point of sale retail transactions
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an approach is provided in which a product request is received that corresponds to a point-of-sale (POS) device, which is located at a merchant facility. In addition to identifying a product location corresponding to the product, an employee location of an employee in proximity to the product location is also identified. In turn, an electronic message is sent to the employee's mobile device that includes a request to transport the product from the product location to the POS device. |
| US08719095B2 |
Targeted advertising in a peer-to-peer network
A method is described including requesting content from a directory service, receiving a list of peers in a peer-to-peer network having the requested content, selecting a peer from the received list of peers, establishing communications with the selected peer, receiving a list of chunks of content and ads available from the selected peer, requesting a chunk of content and ads available from said selected peer and receiving the chunk of content and randomly selected ads from the selected peer. Also described is a method including receiving a request for content, generating a list of chunks of content available for the requested content, generating a list of ads associated with the requested content, transmitting the list of available chunks of content responsive to the request, receiving a request for a selected chunk of content and transmitting the selected chunk of content and ads associated with the selected chunk of content. |
| US08719094B1 |
Notifying a user of a promotional offer based on a travel route
The disclosed subject matter relates to computer-implemented methods for notifying a user of a promotional offer based on a travel route. In one aspect, a method includes determining a travel route, from an origin location to a destination location, of a user. The method further includes calculating a distance from at least one point on the travel route one or more retail locations offering a promotional offer. The method further includes selecting, based on the calculated distance, at least one of the one or more retail locations offering the promotional offer. The method further includes determining a time to notify the user of the promotional offer offered by the selected retail location(s). The method further includes providing for notifying the user at the determined time, of the promotional offer offered by the selected retail location(s). |
| US08719087B2 |
Consolidated consumer rewards systems and methods
A consumer tracking and rewards system and related methods that provide for consolidating two or more merchant-branded rewards accounts into a single source. A single unique identifier referred to as a consumer number used to track and credit purchases with respect to multiple retail establishments. The consumer number may exist simply as a data element in the system or may be printed, bar coded, or programmed onto any physical medium or device. Components of the system include a consumer rewards platform, a merchant-consumer rewards system and potentially a card vendor system. The consumer rewards platform facilitates communication and the transfer of data between the various components of the system. A cross-reference between single consumer numbers and one or more merchant rewards program numbers is used to accommodate the trading and linking of information among participating merchants. Consumers may communicate with the various system components through a consumer web portal. A website is also available to merchants so they may view statistical information regarding rewards program participation. |
| US08719084B2 |
System and method for conducting sales
Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for conducting sales. A system configured to practice the method receives an inquiry with at least one parameter from a user associated with a sale of an item. The system identifies one or more discount items that satisfy the inquiry and filters the one or more discount items based on a time-sensitive sales opacity scale. The system identifies comparable items for each discount item at nondiscount rates dynamically using real-time data and presents one or more comparable groups to the user, each comparable group including one filtered discount item and respective comparable items. Then the system advances the sale of the discount item based on user acceptance of one of the presented one or more comparable groups. |
| US08719078B1 |
Index for assessing discount potential
A computerized system and method of calculating a discount index value for a supplier can include receiving information related to a plurality of discount leverage factors for the supplier, calculating a discount index value for the supplier based on the information related to the discount leverage factors, receiving information related to an actual discount event for the supplier, recalculating the discount index value for the supplier based on the discount leverage factors and the information related to actual discount events, and displaying the discount index value for the supplier. The system and method can also include placing the discount index value on a discount index scale, defining a plurality of discount leverage regions on the discount index scale, and attributing a leverage value to the supplier based on the proximity of the discount index value to one of the discount leverage regions. |
| US08719077B2 |
Real world and virtual world cross-promotion
Technologies are described herein for cross promoting real objects in a real world and virtual objects in a virtual world. A redemption code is received from a first participant in the virtual world. A virtual object corresponding to the redemption code is provided to the first participant. A request for information regarding the real object is received from a second participant of the virtual world and via the virtual object. Upon receiving the request via the virtual object, information regarding the real object is provided to the second participant and via the virtual object. |
| US08719069B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing virtual machine information to a network interface
A hypervisor preferably provides VM identification, priority and LUN/LBA range information to the HBA when a VM is created. Alternatively, the HBA can determine that a LUN/LBA range is new and request VM identity, priority and LUN/LBA range from the hypervisor. The HBA creates a table containing the VM identification, priority and LUN/LBA range. The HBA then detects operations directed to the LUN/LBA range and does a lookup to determine VM identification and priority. VM identification and priority are then mapped into a field in a frame using a unique identifier. The unique identifier can either be placed using reserved bits on the existing Fiber Channel (FC) header or can use bits in an additional header, such as a modified IFR header. |
| US08719067B2 |
Monitoring and displaying the scheduled and actuated activities of a workforce
Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling a workforce. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: collecting an agent activity of a first class and an agent activity of a second class; and displaying the agent activity of the first class and the agent activity of the second class along the same timeline axis. The agent activities are collected from a contact center data source. The second class is different from the first class. Both activities are associated with the same agent. Each activity is derived from a different virtual data source. |
| US08719066B2 |
Systems and methods for capturing, managing, sharing, and visualising asset information of an organization
A system for semantically modeling relationships and dependencies between groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities according to an industry specific manner. An exemplary system includes a user interface device, a relational database and a processor. The processor receives relationship information and receives attributes with associated measurements for the groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities for the corporation from the user interface device. The attributes with associated measurements are formatted according the specific industry of the corporation. The processor generates a three dimensional (3D) visualization of the groups, enclosures, assets, and support entities and allows a virtual walkthrough of the 3D visualization as presented on the display device based on user entered commands from the user input device. |
| US08719064B1 |
Administration and customization platform for in-vehicle services
An approach to facilitating in-vehicle-services-related tracking of passengers is provided. A first set of information relating to a first carrier and a second set of information relating to a second carrier that is different from the first carrier may be obtained. The first set of information may include first identification information and one or more first trip details. The second set of information may include second identification information and one or more second trip details. The first set of information may be determined to relate to a first trip of a particular passenger with the first carrier. The second set of information may be determined to relate to a second trip of the particular passenger with the second carrier. Preference information of the particular passenger may be determined based on the one or more trip details and the one or more second trip details. |
| US08719063B1 |
System and method for comparing information in a process for issuing insurance policies
A system and method related to comparing information during a process for issuing insurance policies. The system has a database that stores a formatted submission for an insurance policy, the formatted submission comprising a plurality of insurance policy clauses and attribute information for an entity that desires to purchase the insurance policy, a user interface that receives information from an insurance company related to the formatted submission and a processor that compares the information received from the insurance company to the formatted submission and outputs comparison data based on the information and the formatted submission. |
| US08719061B2 |
System and method for repair calculation, replacement calculation, and insurance adjustment
Disclosed is a novel system and method that provides real time information to an insurance adjuster. The system obtains information related to an insured item which has an outstanding claim. Information includes the cost to repair a specific item, the salvage value of the item, and the cost to replace the item. The system then compares the information related to the insured item from an economic perspective to determine whether it should be repaired or replaced. Since the system is objective, it reduces the reliance on subjective human factors such as collusion and lack of expertise. As a result, the system reduces the number of fraudulent and inaccurate transactions related to the specific item. |
| US08719060B1 |
Systems and methods for modeling insurance coverage
A method for modeling insurance coverage includes providing a processor, providing a memory coupled to the processor and including data related to a plurality of claims, and quoting, using the processor, a first insurance policy having coverage limits. The method also includes displaying within a user interface, a first plurality of claim scenario parameters for the first insurance policy, displaying a disparity between the coverage limits of the first insurance policy and the first plurality of claim scenario parameters, and quoting, using the processor, a second insurance policy. The method further includes displaying, within the user interface, a second plurality of claim scenario parameters for the second insurance policy and displaying a disparity between the coverage limits of the second insurance policy and the second plurality of claim scenario parameters. |
| US08719058B2 |
Outcomes based service provider networks
A system and method are provided for determining a composition of a service provider network for providing services according to a workers' compensation insurance plan. The system and method acquires claim information, which describes workers' compensation claims and medical service providers, and determines a metric value for each of the medical service providers, adjusts the metric values, assigns scores based on the adjusted metric values, determines an average of the assigned scores, and generates results data based on the assigned scores. The results data indicates, for each of the medical service providers, whether the medical service provider should be included in the service provider network. The service provider metrics include a metric that relates to an amount paid per claim and a percentage of claims that involved lost time. |
| US08719055B2 |
Method and system to control and enhance prescribing and dispensing of medication
Computer implemented methods and systems for controlling the dispensation of a prescription drug to a patient with a medical condition. The methods and systems may restrict the prescription and dispensation of prescription drugs at the physician and pharmacy level. Determination of whether a patient should receive a subsequent prescription of a drug is based on the effectiveness of the drug and the adverse side effects associated with the drug. This can be used by state and federal regulators, physicians and pharmacists to control, evaluate and monitor the use of drugs on an individual patient basis. Furthermore, the methods and systems provide a national registry in which drug effectiveness data in individual patients is collected which can be aggregated to provide information on population-based drug efficacy. |
| US08719054B2 |
Enhanced communication link for patient diagnosis and treatment
Exemplary embodiments provide a verification technique that facilitates administration of a health-related procedure to an intended recipient patient or group of patients. An interface template or signal protocol may be configured to establish suitable matching between the patient and various types of objects used to administer the health-related procedure. |
| US08719053B2 |
Laboratory instrumentation information management and control network
An interface point network (IPN) and a method for communication with a laboratory information system using an IPN, wherein the IPN includes at least one host computer in communication with at least one laboratory instrument, the laboratory information system and an interface point server in communication with the host computer and the laboratory information system, the interface point server being configured to function as a communication interface between the host computer and the laboratory information system in a manner responsive to a predetermined communication protocol. |
| US08719052B2 |
Internet system for connecting healthcare providers and patients
An Internet-based system involves a database and search capabilities for connecting patients with healthcare providers, e.g., physicians, hospitals, nursing homes, treatment facilities, etc., and further enables such providers to reach patients with whom they may not otherwise come into contact. A patient may access the healthcare provider information through a search conducted using a search engine, such as Google, Yahoo, etc. Alternatively, a patient may access the company Web site's predetermined Web page that provides search capabilities on its database. A patient may research a healthcare provider based on criteria specified by the patient. Information provided to the patient may be in the form of a report, profile, ratings, etc., including patient-provided information, physician-verified information, and information verified by an independent third party. The verified information and ratings provided by the Web site enable patients to differentiate among healthcare providers and thereby select the provider that best meets their individual needs. |
| US08719051B2 |
System and method for evaluating and comparing medical treatments
An evaluative software tool to support the assessment of health care-related technologies during development to facilitate making critical decisions for an optimized research, development and commercialization plan is provided. The software tool includes the ability to measure, weight, and integrate the critical factors that come into play in the development of a risk/benefit profile of a technology relative to its competitors, benchmarked around clinical trial measures, in order to determine its development and commercialization success. |
| US08719050B2 |
Systems and methods for self-updating intelligent procedure duration estimation for patient scheduling
Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for self-updating procedure duration estimation for patient scheduling. A scheduling system for scheduling procedures in a clinical environment includes historical procedure data including stored duration values for a procedure. The scheduling system also includes a user interface providing scheduling and procedure duration information to a user for scheduling the procedure for a patient. The scheduling system further includes a scheduling engine estimating one or more duration values for the procedure for scheduling the procedure for a patient. The scheduling engine establishes a default duration value for a procedure and updating the default duration value based on the historical procedure duration data. The scheduling engine provides a plurality of procedure durations including the updated default duration value to the user for selection via the user interface. The scheduling engine schedules a procedure using a user selected value for procedure duration. |
| US08719044B2 |
Computerized methods for displaying clinically-related in-patient information
Methods for use in, e.g., in-patient care computing environment, for displaying clinically-related in-patient information on at least one patient-viewable display device are provided. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention may include receiving a clinical order associated with an in-patient, automatically generating one or more tasks based on the clinical order received, and automatically displaying the task(s) on the patient-viewable display device. If desired, the method may additionally include associating the clinical order and the task(s) with an electronic record associated with the in-patient (e.g., an electronic medical record), and accessing the electronic record to obtain the one or more tasks for display on the patient-viewable display device. |
| US08719043B2 |
Drug authentication
A method is disclosed to verify and identify pharmaceutical products through their product signatures in order to combat counterfeiting and reduce dispensing errors, using methods such as near infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, in order actively evade pharmaceutical product counterfeiting, a method is disclosed where an amount of one or more of the inactive ingredients is varied over time; the variation provides a different product signature, but falling within a level deemed permissible by a regulatory body. |
| US08719042B1 |
Ecosytem based application selection and replacement
A system for functional domain based information technology selection and replacement is provided. Applications for each of multiple entities are associated with a set of functional domains. The set of functional domains are associated with a set of ecosystems. Data is complied for each ecosystem. Applications are adopted for one entity associated with an ecosystem, for each ecosystem, based on compiled data. |
| US08719041B2 |
Method and system for customizing a network-based transaction facility seller application
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of customizing a seller application that facilitates communication of listings to a network-based transaction facility. The method includes facilitating selection of at least one targeted site from a plurality of targeted sites presented to a user, wherein the plurality of targeted sites are supported by the network-based transaction facility. The method further includes configuring the seller application according to the at least one targeted site selected. |
| US08719039B1 |
Promoting voice actions to hotwords
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for designating certain voice commands as hotwords. The methods, systems, and apparatus include actions of receiving a hotword followed by a voice command. Additional actions include determining that the voice command satisfies one or more predetermined criteria associated with designating the voice command as a hotword, where a voice command that is designated as a hotword is treated as a voice input regardless of whether the voice command is preceded by another hotword. Further actions include, in response to determining that the voice command satisfies one or more predetermined criteria associated with designating the voice command as a hotword, designating the voice command as a hotword. |
| US08719038B1 |
Computerized information and display apparatus
Computerized apparatus for obtaining and displaying information, such as for example directions to a desired entity or organization. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus is configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks, such as obtaining desired information relating to indoor entities, maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The obtained data may also, in various variants, be displayed in various formats and relative to other entities nearby. |
| US08719037B2 |
Transport apparatus with computerized information and display apparatus
Transport apparatus which includes computerized apparatus useful for obtaining and displaying information. In one embodiment, the computerized apparatus includes a network interface, display device, and speech recognition apparatus configured to receive user speech input and enable performance of various tasks via a remote entity, such as obtaining desired information relating to maps or directions, or any number of other topics. The downloaded data may also, in one variant, be displayed with contextually related advertising or other content. |
| US08719028B2 |
Information processing apparatus and text-to-speech method
An information processing apparatus for playing back data includes an oral reading unit, a storage unit storing text templates for responses to questions from a user and text template conversion rules, an input unit for inputting a question from a user, and a control unit for retrieving data and items of information associated with the data. The control unit analyzes a question about a data from a user, for example, a question about a tune, to select a text template for a response to the question and detects the characters in items of tune information of the tune. The characters are designated to replace replacement symbols included in the text template. The control unit also converts the text template based on whether the characters can be read aloud, generates a text to be read aloud using the converted text template, and causes the oral reading unit to read the text aloud. |
| US08719027B2 |
Name synthesis
An automated method of providing a pronunciation of a word to a remote device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input indicative of the word to be pronounced. The method further includes searching a database having a plurality of records. Each of the records has an indication of a textual representation and an associated indication of an audible representation. At least one output is provided to the remote device of an audible representation of the word to be pronounced. |
| US08719022B2 |
Compressed phonetic representation
An audio processing system makes use of a number of levels of compression or data reduction, thereby providing reduced storage requirements while maintaining a high accuracy of keyword detection in the original audio input. |
| US08719019B2 |
Speaker identification
Speaker identification techniques are described. In one or more implementations, sample data is received at a computing device of one or more user utterances captured using a microphone. The sample data is processed by the computing device to identify a speaker of the one or more user utterances. The processing involving use of a feature set that includes features obtained using a filterbank having filters that space linearly at higher frequencies and logarithmically at lower frequencies, respectively, features that model the speaker's vocal tract transfer function, and features that indicate a vibration rate of vocal folds of the speaker of the sample data. |
| US08719008B2 |
Computer processes for analyzing and improving document readability
Computer-based processes are disclosed for analyzing and improving document readability. Document readability is improved by using rules and associated logic to automatically detect various types of writing problems and to make and/or suggest edits for eliminating such problems. Many of the rules seek to generate more concise formulations of the analyzed sentences, such as by eliminating unnecessary words, rearranging words and phrases, and making various other types of edits. |
| US08719002B2 |
Revising content translations using shared translation databases
A method, system, and computer usable program product for revising content translations using shared translation databases are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A translation of some content is presented to a user. A revision to a first portion of the translation is received from the user. A second portion of the translation is identified using the shared translation database, the second portion being a candidate for revising using the revision. The second portion is suggested for revision. The second portion may be identified without user interaction. The revision may be submitted for review along with user-selected portions, and an approval may be received. The user's access to the shared translation database may be controlled such that the user is able to interact with the shared translation database to identify the second portion but the user may be unable to modify the shared translation database. |
| US08719000B2 |
Shooting Pnoise circuit simulation with full spectrum accuracy
An apparatus and method for performing periodic noise (Pnoise) simulation with full spectrum accuracy is disclosed herein. Noise contributions of a circuit under consideration are identified and separated for different computation treatment. The different computation treatment results in computational efficiency without sacrificing accuracy of simulation results. |
| US08718995B2 |
System and method for determining compatibility of bioactive agents and formulations provided therefrom
A method for determining compatibility of bioactive agents (i.e. supplement formulation components, pharmacological agents, etc.), comprising (i) determining compatibility by and between components contained in a supplement formulation, i.e. vitamins and/or minerals, (ii) determining compatibility by and between the formulation components and the body, and (iii) determining compatibility by and between the formulation components and pharmacological agents, i.e. prescribed and over-the-counter medications, and formulations derived therefrom. |
| US08718994B2 |
Ligands for the GLP-1 receptor and methods for discovery thereof
Disclosed is the three-dimensional (3-D) structure of the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and methods by which the structure may be used to develop compounds that bind to, and/or modulate the GLP-1R. The technology described herein may be applied to the development of compounds that target the GLP-1R, or may be used to develop target compound that may bind to, and/or modulate the activity of the GLP-1R. |
| US08718990B2 |
Tire second order harmonics with rib shift methodology
A method of improving the high-speed uniformity of tire performance that reduces low and/or high harmonics. The method includes determining a force variation that is created by rotation of a first tire, having a first tread design, at high speed. A second order harmonic of the force variation is analyzed. A second tire design is generated that circumferentially shifts one or more ribs of the first tread design to minimize the second order harmonic alone or in combination with other order harmonics. |
| US08718988B2 |
Method for determining and/or predicting the maximum power capacity of a battery
A method determines and/or predicts a maximum power capacity of a battery by using a model of the battery based on an electric equivalent circuit diagram that predicts the maximum power capacity of the battery. The maximum power of the battery is prognosticated for a defined prognosis period and for the different operating modes with respect to the charging or discharging operation, considering the maximum allowable operating voltage and the maximum allowable operating current. |
| US08718986B2 |
Ion implantation distribution generating method and simulator
A method of generating an ion implantation distribution by a computer is disclosed. The method includes calculating ion implantation distribution regions in a case of generating the ion implantation distribution with a large tilt angle and generating an analytical model of the ion implantation distribution in correspondence with each of the ion implantation distribution regions by using a Gauss distribution model, in which the ion implantation distribution regions have different influence on a channel region depending on a gate structure formed on the ion distribution regions. |
| US08718983B1 |
Intuitive interactive cloning for custom layout generation
A computer system and corresponding process is disclosed for making a design layout based on a schematic diagram. The system comprises a user interface which includes a display of a schematic diagram of a layout to be designed. The schematic diagram includes multiple occurrences of a target element. Source elements are displayed, which correspond with the target element. One occurrence of multiple occurrences of the target element shown in the schematic diagram is selected. The source element is applied to the selected target element. A computer program product bears software for directing a computer system to perform the foregoing. |
| US08718982B2 |
Tools for customized design of dental restorations
The present invention relates to tools in a system for the design of customized three-dimensional models of dental restorations for subsequent manufacturing. Dental restorations such as implant abutments, copings, crowns, wax-ups, bridge frameworks. Moreover, the invention relates to a computer-readable medium for implementing such a system on a computer. |
| US08718975B2 |
Surface profile evaluation
A method and system for accepting or rejecting a curved surface of a body under evaluation involves conducting a comparison between the curvature of a surface profile for the surface under evaluation and higher and lower curvature tolerance boundaries. The higher and lower curvature tolerance boundaries are determined from a desired surface profile. The curvature at a plurality of locations on the curve profile under evaluation may be defined with reference to a geometric variable for said curved surface and may be plotted on a graph. The higher and lower curvature tolerance boundaries may also be plotted on the graph so as to determine whether the plot of curvature for the surface under evaluation falls within the bounds of the higher and lower tolerance boundaries. |
| US08718971B2 |
System for determining the airspeed of an aircraft
A system for determining the true airspeed vector, defined by a magnitude and by a direction, of an aircraft comprising a fuselage, comprises four laser anemometers each having a single measurement path so as to measure a local component of the true airspeed and being distributed in different locations around the fuselage of the aircraft; and means for calculating the magnitude and direction of the true airspeed vector of the aircraft using the four measurements of components of the true airspeed. |
| US08718966B2 |
Damping test method, control apparatus, hydraulic system, and computer readable recording medium
The control apparatus acquires an ideal velocity characteristic of a control surface, and the temperature of pressure oil of the actuator to be tested and the operating speed of the control surface when the actuator is attached to the control surface. The control apparatus corrects the ideal velocity characteristic of the control surface by using the pressure oil temperature and the control surface operating speed. The control apparatus sets an upper limit and a lower limit by using a predicted value for a fluctuation range for a fluctuation factor that causes a fluctuation of the control surface operating speed, with reference to the corrected ideal velocity characteristic, measures the pressure oil temperature and the operating speed by actuating the control surface, with the actuator to be tested placed in a damping mode, and determines whether the measured value falls within the range between the upper limit and the lower limit. |
| US08718965B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing analyte monitoring system calibration accuracy
Methods, system and devices for providing improved calibration accuracy of continuous glucose monitoring system based on insulin delivery information are provided. |
| US08718962B2 |
Calibrating method for calibrating measured distance of a measured object measured by a distance-measuring device according to ambient temperature and related device
A calibrating method of calibrating a measured distance of a measured object measured by a distance-measuring device according to an ambient temperature includes providing a temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature of the distance-measuring device, calculating a calibrated imaging location of the measured object according to the ambient temperature and an imaging location of the measured object, and calibrating the measured distance according to the calibrated imaging location. In this way, when the distance-measuring device measures the measured object, the error due to the variation of the ambient temperature is avoided according to the calibrating method. |
| US08718958B2 |
Method, system and computer program product for real-time detection of sensitivity decline in analyte sensors
Method, system and computer program product for providing real time detection of analyte sensor sensitivity decline is continuous glucose monitoring systems are provided. |
| US08718957B2 |
Method and devices for monitoring flow circuits
A device is provided for monitoring the integrity of a flow circuit in fluid communication with a receptacle. The flow circuit includes a pumping device for transferring fluid through the flow circuit. The device operates according to a monitoring method in which a pressure signal is received from a pressure sensor, the pressure signal being indicative of fluid pressure in the receptacle or the flow circuit. The pressure signal is then processed for detection of a beating signal. The beating signal manifests itself as an amplitude modulation of the pressure signal and is formed by interference between pressure waves generated by a pulse generator associated with the receptacle and pressure waves generated by the pumping device. The integrity of the flow circuit is determined based at least partly on the presence or absence of the beating signal. The device and the flow circuit may be part of an apparatus for extracorporeal blood treatment, and the method may be implemented as a computer program product. |
| US08718956B2 |
High-pressure quartz crystal microbalance
Described is an apparatus for measuring mass change under high pressure, comprising: a high pressure cell comprising a reference quartz crystal microbalance sensor and a sample quartz crystal microbalance sensor, wherein the sample quartz crystal microbalance sensor is coated with a test sample selected from the group consisting of nanoporous materials and metal-organic frameworks; a pressure sensor operatively connected to the high pressure cell; a thermocouple operatively connected to the high pressure cell, wherein the high pressure cell is maintained at a pre-selected temperature; a gas inlet fluidly connected to the high pressure cell; and a gas outlet fluidly connected to the high pressure cell. Also described are methods of making and using the apparatus. |
| US08718955B2 |
System and method for detecting blocked pitot-static ports
An avionics system and process for detecting pneumatic blockages having an air pressure measurement system including a first sensor positioned in association with the air inlet of an air probe component. The air pressure measurement system having a second sensor positioned in association with the air inlet for detecting air pressure in which the second sensor has a frequency response higher than that of the first sensor. An air data computer is coupled to each of the first and second sensors being configured and operable to calculate a first aircraft movement measurement using detected air pressure from the first sensor and is further operative to determine if the first sensor is faulty or if the air inlet is blocked in dependence upon the frequency content and amplitude of the output from the second sensor. |
| US08718951B2 |
Methods, computer-accessible medium, and systems for generating a genome wide haplotype sequence
Methods, computer-accessible medium, and systems for generating a genome wide probe map and/or a genome wide haplotype sequence are provided. In particular, a genome wide probe map can be generated by obtaining a plurality of detectable oligonucleotide probes hybridized to at least one double stranded nucleic acid molecule cleaved with at least one restriction enzyme, and detecting the location of the detectable oligonucleotide probes. For example, genome wide haplotype sequence can be generated by analyzing at least one genome wide restriction map in conjunction with at least one genome wide probe map to determine distances between restriction sites of the genome wide restriction map(s) and locations of detectable oligonucleotide probes of the genome wide probe map(s) and defining a consensus map indicating restriction sites based on the genome wide restriction map(s) and/or locations of detectable oligonucleotide probes based on each of the genome wide probe map(s). |
| US08718950B2 |
Methods and apparatus for identification of disease associated mutations
In some embodiments, a non-transitory processor-readable medium includes code to cause a processor to receive a set of variants identified by a comparison of a test DNA sequence with a reference DNA sequence and associate at least one of the set of variants with at least one of a set of annotations each indicative of at least one criterion. The code includes code to cause the processor to filter, based on the set of annotations, the set of variants to identify a subset of variants from the set of variants. Each variant from the subset of variants is associated with at least one common annotation from the set of annotations. The code further includes code to cause the processor to present the subset of variants such that the subset of variants can be used to render a clinical diagnosis. |
| US08718947B2 |
Method for measuring the incidence of hospital acquired infections
A method of determining an Antibiotic Utilization Criteria (AUC) marker includes assigning an AUC=1 to a patient if certain criteria are met: (1) antimicrobials were first dispensed to the patient after an initial number of days has passed since the patient's admission to a hospital, and either (2a) the antimicrobials were dispensed to the patient for a determined number of consecutive days after the day of first dispense, or (2b) the antimicrobials were dispensed to the patient on consecutive days after the day of first dispense up to and including the day on which the patient either was discharged or died. If criteria (1) is not satisfied or both of alternate criteria (2a) and (2b) are not satisfied, an AUC=0 is assigned to the patient. |
| US08718946B2 |
Identification, monitoring and treatment of disease and characterization of biological condition using gene expression profiles
A method provides an index that is indicative of the state of a subject, as to a biological condition, based on a sample from the subject. An embodiment of this method includes: deriving from the sample a profile data set, the profile data set including a plurality of members, each member being a quantitative measure of the amount of a distinct RNA or protein constituent in a panel of constituents selected so that measurement of the constituents enables evaluation of the biological condition; and in deriving the profile data set, achieving such measure for each constituent under measurement conditions that are substantially repeatable; and applying values from the profile data set to an index function that provides a mapping from an instance of a profile data set into a single-valued measure of biological condition, so as to produce an index pertinent to the biological condition of the subject. |
| US08718945B2 |
Methods for classification of toxic agents and counteragents
Methods and systems for evaluating biological dataset profiles relating to toxic agents including candidate pharmaceuticals, environmental agents, biowarfare and chemical warfare agents are provided, where datasets comprising information for multiple cellular parameters are compared and identified, and used in the evaluation of candidate agents. |
| US08718939B2 |
Method and apparatus for three dimensional dynamic measurements in water system
Techniques for measuring one or more physical properties of a water system. A measurement platform is positioned at a first location of a given water system, wherein the measurement platform comprises a plurality of sensor devices distributed over a three dimensional space and configured to acquire data relating to one or more physical properties of the water system. A first set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the first location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform. The measurement platform is moved along a predetermined path to at least a second location in the water system. At least a second set of measurement data is acquired from the water system at the second location via at least a portion of the plurality of sensor devices of the measurement platform. |
| US08718938B2 |
Multi-sensor data collection and/or processing
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the control and utilization of multiple sensors within a device. For an example, motion of a device may be detected in response to receipt of a signal from a first sensor disposed in the device, and a power state of a second sensor also disposed in the device may be changed in response to detected motion. |
| US08718936B2 |
Navigation device
Apparatus for, and a method of, providing output data to a person identifying a route back to a recorded waypoint position. Personal navigation apparatus for providing output data to a person identifying a route back to a recorded waypoint position, comprising a route indication device including a visual display element; and a positioning device. The positioning system includes a processing system having a data storage device, a first micromechanical device configured to produce an output signal proportional to an acceleration along an axis, and a second micromechanical device having components in constant motion and configured to produce an output signal proportional to its angular rate of motion around an axis. The processing system is configured to generate and store in said data storage device position data describing the position of said personal navigation apparatus within a reference space, based upon data received from said first micromechanical device and said second micromechanical device. |
| US08718927B2 |
GPS data repair
Repairing GPS data is disclosed. Repairing GPS data includes repairing an effort, comprising determining that the effort includes inaccurate GPS data; and adjusting the effort using a repaired base map. Repairing GPs data includes repairing a segment, comprising determining an inaccurate shape data in the segment; and adjusting shape data for the segment based on a repaired base. |
| US08718926B1 |
Electronic direction technology
An electronic direction system accesses navigation data describing at least one instance in which a direction was missed during provision of electronic navigation along a route and tracks instances in which directions have been missed based on the accessed navigation data. The electronic direction system accounts for the tracked instances in which directions have been missed in handling provision of future directions. |
| US08718924B2 |
Method and apparatus for road guidance using mobile terminal
The present invention relates to apparatus and method for road guidance using a mobile terminal. The method for road guidance using a mobile terminal includes receiving a map image created by a users input, setting at least one user-designated location to the map image according to the users input, setting location information of the user-designated location to the user-designated location, comparing the location information of the user-designated location with current location information of the mobile terminal; and notifying of arrival at the user-designated location. A user may arrive at a desired destination according to the present invention without using map data provided by a map data service provider. |
| US08718923B2 |
Object cluster detection and estimation
A vehicle tracking system includes a wheel unit containing RF communication circuitry. The wheel units communicate with fixed nodes of a monitoring system. In some embodiments, the wheel units are placed on shopping carts and are used to track the shopping carts in a vicinity of a store. The system may implement a variety of tracking-relating features, including detecting unauthorized store exit events, estimating the number of shopping carts that are clustered together, and inhibiting shopping cart theft. |
| US08718921B2 |
Method and system for avoiding an intercepting vehicle by an airborne moving body
The present disclosure relates to an avoidance system which comprises means for determining, from at least the value of a parameter for the movement (R, Vr) of an intercepting vehicle relative to said moving body and from the incoming direction (θo, φo) of said vehicle relative to said moving body, an order of avoidance intended for said automatic means of piloting said moving body in such a way that the latter automatically carries out a maneuver for avoiding said vehicle. |
| US08718920B2 |
System and method for determining earth-fixed trajectory launching from within a specified area
Determining a launch window from anywhere within a specified area to avoid or minimize close approaches between a launch vehicle and orbiting space objects. A method and apparatus is disclosed for minimizing close approaches, or conjunctions between spacecraft being launched from anywhere within a specified area and other objects in space during the launch and early deployment phase of their lifetime, by defining a launch window, utilizing and identifying launch window blackout times to avoid close approaches of launch trajectories from anywhere within an area with remaining objects in space as noted in a space object catalog. |
| US08718917B2 |
GPS-based relative positioning enhancement method using neighboring entity information
A method and system is provided for determining a relative position between a host vehicle and a remote vehicle using an indirect assisting entity technique. A GPS position of the host vehicle and a remote vehicle are obtained. A number of common satellites providing GPS data to the host vehicle and the remote vehicle are determined. An indirect-assisting entity is identified having a common number of satellites in communication between the host vehicle and remote vehicle, respectively, which is greater than the number of common satellites between host vehicle and the remote vehicle. A relative position is determined between the host vehicle and the indirect-assisting entity, and the remote vehicle and the indirect-assisting entity. A position of the host vehicle relative to the remote vehicle is determined as a function of the determined position of the host vehicle and remote vehicle relative to the indirect-assisting entity. |
| US08718915B1 |
System, module, and method for generating an image of a flight route corridor on a display unit
A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for generating an image of a flight route corridor displayed an aircraft display unit. A processor generates an image data set using navigation data and object data, where object data includes terrain and obstacle data. The image data set is determined using the object data and flight route corridor data, wherein the flight route corridor data is determined by applying navigation and object data to flight route corridor design criteria. The image data set is provided to a display unit to display a flight route corridor and at least one “offending” object against the background of the scene outside the aircraft, where offending objects include those objects penetrating an obstacle clearance surface and those objects penetrating the flight route corridor. The depiction of the flight route corridor and offending objects may be enhanced with the use of highlighters. |
| US08718913B2 |
Vehicle efficiency information display and method
An efficiency information display for a vehicle includes an indicator arrangement having a visual display configured to provide vehicle efficiency information to an operator of the vehicle. The visual display includes a target vehicle efficiency. A control system, including at least one controller, is configured to receive at least one input related to current operating conditions of the vehicle. The control system provides at least one output to the indicator arrangement, such that the visual display indicates to the vehicle operator a current relative operating efficiency of the vehicle. The at least one input includes at least one of: information related to positive vehicle propulsion, information related to vehicle braking, or information related to vehicle creep torque cancellation. The control system is further configured to use the at least one input to determine the current relative operating efficiency of the vehicle independently from a fuel economy calculation for the vehicle. |
| US08718911B2 |
Systems and methods for presenting taxi instructions and reducing runway incursions
A system and method are provided for presenting a taxi route for an aircraft at an airport. The method, for example, includes, but is not limited to receiving, by a processor, the taxi route, translating, by the processor, the taxi route into a graphical representation, displaying, on an aircraft display, a map of the airport and the graphical representation, and displaying, a location of a hold short instruction on the aircraft display. |
| US08718907B2 |
Monitoring a mobile device
Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring traffic, such as vehicle traffic on a roadway, using identification information acquired using a Bluetooth protocol. A sensor is configured to scan for discoverable Bluetooth devices within a flow of vehicle traffic and to create a log of identified Bluetooth devices. A system includes multiple sensors at known locations along a route and is operable to identify a Bluetooth device identified at multiple sensors. |
| US08718906B2 |
Method for analyzing traffic flow at an intersection
A method for advising a driver of a host vehicle on traffic conditions at a road intersection. It is determined that a host vehicle is approaching the intersection. Information is received from a plurality of other vehicles via a wireless vehicle-to-vehicle communication system indicating respective positions and timing of the other vehicles approach to and/or arrival at the intersection. The times at which the other vehicles have stopped at the intersection are detected, and the times at which the other vehicles have proceeded through the intersection are detected. A past order-of-progression of vehicles through the intersection is determined based upon the stopping times and the proceeding times. The driver of the host vehicle is then advised whether it is the host vehicle's turn to proceed through the intersection in view of the past order-of-progression. |
| US08718905B2 |
Supplementing engine control via a diagnostics port
A secondary controller for controlling the performance of a moving automobile is described. The secondary controller can be configured to communicate with one or more vehicle controllers, such as the engine control unit, while the automobile is being driven. The secondary controller can send control commands to the vehicle controller to effect the operation of the vehicle's power train. The secondary controller can receive power train related data from the engine control unit and based upon the received power train data determine when to send the control commands. In one embodiment, the secondary controller communicates with the vehicle controller via the vehicle's diagnostic port, such as an OBD-II port. In another embodiment, the secondary controller can be configured to control the operational displacement of a variable displacement engine while the vehicle is driven. |