| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08740282B2 |
Vehicular sun visor
A coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 that extendingly projects in the radial direction of a shaft 3 throughout the entire periphery is formed in an insertion-side part 3a of the shaft 3 that turnably supports a sun visor body 1, and a contacted piece 7 with which the coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 contactingly engages is formed on the sun visor body 1 side to prevent the sun visor body 1 from coming off the shaft 3. Thereby, even if the sun visor body 1 receives a high expandingly deploying force of a curtain airbag, the concentrated load per unit area applied to the coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 is kept low, and therefore the coming-off preventing contacting piece 6 is restrained from being broken. |
| US08740279B1 |
Multi-functional tailgate for a vehicle
A tailgate can include first and second frames, doors and sets of touchpads. The frames can be coupled to the vehicle to selectively pivot about a first axis, and can be selectively coupled to the vehicle via respective frame latches. The doors can be coupled to the respective frames to selectively pivot about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and relative to the frames, and can be selectively coupled to the frames via respective door latches. The sets of touchpads can be operably connected with the respective doors and frame and door latches. Actuation of one or both sets of touchpads in different configurations can facilitate opening one or both of the doors independent of or with each other in a first configuration pivoting about the first axis with the respective frames, or in a second configuration pivoting about the second axis relative to the respective frames. |
| US08740271B1 |
Reusable container handle
An ergonomic handle is used in conjunction with a ductile material, e.g., straps, for securing, lifting and carrying objects. The handle comprises four legs perpendicular to each other and joined at a center routing bowl. The center bowl includes an angled tab arm over its top. Each flat surfaced leg with side rails provides a channel for the strap material. Each leg includes a locking tab fixed to one side of the leg. Integral gripping teeth are on one face of the locking tab and mate with similar integral gripping teeth on the channel surface of each leg. The strap is placed on a leg surface, secured with the locking tab, then wrapped around the object to the second leg and secured. At the center bowl, the strap is re-directed to a third leg, secured, then wrapped around the object for securing on the fourth leg. |
| US08740268B2 |
Bumper structure
A bumper structure includes a bumper beam that extends in a vehicle width direction and a bumper absorber that is provided along a front surface of the bumper beam and that has an opening in a top center portion of the bumper absorber in the vehicle width direction. The bumper beam includes a center portion that extends parallel to the vehicle width direction and a pair of oblique portions that obliquely extend backward and outward in the vehicle width direction from respective ends of the center portion. The bumper absorber includes a pair of load receiving portions outside the opening in the vehicle width direction, and the load receiving portions are arranged at positions corresponding to a pair of bent portions that are formed at boundaries between the center portion and the respective oblique portions. |
| US08740265B2 |
Dual pawl latch mechanism for a dual door assembly
A latch mechanism used in conjunction with a dual door access system, wherein the dual door access system is actuated between a latched position and an open position by the latch mechanism using a dual pawl design which is configured such that each door in the dual door access system has its own dedicated latch pawl within the latch mechanism for retaining the doors in the latched position. |
| US08740258B2 |
Two-axis adjustable mud pipe joint
A pipe having a cylindrical inner wall, a rig end, the rig end having an inner wall having an inside diameter and a remote end. The remote end further comprises a first hemispheric extension that extends from the remote end to at least an outer diameter. A second hemispheric extension connects a surface at an outer cylindrical surface to a pipe exterior wall, wherein the first hemispheric extension and second hemispheric extension form a partial sphere through which, a cavity defined by the inner wall extends. |
| US08740254B2 |
Apparatus and method for protecting storz fire fighting hose couplings
An apparatus and method for protecting Storz fire fighting fittings from damage associated with being dropped, or dragged, or from colliding with other equipment or the like during deployment and operation, and including a bumper. |
| US08740250B1 |
Flexible seat belt adjuster
A seat-belt adjusting apparatus mounted on the seat below the head rest of a vehicle's seat which catches a seat-belt buckle such that it sits closer to the passenger's shoulder when disengaged. The adjuster has two parallel rods connected by a seat-belt buckle guard for catching a seat-belt buckle and two adjustable plates each having two parallel, hollow, cylindrical-shaped sides through which the parallel rods can be inserted such that the plates can freely slide between the ends of the rods and the seat-belt buckle guard. Each plate includes an aperture through which a pin from a head rest can be inserted such that the seat belt adjuster can rest on a vehicle seat and receive a seat belt having a seat belt buckle. |
| US08740249B1 |
Combine header transport trailer
A combine header transport trailer for transporting a combine header. The trailer includes mechanical jacks for raising and lowering the header bar thereon and for moving the header bar inwardly and outwardly with respect to the trailer. |
| US08740248B2 |
Supporting foot for vehicles
A supporting foot for vehicles, such as semi-trailers or the like, comprising a foot element with a resting portion for resting on an underlying surface, and a compensating element for receiving a support unit and for compensating a positional offset of the supporting unit with regards to the foot element, wherein the support unit comprises a first supporting element and a second supporting element telescopingly coupled with the first supporting element, the second supporting element is movable between a first and a second position with respect to the first supporting element, and wherein the first supporting element is in engagement with the foot element when the second supporting element is in the second position. |
| US08740247B1 |
Airbag assembly
An airbag assembly for use in a vehicle includes at least one airbag panel that defines an inflatable portion and a non-inflatable portion. An external panel is connected to the at least one airbag panel at the non-inflatable portion thereof such that at least a portion of the external panel is positioned adjacent to the inflatable portion defined by the at least one airbag panel, wherein the external panel is non-inflatable. |
| US08740242B2 |
Posterior walker
A posterior walker has an anteriorly open, wheeled frame having a transverse posterior structural member, a left and right forearm support member attached to the frame, and adapted to be aligned with the forearms of a user at an angle wherein the user's wrist is lower than the elbow, and left and right hand grips associated with the left and right forearm support member. |
| US08740240B1 |
User-operated mobility apparatus
A user-operated mobility apparatus includes a base unit having a drive assembly and wheels mounted thereto for enabling selective movement of the base unit along a surface. A plurality of support members extend from the base unit, define an interior area therebetween that is configured to receive a user, and each includes a plurality of spaced-apart engagement features for releasably engaging at least one accessory at various different positions along the support member. A user support assembly is mounted adjacent the free ends of the support members and includes a support cord extending into the interior area. The support cord is configured for releasably engaging a user to support the user within interior area. |
| US08740237B2 |
Bicycle with suspension
A bicycle assembly can include a front or rear suspension system with a shock absorber. A front suspension system can be a suspension fork. A rear suspension system can include a rear shock absorber. The shock can have a shock body and a pressurized main air chamber within the shock body to act as an air spring. The shock can also have a valve configured to receive a pump for adding air to the main air chamber. A secondary air chamber and a control member can be used to reduce the pressure within the main air chamber by venting the secondary air chamber to the atmosphere. |
| US08740236B2 |
Infant scooter
A vehicle for infants includes a footboard, a front and rear chassis support fixed to it, wherein each chassis support supports at least one wheel, a steering bar which is connected to the front chassis support, and gripping at the upper portion of the steering bar. The vehicle furthermore includes a seat which is preferably fixed to the steering bar. The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle for infants with two front wheels and at least one, preferably two, rear wheels, wherein the vehicle includes a seat which is preferably fixed to a steering bar of the vehicle, and wherein the vehicle includes gripping at the steering bar which, however, does not function as handle bar, and wherein at least the front chassis support of the vehicle includes a steering mechanism which permits to steer the vehicle by ways of shifting of weight. |
| US08740235B2 |
Vehicle with a shock absorber
A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. In both such first and second modes, the frame of the tricycle is configured to rotatably support the rear wheels and configured to support the head tube at a distance from the rear wheels such that a distance between the head tube and rear wheels need not necessarily be changed even when the front wheel axis location is changed from one mode to another. |
| US08740234B2 |
Suspension of vehicle wheel for rough terrain driving
The present disclosure relates to the suspension (1, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the wheel (3) of vehicle, especially of vehicle for rough terrain driving, including the helical spring (11, 65, 71, 81, 91) arranged between two members of suspension (1, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the wheel (3). Hereat one end of the spring (11, 65, 71, 81) is coupled with moveable member (2) of suspension (1, 6, 7, 8) of the wheel (3), and the second end of spring (11, 65, 71, 81) is coupled with the controlled member (102) of rolling kinematic couple, whose rolling surface engages with convex rolling surface (5) of controlling member (101) of rolling kinematic couple, which is mounted on the basic member (4) of suspension (1, 6, 7, 8) of the wheel (3). Or one end of the spring (91) is coupled with the basic member (4) of suspension (9) of the wheel (3), and the second end of the spring (91) is coupled with the controlled member (102) of rolling kinematic couple, whose rolling surface engages with convex rolling surface (5) of the controlling member (101) of the rolling kinematic couple, which is mounted on the moveable member (2) of suspension (9) of the wheel (3). |
| US08740231B2 |
Light-alloy vehicle suspension member
A light-alloy vehicle suspension member integrally made from a light alloy, including a sectional shape formed by an upper wall, a front wall, and a rear wall so as to have an open bottom, the upper wall being substantially horizontal, the front wall and the rear wall being erected in a substantially vertical manner on a front edge and a rear edge of the upper wall respectively, wherein: one end of a torque rod is connected to a center portion, in a vehicle width direction, of the upper wall, another end of the torque rod is connected to an engine; a vertical position of the upper wall substantially corresponds to a vertical center position between the front wall and the rear wall, and substantially corresponds to a height position of the torque rod. |
| US08740229B2 |
Slope traversing system for zero turning radius vehicles
A zero turning radius vehicle is disclosed having a power transmission operatively and independently engaged to each one of at least two driven wheels, and including at least one caster, supporting a portion of said vehicle weight, rotatably connected to the vehicle whereby the caster is operatively biased while the vehicle is operating at a side angle such that the caster neutralizes the gravitational force that would tend to drive the vehicle downward when traversing a slope. |
| US08740225B2 |
Hydrodynamic bore seal
The disclosed finger seals are designed to be operational under rotational velocity or a stationary condition. The contact surface of the finger seals is inclined in an axial direction. The rotational velocity of the bore does not affect the hydrodynamic lift and the finger seals can operate at any rotational speed, unlike prior finger seal where the hydrodynamic lift is generated by rotational velocity. Each finger seal is pressure balanced. The pressure chambers on the two sides of each finger seal are connected through the finger cutouts. The finger seal design is such that the fingers lift and move away from the bore surface in radial direction. In one form, each finger seal is designed with the specific required length to allow sufficient surface area for the hydrodynamic force such that the finger seals would be lifted from the bore surface at the design pressure. |
| US08740218B2 |
Modular system for handing out playing cards and a module for handing out cards for such system
A modular system for handing out playing cards, including at least one card-handing module and a frame module. Additionally, the system preferably also includes a power supply module and a score module. The card-handing module is particularly suitable for partaking as a replaceable component in connection with the other modules, and includes an essentially closed housing which substantially encloses a rotating spinner core. The card-handing module is configured for being able to receive a deck of playing cards and ejects the playing cards individually and in a specific direction that is determined by a step motor. The spinner core is suspended in the housing by two opposed bearings, where the motor constitutes the one bearing, while an opposed bearing is provided. Thereby a very compact unit is provided which is so noiseless that it can sit on a bridge game table and function without being a nuisance to the players. |
| US08740213B2 |
Image forming apparatus, sheet feed control method, and storage medium
An image forming apparatus capable of printing a non-standard size image on a sheet of a size as desired by the user as possible, and preventing stoppage of printing the image even when there is no sheet of the size desired by the user in a sheet feeder. When image data is for a non-standard size, if there is a sheet feeder accommodating recording sheets of which vertical and lateral lengths corresponding to vertical and lateral lengths represented by the image data are designated, a control unit feeds the sheets from the sheet feeding cassette. If there is no such a sheet feeder, the control unit feeds recording sheets of a free size from a manual feed tray accommodating the recording sheets of the free size. |
| US08740209B2 |
Method and apparatus for ex-situ lift-out specimen preparation
A specimen carrier for use with an ex-situ lift-out (EXLO) milling process includes a carrier top surface having at least one specimen support area and at least one aperture formed through the specimen carrier top surface. The aperture includes a first opening having an open wider upper end and a narrower lower end. The first opening is bounded by opposed sidewalls in spaced-apart orientation that are inwardly inclined from the wider upper end to the narrower lower end. The aperture is configured to enable a specimen to sit over the opening and can be wedged between the first opening opposed sidewalls so that a region of interest to be milled is centered about the open end of the opening. Specimens so mounted can then be re-thinned via charged particle instruments such as focused ion beam (FIB) milling, broad beam ion milling, or via laser ablation. |
| US08740208B2 |
Clamping device with removable handles
A clamping device has a removable handle to move a clamp between an opened and clamped position. A receiving member is on the clamp to receive the handle. The handle has a latching member to couple with the receiving member. An actuating member is coupled with the handle to move the clamp from an opened to clamped position. A release mechanism is coupled with the clamp or handle to move the clamp from a clamped to an opened position. |
| US08740206B2 |
Life enhancement of ring assembly in semiconductor manufacturing chambers
The present invention generally relates to a ring assembly that may be used in an etching or other plasma processing chamber. The ring assembly generally includes an inner ring and an outer ring disposed radially outward of the inner ring. The inner ring will correspond to the location where the majority of erosion occurs during use. This inner ring can be flipped and reused until both sides have eroded beyond their service life. Collectively, the two rings generally have the shape of a single piece ring, but the service life of the ring assembly is longer than a conventional single piece ring. |
| US08740204B2 |
Pin for positioning of parts made of composite material
A pin for the production and positioning of parts made of composite material and glued together in an aircraft, the pin including an elongated body (1), which is inserted in the holes purposely provided on parts of the aircraft or of the assembly jig. The pin also includes a head (2) that limits insertion of the pin in the holes, the body and the head being integrated in a single body made of a thermoplastic material. The process of production of the pin is a molding process. |
| US08740199B2 |
Spring assembly and manufacturing method therefor
According to one embodiment, a spring assembly includes: a substrate; a coil spring having an end turn portion fixed to the substrate; an inner wall provided at an inner peripheral side of the coil spring; and an outer wall provided at an outer peripheral side of the coil spring, wherein one of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a spring fixing wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from coming off in an axial direction of the coil spring, and wherein the other of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a support wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from moving in a radial direction of the coil spring. |
| US08740196B2 |
Drawbar spring coupler
A linkage comprises a first rounded end providing a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a first drawbar spring, and a second rounded end opposite the first rounded end. The second rounded end provides a complimentary profile configured to mate with an inner radius of a loop element in a second drawbar spring. The linkage is configured to be positioned between the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the loop element in the second drawbar spring such that the first rounded end is mated with the loop element in the first drawbar spring and the second rounded end is mated with the loop element in the second drawbar spring to mechanically couple the first drawbar spring in series with the second drawbar spring. |
| US08740195B2 |
Systems and methods for diffusing gas into a liquid
Systems and methods for diffusing gas into a liquid are disclosed. In some cases, the methods include tangentially introducing a liquid into a cylindrical chamber having a cylindrical inner wall such that the liquid develops a spiral flow. In some cases, gas bubbles are orthogonally introduced into the liquid as the liquid flows through the chamber. In some cases, a flow of the liquid and the gas bubbles is controlled such that a ratio of a liquid flow rate to a gas bubble flow rate does not exceed values which convert non-bacteria enriched, clear water into froth. In such cases, a mixture of the liquid and the gas bubbles to exit the chamber near an output end. While the liquid can include clear water, in some instances, the liquid also includes bacteria (e.g., surfactant-producing or non-surfactant-producing bacteria) and/or bacterial nutrients that allow for improved bioremediation. |
| US08740194B1 |
Buoyant aerator array with remote air supply
The buoyant aerator array with remote air supply has a plurality of aerators disposed in a body of water and supplied with air from a single remote source. The remote source may be land-based or based upon a floating vessel. An air supply line extends from the remote air source to each aerator. Each line is supported by one or more rigid poles or columns anchored into the floor of the body of water. Two aerator embodiments are described herein, with each having a toroidal float. In one embodiment, the entire aerator structure floats to hold the aerator at a constant level, and is held in position by restraining cables. Another embodiment has a plurality legs anchored to the bottom, the float and attached aerator riding along the legs to maintain a constant aerator level below the surface as the water level changes. |
| US08740192B2 |
Wedge locking unit for a rail assembly
The invention provides an easy to assemble railing assembly used for residential and commercial purposes. The railing assembly includes a plurality of locking components, a plurality of upright members and a plurality of locking pins. A locking component includes a plurality of wedge shaped locking slots. An upright member is configured to receive the locking component therewithin. The locking pin of the plurality of locking pins has each end connected to one or more wedge shaped locking slots of the plurality of wedge shaped locking slots. |
| US08740190B2 |
Vehicle support assembly and method of using same
A support assembly includes a frame, a first ratchet, a second ratchet, a lift structure, a bridge member, and a saddle. Each of the first and second ratchets includes a linear rack attached to first and second side members of the frame, and a slide structure slideably mounted with one of the side members. Each slide structure includes a pawl that successively engages with teeth in the linear rack as the lift structure of the support assembly is extended upwardly and as the slide structure slides along the linear rack. The support assembly may be a jack stand that is co-located with a vehicle jack. A head of the vehicle jack pushes against a bottom surface of the bridge member of the jack stand to cause the lift structure to extend upwardly and the ratchet systems to engage in a locked position to hold a vehicle in a raised position. |
| US08740187B2 |
Split valve
A split valve apparatus for the control, charging, discharging and/or regulating the flow of powders, liquids, slurries and/or fluids. The valve has two valve portions complementarily shaped such that the first can sealingly engage with and co-operate with the second to allow the flow of material therethrough. Each valve portion comprises a housing, a valve seat and a valve closure member, which is movable between two positions. |
| US08740184B2 |
Magnet valve and driver assistance system
The invention relates to a magnet valve having a valve body, in which at least one inlet conduit and/or at least one outlet conduit of the magnet valve is provided in at least some regions in the valve body. The inlet conduit and/or outlet conduit are in fluidic communication with a valve seat of the magnet valve. According to the invention, the valve body is provided with a receptacle region, in which an insert part embodying the valve seat is disposed. The invention also relates to a driver assistance system having such a magnet valve. |
| US08740181B2 |
Servo-positioner for a micro-regulating valve
The invention relates to a positioning system which is suitable for micrometric regulating valves. The invention comprises a micro-regulating valve which is connected to the shaft of a servomotor by a flexible coupler and which is fixed to the same using a support. The aforementioned motor is, in turn, coupled to a potentiometer which transmits the position of the shaft of the motor and, consequently, of the rod of the valve to a control system which compares a signal received from an external control system with the position of the value, the position of the valve being corrected with a movement of the motor. In this way, a quick and precise positioning system can operate at high pressures and with very low flow rates. |
| US08740177B2 |
Eccentric diaphragm valve
An irrigation valve has a valve body with an inlet passage, an outlet passage, and a valve seat intermediate the inlet passage and the outlet passage. A diaphragm includes a valve seat engaging portion that cooperates with the valve seat to control flow through the valve. The valve seat and the valve seat engaging portion of the diaphragm are offset relative to the inlet passage to improve flow through the valve to reduce pressure and energy loss. |
| US08740171B2 |
Hanging system for pictures or objects
A hanging system having a panel with a front and back surface, wherein an adhesive component is on the front surface, and a pin on the back surface, the pin extends outwardly from the back surface at an angle with respect to the back surface, the angle being between about 50 to 80 degrees, the pin has an outer end, wherein the outer end is pointed so as to allow for a puncturing effect when pressed into a wall material. |
| US08740167B1 |
Container holder system and method use
A container holder system for attachment to a lawnmower handle assembly. In operation, the container holder system receives a beverage container and pivots with respect to the ground to prevent spilling from the beverage container. Optionally, the container holder system rotates with respect to itself to provide ease of use. The container holder system includes a cage assembly and a mounting device for securing the cage assembly to the lawnmower handle assembly. The cage assembly includes cage arms and a flange interface defined by the cage arms. The mounting device includes a gripping sleeve positioned between the cage arms and the lawnmower handle assembly and includes a clamp for drawing the cage arms and the gripping sleeve against the lawnmower handle assembly. |
| US08740166B2 |
Keyboard and mouse support
A support device including a keyboard platform and a bracket for mounting the keyboard platform a work surface to elevate the keyboard platform above the work surface. The keyboard platform is mounted on the bracket for sliding movement relative to an edge of the work surface along a horizontal fore-aft axis. The keyboard platform is mounted on the bracket for tilting movement about a tilting axis perpendicular to the fore-aft axis. The support device includes a lock movable between a locked position wherein sliding/tilting movement of the keyboard platform is prevented and an unlocked position wherein sliding/tilting movement of the keyboard platform is permitted. One aspect includes a clamp provided on the bracket and engageable with the work surface to elevate the keyboard platform above the work surface. One aspect provides a mouse platform pivotally attached to the keyboard platform and configured to support the mouse at a tilted position. |
| US08740164B2 |
Attachment device for suspended member
The attachment device has a fixing member fixed to an attachment surface, first and second operating parts are configured to be manipulated from one side in the first direction parallel to the attachment surface, a first member fixed movably in the first direction relative to the fixing member, the first member being configured to move the display device in the first direction relative to the fixing member based on the operation amount of the first operating part, and a second member fixed rotatably relative to the first member, the second member being rotated based on the operation amount of the second operating part and being configured to move the display device in the second direction relative to the fixing member. |
| US08740159B2 |
Lid holder for a slow cooker
A lid holder for use with a slow cooker. The lid holder has a tray supported on a strap from the rim of the slow cooker. The tray has inner and outer walls between which a lid from the cooker may be interposed. The lid is supported in the tray above a well for drips on fins between the inner and outer walls. |
| US08740152B1 |
Rivetless nutplates for aircraft
Methods for attaching a window to an airframe, methods of maintaining structural integrity of an airframe while attaching a window to the airframe, and portions of an aircraft are set forth herein. One method for attaching a window to an airframe comprises the steps of: applying to a bonding surface of a nutplate an adhesive; inserting through an airframe hole a fixture attached to a nut of the nutplate, and applying tension to the fixture to hold the adhesive-coated bonding surface of the nutplate adjacent an interior surface of the airframe; allowing the adhesive to cure; removing the fixture from the nut of the nutplate; and installing a bolt through a hole of a retainer, through the hole in the airframe, and into the nutplate; the retainer being in contact with and securing the window to the airframe. The adhesive is selected such that very specific conditions are met. |
| US08740143B2 |
Compartment for accommodating at least one flight crewmember
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a compartment for accommodating at least one flight crewmember, comprising a first module and a stowage area, wherein the first module comprises a first rest facility, wherein the first rest facility is arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, as well as substantially parallel to the traverse axis of the aircraft, and wherein the stowage area is substantially arranged under the first rest facility. |
| US08740139B1 |
Leading edge snag for exposed propeller engine installation
An airplane powered by exposed propeller engines has a swept wing configuration comprising a leading edge snag coincident with the exposed propeller engine mount. The portion of the leading edge disposed inboard of the exposed propeller engine is offset in an aftwise direction relative to the outboard portion of the leading edge. As a result of this construction, the point of closest approach of the blades of the exposed propeller engines is moved aft, allowing for a more compact engine installation. |
| US08740138B2 |
Aircraft engine supporting pylon
An aircraft pylon support system for mounting and supporting aircraft propulsion systems to a fuselage section of an aircraft that includes an internal, central support box disposed within and extending across the interior of an aircraft fuselage, and external support boxes extending laterally into pylons disposed at both sides of the aircraft, each of the internal and external support boxes being made of a composite material and structured as multi-spar boxes containing lateral spars and at least one central spar, wherein the central and lateral support boxes are connected together to provide a continuous interface therebetween with a full transfer of loads therebetween and between any interrupted, intermediate frame members. |
| US08740133B2 |
Aircraft including an engine controlled by synchrophasing
An aircraft including at least one engine having counter-rotating rotors, the engine or at least one of the engines having imbalances associated with at least one ellipse. The aircraft includes at least one vibration damper attached in an arrangement such that, at a given engine speed and for at least one given common direction of a large axis of the ellipse or at least one of the ellipses, a speed related to the two ends of the damper is higher than for any other arrangement of the damper. |
| US08740131B2 |
Printer web medium supply with drive system
Web medium supplies for a printer that uses a web medium on a core and printers are provided. In one aspect, the web medium supply has a frame with a first mounting support and second mounting support that are positioned along an axis of rotation. A first core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation and a second core mounting supports the core for rotation around the axis of rotation. Rotation of the core is controlled by a first force applied to the first core mounting and a second force applied to the second core mounting that are both less than a third force that is sufficient to drive an alternative core against an inertial load of the core and web from one driven end. |
| US08740129B2 |
Handle operated switch for paper towel dispenser
Control apparatus for controlling operation of a paper towel dispenser includes control switches and a handle having two relatively movable handle portions rotating when a paper toweling support drum rotates. One of the handle portions has projections which engage the switches when the handle rotates. |
| US08740121B1 |
Rotary grinder/shredder
A cutting tool for a bolt-in toolholder assembly in a shredding device including a rotor and a bolt-in toolholder, comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, a first side and a second side extending between ends of the upper and lower surfaces, the upper, lower and first and second side surfaces defining a polygon shaped cutting tool, the cutting tool having a forward side and a rearward side, a cutting surface having by an upper portion and opposed side portions, the cutting surface disposed on at least one of the forward side and the rearward side, the cutting surface being offset from a well, the well having a flat inner surface for seating the cutting tool in a first dimension, the well being polygonal in shape, the well size determining a width of the cutting surface, a bolt-in aperture disposed in the well. |
| US08740110B2 |
Apparatus for delivering a volatile material
An apparatus for delivering a volatile material in a continuous manner is disclosed. The apparatus includes a delivery engine having a reservoir for containing a volatile material; a rupturable substrate secured to the reservoir; a rupture element positioned adjacent to the rupturable substrate; and a breathable membrane enclosing the reservoir, rupturable substrate and rupture element. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing having a notch for compressing the rupture element and breaching the rupturable substrate as it is inserted into the housing. |
| US08740109B2 |
Apparatus producing superheated water and /or steam for weed killing and other applications
Apparatus producing superheated water and/or steam for weed (36) killing, etc. has diesel fired boiler (30), which, via pump (32), generates hot water at a pressure of 40-52 bar and temperature of 90-115° C. This passes down tube (12) and encounters the constriction provided by nozzle (14). Passing through nozzle (14) into depressurization chamber (16), which is at atmospheric pressure, the water boils. When the super heated water exits ports (20) of distribution pipe (18) it encounters ambient temperature and is transformed into high temperature water vapor and/or water droplets. The apparatus controls or kill weeds (36) using a smaller volume of water and less energy. |
| US08740107B2 |
Liquid atomiser with piezoelectric vibration device having an improved electronic control circuit, and activation method thereof
A liquid atomizer (1) with battery-powered (1) piezoelectric vibration device (4), of the type timed to occur between alternate activation cycles and rest cycles and including a first electronic supply circuit (2) with an impulse current generator (9) at a relatively high voltage and a second supply circuit (5a) of the piezoelectric vibration device (4) at a relatively low voltage, as well as a switch device (10, 11) apt to connect in alternate phases the supply of the piezoelectric vibration device (4)—in a same actuation cycle—to the first circuit and to the second circuit. An actuation method of the atomizer is also described. |
| US08740104B2 |
Variable electric auxiliary heater circuit pump
A heating and ventilation system for a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The system having a heater core supplied with engine cooling fluid via a variable flow pump for heating an air flow supplied to the passenger compartment. The system additionally having a controller for controlling the pump to increase engine cooling fluid mass flow-rate in response to a detected temperature decrease of the engine cooling fluid when the engine is off. |
| US08740102B2 |
Gas turbine engine valve
A gas turbine engine valve is disclosed. In one form the valve includes two inlets in fluid communication with an outlet. The valve can include a spool having two lands capable of selectively closing either of the two inlets. The valve can include energy storage devices that initially position the spool within a valve housing. A temperature motor is provided to position the spool based upon a temperature of a mixture of working fluid from the two inlets. A working fluid flowing into the first inlet can be in fluid communication with a second end of the valve; and a working fluid flowing into the second inlet can be in fluid communication with a first end of the valve. A relatively high pressure condition at one or the other of the inlets can be used to alter a position of the valve. |
| US08740101B2 |
Backup control for HVAC system
An equipment interface module that can operate one or more pieces of HVAC equipment in accordance with instructions received from a properly operating thermostat, yet can also operate the HVAC equipment when communications between the thermostat and the HVAC controller are lost due to, for example, low battery power at the thermostat, malfunctioning thermostat sensor(s), malfunctioning communication and/or thermostat circuitry, electrical interference, and the like. In some instances, the equipment interface module may regulate the HVAC equipment in accordance with a signal from a remote sensor when communication with the thermostat is lost. |
| US08740089B2 |
Medical information device and system and method of use
A medical information device (1) and two dimensional bar code (2) for storing an individual's emergency medical information on and/or providing remote access to the medical information. The medical information device may be updated by an individual over the Internet by sending updated information to a central location that updates the information in a central database. The medical information device is capable of storing medical information directly therein and/or of providing remote access to medical information stored in a central database. This is accomplished by using a two-dimensional barcode 2, such as a Quick Response Code (“QR code”) (3) or other matrix barcode, that is capable of storing text and/or URL information that may be opened by an electronic device or other imaging device, such as a smart phone. |
| US08740083B2 |
Focus adjustment apparatus for a code reader
A focus adjustment apparatus (10) for a code reader (100) is provided which has an objective (12) having at least one lens and a drive (18) with a cam plate (16) for the positional adjustment of the objective (12). The objective (12) is supported in a parallel guide (14) having a coupling unit (32, 34) for the coupling of the cam plate (16) so that a rotational movement of the cam plate (16) adjusts the position of the objective (12) in the parallel guide (14) with a parallel shift of the objective plane. The coupling unit (32, 34) has a press-on element (32) for the play-free coupling of the parallel guide (14) to the cam plate (16) and a counter-bearing element (34) between the press-on element (32) and the drive (18) for relieving the drive (18) from the press-on element (34). |
| US08740082B2 |
Laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having intelligent scan sweep angle adjustment capabilities over the working range of the system for optimized bar code symbol reading performance
Method of and system for reading bar code symbols a laser scanning bar code symbol reading system having the capacity to intelligently control the scan sweep angle of a laser scanning beam in a user-transparent and intuitive manner. In the event that two or more bar code symbol indications are represented in a buffered line of scan data, then the scan sweep angle of the laser scanning beam is automatically reduced so that the resulting laser scanning beam will be shortened and only a single bar code symbol will be scanned, most likely with the center portion of the laser scanning beam. |
| US08740075B2 |
Apparatus for and method of reading targets arbitrarily oriented in imaging workstations
An apparatus for and method of electro-optically reading targets arbitrarily oriented in a workstation, such as a dual window workstation, employs a solid-state imager for capturing return light from the targets over a field of view. The imager has an array of sensors arranged along mutually perpendicular array axes. An optical system splits the field of view into a plurality of subfields of view that extend through a workstation window to a target. One subfield is optically configured to enable the imager to capture light from the target along one array axis. Another subfield is optically configured to enable the imager to capture light from the target along the other array axis. A controller processes the captured light in both the one and the other subfields to enable the reading of the arbitrarily oriented target in the workstation independently of target orientation relative to the array axes. |
| US08740074B2 |
Imaging apparatus for reading information
A liquid crystal panel includes an iris unit for limiting the incident range of light from an object to be shot, and a filter unit for assigning a exposure energy distribution varying with the position to incident light whose incident range is limited by the iris unit. The control unit controls the ON time and the OFF time of each pixel of the liquid crystal panel, and then a low pass filter operation on the captured image as an image processing can be optically replaced. |
| US08740072B1 |
Contact array in a card reader
A card reader, comprising: a frame having a slot for insertion of a chip card that has a plurality of card contacts, wherein the slot has open sides that allow the chip card to move laterally during the insertion; a plurality of reader contacts coupled to the frame and positioned in the slot in a position to be contacted by the card contacts when the chip card is inserted in the slot, and circuitry configured to communicate with the chip card through the plurality of card contact, wherein there are more reader contacts than card contacts and the circuitry is configured to determine which subset of the reader contacts engages the card contacts and to communicate with the chip card through the subset of reader contacts. |
| US08740071B1 |
Method and apparatus for shockwave attenuation via cavitation
A method and system for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium. The method and system may include providing a sensor for detecting a shockwave-producing event, which may include detecting an explosive device or detecting an explosion from an explosive device, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target, calculating with a computer control a firing plan, and interposing a second medium between the shockwave and a protected asset if cost effective to do so. The second medium may be different from the first medium and the shockwave may be reflected, refracted and dispersed, or absorbed as it passes through the second medium prior to reaching the protected asset, and thus may be attenuated in force as it reaches the protected asset. |
| US08740063B2 |
Cash dispensing apparatus
Disclosed is a cash dispensing apparatus (10) comprising at least two cash compartments (20, 22) and a cash delivery mechanism operable to deliver cash notes from either compartment to a recipient, each compartment (20, 22) being independently lockable and arranged to prevent access therefrom to cash in the other compartment(s). |
| US08740061B2 |
Recording information for a web manufacturing process
A web manufacturing process includes recording, onto an excess trim region of a web that is a subject of the web manufacturing process, information relating to a processing stage of the web manufacturing process. |
| US08740057B2 |
Device for interfacing a point-of-sale system and a cash drawer
Provided is a device for interfacing between a POS system having a first connection requirement, such as a serial connection requirement, and a cash drawer having a second connection requirement different from the first connection requirement. The device includes a circuit adapted to receive a signal from the POS system and open the cash drawer, or else generate a signal to the cash drawer that is recognized by the cash drawer as the signal to open. |
| US08740055B2 |
Cup made of paper material and method for the production of a cup made of paper material
A cup made of a paper material and having a fillable interior formed by a conical tubular wall and a bottom wall is provided. The bottom wall is joined at a bottom end of the interior to a peripheral edge frame of the tubular wall in a substantially liquid-tight manner. The tubular wall has a peripheral deforming entity around at least part of a perimeter, which peripheral deforming entity is reinforced in order to avoid deformation of the paper cup. |
| US08740047B2 |
Method of manufacturing electronic apparatus, electronic component-mounting board, and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus including a first and a second components, includes: forming a first solder bump on one of the first component and the second component; forming a second solder bump on the other one of the first component and the second component; bringing the first solder bump into contact with the second solder bump at a temperature higher than the liquidus temperature of any of the first and the second solder bumps such that the first and the second solder bumps are fused together to form a solder joint of an alloy having a lower liquidus temperature than any of the first and the second solder bumps; and solidifying the solder joint between the first and the second component. |
| US08740042B2 |
Friction-welded part and method of friction welding
The invention provides a friction-welded part featuring easy design as well as a method of producing said part. The friction-welded part 1 is produced by friction-welding a first member 10 and a second member 20 together. The first member 10 is made of an aluminum alloy material, having a uniform cross-section portion 11 whose cross-sectional shape and size are not changed. The second member 20 is made of an aluminum alloy material, having a uniform cross-section portion 21 whose cross-sectional shape and size are not changed. According to the invention, the uniform cross-section portions 11 and 21 are friction-welded together to form the part 1. A heat affected zone “H” caused by friction welding is formed only in the uniform cross-section portions 11 and 21. The uniform cross-section portion 11 of the first member 10, and the uniform cross-section portion 21 of the second member 20, respectively, have a cylindrical shape, preferably having the same sectional dimension. |
| US08740036B2 |
Surgical instrument with actuator spring arm
A handle assembly for use with a surgical instrument having an operative distal end portion is disclosed. The handle assembly includes a housing, a drive element, an actuator, a spring arm, and a biasing element. At least a partial actuation of the actuator distally translates the drive element from a proximal position where a portion of the drive element is in contact with the spring arm to a distal position where the drive element is not in contact with the spring arm. |
| US08740034B2 |
Surgical stapling instrument with interchangeable staple cartridge arrangements
A surgical stapling instrument that is configured to be used in connection with different sizes of interchangeable end effectors. The end effectors are removably couplable to an elongated shaft assembly that protrudes from a handle assembly. The end effectors are configured to support different sizes of implantable staple cartridges therein. The staples within the staple cartridge are formed as an anvil portion of the end effector is compressed into the staple cartridge. The surgical stapling instrument further includes removable adapters that facilitate attachment of different sizes of end effectors to the elongated shaft assembly. |
| US08740033B2 |
Nailing gun
A nailing gun includes a swing arm having a first end pivoted to a frame, and a second end movable between a first position proximate to a flywheel to drive a hammer rod to hit a nail, and a second position distal from the flywheel. A spring plate has a spring end portion resiliently supporting the second end of the swing arm. The stop member limits the spring end portion and the second end of the swing arm from moving relative to the frame. When a safety member is subjected to an external pressure, the stop member permits the second end of the swing arm to move together with the spring end portion to the first position. The spring end portion can stably retain the second end of the swing arm at the second position in case of no external pressure. |
| US08740032B2 |
Electric stapler
An electric stapler (10) is disclosed as including a stapling head (12) with a driver (28), an intermediate magazine (14) for carrying staples each with two legs, a base part (16) carrying two anvils (44), cams (24), and eccentrically mounted wheels (52), in which the stapling head (12), intermediate magazine (14) and base part (16) are movable relative to one another, the eccentrically mounted wheels (52) are rotatable to move the stapling head (12) and intermediate magazine (14) relative to each other and relative to the base part (16) whereby the driver (28) of the stapling head (12) drives a staple away from the magazine (14), and the cams (24) are rotatable to move a movement transmission assembly (30) to move the anvils (44) to bend the legs of the staple. |
| US08740031B2 |
Trigger structure for switching one shoot mode or repeat shoot mode
A trigger structure for switching one shoot mode or repeat shoot mode includes a trigger member and a switching member. The trigger member has a recess defined laterally. Two protrusions are defined in the inner wall of the recess. The switching member has an adjusting member and a trigger plate. Under this arrangement, when the adjusting member is pressed into the recess, the trigger plate is at one position to allow the trigger to shoot in a repeat shoot mode; when the adjusting member is turned to abut against the two protrusions, the trigger plate is at another position to allow the trigger to shoot in a one shoot mode. |
| US08740030B2 |
Glass breaking device
A device for breaking glass, arranged to be mounted on a pane of a breakable substrate, and being actuatable to break the pane. In one embodiment, the device comprises a base, a plunger moveable relative the base and a pin extending from and axially moveable relative the plunger, wherein the plunger is moveable relative the base from a retracted to an extended position so when the base is placed against a first pane, a distal end of the pin strikes and breaks the first pane, and the pin is moveable relative the plunger from a retracted position to an extended position, with the plunger in its extended position, such that the distal end of the pin strikes and breaks a second pane parallel to the first pane. Preferably, the plunger and pin are biased to an extended position each by a biasing means. |
| US08740027B2 |
Backpack for filter bag used in combination with a pneumatic sander
A backpack for use in combination with a filter bag and a pneumatic sanding tool is described. The backpack comprises a backpack strap, a back panel, and an opening or a first mesh panel located in the back panel. The opening or the first mesh panel is positioned to direct exhaust air from the filter bag onto a person's back during use. |
| US08740026B2 |
Safety system and method for remotely disabling a weapon
A weapon including a first portion of a disarming protection circuit integrated into a removable magazine clip. The first portion of the disarming protection circuit is integrated into the magazine clip and includes, a high voltage source, a receiver for receiving a signal from a transmitter and an output. A second portion of the disarming protection circuit includes a conductor assembly including an electrode that extends adjacent to an inside wall of a magazine compartment. The first end of the electrode is electrically connected to a conductor connection adjacent to the output of the first portion of the circuit. A second end of the electrode is disposed through the handle and is exposed from outside the handle. An actuator generates the signal that connects the high voltage source in the circuit to the electrode in response to the output from the receiver. In response to the actuator being activated, the high voltage current source produced is electrically communicated through the electrode into the handle of the weapon with a sufficient shock to cause a person to release the weapon. |
| US08740023B2 |
One-way valve for discharge regulation in tubes, tube with such a one-way valve and method for manufacturing such a one-way valve
The invention relates to a one-way valve (1; 1′) for discharge regulation of a tube, the one-way valve (1; 1′) comprising a sealing means (9) and a ring support (8), with the sealing means (9) being at least partially inserted in the ring support (8), wherein the sealing means (9) comprises a sealing element (11) and a support element (12) that has at least one opening (10), wherein the sealing element (11) is connected to the support element (12) by anchoring means (13) and rests on the ring support (12) in a closed state of the one-way valve (1; 1′) thereby covering the at least one opening (10), and wherein the sealing element (11) is of lower bending stiffness than the support element (12) and the ring support (8). The invention furthermore relates to a tube with a tube head (2; 2′) and a container (6), wherein such a one-way valve (1; 1′) is inserted in the neck (4) of the tube head (2; 2′). Moreover the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a one-way valve (1; 1′). |
| US08740020B2 |
Post-mix beverage system
A beverage dispensing system comprises a container, an attachment mechanism, and a cartridge. The container may hold a mixing solution or liquid, such as water, to be mixed with the contents of the cartridge. The attachment mechanism is generally located within the container. The attachment mechanism may comprise an engagement assembly, a piercing portion, and a valve assembly. The engagement assembly may generally receive the cartridge within the attachment mechanism. The piercing portion may generally pierce the cartridge, thereby releasing the contents of the cartridge into the container. The valve assembly may generally open upon engagement of the cartridge with the attachment mechanism. The cartridge generally engages with the attachment mechanism to open the cartridge to be dispensed into the container, thereby combining the contents of the cartridge with the liquid within the container to create a drinkable beverage. |
| US08740019B1 |
Foam dispensing systems with multiple liquid supplies, and related refill units
An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a plate located in the housing, a first dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The first dispensing wheel has a plurality of pinch members and is rotatable about an axis. The exemplary dispenser includes a second dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The second dispensing wheel having a plurality of pinch members and rotatable about the same axis as the first dispensing wheel. Rotation of the first dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a first flexible tube against the plate and to move a first liquid through the first tube; and rotation of the second dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a second flexible tube against the plate and to move a second liquid through the first tube. The exemplary dispenser includes a motor for rotating the first and second dispensing wheels and a motor controller for starting and stopping the motor. |
| US08740015B2 |
Spray dispenser activated by sensed light level
A dispenser incorporates, or can receive, a containment portion holding a quantity of dispensable material (e.g., a pesticide). The dispenser has an indicator and a sensor, which can sense a level of light in an environment immediately surrounding the dispenser. The dispenser is formed such that when it is in use it can be set to dispense the dispensable material in response to the sensor sensing a predetermined level of light. The dispenser is formed such that once it is activated to dispense the dispensable material it cannot be deactivated until the dispensable material has been dispensed in accordance with settings of the dispenser, and when the dispensable material has been dispensed in accordance with the settings the indicator indicates that this has occurred. |
| US08740010B1 |
Cooler with locking capabilities
An insulated cooler with an integral padlock system comprises a hinged lid and a padlock receiving loop located on the lid. A second, corresponding receiving loop is disposed on the cooler. When closed, a user can apply a padlock to the first and second receiving loop simultaneously to lock the lid in a closed position to enable a user to leave the cooler unattended while full of food or beverages in a public location and prevent unauthorized persons and animals from getting into the cooler. |
| US08740006B2 |
Portable drip containment device apparatus and method
A portable drip containment device comprises a tray formed of fuel and chemical resistant fabric. Side walls of the tray are supported by removable bolster segments formed of resilient open cell foam members enclosed within sleeves. The bolster segments are wrapped within a flap of material extending from under the side wall of the tray and around the bolster segments to secure them to the side walls. The outer edge or end of the flap is secured to the side wall. The bolstered side walls may be repeatedly driven across by industrial vehicles without harming the bolster or side wall. The modular bolster segments may be removed and easily stacked, and the tray folded and rolled into a compact modular form, for transport, storage, and reuse of the portable containment tray. |
| US08740003B2 |
Dispensing containers
A dual-purpose seal is provided that forms part of a container for storing and dispensing consumer products. The container can be used in place of conventional blister packs for the packaging of pills, tablets, or capsules or in place of conventional multi-cavity containers for organizing and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensing according to a predefined dosage regimen. The container includes a tray having a generally planar top surface into which has been formed one or more discrete cavities. The seal includes a cover film having pre-formed lines of separation defining a removable portion, and a barrier film that is secured to the cover film by a layer of peelable adhesive. The barrier film has pre-formed lines of separation defining a barrier patch. The barrier film also includes a heat-sealing adhesive such that the dual-purpose seal can be adhered to the tray in two different ways. |
| US08740000B2 |
Opening device for liquid food container and liquid food container
An opening device of a liquid food container includes a bottom, a main body, and a top part joined to an upper end of the main body and formed with thermoplastic resin. The top part has a lid integrally moulded with thermoplastic resin. The lid divides the top part and includes weakening lines, a first lid part, a second lid part, and a gripper. A first hinge is formed between the first lid part and the second lid part, the weakening lines are cut when the gripper is pulled up, and the-first lid part rotates on the-first hinge such that the weakening lines open narrowly. A second hinge is formed in an edge of the second lid part, the weakening lines are cut by further pulling the gripper, and the second lid part rotates on the second hinge such that the weakening lines open more widely. |
| US08739998B2 |
Outdoor telecommunications equipment enclosures having slide lock assemblies
An outdoor telecommunications equipment enclosure includes a dome, a base for receiving the dome, and a slide lock assembly for coupling the dome to the base. The slide lock assembly includes a housing coupled to one of the dome and the base and defining a channel and a slider positioned within the channel. The slider is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position for engaging the other one of the dome and the base. In one example embodiment, one of the slider and the housing includes multiple protrusions in contact with the other one of the slider and the housing. The protrusions inhibit surface contact between the slider and the housing. In another example embodiment, the slide lock assembly includes a gasket, seal and/or plug to inhibit ingress of debris into the slide lock assembly. In yet another example embodiment, the slide lock assembly includes a rotator having an actuator head accessible to a user such that when the rotator is rotated in a first direction via the actuator head, the rotator moves the slider into the extended position. |
| US08739993B2 |
Container for spillproof container assemblies
A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body. In addition, the wing portions of the lid body are designed to slightly interfere with and cam over respective upper platforms on the wing portions of the container body so that a user will be provided with a tactical feedback as a lid body is approaching an optimal amount of tightness with respect to the container body. |
| US08739991B2 |
Stainless steel lid portion of a fluid dispenser system
In an embodiment, the device comprises a stainless steel container portion, a stainless steel annular portion, and a silicone mouthpiece portion. Fluid or other contents stored in the device only come in contact with the stainless container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion. The stainless steel container portion, the stainless steel annular portion, and the silicone mouthpiece portion all do not contain plastic, therefore the fluid in contact with these surfaces is not exposed to any toxins or other compounds found in plastic and therefore the leaching of plastic toxins and compounds cannot occur while the fluid is stored in the device. The mouthpiece portion can be any of a number of different varieties, sizes and shapes. |
| US08739989B2 |
Counterweight loading and unloading device and movable crane
A counterweight loading and unloading device and a movable crane have a freestanding pallet (10) with two ends whose upper end faces are used for holding a counterweight (61). The two ends of the freestanding pallet (10) are both equipped with a cavity, and at least one telescopic oil cylinder (11, 12, 13, and 14) is provided in the cavity. A fixed end of the telescopic oil cylinder is fixed with the freestanding pallet (10), and a telescopic end of the telescopic oil cylinder is coupled with a pallet lifting mechanism for lifting the freestanding pallet. The device is not limited by a planar space of a vehicle frame and a turntable height of the movable crane. An integral dimension of the movable crane is not increased, thus preventing integral dimension of the movable crane from exceeding a road traveling standard. The structure of the device is more compact, and the telescopic oil cylinder plays a role of the counterweight, thus enabling stress of the turntable to be more reasonable. |
| US08739987B2 |
Method and device for attaching and removing an additional device to the main boom of a mobile crane
A method and a device for attaching and removing an additional device having individual elements to and from a main boom of a mobile crane using no auxiliary crane is provided. In the method, a partial piece of the additional device having partial pieces is raised into an inclined position while being rotated about an upper pivot point, and a head of the main boom is bolted to a lower end of the inclined end of the partial piece of the additional device facing the mobile crane so as to be able to rotate. Using a hoist cable, all partial pieces are raised in alignment with respect to each other and the main boom, and are bolted to each other in this position and to the main boom. A displacement device for carrying out the method is also provided. |
| US08739984B2 |
Product management display system with trackless pusher mechanism
A product management display system for merchandising product on a shelf includes using a trackless pusher mechanism that travels along a surface on which product is placed and one or more dividers for separating product into rows. The one or more dividers may be engaged to a front rail in two different conditions, locked and unlocked. In a locked condition, the relationship between the divider and the front rail resists alteration in any direction with respect to each other. In the unlocked condition, the dividers may be freely slid laterally along the front rail, while remaining perpendicular to the front rail. The one or more dividers may lock to the front rail through the use of corresponding teeth, resilient surfaces, a locking tab, a locking bar and/or a cam. |
| US08739981B2 |
Anti-sweep hook device
There is provided a display device for supporting a plurality of items for selection by an individual, comprising: at least one elongate member for receiving said items thereon; and a head member pivotally mounted to a free end of the elongate member, the head member having an arm portion and an end projection extending substantially perpendicular to the arm portion: the head member being movable between a biased position wherein the arm portion extends substantially parallel to said elongate member to permit sliding movement of an item past said arm portion and an engaged position wherein the arm portion extends outside of a planar axis of the elongate member to prevent sliding movement of an item past the arm portion; wherein movement of said head member between said biased position and said engaged position is facilitated by sliding movement of a leading item over said end projection. |
| US08739980B2 |
Pusher hook with limited stroke
A pusher hook with limited stroke is provided. The pusher hook includes a first and a second hook. A pusher mechanism is mounted on one of the first and second hooks and operable to bias merchandise carried by one of the first and second hooks. A slidable stop is also provided to limit the forward-most travel of a pusher body of the pusher mechanism along the one of the first and second hooks. |
| US08739974B2 |
Mattress package
A mattress package having a barrier layer which encapsulates the entire mattress, two skid pads which cover and protect the top and bottom portion of the mattress, and two side trays which cover and protect the left and right sides of the mattress. The side trays cover a portion of the skid pads and the entire assembly is banded by two or more securing bands. Two or more handles are positioned on the front and back surfaces of the side trays on both the left and right sides. The handles provide grips for the mattress package to facilitate handling. The mattress package provides sufficient strength and protection to the mattress while utilizing a minimal amount of packaging materials. |
| US08739972B1 |
Insulated beverage holder with integrated alcohol beverage counter
The insulated beverage holder with integrated alcohol beverage counter includes an insulated beverage holder that is outfitted with a beverage counting mechanism. The beverage counting mechanism is able to count the number of times a beverage is consumed by counting the number of times a beverage container is replaced thereby informing the end user of the number of alcohol drinks consumed. A perimeter surface of the insulated beverage holder is adorned with a diagram that correlates the number of drinks to the applicable weight of the end user in order to calculate the approximate blood alcohol percentage. The beverage counting mechanism includes a switch in wired communication with a processing member. The processing member counts the number of times a signal is transmitted from the switch, and is further wired to a powering member, reset button, and a display. |
| US08739971B2 |
Stopper storage case
A stopper storage case has openings and drill blade insertion paths. The openings are large enough to allow a spring-like engagement portion of the stopper to pass. Each drill blade insertion path is large enough to allow a drill blade to pass. Concave parts extend from the respective openings to the drill blade insertion paths and can store stoppers of different lengths. Each of the concave parts has a protrusion to be engaged in a groove in the outer peripheral surface of the stopper. Stopper holding overhangs formed at the top of each concave part are elastic enough not to interfere with insertion of the stopper from above into the concave part and removal of the stopper from inside the concave part. |
| US08739970B2 |
Golf bag with mechanism to secure clubs
A mechanism cooperable with the stand mechanism in a stand golf bag secures the clubs in position when the bag is not on the ground and releases the clubs when the bag is set on the ground. |
| US08739968B2 |
Drain clog remover
An apparatus for removing a clog from a drain pipe includes a container comprising a product chamber, a pressurization assembly in fluid communication with the inlet, and a shaft coupled to the container, the shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end. Projections extend outwardly from the shaft. The product chamber is adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition and the product chamber has an inlet and an outlet. The pressurization assembly has a canister of pressurized fluid and an adapter coupled to the container and including a socket defining a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of the canister. The shaft has an exterior surface sized for insertion into the drain pipe. The shaft also has a channel that provides fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. |
| US08739957B2 |
Acceleration and deceleration device and acceleration and deceleration escalator including the same
An acceleration and deceleration device includes: a chain 19 that is endlessly guided along a predetermined first track; a U-shaped member 40 of which a terminal end portion is attached to the chain 19 so as to be swingable and a part from an intermediate portion to a front end portion is formed as two parallel members and which has a long and narrow U-shaped groove between the parallel members; and a subject moving body 102 that has a driving shaft sliding inside the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped member 40, wherein the driving shaft of the subject moving body 102 is rotatable with respect to the U-shaped member 40 within a predetermined range in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped member 40 and the driving shaft of the subject moving body is slidable with respect to the U-shaped member in the U-shaped groove of the U-shaped member 40. |
| US08739955B1 |
Discriminant verification systems and methods for use in coin discrimination
Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, sampling the sensor signal, generating a fingerprint of the coin from the sampled sensor signal, and calculating an appraisal using the fingerprint and a linear discriminant vector. The appraisal can be compared to a threshold to determine whether the coin is valued or impostor. In some embodiments, the linear discriminant vector can be calculated using the valued and impostor coin populations' covariance and means. |
| US08739950B2 |
Auxiliary pump system for hybrid powertrains
An auxiliary pump system for a hybrid powertrain includes a hydraulic accumulator, a hydraulic transformer, a plurality of control devices, a sump, and a plurality of fluid flow paths. The accumulator is charged by a high flow, high pressure hydraulic fluid by opening a first of the control devices and closing a second of the control devices. The accumulator is discharged by closing the first of the control devices and opening the second of the control devices. A high pressure, low flow hydraulic fluid is communicated from the accumulator to the hydraulic transformer. The hydraulic transformer converts the high pressure, low flow hydraulic fluid into a high flow, low pressure hydraulic fluid that is employed by systems within the hybrid powertrain. |
| US08739948B2 |
Support washer for shock absorber valve with blow-off tunability
A valve assembly for a shock absorber includes a valve body defining a fluid passage. A valve disc engages the valve body to close the fluid passage. A fulcrum disc engages the valve disc at a first position and a second position radially outward from the first position. The fulcrum disc is designed such that the second position is closer to the valve body. In one embodiment, the fulcrum disc is concave with respect to the valve body. |
| US08739947B2 |
Brake lining for a drum brake assembly
An improved drum brake assembly for reducing braking vibrations and noise. The improved assembly includes a pair of shoes, each extending through an arc and presenting an outer shoe surface. A pair of brake linings of a friction material are coupled to the outer shoe surface. Each of the brake linings has an upper surface and a pair of oppositely facing chamfered edges. Each chamfered edge has an arc length of no less than one inch and is disposed at an angle of between ten and twenty-five degrees from the tangent of the upper surface where it meets the chamfered edge. |
| US08739945B2 |
Disc brake adjusting device having an output side coupling ring with a defined working rotational angle
A wear adjustor adjusts the wear of brake pads and a brake disc of a pneumatic disc brake having a rotary lever brake application device. The wear adjustor is insertable into an adjusting spindle and attached to a caliper of the disc brake by a bearing disc. An axial bearing is formed axially on a side of a drive ring, and a ball ramp coupling with a freewheel function is formed axially on the opposite side of the drive ring. The ball ramp coupling includes balls and a drive socket which is arranged axially, on the drive side, between the axial bearing and the balls thereof, a cone coupling being arranged between the coupling ring on the output side and an elastic sleeve for a cylinder spring. The output-side coupling ring is designed for a working rotational angle defined by at least one fixed abutment. |
| US08739936B2 |
Elevator control of an elevator installation
An elevator control of an elevator installation having at least two elevator cars movable independently of one another in a common elevator includes a control device for maintaining a defined minimum distance between two successive ones of the elevator cars and a defined maximum distance between two successive ones of the elevator cars. |
| US08739934B2 |
User-powered water heater
Water heaters are described that are user-powered, such that external sources of power are unnecessary. The water heaters include a heating device and a generator coupled to a crank such that power is generated as the crank is rotated, which can be used to power the heating device. |
| US08739933B2 |
Oil pump for a refrigeration compressor
An oil pump is applied to a compressor which comprises a shell (1) inferiorly defining an oil reservoir (3) and carrying: a cylinder block (2) in which is journalled a crankshaft (4) carrying a pump body of the oil pump, said pump body (11) having a lower end (lib) immersed in the oil (3) and comprising: at least one collecting wall portion (12) eccentric in relation to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft (4) and which is deformed to present at least one open step (13) disposed in a plane secant to a cross section of the pump body (11) in the region of said collecting wall portion (12) and defining an opening (13a) for admitting oil to the interior of the pump body (11); and an inner impeller wall portion (14) defining a deflector transversal to the direction of admission of the oil through the open step (13) and which, with the rotation of the pump body (11), impels said oil axially and ascendingly. |
| US08739929B2 |
Retractable horizontal lifeline assembly
A retractable horizontal lifeline assembly includes a lifeline windable about and paid out from a rotatable drum and a housing. The housing includes a first connector and is configured and arranged to house the drum and the lifeline wound about a base of the drum. The first connector is operatively connected to a first anchorage structure, the lifeline is pulled outward from proximate the housing thereby paying out at least a portion of the lifeline from the drum, a second connector operatively connected to the lifeline is operatively connected to a second anchorage structure, and the lifeline is tensioned using a crank that rotates the drum to increase the tension in the lifeline and provides indication when the tension in the lifeline reaches a predetermined level. |
| US08739924B2 |
Acoustic panel
An apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved acoustic panel comprising a sound absorbing member defined by a first and second face surface and a plurality of peripheral edges. A sound blocking member is defined by a first and second face surface and a plurality of peripheral edge. The first face surface of the sound blocking member is secured relative to the second face surface of the sound absorbing member for blocking the transmission of sound therethrough. In another embodiment, the first face surface of the sound blocking member is spaced relative to the second face surface of the sound absorbing member for decoupling the sound blocking member from the sound absorbing member. |
| US08739921B1 |
Sealing, absorbing, and decoupling speaker ring kit
An acoustic system kit for a vehicle speaker and associated methods of installation and manufacture are disclosed. A drum of open-cell foam, preferably several inches thick, having a peel-and-stick pressure-sensitive adhesive backing is cut with two concentric circles to create an outer ring, and inner ring, and a core. The parts are sized to correspond in diameter, respectively, to the front edge, rear edge, and back disc of a particular size of speaker. The inner ring is cut circumferentially to reduce its height to a thin strip relative to the outer ring and drum. Using the pressure-sensitive adhesive, the core is affixed to the inside wall of vehicle door directly behind the door's speaker mount, the inner ring is affixed to the rear edge of a speaker to be installed, and the outer ring is affixed to front edge of the speaker. The speaker is then installed on its mount. |
| US08739916B2 |
Gas delivery device and vehicle
A scent delivery device includes two substrate units and a drive voltage power supply unit. A gap is provided between the two substrate units. The substrate units are placed so that the principal surfaces of their respective substrates face the gap. Each of the substrate units includes a plurality of linear electrodes. The linear electrodes are formed and arranged in the width direction on the principal surface of each of the substrates, and are electrically connected every predetermined period in their arrangement order. The drive voltage power supply unit applies drive voltages having the same repeating pattern to each set of electrically connected linear electrodes, with a predetermined phase difference. This configuration causes the frequencies of drive voltages applied to the respective substrate units to differ from each other, thereby setting the blowing direction to an arbitrary direction. |
| US08739915B2 |
Drivetrain and method for controlling a drivetrain
A drivetrain for a motor vehicle, which has a permanently driven rear axle and a front axle which is driven on demand. The drivetrain comprises a drive unit whose output is connected to an input member of a differential of the rear axle and to a clutch arrangement for driving the front axle. The clutch arrangement has a first and a second friction clutch which can be controlled substantially independently of one another. The input members of said friction clutches are connected to the output of the drive unit. The output members of said friction clutches being connected respectively to a left and to a right driveshaft of the front axle. |
| US08739910B2 |
Power supply system for electric vehicle
A power supply system for an electric vehicle includes a battery, a first power line, a first connector, a first shock absorbing member, a first rigid member, and a second rigid member. The first rigid member includes a first front connection portion and a rear portion. The second rigid member includes a first rear connection portion and a front portion. The rear portion of the first rigid member is contactable with the front portion of the second rigid member at a contact point when a front-end collision of the electric vehicle occurs. The first connector is disposed within a first triangular region defined by the first front connection portion, the first rear connection portion, and the contact point in a plan view of the electric vehicle. |
| US08739908B2 |
Motor driven vehicle
A motor driven vehicle can include a swing arm swingably mounted to a vehicle body of a motor driven vehicle, and housing an electric motor driving a drive wheel of the vehicle. A pipe-like duct can have one end side connected to a hole communicating with an inside space of the swing arm, and another end side extending toward a vehicle body side. A harness, configured to drive the electric motor, can be inserted through the duct. |
| US08739906B2 |
Hybrid-type construction machine and control method for hybrid-type construction machine
A hybrid-type construction machine includes a controller configured to control a revolution speed of an engine; a hydraulic pump configured to be driven by the engine; a motor generator configured to assist the engine; and a hydraulic circuit configured to supply an operating oil discharged from the hydraulic pump to a hydraulic load, wherein when the controller determines that the hydraulic circuit is in an excessive output state, the controller controls the revolution speed of the engine so as to be lower than an ordinary revolution speed of the engine while controlling the motor generator to generate electricity. |
| US08739905B1 |
Drive assembly
A drive apparatus driven by a prime mover that has a prime mover output shaft is disclosed. The drive apparatus has a housing and a power take off. The power take off is driven by the prime mover output shaft and selectively drives a power take off output shaft. The drive apparatus further has a variable speed transmission disposed within the housing. The variable speed transmission drives a transmission output shaft, which in turn drives a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism. A first drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the first clutch mechanism and a second drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the second clutch mechanism. |
| US08739895B2 |
Machine tool
The machine tool includes a pneumatic percussion mechanism having a cup-shaped exciter cylinder (21) with an inner chamber (31) which is open in the direction of impact (26), and a free piston (22) which is movable in the inner chamber (31). A recess (32) and at least one ventilation opening (35), spaced at a distance from the recess (32) in the direction of impact (26), are provided in a shell-type wall (39) of the inner chamber (31). The free piston (22) includes a sealing element (53) which seals off the at least one ventilation opening (35) when the sealing element (53) is oppositely situated from the at least one ventilation opening (35), and which in the region of the recess (32) is separated at a distance from the shell-type wall (39) when the sealing element (53) is oppositely situated from the recess. |
| US08739894B2 |
Handheld work apparatus
The invention relates to a handheld work apparatus having a handle. A throttle trigger and a throttle trigger lock are arranged on the handle. An operating-mode selector having an off position, an operating position and a starting position is provided. The selector, trigger lock and the trigger are pivotally mounted. A first latching element is provided on the selector and a second latching element is provided on the trigger element, which coact in the starting position of the selector and the starting position of the trigger and hold the trigger in its starting position. To ensure that the starting position of the selector can only be engaged when the trigger is actuated, the second latching element lies outside of the pivot path of the first latching element in the non-actuated position of the trigger. |
| US08739883B2 |
Internal tree cap and ITC running tool
Internal tree cap (201) (ITC) adapted to be installed in the bore of a subsea well unit (301) or to an internal tubular element (303) of the same, comprising a locking element (209) for releasably locking the internal tree cap (201) to said subsea well unit (301) or internal tubular element (303). The ITC further comprises a fluid channel (215) extending through a fluid barrier between the lower and upper part of the internal tree cap (201), which fluid channel (215) is blocked by a burst element (217) adapted to break and open for fluid flow through the fluid channel (215) when exposed to a predetermined pressure difference over the burst element (217). The invention also relates to an ITC running tool (101) and a locking mechanism (117) for supporting the ITC in the tool. |
| US08739876B2 |
Nanohybrid-stabilized emulsions and methods of use in oil field applications
Methods of using nanohybrid-stabilized emulsions in a well are provided that include the steps of: (a) forming an emulsion comprising: (i) a nanohybrid; (ii) water or an aqueous solution; and (iii) a water-immiscible liquid; (b) introducing a well fluid comprising the emulsion into a well; and (c) after the step of introducing, modifying the nanohybrid to break the emulsion in the well. The methods can be used in various applications, such as in drilling, completion, or intervention operations. |
| US08739874B2 |
Methods for heating with slots in hydrocarbon formations
Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. Some methods include providing heat to a first section of the hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the first section to mobilize formation fluid; and producing formation fluid from the formation. |
| US08739871B2 |
Thermally-activated, high temperature particulate suspending agents and methods relating thereto
A particulate suspending agent may be useful for mitigating particulate settling in wellbore applications with high-temperature and/or at near-neutral and higher pH values. Methods of treating a wellbore may include providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous liquid, a plurality of particulates, and a particulate suspending agent, wherein the particulate suspending agent comprises a crosslinked polymer particulate formed by a reaction comprising a first monofunctional monomer and an orthoester crosslinker, the orthoester crosslinker comprising an orthoester linkage and at least two crosslinking moieties; and placing the treatment fluid in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. |
| US08739870B2 |
System and method for sealing gravel exit ports in gravel pack assemblies
A system having a sealing assembly for a gravel port in a gravel pack apparatus. The sealing assembly includes a sealing element around an outer circumference of the gravel pack assembly above the gravel pack and below the gravel port. The sealing element is on the outside housing of the gravel pack apparatus or on a separate piece of equipment located above the gravel pack and below the gravel port, permitting a larger flow bore through the gravel pack apparatus. The sealing element may be selectively actuated after the gravel pack operation has concluded, thus maintaining the gravel pack in the desired location. The removal of a gravel pack tool may permit the sealing element to be actuated. |
| US08739869B2 |
Systems and methods for enhanced waterfloods
Methods for enhanced oil recovery from a subterranean formation including adding a first salt to a first aqueous stream to form a first injection stream with an increased concentration of a first ion. A second salt is added to a second aqueous stream to form a second injection stream with an increased concentration of a second ion. The second injection stream is of different composition than the first injection stream and the first injection stream and the second injection stream have substantially the same interfacial tension with a hydrocarbon and substantially the same kinematic viscosity. The first injection stream is injected into the formation at a first time and the second injection stream is injected into the formation at a second time. The first injection stream and second injection stream contact at least some overlapping portion of the formation. Oil is recovered from the overlapping portion of the formation. |
| US08739868B2 |
System and method of strain measurement amplification
A technique physically amplifies strain to facilitate measurement of strain/displacement. A strain amplifying mechanism is mounted to a component being monitored for strain and comprises an input port and an output port. The strain amplifying mechanism is attached to the component such that the input port moves when the component undergoes strain. Movement of the input port causes movement of the output port over a distance greater than the physical movement of the input port. A strain sensor is coupled to the output port to detect its movement over the greater distance. |
| US08739866B2 |
Method for extracting bitumen and/or ultra-heavy oil from an underground deposit, associated installation and operating method for said installation
A method for extracting bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil from an underground deposit is provided. The energy for producing the steam and for the electric heating is generated in situ, for which purpose part of the extracted bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil is burned in an industrial turbine with a downstream generator coupled to the turbine. The industrial turbine may be a gas turbine or a steam turbine. In particular the industrial turbine with downstream generator is assigned a waste heat recovery steam generator which serves for generating the steam and accordingly takes the form of a boiler. Through intermediate storage of the bitumen and/or ultra-heavy oil produced it is possible to implement a self-contained closed circuit which operates autonomously, independently of any external energy supply, using approx. 20% of the extracted bitumen and/or extra-heavy oil for the purposes of extraction. |
| US08739861B2 |
Electrical wiring for drill pipe, casing, and tubing
An apparatus includes a first pin and a second pin. The first pin has a first joint section. The first joint section has first holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a first preload face. The second pin has a second joint section. The second joint section has second holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a second preload face. The second joint section is adapted to receive the first joint section and the first holes match the second holes when the first pin and the second pin are mated. |
| US08739859B2 |
Reversible thermal rectifiers, temperature control systems and vehicles incorporating the same
Reversible thermal rectifiers for selectively controlling the direction of heat flow include a plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects disposed in a fluid medium, wherein each of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects include a refractive side and a reflective side such that heat flows past the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects when approaching from the refractive side, and heat is reflected from the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects when approaching from the reflective side, and a bidirectional field actuator system that selectively orients the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects between a first orientation, wherein the reflective sides of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects face a first direction, and a second orientation, wherein the reflective sides of the plurality of asymmetrically shaped objects face a second direction, substantially opposite the first direction. |
| US08739858B2 |
Evaporator and vapor production method
An evaporator includes a double pipe provided between an outer cylindrical member and an inner cylindrical member. The double pipe includes an inner pipe as a passage of water and an outer pipe as a passage of raw fuel. The inner pipe has a plurality of small holes connected to the outer pipe for maintaining the pressurized state of the water in the inner pipe. When the water gushes out of the small holes of the inner pipe in the outer pipe, phase transition of the water from the liquid phase to the gas phase occurs, and the water vapor is mixed with the raw fuel in the gas phase in the outer pipe. |
| US08739850B2 |
Pneumatic tire
A side wall portion including, in a specific region in a tire radial direction, a decorative region including two or more decorative portions that are continuously disposed so as to be contiguous in a tire circumferential direction, the decorative portions including multiple convex ridges that are disposed on an outer surface so as to be adjacent in the tire circumferential direction. The ridges in the same decorative portion have a same ridge arrangement angle, and the ridge arrangement angle of the contiguous decorative portion differs therefrom not less than 20° and not more than 160°. In all regions in the tire circumferential direction, at least one side in the tire radial direction of the decorative portion overlaps with the contiguous decorative portion. A distance between a first imaginary boundary line and a second imaginary boundary line is less than 1 mm. |
| US08739847B2 |
Heavy duty tire
A heavy duty tire comprises a tread portion provided with a central circumferential groove, a crown circumferential groove on each side thereof and crown axial grooves extending therebetween so as to for crown blocks. The crown block is circumferentially subdivides into two block pieces by a crown narrow groove. The crown axial groove is provided in the groove bottom with a tie bar rising therefrom and connecting the circumferentially adjacent two crown blocks each other. The crown axial grooves are inclined at an angle α of from 10 to 30 degrees with respect to the tire axial direction.The central circumferential groove and an axially inner part of the crown axial groove which part is axially inside the tie bar, are shallower than the crown circumferential groove. |
| US08739842B2 |
Method for adjusting air to liquid ratio in vapor recovery system
An air to liquid regulator valve for use with a vapor recovery system that recovers vapors expelled from a vehicle receiving fuel through a fuel supply passage and returns the vapors to an underground storage tank through a vapor return passage in a service station environment. The regulator valve includes a housing defining a fuel flow path in fluid communication with the fuel supply passage and a vapor return path in fluid communication with the vapor return passage, a vapor return orifice defined by the housing and disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the vapor return path, and a vapor flow bypass in fluid communication with the first portion and the second portion of the vapor return path such that the flow of vapors through both the vapor flow bypass and the vapor return orifice is possible. |
| US08739837B2 |
Insulating molded part
An insulating molded part for a hot gas conducting component, in particular an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, is described, which exhibits increased mechanical strength by using an insulating fibrous tissue. |
| US08739836B2 |
Refrigerant-transporting hose
A refrigerant-transporting hose includes a tubular inner layer 1 in contact with a fluorine refrigerant, an intermediate layer 2 formed on an outer periphery surface thereof, and at least one rubber layer 3 and 5 formed on a further outer periphery thereof, and the inner layer 1 is made of a inner layer material including maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene as a main component and the intermediate layer 2 is made of a intermediate layer material including polyamide resin as a main component. |
| US08739831B2 |
Self-reset valve
A self-reset valve has a fixed unit, a water diversion body, a stop mechanism, a drive shaft and a clutch. The fixed unit is disposed with an inlet waterway and at least two waterways. The water diversion body is rotatably connected to the fixed unit inside. The water diversion body is disposed with an outer revolution surface having an outer ratch and an inner revolution surface. The stop mechanism is connected to the fixed unit and acted on the outer ratch. The drive shaft is rotatably connected to the fixed unit. The drive shaft is disposed with a control end and a drive end. The clutch is connected between the drive end of the drive shaft and the inner revolution surface of the water diversion body. The reset elastic body is connected between the drive shaft and the fixed unit. |
| US08739827B2 |
Single-lever mixing gear for a plumbing fixture
Conventional single-lever plumbing fixtures include a so-called cartridge in which the cold and hot water streams fed to said plumbing fixture are discharged into sanitary equipment or are blocked and are mixed with each other. |
| US08739825B2 |
Device for burst pipe safety
A device for the protection against the rupture of pipes carrying a fluid includes two or more flow channels and a closing element which interrupts the flow of fluid if a predetermined permissible volume flow is exceeded. At least one of the flow channels can be closed by a test closure in order to increase the flow speed in the remaining flow channels and for test purposes to bring about a movement of the closing element into the closing position. In this way, devices for the protection against the rupture of pipes integrated into complex systems carrying a fluid can be tested in situ to verify their proper functioning. |
| US08739821B2 |
Fuel tank
A fuel introduction member is connected to an open end of a siphon tube which constitutes a part of a fuel tank. The fuel introduction member is provided with an opening through which a fuel is introduced from the tank into the siphon tube and from the siphon into the tank, a lid portion which is swung by the hydraulic pressure from the siphon tube so as to open the opening, and a float member which floats on the fuel in accordance with the rise of a fuel liquid surface in the tank to displace the lid portion in order to open the opening. |
| US08739819B2 |
Fluid regulator having pressure registration flow modifier
A fluid regulating device includes a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, a valve port, and a control element shiftable within the valve body. A control assembly includes an actuator coupled to the control element and includes a diaphragm disposed adjacent a diaphragm chamber. A sense tube has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the first end positioned to communicate with the diaphragm chamber, the second end disposed adjacent the outlet, and the intermediate portion disposed adjacent an intermediate portion of the outlet. The sense tube includes a shoulder and a flared portion, with the flared portion disposed adjacent the second end. |
| US08739816B2 |
Fire hydrant box
A fire hydrant box accommodates a hand held firefighting spray gun, a water inlet pipe with a rotary connector and a connection unit. A positioning member capable of bearing gravity is installed on the sidewall inside the box. A rotary member is movably connected with the positioning member, from which two supporting members extend to engage and support a rotary base of a firefighting hose assembly. The rotary base includes a rolling mechanism used to roll the fire hose thereon. Two rolling disks are provided to two sides of the rolling mechanism. One rolling disk is provided with a handle to roll and release the fire hose, and the other rolling disk is connected to the water inlet pipe. The connection unit can be easily rotated out of the accommodating space in order for the fireman to easily access the fire hose and the firefighting spray gun. |
| US08739814B2 |
Wall-mounted faucet control module
A wall-mounted faucet control comprises: a control handle and three joints. Each joint has an insertion aperture. Each insertion aperture has a different cross-sectional shape such that the control handle can be installed with the various control rods. Each insertion aperture has a limiting aperture at one end, and the limiting aperture further provides a locking member and a washer. An assembling slot is disposed adjacent to the insertion aperture of each joint, and the assembling slot engages with a screwing member of the control handle. Two joints further have the securing aperture connected to the insertion aperture adjacent to the assembling slot, and the securing aperture engages with a securing member. The joints of the control handle can be correspondingly alternated for the various valve rods. The control handle can be installed with the various water valves, which can provide variety and convenience. |
| US08739812B2 |
Rotary supply joint, rotary timing valve and product handling apparatus
A rotary supply joint that may, in particular be a rotary timing valve, is provided for providing fluid flow at least periodically from inlet ports to outlet ports when respective openings in first and second surfaces which are rotating relative to each other are aligned, in which a gas bearing is arranged to provide a bearing force between the first and second surfaces. |
| US08739808B2 |
Programmable steam trap apparatus
An apparatus and a method for removing condensate and unwanted gas from vapor/liquid systems while preventing steam loss are provided. The steam trap apparatus replaces the automatic valve type steam trap with an efficient, controllable, and programmable steam trap. In addition, the improved steam trap apparatus allows for real-time data collection during sterilization and other operations. |
| US08739803B2 |
Hair extension device
In one configuration of the present invention, a hair extension device for providing a user with the appearance of having longer, fuller hair is disclosed. The device may have a hair cluster having a hair flap which in turn comprises one or more hair wefts. The hair wefts may contain a number of hair strands connected together by seams which composes the band. The device may contain a filament which may be sandwiched between one or more flaps. The hair wefts may be sewn together with thread using a zigzag stitch for example. The hair extension device may be reversible and it may comprise lace and a tension band. |
| US08739801B2 |
System and method for identifying a landmark
A system (10, 110) for identifying a landmark is disclosed. The system includes a field generator (16, 116) for generating a magnetic field, an orthopaedic implant (30, 130) located within the magnetic field, the implant having at least one landmark (31) and a first magnetic sensor (32) spaced apart from the landmark, a landmark identifier (18, 118) with a second magnetic sensor (20, 120) and a processor (12, 112) for comparing sensor data from the first and second sensor and using the set distance to calculate the position of the landmark identifier relative to the at least one landmark. The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks. |
| US08739799B2 |
Non-contact electronic tool for dream enhancement
This invention pertains to a non-contact electronic device for the enhancement of dreaming. By enhancement it is meant increasing the frequency, the length, the lucidity, and the color of dreaming. For example, one person who dreams in grey shades now dreams in color when using the device. The device will also allow better recall of the dreams. Dream enhancement is generally a pleasant process and promotes a pleasant feeling in the morning after use. The device is a passive electronic device, that is, it is not actively powered. The user places the device a few feet away during sleep. The device uses a piezo-crystal and an iron core. It is believed that ambient fluctuations in the piezo-crystal's voltage produce an influence field that is broadcasted through the iron core to the user a few feet away. |
| US08739793B2 |
Patient interface device including a coating adhesive layer
Various embodiments of a patient interface device, such as a mask (10, 46), nasal pillow (42), or nasal cannula (54, 76, 76′, 78, 82, 90 96), that includes an adhesive layer (40) provided on a surface thereof that is structured to temporarily bond to the skin of a user of the patient interface device. The adhesive layer may include a bonding agent, such as a polymer gel, having a residual extraction force of between about 50 grams and about 200 grams. |
| US08739786B2 |
Portable hand-held vaporizer heating assembly
A portable hand-held vaporizer assembly that has a body shaped to fit substantially within a standard-sized clothing pocket with the body including an airflow chamber defining an airflow passage and having a proximal end and a distal end, opposite to the proximal end, defining a distal opening that places the airflow passage in fluid communication with an outside environment, the airflow chamber being at least partially encapsulated within the body. The body further having a convection-based heating element assembly with a heating element having a portion thermally coupled to the airflow passage, a herb placement zone in fluid communication with the airflow passage, and a conductive conduit that places the airflow passage in fluid communication with the outside environment, with a first position where a distal end of the conduit is substantially recessed within the body and second position where the distal end extends a length away from the body. |
| US08739785B2 |
Inhaler
An inhalation device comprising a base having a slot for insertion of a single blister containing a dose of medicament to be inhaled into the base is disclosed. The inhaler has a mouthpiece pivotably mounted to the base which carries a blister piercing element operable to pierce a blister received in said slot when the mouthpiece is pivoted relative to the base. When a user inhales on the mouthpiece, the dose is entrained in an airflow and flows out of the blister through the mouthpiece and into the user's airway. |
| US08739783B2 |
Fluid product dispensing device
A fluid dispenser device comprising: at least one predosed reservoir (10) that is hermetically sealed and that contains a single dose of powder; an expulsion channel (20) that is terminated by a mouthpiece; and a reservoir opening system (30), each reservoir (10) including a closure layer (12) that is suitable for being pierced and/or torn by said opening system (30) so as to enable the powder that is contained in said reservoir (10) to be expelled through said expulsion channel (20), said reservoir opening system (30) comprising at least two piercer elements (31) that are actuated so as to create at least two distinct openings (25, 26) in said closure layer (12), forming at least one inlet passage (25) for the flow of gas, in particular air, and at least one outlet passage (26) for the powder entrained by said flow of gas, and said device including an inhalation trigger system (50) that creates a flow of gas in said expulsion channel (20) only when a user inhales at or above a predetermined inhalation threshold. |
| US08739782B2 |
Powder inhalation device
A powder inhaler comprising: a body that is provided with a dispenser orifice; a plurality of reservoirs each containing a dose of powder; a perforator to perforate a predosed reservoir on each actuation; and a dispersion channel including an inlet that is connected to the perforator and that receives the dose of powder from the reservoir, and an outlet connected to the dispenser orifice, the perforator controlled by inhalation, the dispersion channel including two bent channel portions, a first bent channel portion that is connected to said inlet via a first substantially-rectilinear channel portion, and a second bent channel portion connected to the outlet via a second substantially-rectilinear channel portion, the two bent channel portions being interconnected via a third substantially-rectilinear channel portion, the cross-section of the third substantially-rectilinear channel portion being smaller than the cross-section of the first substantially-rectilinear channel portion. |
| US08739779B2 |
Branching unit for delivering respiratory gas of a subject
A branching unit for delivering a respiratory gas of a subject is disclosed herein. The branching unit includes a first limb for delivering an expiratory gas during an expiratory phase and a second limb for delivering an inspiratory gas during an inspiratory phase. The branching unit also includes a third limb connecting with the first limb and the second limb for delivering both said expiratory gas and said inspiratory gas and at least one port for a medical appliance. |
| US08739777B2 |
Inhalation therapy device with a nozzle nebuliser
The invention relates to an inhalation therapy device with a nozzle nebuliser, in particular with a nozzle nebuliser having a nozzle element which is easy to clean and is thereby simple and reliable to handle so that the nozzle is not damaged and the geometry of the nozzle is not affected during cleaning. The aerosol generator comprises a nozzle element, said nozzle consisting of at least a first part and a second part, said first part of the nozzle element being made of a more resilient material than said second part of the nozzle element, and said first part of the nozzle element being attached to said second part of the nozzle element. Owing to the resilient material, the nozzle can deform during cleaning and can return to the original shape without altering its initial geometry. |
| US08739776B2 |
Solar light condensing system
Problem to be Solved The present invention is made in view of the above-described circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a sunlight collecting system achieving suppression of power generation cost with the receiver which enables suppressing the manufacturing, transportation and construction costs, facilitating recovery work in the case of occurrence of a failure, and promptly recovering a heating medium circulating inside the receiver in an emergency.Means for Solving the Problem A sunlight collecting system in which sunlight is reflected by a plurality of heliostats onto a heat receiving portion having a heating medium circulated therein and then energy is drawn from the heating medium, characterized in that the sunlight collecting system is configured such that: the heat receiving portion is formed by assembling a plurality of modules, each of the modules includes an upper header, a lower header, and a plurality of heat receiving tubes connecting the two headers, and the heating medium circulates in the modules. |
| US08739768B2 |
Introduction of ventilation gases via individual passages to the intake ports
An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of PCV ports formed internally within the engine block and the cylinder head. The PCV ports directly connect a crankcase chamber with each of a plurality of intake ports defined by the cylinder head. The blow-by gases that accumulate within the crankcase chamber are directly vented through the internal PCV ports into the intake ports. |
| US08739762B2 |
Engine controlling apparatus
An engine controlling apparatus includes an idle speed setting unit that sets a target idle speed upon idling of an engine mounted on a vehicle, and a target torque setting unit that sets a target torque in response to the target idle speed. The apparatus further includes an ignition timing controlling unit that controls an ignition timing and an intake air amount controlling unit that controls an intake air amount, and a steering angle detection unit that detects a steering angle. The apparatus further includes a torque value setting unit that sets a torque value in response to the steering angle. The intake air amount controlling unit controls the intake air amount in response to both the target torque and the torque value. The ignition timing controlling unit controls the ignition timing so that the engine outputs the target torque. |
| US08739758B2 |
Synchronizing clutch mechanism for a split crankshaft in an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of subunits which each comprise a crankshaft part, at least one piston being accommodated on a crank of each crankshaft part by means of a connecting rod, wherein at least one first subunit is permanently operated while the internal combustion engine is operating, and at least one additional subunit can be switched off. To switch off a subunit and to disconnect the crankshaft parts from each other, the crankshaft parts of at least one first subunit and an adjacent second subunit that can be switched off are connected to each other in a rotationally locked manner and can move relative to each other with respect to the rotational axes thereof in such a way that a rotational motion applied to the crankshaft part of the second subunit by the crankshaft part of the first subunit is substantially suspended. |
| US08739757B2 |
Lubrication system of an internal combustion engine
In a lubrication system of an internal combustion engine provided with a generator that generates electricity by making use of the power generated by the engine, and a heating mechanism that heats lubricating oil of the engine by making use of the energy generated when the generator carries out a power generation operation, a comparison is made between an amount of decrease of an engine load in cases where the heating mechanism heats the lubricating oil and an amount of increase of the engine load in cases where the generator carries out the power generation operation for the purpose of the operation of the heating mechanism, and permits the power generation operation of the generator in order to supply energy to the heating mechanism in cases where the amount of decrease of the engine load exceeds the amount of increase of the engine load. |
| US08739756B2 |
Engine assembly with engine block-integrated cooling system
A cooling system for an engine assembly includes an engine block that defines a coolant flow passage configured to carry coolant through the engine block. The engine block also defines an oil flow passage configured to carry lubricating oil through the engine block. The oil flow passage at least partially surrounds the coolant flow passage and is sufficiently adjacent to the coolant flow passage so that the lubricating oil flowing in the oil flow passage is cooled by the coolant flowing in the coolant flow passage by heat transfer through the engine block. The engine block may define ridges along the coolant flow passage that increase a surface area of the coolant flow passage to increase heat transfer capability. The engine block may define two such coolant flow passages, a first and a second coolant flow passage, positioned so that the oil flow passage passes between the coolant flow passages. |
| US08739752B2 |
Intake duct for vehicles
An intake duct for a vehicle having an inlet port formed so that the open side faces obliquely upward. The intake duct includes an inlet part formed in a flat shape expanding in the lateral direction crossing an air stream direction and a deflector provided in an air stream passage of the inlet part and extending in the left-and-right direction of the air stream passage. The intake duct further includes a first support member, which is provided between the deflector and the lower wall portion of the inlet part, and a second support member, which is provided between the deflector and the upper wall portion of the inlet part. |
| US08739747B2 |
Piston cooling apparatus
The present invention relates to a piston cooling device for cooling a piston. The piston cooling device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a cooling channel that is formed in a piston such that cooling fluid flows, and communicates with an intake port through which cooling fluid flows inside from the outside at a point and with an exhaust port through which the cooling fluid is discharged outside at another point; and a flow guide part that is formed in the cooling channel and guides the cooling fluid, which flows in the cooling channel through the intake port when the piston moves up or down, to flow to the exhaust port through the cooling channel. |
| US08739737B2 |
Rack system and monitoring for animal husbandry
A rack system having shelves configured to support a plurality of disposable animal cages may include a modular configuration that is adapted to easily provide a desired rack size during manufacturing. A rack system may also include shelves which are configured to receive disposable cages and which have spring biased rails configured to receive edges of the disposable cages and provide a spring bias pushing apertures of a cage against nozzles of the shelf to provide a seal therebetween. A rack system may also include shelves which are configured to receive disposable cages and which have resilient flexible lids configured to deflect for releasable engagement into the rack assembly and establish a seal between the nozzle and receptacle for a controllable flow of air therethrough. A rack system may also include a monitoring system that includes at least one sensor in communication with a exhaust manifold of a cage that provides information to a controller that communicates cage conditions to a user via a graphic user interface. The controller may also provide information to a user independent of sensor data. |
| US08739733B2 |
Top-fill hummingbird feeder with float valve base closure mechanism
A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a liquid container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the liquid container, and a valve or sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The feeding basin includes an upwardly extending cylindrical well that receives the lower end of the liquid container, and the valve or sealing mechanism includes a float valve associated with the well. The feeding basin is filled by gravity feed of the liquid in the container through the liquid flow opening when the sealing mechanism is open. When the feeding basin reaches a full position, the liquid nectar raises the float valve which, in turn, acts to close the liquid flow opening. |
| US08739732B2 |
Plasma treatment container internal member, and plasma treatment apparatus having the plasma treatment container internal member
A plasma treatment container internal member, which is used in a plasma treatment container for performing a process on an object to be treated by plasma, includes an anodic oxide coating formed on a surface of a base material of the plasma treatment container internal member by an anodic oxidation treatment using plasma discharge, and a thermally sprayed film formed on the anodic oxide coating. The anodic oxidation treatment includes immersing the base material in an alkaline organic solvent, and performing the plasma discharge in the alkaline organic solvent. |
| US08739731B2 |
Delivery assembly
A delivery assembly for depositing a gasket made of polymeric material within a seat having a predefined shape provided within a product, which comprises at least one working head provided with a nozzle for dispensing the polymeric material substantially in the liquid state. An increase in volume is associated with the polymeric material at the phase transition from liquid to solid; the expanded gasket, due to the increase in volume, defines by interference a stable coupling with the seat. |
| US08739729B2 |
Chemical liquid supply unit, and substrate treating apparatus and method using the same
Provided are a substrate treating unit, and substrate treating apparatus and method using the same. Two nozzle arms are provided, and photoresist liquid nozzles and an organic solvent nozzle are installed in each of the nozzle arms. A temperature of a photoresist liquid flowing into the photoresist liquid nozzles and a temperature of an organic solvent flowing into the organic solvent nozzle are maintained by a temperature control fluid supplied through the same passage. Also, a waiting port in which a nozzle arm used in a process temporarily waits is provided. The organic solvent is provided to a photoresist liquid nozzle that is not used in a process and is not provided to a photoresist liquid nozzle used in the process. |
| US08739725B2 |
Marine barrier gate
A marine barrier gate includes a pleated row of buoyant panels movable between an expanded position and a retracted position, where the panels are substantially parallel. A first buoy is attached to a first end of the panel row, and a second buoy is remote from the panels when the panels are in the retracted position. The second buoy has a tow winch and cable attached to a second end opposite the first end, for moving the panels from the retracted position to the expanded position. The first buoy comprises a catenary winch and cable movably engagable with the panels and attached to the second buoy. When the panels are in the retracted position, the catenary winch sets a length or tension of the catenary cable such that it absorbs catenary loads on the barrier when the panels are moved to the expanded position by the tow winch. |
| US08739724B2 |
Inflatable dry-dock
The apparatus and method described herein provides a waterproof, barrier between the hull of the watercraft while the watercraft is still in the water and at a dock. In addition, the apparatus provides a resilient inflated perimeter to which further protects the hull of the vessel from accidental contact with and damage from the dock and other rigid elements which it may contact. |
| US08739716B2 |
Automated quilting and tufting system
An automated quilting and tufting system for application of tufts at selected locations along a web of material, including a sewing head receiving a series of tufts or rosettes from a supply. The tufts are removed from their supply and are placed at selected locations on the web of material for attachment to the web of material by the sewing head. Thereafter, the web of material can be cut to form a panel of a desired size. |
| US08739713B2 |
Sewing method for a cover material
A sewing machine is provided with a sensor member, and a feed rate of cover pieces is changed after detecting a conductive thread that is arranged in front, in a direction of travel, of a sewing needle. A position through which the sewing needle will pass is changed to a position other than a position where the conductive thread is arranged, which is different from an initially set position. |
| US08739712B2 |
Punch data generating device and computer readable medium storing punch data generating program
A punch data generating device is disclosed that generates punch data for execution with an embroiderable sewing machine including a needle bar allowing attachment of a punch needle for forming a plurality of small holes on a sheet of workpiece by piercing the workpiece in dot-by-dot strokes of the punch needle, a transfer mechanism that transfers the workpiece in two predetermined directions in coordination with an up and down movement of the punch needle to execute a holing operation for forming the small holes on the workpiece. The punch data generating device includes a cut data generator that generates cut data constituting the punch data, the cut data being configured to instruct consecutive formation of the small holes at least along an outline of a pattern section of the workpiece in which a predetermined pattern is drawn to allow cutting of the outline. |
| US08739709B2 |
Combined treatment process of domestic garbage and sewage
A combined treatment process of domestic garbage and sewage, comprising the following steps: {circle around (1)} sorting iron out of the domestic garbage; {circle around (2)} crushing the domestic garbage in which the iron has been removed; {circle around (3)} feeding the crushed domestic garbage into a sewage treatment tank, adding water and blowing air into the sewage treatment tank, where the domestic garbage is divided into floating substances, suspended substances, and settled substances; {circle around (4)} salvaging, dehydrating and drying the floating substances and then combusting them as fuel; {circle around (5)} collecting, filtering and drying the settled substances, wherein the settled substances having a calorific value of more than 4180 kJ/kg are burnt as fuel, the burnt substances and the settled substances having a calorific value of less than 4180 kJ/kg are used to replace clay material in a cement plant or used for making bricks; {circle around (6)} adding a flocculant into the sewage in which the floating substances and the settled substances have been removed so as to make the suspended substances settle, the suspended substances which have been settled are treated according to step {circle around (5)}; and {circle around (7)} treating the sewage. The process of the present invention effectively combines the domestic garbage treatment and sewage treatment, realizing the comprehensive treatment of domestic garbage and sewage as well as efficient utilization of resources. |
| US08739707B2 |
Table top
A folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached. A first pivotal support brace includes a distal end and a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace includes a distal end and a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal. In addition, the support pedestals may comprise at least one support leg, and each support leg of the first and second support pedestals may be laterally offset from each other so as to permit an offset displacement of the support legs when the support pedestals are disposed in a collapsed position. |
| US08739706B2 |
Plastic pallet
A plastic pallet includes a hollow lower part provided with ribs and runners, and an upper part provided with ribs and welded to the lower part. The lower part has a recessed border and the upper part has an edge that is bent downwards, covering the edge of the lower part. |
| US08739701B2 |
Method and apparatus for thermal processing of photosensitive printing elements
The present invention pertains to a process and an apparatus for treating a photosensitive element to form a relief structure suitable for flexographic printing plate. The apparatus comprises an enclosure, a conveyor, a heatable roller with absorbent material conducted over it, and a roller that can significantly smooth or uniformly roughen the relief structure of the flexographic printing plate. Previously selectively cured photosensitive elements are developed by means of the heatable roller by blotting with the absorbent material, and the resulting relief structure is made uniform by way of a smoothing or roughening roller. The flexographic plates produced by the method and apparatus are especially suited to processes that require substantially smoothed or uniformly roughened printing plate surfaces, which are capable of producing better quality printing. |
| US08739700B2 |
Screen printer including film suction mechanism and auxiliary stages
In a printing system in which a roll film is rolled out to be printed by a printer and the film is rolled up after printing and drying, there is a possibility that wrinkles of the film are generated when printing, and printed materials are scratched because the printed film is positioned near the printer. Both end side of a suction stage in the film delivery direction are formed in a circular arc shape, and auxiliary stages are provided near the end portions to suck and hold a film, the auxiliary stages are allowed to be moved lower than a surface of the suction stage in the state to closely attach the film to the suction stage while applying tension to the film, and the film is sucked and held on the suction stage in the state to be printed after position adjustment to a surface of a mask. |
| US08739694B2 |
Dynamic control system and method for controlled atmosphere room
A control system for a controlled atmosphere room (“CA room”) for storing perishable commodities, such as fruits and vegetables. The control system includes an enclosure that can be placed within the CA room to store a representative sample of the commodities in the CA room. The control system includes an atmosphere valve selectively operable to provide atmospheric communication between the enclosure and the CA room or to isolate the enclosure from the CA room. The control system includes a sampling control system for determining a dynamic control value based on the isolated representative sample. The dynamic control value may be determined by monitoring the respiratory quotient in the enclosure while it is isolated. Once determined, the control system can use the dynamic control value to adjust the atmosphere of the CA room, thereby using tests on a representative sample to control the atmosphere for the full volume of commodities in the CA room. When not testing, the enclosure generally remains in atmospheric communication with the CA room, which improves the correlation of the representative sample with the commodities in the CA room. |
| US08739692B2 |
Chicken ring cooking device and method
A commercial cooking apparatus is provided for simultaneous steaming and two-sided grilling of food items having non-uniform thickness and/or variations in nominal thickness. The apparatus includes a compressible, heat-resistant ring member, and optionally a flexible, non-stick, heat-resistant film material associated with the ring member to form a cavity defined by the inner perimeter of the ring member. A cooking method is also disclosed, wherein a food item and a quantity of water are introduced into the cavity, and the food item is simultaneously cooked by the heated upper and lower platens of a conventional clamshell grill or similar apparatus and by steam generated by heating the water. |
| US08739691B2 |
Rotary screw blancher
A food processing apparatus includes a tank defining an inner compartment having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, an open-top screen mounted within the compartment and positioned relative to the tank in a first position, and a rotatable auger mounted such that at least a portion of the auger is within the screen for advancing food product within the tank from the inlet end of the tank toward the outlet end. |
| US08739687B1 |
Device for metering coffee brewing
A device for brewing coffee. The device includes a microprocessor, a user actuated controller for interfacing with the microprocessor, a tank for retaining water and a heating element for selectively heating the water. The device further includes a brewing basket for receipt of water from the tank, and a cone valve located in a dispersing end of the brewing basket. The microprocessor dictates a measured quantity of water to be delivered to the brewing basket in conjunction with a measured amount of ground coffee for brewing. In a preferred embodiment, a multichannel valve is employed together with a suitable pump for controlling fluid flow as dictated by the microprocessor. |
| US08739686B2 |
Capsule piercing module
A capsule-based beverage production machine that comprises a module designed for producing a beverage on the basis of ingredients which are contained in a capsule. The module comprises: means for retaining the capsule in a fixed position, and means for perforation of the capsule, wherein the perforation means are controlled to perforate the capsule after the capsule is retained in the fixed position by the retaining means. |
| US08739673B2 |
Perforating gun assembly and method for controlling wellbore pressure regimes during perforating
A method comprises: a. determining a configuration of a gun string, b. determining, by a computer, a pressure transient at a location in a wellbore, c. comparing the one or more pressures with the one or more pressure thresholds at the location, and d. perforating the wellbore with the gun string using the determined configuration of the gun string when the one or more pressures meet the one or more pressure thresholds at the location. The location in the wellbore has one or more pressure thresholds, and the pressure transient comprises one or more pressures. |
| US08739671B2 |
Method for producing a large-caliber explosive projectile
A method is provided for producing a large-calibre explosive projectile having a projectile casing with an ogival front part, which surrounds an internal area filled with a plastic-bonded explosive charge and, at a nose end, has a mouth closed by a nose fuze, wherein an elastic liner is arranged between the explosive charge and the inner wall of the projectile casing. The projectile casing is produced in two parts, such that, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the projectile casing, a tail-end projectile casing section and an annular front projectile casing section, which contains the mouth, can be connected to one another in the area of the ogival front part, via a screw connection. The liner is introduced into the tail-end projectile casing section and the explosive charge is introduced into the liner before the two projectile casing sections are connected to one another. |
| US08739668B2 |
Blanking die with device for replacing at least one punch
A sheet metal blanking die has a lower and an upper part and guide columns for maintaining the parts aligned. The upper part presents a plurality of punches which project downwards from it, when the die is closed by a press. Recesses are present on the flat lower portion to receive the respective punches at the moment of blanking. For one punch a rapid replacement device can be provided, including a chamber within which a loader can move presenting two cavities of vertical axis to receive relative punches. By moving the loader a punch can be selected for transfer from a rest position to an operative blanking position. |
| US08739665B2 |
Cyclonic stripping blade
A blade assembly is provided for use in a wire stripping system, where the blade assembly includes a first blade including a first cutting opening therein, the first opening including a first guide surface on one side of the first opening and a first cutting surface on the opposite side of the first opening, and a second blade including a second cutting opening therein, the second opening including a second guide surface on one side of the second opening and a second cutting surface on the opposite side of the second opening. The blades impart a rotation force on the wire to cause the cutting surfaces to make a depth-controlled circumferential cut in the sheath around the entire wire. |
| US08739664B2 |
Revolver disk and tool holder for a cutting tool
A revolver disk (1) for a machine tool with, in the area of the radially extending bore holes (7) for the projection (9) of tool holders (5), a rotary axis of the revolver disk (1) extending parallel and penetrating bores (11) aligned perpendicular in reference to the face, by which a tool holder key (27) is guided. By displacing the tool holder key (27) against the force of a spring (17) the frontal end (25) is inserted into the clamping device in the projection (9) of the tool holder (5) and thus the tool is clamped with it. |
| US08739657B2 |
Wire stripper
A wire stripper detects contact between a core wire of an electric wire and stripping blades and detects if the electric wire is cut short. The wire stripper includes a signal analyzer circuit that measures an impedance through the stripping blades for a change in the impedance caused by contact with the wire core and a buffer circuit, that when a contact of the stripping blades with the wire core is detected, applies a signal having the same level as that of an electric signal applied to the stripping blades to a side of a shielding material of a shielded cable for transmitting the electric signal to and from the stripping blades so as to reduce or prevent current leakage between a signal line of the shielded cable and the shielding material. |
| US08739655B2 |
Electric propulsion system for vehicles
A propulsion system includes two electric motors, a gearbox with at least three forward gears and a control unit to control the electric motors and the engagement of the gears. The gearbox includes two primary shafts, one associated to with the odd gears and the other with the even gears and are permanently connected each to a respective electric motor. The control unit controls the two electric motors and the engagement of the gears of the gearbox to provide at least a first operating mode in which the first gear and the second gear are engaged at the same time and a second operating mode in which the second gear and the third gear are engaged at the same time. In each of these operating modes the torque being transmitted by both the electric motors. |
| US08739653B2 |
Handlebar assembly with shock absorber
A handlebar assembly including a pair of handgrip portions extending outwardly from a mounting portion and configured for generally vertical, arcuate movement relative to the mounting portion. One or more shock absorbing arrangements may be provided to produce a force tending to resist downward movement of the handgrip portions. Desirably, the handgrip portions are adjustable in height relative to the mounting portion. |
| US08739652B2 |
Handle weight mounting structure of saddle-ride-type vehicle
A handle weight mounting structure of a saddle-ride-type vehicle includes a dynamic damper on the inside of a handle pipe while rigidly mounting a handle weight. A hollow handle pipe is provided with the handle weight arranged in the handle pipe by insertion from an outer end of the handle pipe. The handle weight includes a bolt insertion hole having a tapered portion on an inner portion thereof in the vehicle widthwise direction. A split groove with a nut member is formed into a tapered shape and is engaged with a split-groove side of the handle weight. A weight fixing bolt passes through the bolt insertion hole of the handle weight and fastens the handle weight and the nut member to each other. A mounting member for a dynamic damper is supported on the inside of the handle pipe in a floating state and is mounted on the nut member. |
| US08739648B2 |
Bicycle control device
A bicycle control device is basically provided with a base member, a shift control unit and an operating lever. The base member includes a handlebar mounting structure defining a handlebar receiving area with a central handlebar mounting axis. The shift control unit is mounted to the base member. The operating lever is pivotally mounted relative to the base member to pivot from a rest position towards the handlebar receiving area about a non-shift operating pivot axis that is angled relative to the handlebar receiving area such that the operating lever moves along a non-shift operating path that avoid interference with a handlebar in a lateral direction with respect to the handlebar receiving area. |
| US08739647B2 |
Gear absolute position sensor for manual transmission
The present invention provides a gear absolute position sensor assembly (GAPS) that senses the current absolute, position of the shift lever of a manual transmission. The sensor assembly provides data to an associated electronic controller such as an engine control module (ECM) regarding the current position of the shift lever, such as an engaged gear. The sensor assembly preferably comprises two Hall effect or other type of magnetic field (proximity) sensors in combination with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which is supplied with data from the sensors, decodes the output of the sensors and provides an output identifying a specific engaged gear or neutral for use by vehicle or engine management electronics. The sensors are mounted proximate the shift linkage at a location where they can sense both rotation and translation. |
| US08739644B2 |
Eight speed dual clutch transmission
A transmission is connectable to an input member and includes an output transfer gear, first and second shaft members, first, second and third countershaft members, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of gears, synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member. |
| US08739643B2 |
Remote-controlled actuator
A remote control actuator includes a spindle guide section (3), a distal end member (2) fitted to the tip of the spindle guide section for alteration in attitude, a tool (1) provided rotatably in the distal end member, a tool rotation drive source (41) for rotating the tool, and an attitude altering drive source (42) for altering the attitude of the distal end member. The spindle guide section has therein a rotary shaft (22) for transmitting a rotation of the tool rotation drive source to the tool, and an attitude altering member (31) capable of being selectively advanced or retracted by the attitude altering drive source for altering the attitude of the distal end member. A position detector (47) is provided for detecting the advanced or retracted position of the attitude altering member at a site distant from the attitude altering drive source. |
| US08739641B2 |
Resonating force sensor sensitive to micro-forces
A micro-force sensor comprising a one-piece plate including a first area defining a first recess, which must be held in position relative to a mounting, a second area connected to the first area defining the first recess and a second recess, a measuring beam across the first recess having a first end embedded in the first area and a second end connected to the second area, an excitation beam across the second recess having two ends embedded in the second area and being provided with at least one excitation element, a third area connected to the first area and an effector beam having one free end for receiving the force being measured and one end-embedded in the third area, and a fourth area connecting the embedded end of the effector beam to the second end of the measuring beam, which is provided with a measuring element. |
| US08739637B2 |
Applications for real-time mass ratio, mass flow and particle size measurement of particle laden flows
Techniques are provided for monitoring particle laden flows in a pipe, that include receiving signalling containing information about a parameter related to a particle laden flow in a pipe, the parameter including either (a) a sound level propagating through the particle laden flow in the pipe, or (b) a static pressure due to an acceleration of the particle laden flow in the pipe; and determining a measurement of a particle size and either a mass flow rate, or a particle-to-air mass ratio, or both the mass flow rate and the particle-to-air mass ratio, associated with the particle laden flow, based at least partly on a change in the parameter. |
| US08739634B2 |
Freeze thaw damage resistance testing for cementitious compositions
An apparatus and method for predicting freeze-thaw durability of a cementitious composition specimen including cycling the specimen below and above the freezing point of water contained in the specimen and identifying the contraction and/or expansion of the specimen during the cycling. |
| US08739628B2 |
Inertial sensor
An inertial sensor includes a plate-like substrate layer, a mass body, a support frame, a limit stop extending in the central direction of the mass body from the support frame, and a detection unit detecting the displacement of the displacement part. The inertial sensor adopts the limit stop limiting the downward displacement of the mass body to prevent the support portion of the mass body from being damaged. |
| US08739625B2 |
Manual clamping device for static balancing a wheel
A manual device, for use in a stand, provides a threaded rod with two opposed cones coaxial upon the rod. The cones have wider bases located outwardly from the center of the rod and narrow tops located inwardly. Threaded holes centered in the tops of the cones admit the rod. In use, a wheel is placed upon the rod and the cones are turned towards the wheel, points toward the wheel. As the cones engage the wheel, the angled surface of each cone guides the wheel to be centered upon the rod. For open hubs, one cone is reversed so the base contacts the wheel while the top of the other enters the wheel hub and the base. When finger tight, the cones secure the wheel to the rod without marring for spinning and balancing on an axis coaxial with the rod. |
| US08739621B2 |
Electrical heating element and method of measuring a filling level
A pencil-shaped electrical heating element, in particular for application in a device for measuring filling level in a liquid container, in particular in a reactor chamber of a nuclear plant, contains an electrically-conducting sleeve and at least one electric line embedded therein which is in conducting contact with the sleeve. The electrical line has at least two line sections with differing electrical properties and/or thermal conductivities. |
| US08739620B1 |
Liquid-sensing probe and methods for using the same
A sensor assembly includes a main body, a sensor, and a filler. The main body includes an outer surface having a continuously-variable radius of curvature in at least one portion. A sensor in thermal communication with a region of that surface having relatively low radius of curvature is disposed in the assembly recessed from the outer surface. Liquid droplets adhered to the outer surface in this region tend to migrate to a distant location having a higher radius of curvature. The main body has low thermal conductivity. The filler has a relatively higher thermal conductivity and, in embodiments, fills an opening in the outer surface of the main body, providing a thermally-conductive pathway between the sensor and the surrounding environment via the opening. A probe having a plurality of such sensors, and methods of detecting the presence of liquid and phase transitions in a predetermined space are also disclosed. |
| US08739617B2 |
GE evolution series power assembly test stand system and method
A system and method for testing and maintaining a power assembly of a locomotive diesel engine. In one embodiment of the invention, the testing apparatus comprises: a first test position for securing a strongback of a power assembly; a second test position for securing a cylinder head of the power assembly; and a third test position for securing a cylinder liner. In another embodiment of the invention, the testing method comprises: securing a power assembly to a first test position; removing a cylinder head from the power assembly; securing the cylinder head to a second test position; removing a cylinder liner from the strongback assembly; placing the cylinder liner into the third test position; cleaning the cylinder liner; testing the cylinder head for possible leakage; and re-assembling the power assembly cylinder head passes the leakage tests. |
| US08739612B2 |
Wear control apparatus and wind turbine blade monitoring system including wind turbine blade
A wind turbine blade used in a wind power generator that receives wind and rotates a rotating shaft of a generator includes at least two layers on a surface of a blade body, one of the layers being colored with a coating material different in color from the blade body and the rest of the layers. The layers are provided at least on a tip, particularly at a front edge of the wind turbine blade. A wind turbine blade monitoring system that monitors the wind turbine blade includes: an imaging unit that images the wind turbine blade in a predetermined position over a predetermined period at timing when the wind turbine blade passes through the predetermined position; and an indication unit that chronologically indicates imaging results of the wind turbine blade imaged by the imaging means. |
| US08739611B2 |
Strain indicator for a gas turbine engine component
A component for use in a gas turbine engine comprises an indicator operable to provide a visual indication when strain over a threshold value has been experienced by the component by transitioning from a rest state to an indication state on occurrence of strain above the threshold value. Also disclosed is a method of detecting foreign object damage in a component of a gas turbine engine, comprising: identifying at least one of a component or a region of a component that is subject to increased strain during a foreign object impact; and mounting an indicator on the identified component or region of a component, the indicator providing a visual indication when increased strain has been experienced. |
| US08739606B2 |
Gas tightness testing member and electronic device having the same
A gas tightness testing member disposed in an electronic device includes a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel penetrating from the first end to the second end. The second end of the gas tightness testing member is combined with the electronic device, and the first end is connected to a gas tightness testing device for performing a gas tightness test. |
| US08739601B2 |
Air bubble detector
Air bubbles may be characterized by an air bubble detector by choosing an optimum set of frequencies and then comparing a return signal from a sensor receiving those frequencies against an internal reference. The number of pulses that exceed the internal reference represents a width and may be counted. The width, as counted, may be correlated to bubble characteristics including volume. |
| US08739600B2 |
Intra-extra oral shock-sensing and indicating systems and other shock-sensing and indicating systems
A mouth guard comprises a base member configured to fit inside the mouth of a user, and at least one shock-sensing and indicating device coupled to the base member. In one exemplary embodiment, the shock-sensing and indicating device is a passive shock-sensing and indicating device that detects a shock substantially along a selected axis with respect to the base member. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one shock-sensing and indicating device detects a shock substantially along a plurality of selected axes with respect to the base member, each selected axis being substantially orthogonal from another selected axis. The shock-sensing and indicating devices can be configured to detect different levels of shock. In one exemplary embodiment, the shock-sensing and indicating device comprises a multi-component chemical-reaction system, such as a chemi-luminescent reaction system. |
| US08739596B2 |
Wedge activated rotating filler cam utilizing a saddle for rotation
A rotating filler cam system including a lower die receiving at least one filler cam. The filler cam includes saddles that sit in saddle pockets of the lower die such that the filler cam is rotatably connected to the lower die. At least one wedge assembly is driven to contact the filler cam and rotate the filler cam from a first position to a second position. |
| US08739592B2 |
Device for the production of molded parts
Disclosed is a device for producing molded articles, comprising two cross members that are interconnected using tie rods. At least one cross member (11, 12) has an annular section accommodating a pressing module. At least one passage (30) is formed between at least two supporting blocks (3) which allow the distance between the cross members (11, 12) to be adjusted. |
| US08739588B2 |
Anti-tampering arrangements for pin tumbler cylinder locks
A pin tumbler cylinder lock includes a shell, a plug, and at least first and second tumbler pins and first and second driver pins. At least the first driver pin extends into a corresponding plug channel when the plug is in a locked condition, such that rotation of the plug with respect to the shell is blocked. The lock is configured such that at least the first driver pin is separated from the first tumbler pin by a gap when the plug is in the locked condition. When the first and second tumbler pins are raised without the proper key and the gap between the first tumbler pin and the first driver pin is eliminated, the second tumbler pin extends across the shear line and into the corresponding shell channel. |
| US08739586B2 |
Electrical liner actuator for lock
The invention relates to an electrical linear actuator for a lock, which comprises a motor, a rotating shaft connected with the motor, a spring sleeved on the rotating shaft and a pin arranged on the rotating shaft and also comprises a slider, wherein the slider is provided with a frame capable of receiving the shaft and the spring; grooves for limiting the rotating shaft are formed on a wall; the spring comprises a first winding, end coils and second windings; the first winding is arranged in the middle part of the spring and takes the shape of a cylindrical spiral; the end coils are respectively arranged at both ends of the spring and coaxial with the first winding; the second windings are arranged between the first winding and the end coils, and circumscribed circles of the second windings are convex relative to the first winding; and third windings coaxial with the first winding can be arranged between the second windings and the end coils. |
| US08739585B2 |
Wheel security lock
A wheel lock for a vehicle wheel of the type comprising a body having a central attachment flange and studs passing through it. A security plate has a front side and a rear side; the rear side has a plurality of first circumferentially spaced-apart openings arranged to receive wheel studs; each of the first circumferentially spaced-apart openings is sized to receive a lug nut threaded on a wheel stud. There is at least one second opening where the second opening also sized to receive a wheel stud. The front side has a cover over the first circumferentially spaced-apart openings preventing access to lug nuts threaded on corresponding wheel studs. The front side has a receptacle concentric with the second opening for receiving a lock lug. The lock lug has a threaded hole for engaging a wheel stud and a key recess for engagement with a corresponding key lug. |
| US08739581B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine includes a water tub, an electric motor, and a control device. The motor comprises a stator including a stator coil, a rotor magnet arranged circumferentially with respect to the rotor, and a control device. The rotor magnet includes a permanent magnet. When the control device applies a first voltage to the stator coil in a wash step of the washing operation, the rotor magnet is magnetized so that a magnetic flux of the rotor magnet acting on the stator is increased without reversal of a direction of magnetization. When the control device applies a second voltage to the stator soil in a dehydration step of the washing operation, the rotor magnet is magnetized so that a magnetic flux of the rotor magnet acting on the stator is reduced without reversal of a direction of magnetization as compared with the magnetic flux in the wash step. |
| US08739579B2 |
Ball balancer and laundry apparatus having the same
A ball balancer and a laundry apparatus having the same are disclosed. A ball balancer includes a circular housing having motion space formed therein, at least two partition members spaced apart a predetermined distance along the motion space of the housing, the partition members partitioning the motion space into at least two spaces, a plurality of ball members movable within the partitioned spaces of the motion space, and viscous fluid filled in the motion space. Such the ball balancer may reduce noise and vibration of the laundry apparatus having the same. |
| US08739575B2 |
Method for manufacturing a primary preform for optical fibres
A method for manufacturing a primary preform for optical fibers using an internal vapor deposition process including the steps of providing a substrate tube having supply and discharge sides, surrounding at least part of the tube by a furnace set at a temperature T0, supplying doped or undoped gases via the supply side, creating a reaction zone to promote deposition, and moving the zone back and forth along the length of the tube between reversal points near the supply and discharge sides to form at least one preform layer, which at least one layer comprises several glass layers. |
| US08739574B2 |
Method and apparatus for three dimensional large area welding and sealing of optically transparent materials
Methods and systems for three dimensional large area welding and sealing of optically transparent materials are disclosed, including generating a beam of ultra-short pulses from an ultra-short pulsed laser; directing the beam to an acoustic-optic modulator to control the repetition rate of the beam; directing the beam to an attenuator after passing through the acoustic-optic modulator to control the energy of the beam; directing the beam to a focusing lens after passing through the attenuator to focus the beam between a top substrate and a bottom substrate in order to weld the top substrate to the bottom substrate, wherein the top substrate and the bottom substrate are in intimate contact; and controlling the position of the top substrate and the bottom substrate relative to the beam using a three-axis stage in order to weld the top substrate to the bottom substrate at different points. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08739569B2 |
Liquefied gas reliquefier, liquefied-gas storage facility and liquefied-gas transport ship including the same, and liquefied-gas reliquefaction method
A liquefied gas reliquefier reliquefies boil-off gas resulting from evaporation of liquefied gas in a liquefied-gas storage tank to prevent a rise in the internal pressure of the liquefied-gas storage tank. The liquefied gas reliquefier includes a cooling unit for liquefying a secondary refrigerant, a liquefied-secondary-refrigerant feeding unit for feeding the liquefied secondary refrigerant, and a heat exchange unit disposed in the secondary-refrigerant circulating channel to condense the BOG by heat exchange between the BOG and the liquefied secondary refrigerant. The heat exchange unit is disposed near the liquefied-gas storage tank. The cooling unit includes a plurality of pulse-tube refrigerators. The number of pulse-tube refrigerators in operation and/or the cooling capacities of the individual pulse-tube refrigerators are controlled based on a measurement result from at least one of a thermometer, a pressure gauge, and a pump discharge flow meter installed in the liquefied-gas storage tank. |
| US08739568B2 |
Appliance feature module enabled by energy or materials sourced from the host appliance
A modular utility supply unit that includes a utility supply module housing having removable engageability to a surface of an appliance. Also included is at least one refillable reservoir capable of storing a plurality of utilities and receiving at least one utility from the appliance when the utility supply unit is operably engaged to the appliance. Further included is an interface capable of engaging a plurality of feature modules, where the interface includes a recognition device that prompts the utility supply unit to provide the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities within the utility supply from at least one of the refillable reservoirs. |
| US08739567B2 |
Dual evaporator refrigeration system using zeotropic refrigerant mixture
A dual evaporator refrigerator appliance includes a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator, a second evaporator and a separating component coupled to the condenser and an input of the first evaporator and an input of the second evaporator and configured to separate a refrigerant stream received by the condenser into a first refrigerant stream and a second refrigerant stream. The refrigerant stream received by the separating component comprises a zeotropic refrigerant mixture. The first evaporator and the second evaporator are configured to substantially simultaneously receive the first refrigerant stream and the second refrigerant stream, respectively. |
| US08739562B2 |
System for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers
Systems for limiting pressure differences in dual compressor chillers are provided. To achieve the efficiency benefits of series flow chillers within a single unit, an evaporator and/or a condenser may be partitioned into separate chambers by a baffle. Process fluid may then flow through one chamber of the evaporator and/or condenser prior to entering the other. This configuration creates a pressure differential between chambers which may reduce compressor head and result in greater chiller efficiency. However, to maintain the structural integrity of the evaporator and/or condenser baffle, a system for limiting this pressure differential may be employed. This system may include an evaporator pressure equalization valve, a common liquid line, or an equalizing line between separate liquid lines. Methods of operating dual compressor chillers using these systems are also provided. |
| US08739555B2 |
Rotary type ultralow temperature refrigerant supply apparatus
The rotary type ultralow temperature refrigerant supply apparatus includes a refrigerant introduction pipe coupled to the super conductive rotor for supplying a liquid-phase ultralow temperature refrigerant cooled by the refrigeration system to the evaporator, a refrigerant withdrawal pipe disposed spaced apart from the refrigerant introduction pipe for withdrawing a gas-phase ultralow temperature refrigerant obtained through the evaporation of the liquid-phase refrigerant by the evaporator and guiding the withdrawn gas-phase ultralow temperature refrigerant to the refrigeration system, and a vacuum housing fixedly disposed outside the refrigerant introduction pipe and the refrigerant withdrawal pipe, the vacuum housing having a vacuum heat insulation space defined inside. |
| US08739553B2 |
Electrocaloric effect heat transfer device dimensional stress control
Technologies are generally described herein for electrocaloric effect heat transfer devices and methods effective to facilitate thermal energy transfer while mitigating mechanical stresses caused by expansion or contraction of electrocaloric effect material layers during thermal energy transfer operations. Some example heat transfer devices may include heat transfer stacks with at least two electrocaloric effect materials. Expanding electrocaloric effect material and contracting electrocaloric effect material are utilized to cancel the aggregate longitudinal dimensional change during application of an electric field. Some example heat transfer devices may utilize segmented electrocaloric effect material layers with stress relief gaps separating segments to mitigate delamination stress caused by lateral expansion or contraction of the electrocaloric effect material. |
| US08739550B2 |
Two stage combustor with reformer
The present invention provides a combustor for an aerospace gas turbine engine comprising two stages wherein each stage defines an inlet and an exit. The second stage inlet is in fluid communication with the first stage exit such that a first flowpath is defined and it passes substantially through the second stage. A plurality of flow channel tubes is positioned within the second stage and each flow channel tube passes sealingly through a header plate positioned upstream of the second stage inlet thereby defining a second flowpath that also passes substantially through the second stage. The first flowpath exit and the second flowpath exit are positioned adjacent and proximate to one another to provide for the generation of microflames or microflame jets exiting the second stage from between and around the flow channel tube exits. The first stage of the combustor provides a gasifier and a reformer. The present invention also may comprise an igniter for further combustion of the reacted products or an external heat source for start-up. The second stage also may comprise a microflame combustor. |
| US08739548B2 |
Sliding ramp nozzle system for a gas turbine engine
A regulator system includes a slidable ramp intermediate a secondary flow path and a primary flow path of a gas turbine engine nozzle section. |
| US08739546B2 |
Gas turbine combustor with quench wake control
A gas turbine engine has a combustor module including an annular combustor having a liner assembly that defines an annular combustion chamber and includes a circumferential row of a plurality of relatively large combustion dilution air admission holes and a circumferential row of a plurality of smaller quench air admission holes disposed downstream with respect to the flow of combustion gas products. The plurality of quench air admission holes are arranged with respect to the plurality of relatively large dilution air admission holes disposed upstream thereof such that there is associated with each dilution air admission hole a first quench air admission hole and a second quench air hole, the first quench air hole being offset laterally in a first lateral direction and the second quench air hole being offset laterally in a second lateral direction opposite to the first direction. |
| US08739539B2 |
Alternative partial steam admission arc for reduced noise generation
A diaphragm for a steam turbine is disclosed that has at least one arc of admission. The arc of admission has a plurality of nozzles arranged about the circumference of the diaphragm and are configured to eject a working fluid at succeeding rotor blades axially-spaced from the diaphragm. The flow area of the first few nozzle vanes in the arc of admission is gradually increased along the arcuate length of the diaphragm, thereby mitigating the load impulse absorbed by each rotor blade as it enters the arc of admission. The flow area of the last few nozzle vanes in the arc of admission is gradually decreased so that each rotor blade does not suddenly go from full load impulse to zero and thereby contribute to the fatigue of the rotor blade and create unwanted noise. |
| US08739538B2 |
Generating energy from fluid expansion
An apparatus includes an electric generator having a stator and a rotor. A first turbine wheel is coupled to a first end of the rotor to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. A second turbine wheel is coupled to a second end of the rotor opposite the first end, and configured to rotate at the same speed as the rotor. The first and second turbine wheels may rotate in response to expansion of a working fluid flowing from an inlet side to an outlet side of the turbine wheels. |
| US08739537B2 |
Power generation apparatus
In a power generation apparatus, a working medium is evaporated in an evaporator using a heating medium supplied from outside, and the evaporated working medium is subsequently introduced into an expander, which is connected to an electric generator, to convert a thermal expansion force of the working medium into a rotation force inside the expander for generation of electric power. Then, the working medium exhausted from the expander is fed into a condenser in which the working medium is condensed by cooling the working medium with a coolant medium supplied from outside, and the condensed working medium is pressurized by a circulating pump to resupply the evaporator with the pressurized working medium. In the power generation apparatus, when a condensing pressure in the condenser is high, a rotational speed of the circulating pump and a suction volume of the evaporator are increased. |
| US08739535B2 |
Fluid feedback pump to improve cold start performance of organic rankine cycle plants
A system and method improves cold start performance of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) plant. The system includes one or more pumps configured to pump condensed fluid from points of natural accumulation of the condensed fluid within an ORC loop back into a corresponding low pressure liquid storage vessel shortly after shutting down the ORC plant to ensure the start-up routine works properly for the next ORC plant start event. One or more of the pumps can also be configured to pump fluid away from the ORC expansion machine(s) at any time prior to starting the ORC if the fluid is in a liquid phase. |
| US08739534B2 |
Solar-based power generator
The solar-based power generator is a system for producing usable electricity from water, which is heated through concentration of ambient, environmental light. The generator includes a reservoir having an open upper end. The reservoir receives a volume of water therein. A convex lens is mounted on an upper edge of the reservoir. The convex lens covers the open upper end. A steam output port is in fluid communication with a steam-based electrical generator. The convex lens concentrates ambient light on the water stored within the reservoir, thus heating the water and to converting the liquid water to steam. Additionally, a methane-burning electrical generator is in communication with the reservoir. Pollutants in the water produce methane during heating and decomposition, which is burned by the methane-burning electrical generator. |
| US08739533B2 |
Solar augmented wind turbine for stable and dispatchable utility scale power generation
The present invention describes a novel integration between wind and solar thermal renewable energy technologies. An existing wind turbine consisting of a hub and blades is operated by the power generated from a waterless solar thermal system (using high pressure, high temperature air) during periods of low wind availability. The solar thermal system consist of a heliostat field, solar air receiver panels, a thermal energy storage tank and a Pelton wheel assembly system for converting thermal energy of air into kinetic energy of the power shaft of the wind turbine. The thermal energy converting system consists of a plurality of supersonic air nozzles acting as stator, producing supersonic air jets to interact with a rotating Pelton wheel. A thermal storage system provides means for energy dispatchability. The proposed integrated system is capable of generating a stable renewable energy with minimum intermittency. |
| US08739530B2 |
Compressor flow control
An engine system is provided. The system comprises an engine, first and second compressors supplying air to the engine, a first compressor recirculation valve adjustable to two restriction levels, and a second compressor recirculation valve adjustable to three or more restriction levels. In this way, the first and second compressor recirculation valves may be controlled to avoid compressor surge while providing a sufficient amount of boost to meet power demands. |
| US08739526B2 |
Compensating reservoir for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system
A compensating tank for a hydraulic motor vehicle brake system, having a housing including a housing upper part and a housing lower part and having a device for monitoring the tank filling level of the compensating tank, including a switching unit, which is welded to the housing and has a plug connector, and including a sensor or switching element which can be switched by a transducer at a switching point S at which the switching unit generates a signal for an electronic control unit. The housing has a depression for holding the switching unit, with the switching unit having a base body composed of plastic, which base body is welded to the housing in the depression, and with the depression being provided such that the base body of the switching unit forms a planar surface with the housing. |
| US08739519B2 |
Multi-tiered telescope shaped atomizer
In one example, a system is provided, comprising an exhaust reductant injector upstream of a mixer. The mixer includes a plurality of concentrically smaller rings interconnected via fins having a width varying in a flow direction, the fins arranged annularly, and with a first set of fins between a first pair of adjacent rings angularly offset from a second set of fins between a second pair of adjacent rings, the first and second pairs of rings sharing one common ring. In this way, it is possible to atomize, redirect, and mix the exhaust flow over a short distance to effectively react with NOx in a downstream SCR catalyst. |
| US08739512B2 |
Combined cycle power plant
Combined cycle power plants and related methods are disclosed here. In the plants, a mediating thermal energy storage unit is used to store waste or residual thermal energy recovered from a heat engine employing a top thermodynamic cycle of the combined cycle power plant, so that the stored residual thermal energy may be used as an energy source in a bottom thermodynamic cycle of the power plant. In the combined cycle power plants described here, the heat engine employing a top cycle may comprise a Brayton cycle heat engine and the heat engine employing the bottom thermodynamic cycle may be a Rankine cycle heat engine. |
| US08739509B2 |
Single shaft combined cycle power plant start-up method and single shaft combined cycle power plant
In a start-up method of a single shaft combined cycle power plant, during a time period from when the gas turbine is started up to when rotation speed of the gas turbine reaches a rotation speed allowing self-sustained operation using the combustion gas, auxiliary steam from the start-up boiler is fed to the low-pressure steam turbine via the low-pressure turbine steam supply pipe by controlling valve opening degree of the auxiliary steam flow control valve. The low-pressure steam turbine generates a drive force. Speed-up control is performed in a unified manner for the gas turbine, the high-pressure steam turbine, the low-pressure steam turbine, and the power generator. |
| US08739508B1 |
Shock cancellation mechanism for the control of unsteady interaction in contra-rotating high- and low-pressure turbines
In a high pressure turbine used in combination with a contra-rotating low pressure turbine, in which the geometry of the inlet guide vane of the low pressure turbine induces a reflection of the incident shock wave from the high pressure turbine airfoil that propagates back upstream to impact the blade thereby denigrating both the performance of the high pressure turbine and its durability. The shock wave reflection is eliminated by fitting the downstream vanes with holes or indentations that allow jets of compressor bleed air to penetrate the boundary layer and induce a net velocity component across the main-flow direction in the near-wall region. This induced flow component acts to cancel the net flow component created by the moving shock from the upstream blade row thereby obviating the reflection that occurs naturally to cancel the flow. |
| US08739506B2 |
Watch bracelet with ceramic links
Housing insert for a spacer of a ceramic link for a bracelet, including a housing for receiving a spacer having one end. It includes an external machined portion arranged to cooperate with this housing and an internal machined portion including a substantially cylindrical bearing area, arranged to closely receive this end and having a smaller diameter than that of this end. An equipped link includes such a link and such an insert of this type fixed in this housing. A bracelet including includes a plurality of equipped lateral links into which removably mounted spacers are driven. This bracelet includes intermediate links assembled to pivot freely relative to these spacers or relative to pins pivotably mounted in these equipped links. |
| US08739501B2 |
System for disposing waste packages such as diapers
Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion. |
| US08739499B2 |
Medicine dispensing system and medicine dispensing device
There is provided a medicine dispensing system configured such that a medicine dispensing device includes a sub unit having a function to dispense medicine that is connected to a medicine dispensing device that includes a main unit having a function of packing medicines. There is also provided a medicine dispensing device that can be appropriately integrated with such a medicine dispensing system. The medicine dispensing system includes, in some embodiments a main unit, a sub unit and a transfer device connecting the main unit and the sub unit. The medicine dispensing system transfers the medicine dispensed in the sub unit to the main unit by means of a transfer device and dispenses the medicine at a medicine packing part together with the medicine dispensed from a main storage part in the main unit. |
| US08739497B2 |
Roofing apparatus
A roofing apparatus including an enclosure for containing roofing materials is provided. The enclosure is defined by a front panel, a rear panel assembly positioned at a predetermined distance from the front panel, side panels positioned at opposing ends of the front panel, and a base panel having a tail area. The front panel, the rear panel assembly, and the side panels extend upwardly from the base panel. The tail area extends beyond the rear panel assembly for receiving runoff. The rear panel assembly directs the runoff from the tail area of the base panel into the enclosure. The front panel includes orifices for releasing the runoff to a downslope roofing apparatus or for draining the runoff from the roof. The roofing apparatus precludes slippage of the roofing materials contained within the enclosure, and uplift of the roofing materials from the enclosure due to environmental conditions. |
| US08739495B1 |
Fire and water resistant expansion joint system
A fire resistant and water resistant expansion joint system comprises a compressed lamination of fire retardant infused open celled foam, one coat of an elastomeric waterproofing or water resistant material on the lamination, and another coat of an intumescent material on an opposing surface of the lamination, thereby providing fire resistance in one direction and water resistance in the opposite direction. The intumescent material may be further coated with a similar elastomeric material, thereby providing fire resistance in one direction and water resistance in both directions. In the alternative, the compressed lamination may comprise first and second opposing layers of intumescent material thereon each having a respective layer of elastomeric material to provide both water resistance and fire resistance in both directions. |
| US08739493B2 |
Interlocking joint system for emergency structures
An interlocking joint system can be used to build emergency shelters. The system provides emergency structures that can be assembled by anyone but still handle heavy weather. The system also provides an armorable air droppable structure for military. Shelters built with the system require no tools or special training and such shelters typically become stronger as more force is applied to the joints. The shelter design laterally redirects how wind load and weight load affects the structure. |
| US08739491B2 |
Thin-walled, cold formed lightweight structural profile element and method for producing such a profile element
The invention relates to a thin-walled, cold-formed profile element, in particular a structural profile, for example a drywall construction, facade, plaster, screed, tile or cable carrier profile or a shelf or drain rail. The profile element has an elongated profile body, in particular metallic or consisting of plastic, in which a multiplicity of openings is formed. The profile body comprises at least two separately constructed longitudinal sections, each longitudinal section comprising a serpentine longitudinal edge. The longitudinal sections each comprise an elongated section and a plurality of connecting sections projecting laterally beyond the elongated section, which are bordered by the serpentine longitudinal edge. The connecting sections of the one longitudinal section face the connecting sections of the other longitudinal section and are in each case welded to the latter edge to edge or joined to one another along curved abutting edges. At least in some sections, the openings are bordered by sections of the serpentine longitudinal edges. Formed in the longitudinal sections are reinforcing beads running in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal sections and also reinforcing beads running transversely thereto, the reinforcing beads running transversely being connected to the reinforcing beads running in the longitudinal direction, and the reinforcing beads running transversely extending into the connecting sections. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a profile element. |
| US08739490B2 |
Wall construction block combination for a wall construction system
A wall construction system includes a plurality of leveling blocks arranged in a first course wherein each leveling block including an upper surface, a wall defining a leveling block void, and at least one leveling component having a leveling plate that engages the wall and at least one threaded adjuster extending through the plate. A plurality of field blocks is arranged in a second course atop the first course wherein each field block includes a lower surface that interfits with the upper surface of at least one of the leveling blocks and a wall defining a field block void aligned with the leveling block void of the one leveling block. A cementitious material is disposed in an aligned field block void and leveling block void of at least one of the field blocks and at least one of the leveling blocks, respectively. |
| US08739489B2 |
Decking system
A decking system comprises a ledger board for mounting on an upright supporting surface, a beam, a plurality of joists for spanning between the ledger board and the beam, and a plurality of deck boards for spanning across the joists in which all of the components can be mounted to one another by interlocking engagement of various connectors so that no additional fasteners are required for assembly. The components are formed of extruded and molded materials which do not require any maintenance. A railing system and a stair system are also provided which similarly connect by interlocking engagement of the components. |
| US08739485B2 |
Low profile pullout resistant pintle and anchoring system utilizing the same
A high-strength low profile pullout resistant pintle and anchoring system employing the same is disclosed. The modified veneer tie utilizes ribbon pintles formed from a wire formative construct that is cold-worked with the resultant body having substantially semicircular edges and flat surfaces therebetween. The edges are aligned to receive compressive forces transmitted from the outer wythe. The ribbon pintles hereof, when part of the anchoring system, interengage with receptor portions of a wall anchor and are dimensioned to preclude significant veneer tie movement and to preclude pullout. The insertion portion of the veneer tie is compressed and patterned to ensure a secure hold within the bed joint. |
| US08739482B1 |
Firestopping apparatus with airflow-blocking elements
A firestopping apparatus including a sleeve with at least first and second airflow-blocking elements, with at least the first airflow-blocking element comprising a resiliently compressible body and being slidably movable generally along a long axis of the sleeve. |
| US08739481B2 |
Hidden rail type window and door system
There is provided a window/door system having a hidden rail structure wherein a rail structure is detachably installed at a substructure, the substructure installed where a window/door is to be installed, thereby making it very easy to replace and to maintain/repair the rail. In addition, the rail is hidden so as not to be visible to the outside when a window/door is opened/closed.That is, the present invention is to provide a window/door system having a hidden rail structure, wherein the rail structure is detachably installed at a substructure positioned where a window/door frame is to be installed, thereby making it very easy to replace and to maintain/repair the rail. Since the window/door system having a hidden rail structure according to the present invention also hides the rail so as not to be visible to the outside when a window/door is opened/closed by a sliding motion and the top of the hidden rail structure is processed so as to be flat, it not only provides a neat appearance but also makes it easy to clean. Furthermore, it has a new structure of improving air tightness against any draft and/or noise by a multileveled shielding structure. |
| US08739479B1 |
Granular material storage capacity increasing device and system
A granular material storage capacity increasing device and system includes a housing including a plurality of roof trusses each including an inner chord. A plurality of panels is attached to the roof structure. Each of the panels extends between and is attached to adjacently positioned ones of the inner chords. Each of the panels is elongated and has a first end, a second end, an upper edge and a lower edge. An upper bend is positioned adjacent to the upper edge and defines an upper flange including the upper edge. A lower bend is positioned adjacent to the lower edge and defines lower flange including the lower edge. A primary bend is positioned between the upper and lower bends. The upper and lower flanges are attached to the inner chord. The primary bend is spaced further from the inner chord than the first and second ends. |
| US08739472B2 |
Retention clip, movable partition system, and method for restricting movement of adjacent panels of a movable partition system
A retention clip for a movable partition includes a top portion and a base portion. The top portion includes an elongated member having a top surface and a bottom surface. The base portion includes an elongated member having a front surface, a back surface, and a side surface. The base portion further includes an extended side portion extending at an angle relative the front surface. A related movable partition system includes a plurality of interconnected panels, a first retention clip and a second retention clip connected to one of the plurality of interconnected panels proximate a first interface and a second interface. A related method for restricting relative movement of adjacent panels of a movable partition includes connecting a first retention clip and a second retention clip each having an extended side portion extending at an angle from a base portion proximate an interface between a pair of adjacent panels. |
| US08739467B2 |
Window regulator glass attachment guide cover
A guide cover that guides attachment of a window pane to a mounting bracket includes a body operable to removably attach to a first portion of the mounting bracket to position the body in an attached position relative to the mounting bracket. The body, the mounting bracket, and the window pane are operable to be moved as a unit by the regulator assembly with the body in the attached position. Moreover, the guide cover includes a guide surface included on the body. The guide surface and the second portion of the mounting bracket define an opening into a channel when the body is in the attached position. The guide surface is operable to guide the window pane through the opening into the channel. |
| US08739463B2 |
Manufactured seed having parabolic cavity
The present disclosure includes a manufactured seed comprising a seed shell and a restraint disposed within the seed shell. The seed shell is a structure having an open end and a closed end. The restraint comprises a parabolic cavity. A seal assembly is disposed on the open end of the seed shell in a configuration effective to seal the seed shell. |
| US08739454B2 |
Gun sight with range finder
Handgun front sight 140 has an elongated, rectangular body with a light pipe 21 inserted into the open space between the rear opening 141 and forward opening 142. The base of the front sight is slanted to raise the proximate end relative to the distal end. The rear sight 120 has a body 102 with a circular opening for centering the target. A compass ring 60 fits inside the circular opening. A pair of light pipes 116a, 116b in the body of the rear sight are aligned with 90 and 270 degree points of the compass ring to establish an imaginary line across the diameter. The front light pipe is centered along that imaginary line. |
| US08739453B1 |
Magnetic firearm support
A magnetic firearm support includes a base, at least one magnet in the base and a firearm cradle having a firearm space carried by the base. |
| US08739451B2 |
Quick release ammunition connector assembly
An apparatus for holding a plurality of ammunition magazines in a stacked arrangement. The apparatus is configured to allow a magazine not in use in the stack to be disconnected from the stack while allowing a magazine engaged in the weapon to remain in place. The device comprises a clip located on one magazine sleeve that reversibly connects to a latch located on a second magazine sleeve. A magazine can comprise a latch on one side and a clip on an opposite side to permit stacks of more than two ammunition sleeves with magazines to be constructed. The clip and latch can be designed to provide variable spacing or staggering of magazines in order to adapt to weapons where space limitations require alternative configurations. |
| US08739445B2 |
Caliber conversion for pistol
A robust and convenient caliber conversion kit is described, for example, for the higher-caliber GLOCK® semi-automatic pistol. The caliber conversion kit has an internalized spent round extractor for more reliability. In addition, the firing pin safety relies on a set of two-dimensional surfaces, rather than on a one-dimensional line or edge, for cooperation (interaction and support) with the firing pin and with a recess in the firing pin housing that receives the safety, resulting in more security. Also, the spent round ejector is snugly fastened around an outwardly-extending abutment of steel on the barrel, the abutment being within a recess also snugly fitting the perimeter of the front end of the ejector, resulting in a quieter ejector mechanism. |
| US08739444B2 |
Color coding system for sizing fastener parts, tools and storage bins
The color coding system is for use with a storage bin for fastener parts and tools that assists in identifying and matching the cooperating sizes of fastener parts and tools by using color code markings on the various sizes for tools and fastener parts. The color coding system can readily communicate visually to a user the size of a selected fastener part, the sizes of cooperating fastener parts and the sizes of the cooperating tools for each of the selected fastener parts. |
| US08739440B2 |
Illuminating display systems
An exemplary system comprises a power regulator and an emitting apparatus. The emitting apparatus is typically attached to or integrated with a display object, such as a merchandise package or container. A support structure, such as a point of purchase display, typically contains or supports one or more power regulators and display objects. The power regulator comprises a controller and a primary inductor, and the controller is adapted to provide a voltage or current to the primary inductor to generate a first primary inductor voltage. The emitting apparatus comprises an illumination source and a secondary inductor coupled to the illumination source. The illumination source is adapted to emit visible light when the power regulator is in an on state and when the secondary inductor is within a predetermined distance of the primary inductor. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second inductors are substantially planar. |
| US08739439B2 |
Multi-color simulated flame system for electric fireplaces
A lighting system and methods for producing multi-color light effects are described. The multi-color light effects can feature at least two colors of light projected inside a firebox of an electric fireplace. The lighting system includes a projection surface, a reflective spindle, a first light-emitting device, and at least a second light-emitting device. The first light-emitting device projects light of a first color onto the reflective spindle. Light from the first light-emitting device striking the reflective spindle is reflected onto the projection surface, which can be a projection screen installed in the firebox of the electric fireplace. The second light-emitting device projects light of a second color directly onto the projection surface. The first color light and second color light can be projected onto adjacent, overlapping light projection areas of the projection screen so as to produce a realistic multi-color simulated flame effect. |
| US08739438B1 |
Wine bottle greeting card
The present disclosure and related inventions are directed to a greeting card in the shape of a wine bottle. A clear vacuum form is placed onto the front surface of a two-panel greeting card, creating a cavity therebetween. An intricate paper scene is disposed within the cavity, concealing various electronic components. A faux cork is attached to the greeting card at a pivot point wherein the faux cork can move between a first position where it is partially contained within the cavity and a second position where it is substantially outside of the cavity. Movement of the faux cork about the pivot point causes playback of pre-recorded audio and illumination of one or more LED lights and/or fiber optics. |
| US08739437B2 |
Snowplow blade
By controlling the dimensions of a snowplow blade, improved snowplow performance may be achieved. In one embodiment, the snow that is being plowed moves both upward and outward from the mid-section of the snowplow blade toward and beyond each end of the snowplow blade. |
| US08739435B2 |
Footwear with improved sole assembly
A boot including an outer sole assembly, the outer sole assembly extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise between a free surface and a connection surface, the outer sole assembly having a longitudinal groove that opens out in the area of the free surface. The longitudinal groove opens out in the area of the free surface, the groove having a length ranging between 30 and 100% of the length of the outer sole assembly, a width ranging between 25 and 45 mm, and a depth greater than or equal to 4 mm, the groove being compatible with one or more guiding ribs. |
| US08739434B2 |
Footwear with toe aligner structure
Wellness footwear that promotes proper gait and strong feet is provided. The footwear can include a sole. The footwear can also include a securing upper arranged with the sole and configured to securely hold a foot of a user on a footbed so as to substantially prevent lateral movement of the foot with respect to the footbed and allow one or more of a big toe and remaining toes of the user to be at least partially uncovered and exposed. A toe aligner structure can be arranged between the securing upper and the sole and configured to extend between the big toe and remaining toes of the user so as to direct a force against the big toe in a direction away from the remaining toes during standing, walking, running, swimming, and other movements when muscles of the foot are in use. |
| US08739432B2 |
Apparatus and method for drying sports pads and apparel
A drying apparatus for drying sports pads or apparel is provided. The drying apparatus may include a first member and a second member. The first member may be aligned substantially perpendicular to the second member and slid into the second member to form the drying apparatus. The drying apparatus may be inserted into the sports pads or a portion of the apparel to permit air to flow throughout the innards of the sports pads or apparel, thereby facilitating the drying of the sports pads or apparel. |
| US08739428B2 |
Constant force spring actuator for a handheld micrometer
A micrometer, including a constant force drive spring actuator configuration, is disclosed which comprises a frame, an anvil, a spindle, a linear displacement sensor that senses a displacement of the spindle, and an actuator including a button which is configured to move the spindle toward or away from the anvil. The spindle drive is attached to a constant force spring actuator comprising at least one constant force spring coil extending toward the spindle and attached between the spindle and the frame such that the sum of their forces drives the spindle toward the anvil with an approximately constant force. In some embodiments, the constant force spring actuator comprises at least two parallel constant force spring coils, extending in parallel toward the spindle. The constant force spring may be made more compact, exert a greater force, and have an extended life relative to known configurations. |
| US08739426B1 |
Measuring device
A measuring device for providing a portable and easy-to-use electronic measuring device. The measuring device generally includes a housing which includes a locking member, a reel member, a sensing assembly and control unit. A length of string is wound around the reel member, which is secured within the housing in a manner which allows the string to be retracted around the reel member absent outside force. As the string is dispensed through a string opening on the housing, a sensor wheel having a plurality of counting indicia will be rotated underneath one or more sensing members, which act to calculate the distance of string which has been dispensed. This data is communicated to a control unit, which causes the relevant information to be shown on a display on the housing. The locking member may be utilized to stop the string from being dispensed after the requisite length has been dispensed. |
| US08739424B2 |
Structure for protecting scale graduations
In a structure for protecting scale graduations, in which a graduation unit formed on a scale base is protected by a scale cover arranged on the top surface side of the graduation unit, a space between the scale base and the scale cover along the entire lateral periphery of the graduation unit is sealed using an adhesive agent mixed with a powder material such as a glass powder for blocking penetration of graduations-deteriorating components, to form a periphery adhesive layer. The scale cover may be supported on the scale base by a height regulating unit provided along the periphery of the graduation unit, so that variations in encoder output due to unevenness in thickness of the adhesive agent for joining the scale cover with the graduation unit can be prevented. |
| US08739421B2 |
Wall texturing tool
A tool and method for applying a texture material to a surface is provided. The tool comprises a body having a flat surface for mating to a smooth surface, such as a repaired portion of drywall. The body is formed of a rigid plastic material, that is optionally transparent, to enable to tool to be reused indefinitely, and has a multiplicity of spatially positioned openings disposed therethrough. Each of the openings has a predetermined configuration and position on the tool, for providing a pattern substantially matching the appearance of existing textured surface adjacent to the smooth surface. The invented method includes first affixing the tool to the smooth area of the surface, then applying a texture material to the smooth surface through the openings in the tool for forming a newly textured area that substantially matches the appearance of the existing adjacent textured surface. |
| US08739420B2 |
Machine bed for a co-ordinate measuring machine
A co-ordinate measuring machine (1) comprising a machine bed (2) provided with guides along a first axis, and a mobile unit (4) comprising at least one main carriage (5) mobile along the guides (16a, 16b, 16c); the machine bed (2) comprises a closed perimetral metal frame (15) provided with guides (16a, 16b, 16c) and a worktable (17) housed within the frame (15); the worktable (17) and the frame (15) are constrained to one another by constraint means (35) that uncouple the deformations thereof. |
| US08739417B2 |
Circular saw
A circular saw in which cutting speed of a saw blade is smoothly controlled. A speed change mechanism of a circular saw includes first and second rotating shafts disposed parallel to each other, and first and second gear trains having different gear ratios and each having a combination of a drive gear and a driven gear as one unit which are engaged with each other and transmit torque of the first rotating shaft to the second rotating shaft. A torque transmission path via the first gear train is defined as a first power transmission path and a torque transmission path via the second gear train is defined as a second power transmission path, and the transmission path is switched between the first power transmission path and the second power transmission path. |
| US08739413B2 |
Package opener system
Generally, a box opener system which provides in a single device a configuration to generate the open condition of numerous and varied types of boxes. Specifically, a cutter element in a handle disposed between a blade element and an impact element which can be used to disengage the sealed outer flaps or the side wall between perforations or cut box liners to generate the open condition of a box. |
| US08739409B2 |
Method for dual production of small-scale products
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing products by applying material at least partially in layers to form a structure, in particular by selective laser melting (SLM), said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a base plate, (b) applying a layer of a curable material, (c) selectively curing predetermined zones of the applied layer on the basis of geometrical data of the product, (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the geometry of a first partial volume of the product has been created in the form of a cured material and (e) removing the uncured material. According to the invention, a reference mark is provided, the unit formed by the base plate and the first volume zones is clamped into a specific position by means of the reference mark and the respective second partial volume of the respective product is cut from the base plate, preferably by machining, in particular CNC milling. |
| US08739408B2 |
Shape memory material packer for subterranean use
A shape memory polymer is initially fabricated to a size where its peripheral dimension will be at least as large as the borehole wall in which it is to be deployed. After the initial manufacturing the material temperature is elevated above the transition temperature and the material is stretched on a mandrel to retain its inside dimension as its outside dimension is reduced to size that will allow running the seal to a desired subterranean location without failing the material during the stretching. The material is allowed to cool below the transition temperature to hold the new shape. The material on the mandrel is then secured to a tubular string and delivered to the desired location. Wellbore fluid at given temperature raises the material again above the transition temperature, which causes the material to revert to its originally manufactured shape. |
| US08739407B2 |
Method of assembling an optical sensor assembly for a carriage printer
A method of assembling an optical sensor assembly for a carriage of a carriage printer, the method includes providing a flexible circuit subassembly including a photosensor and a light source; providing a mounting member including a first cavity and a second cavity having an orientation that is different than an orientation of the first cavity; mounting the flexible circuit subassembly on the mounting member such that the photosensor is disposed in the first cavity and the light source is disposed in the second cavity; and affixing the mounting member to an outer housing, wherein a connector end of the flexible circuit subassembly extends outwardly from the mounting member and the outer housing. |
| US08739406B2 |
Vapor condenser with three-dimensional folded structure
A method of fabricating a vapor condenser is provided which includes a three-dimensional folded structure which defines, at least in part, a set of coolant-carrying channels and a set of vapor condensing channels, with the coolant-carrying channels being interleaved with and extending parallel to the vapor condensing channels. The folded structure includes a thermally conductive sheet with multiple folds in the sheet. One side of the sheet is a vapor condensing surface, and the opposite side of the sheet is a coolant-cooled surface, with at least a portion of the coolant-cooled surface defining the coolant-carrying channels, and being in contact with coolant within the coolant-carrying channels. The vapor condenser further includes, in one embodiment, a top plate, and first and second end manifolds which are coupled to opposite ends of the folded structure and in fluid communication with the coolant-carrying channels to facilitate flow of coolant through the coolant-carrying channels. |
| US08739398B2 |
Method and apparatus for detethering mesoscale, microscale, and nanoscale components and devices
A method for forming an electronic device includes designing a tether having first and second ends; selecting an attachment point on the electronic device; attaching the first end of the tether to the attachment point, the electronic device being encapsulated in a cell; selecting an anchor point; attaching the second end of the tether to the anchor point; determining fracture condition at which the first end of the tether detaches from the attachment point; agitating the cell at the fracture conditions so as to detach the first end of the tether from the attachment point; and separating the electronic device from the cell. Also provided is a method for designing a plurality of electronic devices, wherein each of the electronic devices is encapsulated in a cell of a wafer, die or other holder and wherein the fracture conditions are the same for a group of the electronic devices. |
| US08739397B2 |
Electrode sheet and process for producing electrode sheet
A material 2 is used as the fabric of a shirt, and formed by knitting a blended yarn of polyester and urethane. The material 2 is flattened by a calendering process. A conductive ink is printed on an insulating layer serving as an underlayer to form wiring layers L1 to L10. The conductive ink contains carbon nanotubes. Consequently, wiring layers that ensure a sufficient conductivity can be obtained. |
| US08739395B2 |
Terminal crimping apparatus
The present invention is to provide an apparatus for crimping a terminal to an electrical wire, which have respective part numbers, and allows miniaturization of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a base, a drive portion, a plurality of applicators, a plurality of connection/disconnection portions and a control device. The drive portion drives the associated applicator to crimp the terminal to the electrical wire. The connection/disconnection portions each are disposed in one-to-one relation ship against the respective applicators. The each connection/disconnection portion is positionable at a connection and a disconnection position, where a driving force is transmitted to or released from the associated applicator. The control device controls the associated connection/disconnection portion so that the applicator corresponding to the part numbers of the electrical wire and the terminal can achieve crimping with the driving force from the drive portion. |
| US08739393B2 |
Electronic component mounting method
It is an object to provide an electronic component mounting method that makes it possible to assure stable pickup operation even when a dimensional error attributable to a difference in production lot exists in electronic components or carrier tapes. During electronic component mounting adopting a tape splicing technique for splicing a carrier tape 15 already loaded on a tape feeder to a newly loaded carrier tape 15A, when an optical sensor 30 has detected a joint J between the already-loaded carrier tape 15 and the newly-loaded carrier tape 15A, a height measurement device 12 performs measurement of a component pickup height targeted for components P housed in the carrier tape 15A in connection with the tape feeder for which the joint J has been detected. Component pickup height data showing a target lowering height to which pickup nozzles 10a are to be lowered are updated on the basis of the measurement result. |
| US08739391B2 |
Silver alloy electrical lapping guides (ELGs) for fabrication of disk drive sliders with magnetoresistive sensors
An air-bearing slider used in a magnetic recording disk drive has a surface that supports a magnetoresistive (MR) read head or sensor and an electrical lapping guide (ELG) adjacent to the MR sensor. The ELG is formed of a different material than the MR sensor so as to have both a high electrical resistivity and a substantially higher etch rate. When the ELG and MR sensor are etched simultaneously to form their respective back edges, the ELG will have a sharp well-defined non-tapered wall at the back edge. The ELG has a film thickness close to but generally thinner than that of the MR sensor, and a sheet resistance to generally match the resistance measurement capability of the lapping tool. The preferred material for the ELG is an alloy comprising silver (Ag) and one or more of Sn, Ge and zinc Zn. |
| US08739388B2 |
Method of fastening parts to a composite part
A method of joining parts together with a self-piercing rivet that is inserted through a part and partially through a second part. The second part includes a fiber-filled layer and a resin matrix layer that together form a composite part. A self-piercing rivet extends into the second part, but does not penetrate completely through the matrix layer. An assembly, including a first part and a second part that includes a reinforced layer and a resin layer in which a fastener is inserted, but does not extend through the second layer. A composite part including a first layer of resin matrix reinforces the filler and a second layer of resin matrix that does not include a filler and is more than 3 microns thick. |
| US08739381B2 |
Methods of cutting and installing carpet tiles
Methods of cutting and installing carpet tiles in, among other applications, mass transit vehicles, particularly including aircraft. In some embodiments, the tile lengths in an installation are the same and the tile widths are customized to a particular section of the aircraft or other vehicle in which they are installed. |
| US08739380B1 |
Method of making a multi-level swing out cooker/smoker
Method and apparatus for a swing-out, multi-level barbeque smoker having a common mounting post wherein the individual cooking units are mounted on the common mounting post so that the individual units are slidably and swingably disposed so that a user can have easy access to the individual units. The apparatus is mounted on a wheeled carriage having a handle bar assembly so that the wheeled carriage can be easily maneuvered by a user. The upper swing-out unit has a grill for receiving food items, the middle swing-out unit has a bowl for receiving water therein and the lower unit has a grill upon which the fuel, e.g., charcoal or the like can be placed. |
| US08739375B2 |
Cremation box
A corrugated fiberboard box assembly including a first portion including a bottom section having a pair of opposite long edges and a pair of opposite short edges with all edges being bounded by a plurality of creases, a pair of opposing side panels running along and connected to the pair of opposite long edges by two of the plurality of creases, and a pair of opposing end panels running along and connected to the pair of opposite short edges by another two of the plurality creases. The first portion being foldable to form a rectangular box with the bottom section on the bottom and the side panels and end panels both extending substantially perpendicularly upwardly away from the bottom to form side walls of the box. The box further includes a separate inner liner configured to fit within an inside of the side walls and a top configured to fit over the tops of the side walls. |
| US08739373B1 |
Shoelace clasp
A clasp for clasping the end sections of a shoelace for tightening a shoe is configurable between an open position for receiving the end sections and a closed position clasping the end sections. The clasp is connected to a shoe and generally includes a base and a cover hingedly connected to the base. The base includes two elongate channels for receiving the shoelace ends. The cover closes over the base and the received laces. The cover and base include cooperating ratchet teeth that allow the laces to be tightened but not loosened without opening the cover. |
| US08739372B2 |
Fastener stringer for hidden slide fastener
The invention provides a fastener stringer for a hidden slide fastener. Each of the fastener tapes includes a main tape body, a folded tape portion which is folded into a U-shape, and an element attaching portion. The folded tape portion includes at least two multiple-weave portions in which warp yarn forms a multiple-weave structure, and a single-weave portion arranged at least at one location of an intermediate portion of the folded tape portion. According to this, it is possible to enhance rigidity of the folded tape portion in a lateral direction of a tape, and to prevent a position of the warp yarn from being misaligned at the multiple-weave portion. Therefore, hiding performance of the hidden slide fastener can be enhanced. |
| US08739369B2 |
Clasp for a watch bracelet or a belt
Clasp for a watch bracelet including a cover (2) connected on a first side to a first bracelet strand (6) and to a second bracelet strand (10) on a second side, with the insertion of a folding system (4) between the second bracelet strand (10) and the cover (2) of the clasp (1), wherein said folding system (4) includes first and second links (12, 14), the first link (12) is hinged by a first end to the second bracelet strand (10) and by a second end to the second link (14), the second link (14) is hinged in turn to the cover (2) of the clasp (1), the folding system (4) is moveable between a first position in which the first and second links (12, 14) are superposed on each other inside the cover (2) of the clasp (1), and a second position in which the first and second links (12, 14) are unfolded, said clasp (1) being characterized in that, in the first position of the folding system (4), the first link (12) is held folded down on the second link (14), the first link (12) therefore including first and second elastic locking points (22, 24) for fixing the link in the cover (2) of the clasp (1). |
| US08739366B2 |
Hinge-integrated adjustable door stop
A hinge has a hinge-integrated stop. The hinge includes a first hinge leaf having a substantially-planar portion with a pivot edge and a top edge. The first hinge leaf includes a first knuckle extending from the pivot edge of the substantially-planar portion near the top edge. The first knuckle of the first leaf includes an inner splined surface. The hinge also includes a second hinge leaf having a substantially-planar portion having a pivot edge. A first knuckle extends from the pivot edge of the substantially-planar portion of the second hinge leaf, where the first knuckle has an inner surface and a first knuckle stop element on the inner surface. A hinge pin has a shaft having a shaft diameter and an upper splined portion having fingers extending beyond the shaft diameter and a hinge pin stop element located on the shaft below the upper splined portion. |
| US08739364B2 |
Protected caster assembly
An apparatus includes a wheel having an axle, and a round disk connected to the axle. The round disk has a disk middle connected to the axle and a disk circumferential surface surrounding the disk middle. Further, a round ring having an inner ring surface is connected to the disk circumferential surface of the round disk. The round disk is positioned within the round ring. The round ring contacts the round disk along a first plane, and the axle is coplanar with the first plane. Additionally, the round ring has a ring circumferential outer surface having threads. A threaded cylinder having an inner threaded cylinder surface is connected to the threads in the ring circumferential outer surface. The round ring is positioned within the threaded cylinder. Further, a worm gear is positioned between the threaded cylinder and the round ring. |
| US08739362B1 |
Gutter cleaning attachment for a leaf blower
A gutter cleaning attachment for a leaf blower comprises an elongated angled pipe assembly adaptably attached to an existing leaf blower. An upper portion of the attachment is inserted into the gutter portion of a structure allowing propelled air from the leaf blower to remove debris such as leaves, twigs, silt, insect nests, seed pods, and other similar items. The safety of the user is improved by avoiding the use of ladders or climbing on roofs to perform gutter cleaning. |
| US08739361B2 |
Vacuum cleaning head
A vacuum cleaning head includes a housing having a suction opening for admitting an air flow to the head, an agitator for agitating a surface to be cleaned, the agitator having an active state and an inactive state, a duct for receiving the air flow from the housing, and a control assembly for controlling the state of the agitator. The control assembly includes a pressure chamber having an interior volume in fluid communication with the duct and which is variable between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration in response to a pressure difference between the interior volume and ambient air, an actuator for effecting a transition of the agitator from one of the active state and the inactive state to the other of the active state and the inactive state in response to a transition of the pressure chamber to the contracted configuration, and a control mechanism having a first state for preventing the pressure chamber from adopting the contracted configuration, and a second state for allowing the pressure chamber to adopt the contracted configuration. The control mechanism is arranged to change between the first and second states in response to an increase in the interior volume of the pressure chamber, for example in response to an increase in the air pressure within the duct. |
| US08739359B2 |
Configuration of a surface cleaning apparatus
A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. The surface cleaning apparatus comprises a main body comprising a front end, a rear end, first and second opposed sidewalls, and a suction motor provided in the air flow path. At least one of the first and second opposed sidewalls may have a compartment that houses an operating component of the surface cleaning apparatus or a portion of the air flow path. A cyclone bin assembly may be provided in the air flow path. The cyclone bin assembly may have opposed end walls. |
| US08739358B2 |
Vacuum cleaner with noise suppression features
A vacuum cleaner includes a cyclonic airflow chamber that facilitates the separation of contaminants from a suction airstream. The airflow chamber includes a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet, with the chamber inlet being fluidically connected with at least one of a suction nozzle and an above-the-floor cleaning tool. An exhaust filter housing includes a suction duct and an exhaust plenum, with the suction duct communicating with the chamber outlet. A suction source housing includes an open end communicating with the exhaust plenum and a closed end. A suction source is positioned within the suction source housing to define an annular exhaust flow passageway surrounding the suction source from the housing closed end to the housing open end. The suction source includes a suction inlet communicating with the suction duct and an exhaust outlet communicating with the housing closed end. |
| US08739353B2 |
Sponge with mocrofiber
A sponge with microfiber which includes a foam sponge having a front side, a back side, and a plurality of edges between the front and back sides and a microfiber material laminated to one side of the foam sponge. The microfiber material may be inset from all edges of the foam sponge on the side of the foam sponge to which it is laminated and one or more of the plurality of edges of the foam sponge may be contoured and comprise a beveled edge and/or a chamfered edge. |
| US08739349B2 |
Versatile flexible scrubber brush
A versatile, flexible scrubbing apparatus comprising a rope having a first end and a second end wherein the rope may comprise one or more twisted strands wherein one or more filaments may be captured between the one or more strands and/or twists of the rope. The one or more filaments may be positioned essentially perpendicular or at predetermined angles to the length of rope. A handle may be attached to both the first and second end of the rope, wherein user manipulation of the handles may act to pull the rope across the bottom surface of a boat to clean the hull. |
| US08739348B1 |
Broom with curved or angled head
The present invention relates to brooms, including dust mops and brushes, and in particular to push brooms and handheld whiskbrooms. The invention relates to a broom head frame having a left section, center section and right section where the left section and right section are at an angle to the center sections. The left and right sections can be adjustable. |
| US08739346B1 |
Eraser assembly
An eraser assembly includes a first support member and a second support member. The first support member has a first eraser pad with a first surface area. The second support member is coupled to the first support member and has a second eraser pad with a second surface area that is different than the first surface area. The second support member is removable from the first support member such that the second eraser pad is usable independently of the first eraser pad. |
| US08739339B1 |
Multi-layer mattress with an air filtration foundation
A breathable mattress including a plurality of layers, where one of the mattress layers is further comprised of a plurality of sections and the sections are comprised of different types of materials, which have varying firmnesses and feel, and where each of the layers is comprised of material that is perforated or of an open-cell structure to allow for air circulation. The mattress is supported by an air filtration foundation capable of creating an air flow within the mattress. |
| US08739337B1 |
Patient self-transfer system
A system of belt and buckle components enable a handicapped person to achieve self-transfer between a bed and contiguous wheelchair. One extremity of the belt is secured to the wheelchair, and the other extremity of the belt is anchored to a panel inserted beneath the bed at a site transversely opposite the wheelchair. |
| US08739336B2 |
Inclined body positioning and support system
An inclined body positioning and support system is presented comprising an internal foundational wedged support encased in a chamber, an internal ventilation/comfort material encased in a chamber, first and second internal elongated positioning and support chambers each encasing a fill material, and an external cover. The foundational wedge chamber encases a respective first and second wedge plateau overlapped by the respective first and second elongated support material chamber to form a respective first and second transitional. |
| US08739335B1 |
Tactical stretcher and convertible first aid table with detachable IV pole
The tactical stretcher and convertible first aid table with detachable IV pole includes a small and lightweight stretcher that is manually lifted with two sets of handles located at distal ends of the stretcher. The stretcher includes a plurality of straps to secure and immobilize a patient lying on the top surface of the stretcher. Two pairs of foldable legs rotate downwardly from a bottom surface to convert the stretcher to a first aid table. The foldable legs are limited to 90 degrees range of rotational movement from a horizontal position to a vertical position. An IV holder accessory is optionally provided, and secures itself to one of the handles. The IV holder includes a telescoping construction in order to adjust the elevation of an IV bag with respect to the stretcher. |
| US08739332B2 |
Footboard with linen holder and transport shelf
A footboard includes a main body and first and second shelves coupled to the main body. The first shelf is pivotable relative to the main body about a substantially horizontal first axis through a first angle of about 270° between a first storage position and a first use position. The second shelf is pivotable relative to the main body about a substantially horizontal second axis through a second angle of about 90° between a second storage position and a second use position. The main body of the footboard has a recess in which the first and second shelves are situated when the respective storage positions. |
| US08739331B2 |
Changer assembly and playard with stow-away changer
A changer assembly and a playard are disclosed. The changer assembly is adapted for installation on a skeleton of a playard and includes an attachment base and a changer frame. The attachment base includes a mount structure attached to the skeleton and a guiding structure connected to the mount structure and outwardly extended with respect to a circumferential side of the skeleton. The changer frame is rotatably and slidably connected to the guiding structure and detachably engaging with an upper side of the skeleton for being capable of moving from a first position above the upper side to a second position beside the circumferential side by disengaging from the upper side and rotating on and sliding along the guiding structure. Thereby, the playard equipped with the changer assembly needs no additional space outside the playard for storing the changer frame. |
| US08739328B2 |
Index drain
A drain stopper assembly for selectively opening and closing a drain located within a basin, tub or sink, the drain having an opening within said basin, tub or sink for facilitating the selective passage of water there through and past its drain collar and drain body. A stopper is provided being selectively sealable on said drain collar allowing selective passage of water. The stopper is mechanically positioned within the drain body by a scooper end in mechanical communication with a lifting rod being actable from a position exterior to the drain body for selective raising and lowering of the scooper end wherein lowering the scooper end causes the stopper to seat upon the drain collar and raising the scooper causes the stopper to separate from the drain collar. |
| US08739322B2 |
Flow channel in which water is caused to flow by means of a delivery device disposed in a circulation line
A flow duct is provided in which water is caused to flow by way of a delivery device disposed in a circulation line. In order to be able to adapt the flow inside the duct to the particular requirements, and/or achieve a laminar flow over the entire flow region, a plurality of circulation lines is provided, each having a controllable delivery device, wherein the circulation lines lead into the flow duct separately from each other, and wherein the discharge openings of the circulation lines are distributed over the face wall of the flow duct. |
| US08739319B2 |
Helmet stabilization apparatus
The helmet stabilization apparatus includes a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, a night vision goggle unit attached to a front portion of the helmet, and a removable counterweight attached to a rear portion of the helmet that balances with the weight of the night vision goggle unit, wherein said removable counterweight can be connected in a variety of manners, such as a magnetic means of connection, a hook and loop connection, or a mechanical means of connection. Furthermore, the helmet may provide staggered connections, such that the removable counterweight may be positioned on the helmet at the user's desired orientation. This allows the user to move the center of mass of the system such that it is self-stabilizing on the user's head. Moreover, the removable counterweight may be formed such that when it is removed, it may be coupled with an attachable handle to form a plurality of tools or weapons. This is beneficial in that it provides a collection of tools while only one object need be carried. |
| US08739313B2 |
Helmet mounting systems
Helmet mounts for mounting an associated viewing device on a helmet, includes a first pivoting segment for attachment to the helmet and a second pivoting segment for attachment to the associated viewing device. The second pivoting segment is pivotable relative to the first pivoting segment for selectively supporting the associated viewing device in a first, operational position before the eyes of a user donning the helmet and a second, stowed position above a line of sight of a viewer donning the helmet. In one aspect, the first pivoting segment includes a vertical adjust mechanism having a base plate, a pair of guide rails attached to the base plate and defining a channel therebetween, a sliding plate slidably attached to the guide rails, and a clamping mechanism for selectively applying a clamping force to secure the sliding plate at a desired position relative to the base plate. |
| US08739312B1 |
Ballistic vest
A ballistic vest does not include or require a carrier. The vest includes a front ballistic panel permanently enclosed in a front waterproof cover, the front waterproof cover having, on its outer surface, portions of an adjustable body-attachment system; a front body side liner that is detachably secured to a body side portion of the front waterproof cover and that is machine washable; a back ballistic panel permanently enclosed in a back waterproof cover, the back waterproof cover having, on its outer surface, portions of an adjustable body-attachment system; and a back body side liner that is detachably secured to a body side portion of the back waterproof cover and that is machine washable. |
| US08745761B2 |
Force feedback leveling of tip arrays for nanolithography
A method of leveling a polymer pen array includes contacting a pen array with a surface and measuring a total force exerted on the surface by the pen array, the pen array being disposed at a first angle with respect to a first axis of the surface and a second angle with respect to a second axis of the surface; tilting one or both of the pen array and the surface to vary the first and second angles of the pen array with respect to the surface; measuring the total force exerted by the tilted pen array on the surface; and repeating the tilting and measuring steps until a global maximum of the total force exerted on the surface by the pen array is measured, thereby determining first and second angles which correspond to a leveled position of the pen array with respect to the surface. |
| US08745759B2 |
Associated with abnormal application-specific activity monitoring in a computing network
Embodiments herein disclosed provide for computer network security and, more specifically, monitoring application-based access to secure data and monitoring predetermined actions conducted on applications to determine abnormal access or abnormal actions. Specific embodiments of the invention provide for improved database which implements time period-structured tables and file directories. Such structuring of the database provides for automated data purging, backing-up of data and data recovery. Additional embodiments provide for tracking data attributes related to the monitored data, such as the quality of the monitored data, the quality of the monitored data and the origin of the monitored data. In addition, embodiments provide for validating the source of the monitored data to assure that data is received from a valid application. |
| US08745758B2 |
Apparatus and methods for device authorization in a premises network
Apparatus and methods for enabling protected premises networking capabilities. In one embodiment, a white list of devices authorized to access a premises network and a black list of device not authorized to access a premises network are utilized. The black and white lists may be stored at a database in communication with an authorization manager or may be stored at the manager itself. When a client device is connected to a premise, the manager determines, based on the premises and/or device identity, whether the device is entitled to access. The authorization manager makes this determination based on whether the device is on the white or black list. If the device is on neither list, the manager may add the device to the white list upon appropriate verification. The manager may also facilitate removal of a device from the white list to the black list upon request or automatically. |
| US08745757B2 |
Electronic device and controlling method of electronic device
The present invention provides an electronic device for performing a typical processing by storing a predetermined operating procedure and reproducing the stored operating procedure that controls suspending storing information related to an authentication, which includes a control unit, when an operation requiring a predetermined authentication is performed at the time when the predetermined operating procedure is stored. |
| US08745756B2 |
Device management system, device management apparatus, device management method, program for implementing the method, and storage medium storing the program
A device management system which makes it possible to promptly and easily change and reset device-related operation rights assigned to users. User's operation rights with respect to a device are set, and a system policy is set which is used to restrict the operation rights with respect to the device and is to be applied to a plurality of specific users. It is determined whether or not the system policy is to be applied. If it is determined that the system policy is to be applied, the user's operation rights with respect to the device are restricted based on the system policy irrespective of whether or not operation rights have been set. |
| US08745755B2 |
Controlling device access to enterprise resources in an orchestration framework for connected devices
Aspects described herein allow multiple devices to function as a coherent whole, allowing each device to take on distinct functions that are complementary to one another. Aspects described herein also allow the devices function as a coherent whole when interconnected devices and their respective applications are configured to operate in various operation modes, when management policies are employed to control the operation of the interconnected devices and their respective applications, when transferring content between the interconnected devices and storing the content at those devices, when obtaining access credentials for the interconnected devices that enable the devices to access enterprise resources, when a policy agent applies management policies to control operation of and interaction between the interconnected devices, and when the interconnected devices are used to access an enterprise application store. |
| US08745752B2 |
Detection method for detecting fraud
A detection method for detecting fraud with respect to a card reader. The card reader includes a removal detection switch for detecting a removal from a housing of a user operation terminal, a first RAM that can erase removal detection recognition data being stored therein, according to an output signal from the detection switch, a second RAM being independent of the first RAM and storing authentication key data. The method includes erasing the removal detection recognition data is erased when the card reader is removed from the housing of the user operation terminal. Afterwards, the authentication key data is changed after completion of predetermined authentication procedures when the card reader is mounted into the housing of the user operation terminal. Then, the changed authentication key data is stored in the second RAM, while the removal detection recognition data is stored in the first RAM. |
| US08745751B2 |
License information exchange system
When license information is transferred between a server machine and a client machine, an identifier which is unique to a series of communication sequences is provided. The identifier is sent when a communication is performed between the two machines, as well as when the license information is updated. Therefore, when a message for transferring the license information is received by the use of the same identifier, a response message is returned without updating the license information. |
| US08745748B2 |
Cancelling digital signatures for form files
The embodiments described herein generally relate to methods and systems for enabling a client to request a server to cancel the digital signing of a form file associated with a form. Successful cancellation of the digital signing process results in a return of the form file to its initial state, in which data are not lost, and the form can be resubmitted and/or the application of the digital signature can be retried. Request and response messages, communicated between a protocol client and a protocol server, cause the performance of protocol functions for applying a digital signature to a form file and for cancelling the signature thereof where errors in the signing process are detected. A versioning mechanism enabling the detection of version differences and resulting upgrades to the digital signature control allows for robust communications between a client and a server operating under different product versions. |
| US08745744B2 |
Storage system and storage system management method
The present invention removes a computer virus-infected benchmark file by re-creating the benchmark file referenced by a reference-source file. One or more clone files, which serve as reference files, reference a clone-source file, which serves as the benchmark file. In a case where it has been determined that the clone-source file is infected with a computer virus, only the clone file referencing the infected area is subjected to a virus check and repaired. A new clone-source file is configured based on the repaired clone file and the clone-source file (b). The old clone-source file, which is infected with the computer virus, is deleted (c). |
| US08745743B2 |
Anti-virus trusted files database
A method and apparatus for populating a trusted files database for an anti-virus application. A determination is made from several files stored in a file system of a set of files likely to be accessed from the file system. For each file that is likely to be accessed from the file system, a further determination is made to ascertain if the file is trusted by the anti-virus application. If the file is likely to be accessed from the file system, and is trusted, then it is identified in a trusted files database. By only including files that are likely to be accessed by the file system, the time to populate the trusted files database is greatly reduced. |
| US08745741B1 |
Detecting and handling vtable pointer corruption
A system and method is disclosed for providing security in virtual function calling. During a build process a program code is analyzed to identify one or more call sites used to facilitate a call to a subroutine associated with a declared object type. One or more trusted vtable pointers to a respective subroutine is determined, and the program is configured, via the build process, to detect, at an execution time, an initiation of a virtual call at a call site, verify whether a vtable pointer used in connection with the call site is associated with at least one of the trusted vtable pointers, and, if verified, facilitate the virtual call using the call site. If the vtable pointer cannot be verified then the virtual call is aborted. |
| US08745738B2 |
Vouching for user account using social networking relationship
Trusted user accounts of an application provider are determined. Graphs, such as trees, are created with each node corresponding to a trusted account. Each of the nodes is associated with a vouching quota, or the nodes may share a vouching quota. Untrusted user accounts are determined. For each of these untrusted accounts, a trusted user account that has a social networking relationship is determined. If the node corresponding to the trusted user account has enough vouching quota to vouch for the untrusted user account, then the quota is debited, a node is added for the untrusted user account to the graph, and the untrusted user account is vouched for. If not, available vouching quota may be borrowed from other nodes in the graph. |
| US08745737B2 |
Systems and methods for detecting similarities in network traffic
A system, computer-readable medium, and method for identifying similarities in network traffic are provided. Hash values are calculated from Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in a group of IP addresses that request a domain name, a hash signature is generated from the hash values and paired with the domain name, and the domain name is then clustered with another domain name having a paired hash of the same value. The clustered domain names are then extracted and used in a similarity calculation. |
| US08745729B2 |
Preventing abuse of services through infrastructure incompatibility
Spammers, and other abusers of web services, may be deterred in their attempts to sign up for these services at large scale by making changes to the service registration procedure, where the changes are designed to break the spammer's infrastructure. In one example, a procedure to register for a web service involves presenting a Human Interaction Proof (HIP, or “captcha”) to the user, and gating access to the service upon receipt of a correct solution. If spammers use botnets and/or image capture techniques to initiate registration processes and to transport the HIPs to human or automated solvers, then the registration procedure can be changed in a way that is incompatible with capturing these images, or in a way that is incompatible with receiving HIP solutions from someplace other than the location at which registration was initiated. |
| US08745721B2 |
Messaging system for healthcare community
A messaging system for a health care community includes a private network. Electronic medical records are accessible via the private network. A calendar system includes appointments of patients with medical providers. An encrypted firewall and subscriber directory limits access to the private network so that only subscribers to the private network have access to the private network. Subscribers are identified by mobile phone numbers or extensions. |
| US08745716B2 |
System and method for providing secure data communication functionality to a variety of applications on a portable communication device
A system for providing an application associated with a portable communication device the ability to communicate via a secure element. The system has a digital identifier and digital token operably associated with the application; a card services module that provides an application programming interface to the secure element; and a secure data table associated with the card services module. The secure data table includes a list of trusted applications each identifiable by paired digital identifier and token. The card services module [includes] compares the identifier and the token with each of the identifier-token pairs in the table until a match indicates the application is trusted. The card services module issues commands to the secure element based on an action requested by a trusted application in conjunction with the presentation of the digital token. A method of providing an application with the ability to communicate via secure element is also disclosed. |
| US08745713B1 |
Method and service for securing a system networked to a cloud computing environment from malicious code attacks
A system and method to prevent the installation by a hacker of malicious software onto networked electronic systems, computers, and the like, by removing the read, write and execute administrator permission files of a system's OS, and placing them in a in a separate, protected server in the cloud. The secure cloud server records the system's unique ID(s). After relocation of the authorized administrator's permissions files, a strong password is requested from the authorized administrator. Thereafter, the network path to the secure cloud server files is encrypted and recorded on the protected system. This path change replaces the former local path in the computer system to those files. The result of these changes to the OS on a protected system eliminates the hacker's access to the system from a network to illicitly become an administrator of the hacked system. |
| US08745712B2 |
Dynamically providing algorithm-based password/challenge authentication
Provided are a computer program product, method and system for dynamically providing algorithm-based password/challenge authentication. A page is generated including selectable conversion operators to enable generation of an algorithm that applies at least one selected conversion operator of the selectable conversion operators on a string to generate a password. A created algorithm created using the at least one selected conversion operator in the page is received. The created algorithm is associated with a username for use in authenticating access by a presenter of the username to a computer service. |
| US08745708B2 |
Method and apparatus for implementing security measures on network devices
A method for providing security measures on a network device, such as a router, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for a network resource. The method further includes determining a classification of the request, and generating, based on the determined classification of the request, a security measure corresponding to the determined classification of the request for authentication of the request. The method also includes permitting access to the network resource when a correct response is received to the security measure corresponding to the determined classification of the request. |
| US08745703B2 |
Identifying exploitation of vulnerabilities using error report
A tool and method examine error report information from a computer to determine not only whether a virus or other malware may be present on the computer but also may determine what vulnerability a particular exploit was attempting to use to subvert security mechanism to install the virus. A system monitor may collect both error reports and information about the error report, such as geographic location, hardware configuration, and software/operating system version information to build a profile of the spread of an attack and to be able to issue notifications related to increased data collection for errors, including crashes related to suspected services under attack. |
| US08745702B2 |
System and method for managing access to a network interface device
A system and method for managing control of a network interface device. Permissions for management of a NID are established. The permissions enable a user to deny a third party access to one or more portions of the NID. Access for the third party to the one or more portions of the NID are granted in response to receiving an authorized override command from the third party. Activities performed by the third party are logged by the one or more portions of the mid-in response to receiving the authorized override command from the third party. |
| US08745700B2 |
System and method for pool-based identity authentication for service access without use of stored credentials
A computer-implemented system and method for pool-based identity authentication for service access without use of stored credentials is disclosed. The method in an example embodiment includes providing provisioning information for storage in a provisioning repository; receiving a service request from a service consumer, the service request including requestor identifying information; generating an authentication request to send to an authentication authority, the authentication request including requestor identifying information; receiving validation of an authenticated service request from the authentication authority; and providing the requested service to the service consumer. |
| US08745697B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
A multifunction product, when receiving input of login name and password, requests an LDAP server to perform authentication by using a pre-set representative ID. If the authentication is successful, the multifunction product requests the LDAP server to search for user information (DN) with the use of the login name, and after acquiring the DN, requests the LDAP server to perform authentication with the use of the DN. If the authentication processing is successful, the multifunction product permits a search for user information stored in the LDAP server. |
| US08745696B2 |
Apparatus and method for privacy protection in association rule mining
There are provided an apparatus and a method for privacy protection in association rule mining among data mining technologies. An apparatus for privacy protection in association rule mining according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a fake transaction inserter that generates fake transactions of a predetermined number each having a predetermined length and inserts the fake transactions between a plurality of transactions comprised in an original data set to generate a first virtual data set; and a distortion transaction generator that generates a second virtual data set by converting data of the transaction of the first virtual data set with a predetermined probability. |
| US08745689B2 |
Channel surfing compressed television sign method and television receiver
Efficient channel surfing in a compressed frame television system is provided by receiving and storing compressed frames representing unwatched channels. Then, when a viewer selects one of the unwatched channels for viewing, the corresponding compressed frame is retrieved from memory and is displayed until a sufficient number of frames are received for that channel to provide for normal viewing of that channel. Corresponding audio clips may also be stored in memory and retrieved and played when the corresponding channel is selected for viewing. Program data may also be stored for unwatched channels for later retrieval and display. Preferably, one tuner/decoder pair is utilized to display programs for selected channels, while a second tuner/decoder pair is utilized to capture and store compressed frames for unwatched channels. |
| US08745688B2 |
Method and device for operating a television located in a premises to simulate occupation of the premises
An electronic device operates a television located in a premises to simulate occupation of the premises, and thereby deter intrusion. The electronic device is caused to operate automatically, without any input from a user, and activates the television at different times according to a predetermined schedule not set by the user. During automatic operation, the television is caused not only to present television programming, but also to present visual and sound effects simulating human activity, whereby occupation of the premises is simulated. |
| US08745686B2 |
System and method for recording and time-shifting programming in a television distribution system with limited content retention
Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to record broadcast programming for at least one television channel for a period of time, wherein the recording is performed upstream from subscribers in a television distribution system, and further including after the period of time, keeping recorded programming by request from at least one subscriber. And further wherein the request is for at least one television program contained in the recorded programming or for a time window for a particular channel. According to another embodiment a subscriber requests that broadcast programming be saved for the subscriber upstream from the subscriber in a television distribution system, and wherein the subscriber may request the programming be saved for later viewing by the subscriber between the time the programming was broadcast and a later point in time. |
| US08745683B1 |
Methods, devices, and mediums associated with supplementary audio information
Media data may include audio content and video content. Text may be associated with the audio content and presented on a display device. In response to receiving a selected portion of the text, supplementary information associated with the selected portion of text may be provided to a user. A method, device, or medium may be associated with identifying the selected portion of text and providing the supplementary information. |
| US08745682B1 |
Integrated cable modem and cable television management system
An integrated cable modem and cable television management system. The invention may include a stand alone device, a portable device, or a vehicle adapted device in various embodiments of the invention. The invention allows for two-way communication and interaction between a television service provider and a user of the device. In addition, other various circuitries may reside in the device allowing storage and processing of received signals. The invention allows a device operable to receive different broadcast signals, including analog and digital signals. In addition, the invention allows for download of selectable programming from a cable television server using the device, either offline, streaming, or in real time when online. The invention allows for recording and buffering of received signals. In addition, the invention allows for control of commercials, publications, and content contained within received signals. The invention allows for time compression of such signals as well. |
| US08745674B2 |
Apparatus for receiving broadcast signal
A broadcast signal receiving apparatus receives a plurality of transport streams and uses conditional access provided by an external adapter. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus includes a pre-processor operable to extract a part of information, by elementary stream unit, from each of the plurality of transport streams by receiving a filtering condition from the external adapter and performing filtering on the plurality of transport streams according to the filtering condition. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus also includes a multiplexer, an output interface, an input interface, and a demultiplexer. The external adapter is detachable from the broadcast signal receiving apparatus, and includes a conditional access descrambler that descrambles transport stream packets in the multiplexed data that are protected by conditional access with a packet identifier specified by the controller in the broadcast signal receiving apparatus. |
| US08745671B2 |
Systems and methods for presentation of digital media at a mobile platform
According to one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed for receiving and providing an aggregate video feed on a mobile platform. The apparatus can include a receiver configured to receive a mobile digital television signal. A file assembler is configured to provide a broadcast media stream and at least one media file from the mobile video television signal. A media library stores the at least one media file. A media player configured to selectively retrieve the at least one media file from the media library, to construct an aggregate video feed from the retrieved at least one media file and the broadcast media stream, and to output the aggregate video feed. |
| US08745668B2 |
Service system and method of providing service in digital receiver thereof
A digital receiver and method of controlling the same are provided. An embodiment of the method of providing service data in a digital receiver includes transmitting device information including information about a country and a receiver type to a server; receiving a group identifier, ID, in accordance with the device information from the server; transmitting a service list including the received group ID and first service data to the server at a first interval; and receiving second service data from the server, configuring a service guide, and providing the service guide. |
| US08745666B1 |
Predictive analytics for media content using scheduled timers and media usage
Predicting user-interest in particular media content. Data associated with scheduled program recording timers may be accumulated across accessible subscribing customers of a particular television provider. A ranking parameter may be assigned to particular programs associated with particular ones of the scheduled program recording timers. A list may be presented itemizing particular programs based on assigned ranking values. |
| US08745658B2 |
System and method for construction, delivery and display of iTV content
iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments. The framework for applications accommodates advertising, promotions, content placement packages and/or programming campaign definitions, so as to permit a selection of a specific advertisement, promotion or content at a time of preparation of the iTV content by the server, and/or a time of execution of the applications by the client. |
| US08745657B2 |
Inserting interactive objects into video content
Enriching video-based content with additional content is enabled by defining metadata for a video comprising a place holder and matching attribute. When the video is viewed, a matching server is utilized to select an object to be inserted in the place holder according to the matching attribute. The matching server selects the object according to video content, represented by matching attribute, according to user related information, and according to type of place holder. The place holder may be utilized to dynamically insert an interactive object to the video. The inserted object may be seamlessly inserted to the video. |
| US08745654B1 |
Method and system for managing digital rights for content
A method and system for providing digital rights to a user device is set forth. The user device forms a selection signal from guide data. The user device communicates a digital rights determination signal to a first authentication module in response to selecting. The first authentication module communicates a query signal to a second authentication module to determine whether the user device is authorized to receive content associated with the selection signal. The second authentication module communicates an address of a content delivery module to the user device through the first authentication module when the user device is authorized. A digital rights management server communicates a request for content to a content delivery module using the address of the content delivery module. The content delivery module communicates content to the user device corresponding to the selection signal. The user device displays content on the display associated with the user device. |
| US08745653B2 |
Methods and apparatus for auto-subscription in a network environment
Methods and apparatus for auto-subscription in a network environment. A method is provided that includes determining an affiliate associated with a device, and identifying a package associated with the affiliate. The method also includes generating system information parameters that identify the package, and transmitting the system information parameters to the device. The method also includes receiving a subscription request from the device, wherein the subscription request requests that the device be automatically subscribed to receive the package. |
| US08745652B2 |
Television channel mapping techniques
In one embodiment, a television configuration technique includes determining a location, from a web service, of a television set using an internet protocol address of the television set or a zip code corresponding to a physical location of the television. Electronic programming guide, interactive programming guide or the like data for a plurality of service providers in the determined location are downloaded. The electronic programming guide data, interactive programming guide data, or the like for one or more channels that are unique between the plurality of service providers are checked against transmitting station identifier data or system information protocol data to identify the specific service provider that the television set is connected to. A channel list for the specific service provider is then determined from the electronic programming guide or interactive programming guide corresponding to the specific service provider. |
| US08745650B1 |
Content segment selection based on time-shifted content viewing
A method, executed by a processor, for selecting content segments to serve to a viewer based on time-delayed television content viewed by the viewer includes receiving by the processor, a notification for a visit by the viewer to the resource; accessing by the processor, a time-delayed content viewing history; and in response to the notification, identifying by the processor, based on the history, one or more content segments to serve at the resource. |
| US08745648B2 |
Methods and apparatus to monitor advertisement exposure
Methods and apparatus to monitor advertisement exposure are disclosed. An example method includes determining via a meter that a media content segment was presented at a media content presentation device and determining via an activity monitor different than the meter that a computing resource related to the media content segment was accessed by outputting an indication of an association between the computing resource access and the media content presentation after the presentation of the media content segment. |
| US08745643B2 |
Method and arrangement for re-loading a class
The method is for deploying an input class in a computer readable memory. A state class is created that has at least one field and at least one proxy method and a behavior class version that includes at least one method on the basis of the input class. At least one method call of the state class is redirected to the behavior class version. Also, an arrangement and a computer-software are disclosed. |
| US08745642B2 |
Method and system for sharing data between portlets within a portal
The present invention relates to a method and respective system for sharing data between portlets within a portal. In general, a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes: generating a visual representation, indicating for a predetermined first portlet a portlet property indicating whether or not the first portlet shares data with a second portlet; displaying the visual representation at the web page rendering the first portlet; and/or generating a user control, allowing to switch ON and switch OFF the ability of the first portlet to share data with the second portlet, and performing portlet integration in dependence of the portlet property. |
| US08745636B2 |
Communication event management methods, media and systems
A method for managing a communication event in an information handling system (IHS) is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving at least one communication event at an interrupt manager, wherein the interrupt manager manages the at least one communication event from an application. The method further includes receiving a selection of an interrupt manager setting in response to at least one communication event and generating at least one event notification based on the interrupt manager setting selected. |
| US08745631B2 |
Intelligent memory device with ASCII registers
An ASCII-based processing system is disclosed. A memory is divided into a plurality of logical partitions. Each partition has a range of memory addresses and includes information associated with a particular task. Task information includes contents of task state register and one or more task data registers, with each task data register having an ASCII name. Each task data register is successively labeled with a unique alphabetic character label starting with the character ‘A.’ A dataflow unit within the processing system is configured to manage a mapping between registers with ASCII names and the memory addresses of a particular task. Task instructions can include ASCII characters that indicate a request for resources and indicate the ASCII-character designated names of task data registers on which the task instruction operates. A processing element receiving the task instruction performs the operation indicated by the ASCII operator code on the indicated task data registers. |
| US08745630B2 |
Dynamically allocating meta-data repository resources
The apparatus for dynamically allocating resources used in a meta-data repository includes a tracking module to track resources allocated to a meta-data repository, the meta-data repository comprising a repository that stores meta-data related to a computer system. An adjustment evaluation module evaluates repository usage of the resources allocated to the meta-data repository and ascertains whether a resource adjustment is desirable. An adjustment determination module determines desirable adjustments to the resources available to the meta-data repository. An allocation module adjusts resources allocated to the meta-data repository in accordance with the adjustment determination module. Adjusting resources includes changing a number of strings allocated to handle concurrent meta-data repository I/O requests. |
| US08745626B1 |
Scheduling application instances to configurable processing cores based on application requirements and resource specification
Systems and methods provide a processing task load and type adaptive manycore processor architecture, enabling flexible and efficient information processing. The architecture enables executing time variable sets of information processing tasks of differing types on their assigned processing cores of matching types. This involves: for successive core allocation periods (CAPs), selecting specific processing tasks for execution on the cores of the manycore processor for a next CAP based at least in part on core capacity demand expressions associated with the processing tasks hosted on the processor, assigning the selected tasks for execution at cores of the processor for the next CAP so as to maximize the number of processor cores whose assigned tasks for the present and next CAP are associated with same core type, and reconfiguring the cores so that a type of each core in said array matches a type of its assigned task on the next CAP. |
| US08745625B2 |
System, method and computer program product for conditionally executing related reports in parallel based on an estimated execution time
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for conditionally executing related reports in parallel based on an estimated execution time. These mechanisms and methods for conditionally executing related reports in parallel based on an estimated execution time can provide parallel execution of related reports when predetermined time-based criteria are met. The ability to conditionally provide parallel execution of related reports can reduce overhead caused by such parallel execution when the time-based criteria is met. |
| US08745624B2 |
Distribution of job in a portable format in distributed computing environments
A distributed computing system includes a device that creates a job to be performed by one or more workers, where the job includes a group of tasks. The device further encodes the job into a group of portable format files, where each portable format file includes one or more tasks of the group of tasks. Each portable format file may be handled by each scheduler of a group of different schedulers. The device also transfers the group of portable format files via a network of the distributed computing system and sends information related to the job to one scheduler of the group of different schedulers. The information allows the one scheduler to cause the group of portable format files to be distributed to the one or more workers. |
| US08745621B2 |
Method for managing green power of a virtual machine cluster
A method for managing green power determines if how many physical machines should run or be shut off with the gross occupied resource weight ratio of the virtual machine cluster. The standby physical machine in the non-running physical machines is elected and woke up to join as one of the running physical machines; one of the running physical machines is elected as a migration physical machine with the virtual machines therein being moved to other running physical machines, and then shut off. The resource allocation process is conducted to distribute loads of the running physical machines such that the total numbers of the running physical machines are capable of being dispatched flexibly to achieve the object of green power management. |
| US08745620B2 |
Software tool and method for updating a virtual appliance
A virtual appliance update mechanism detects when an update to a corresponding workload is made, and makes automatic corresponding changes to the virtual appliance to reflect the update to the workload. In one specific implementation, the virtual appliance update mechanism determines that configuration units corresponding to the update to the workload are present in a knowledge base of configuration units, and automatically updates the virtual appliance with the configuration units corresponding to the update. In this manner a virtual appliance may be automatically updated based on an update to a workload, thereby assuring the virtual appliance reflects the current state of the workload. |
| US08745615B2 |
Information processing apparatus and installation method
The installation of multiple applications by an installer is executed in a mode that does not display an error message in a display device. Upon an installation performed by the installer ending, the result of the installation performed by the installer is determined. As a result of the determination, an installer that failed at the installation is caused to re-execute the installation of the application whose installation failed in a mode that displays an error message in the display device. As a result of the re-execution, an error message is displayed in the display device by the installer that failed at the installation. |
| US08745614B2 |
Method and system for firmware upgrade of a storage subsystem hosted in a storage virtualization environment
A method and controller device for upgrading firmware in a virtualized storage environment having a virtual machine manager, guest virtual machines and a storage device. The method includes downloading a new firmware solution bundle to a first logical area of the storage device, and installing the new firmware containing the virtual machine manager and guest virtual machines. The installation includes moving the solution bundle to a scratch area carved out of a P-cache area in the storage device, extracting the new firmware, copying the new firmware to the first logical area, marking the first logical area as the Active area, and marking the second logical area as the Staging area. The method also includes rebooting the virtualized storage environment with the installed new firmware, committing to the new firmware if the installation is successful, and rolling back the firmware version from the new firmware to the current firmware if the installation is not successful. |
| US08745611B2 |
Software upgrade analysis system
A system may include computer code for analyzing an upgrade from a first version to a second version of a software program that has been customized without performing the upgrade. The system may provide default state information of default program objects. The default program objects would be included in a default installation of the second version of the software program. The computer code may retrieve current state information of current program objects from an application database. The software program that has been customized may include the current program objects. The system may generate upgrade information based on a comparison between the current state information and the default state information. The upgrade information may identify a subset of the current program objects that would be impacted by the upgrade. |
| US08745606B2 |
Critical section ordering for multiple trace applications
Critical sections in a programming code may be ordered based at least in part on code motions. A flow graph of the code including the critical section may be generated. Two initiative motions may be performed based on the flow graph to identify possible positions of critical codes in the flow graph. Dependence relationship of critical sections may be determined based on the positions of critical sections. Using the dependence relationship information, the order of critical sections may be determined. The determined order of critical sections may be further used by a compiler to perform optimizations for the code. |
| US08745600B2 |
Inserting test scripts
A method and system to automatically insert a test script into a web application is provided. A web browser is monitored to detect the navigation in the web application. The test script is automatically inserted into the web application rendered on a web browser after a navigation is detected in the web application. |
| US08745598B2 |
Running injected code prior to execution of an application
A technique provides a hook that executes prior to a software application that is invisible to the software application. In an object-oriented execution environment, an imposter main class is loaded instead of the application main class. The imposter main class then manipulates the object-oriented execution environment to load the application main class without requiring knowledge of the application main class other than its name, and without requiring a change to the command line for the application. |
| US08745597B2 |
Providing programming support to debuggers
System, and computer program product for providing programming support to a debugger are disclosed. The debugger executes at least one debugger programming statement which modifies at least a portion of the computer program during execution of the computer program without recompiling the computer program. The debugger may be instructed to execute the at least one debugger programming statement at a specified position of the computer program. The at least one debugger programming statement may include a delete instruction that instructs the debugger to prevent one or more programming statements at a specified position in the computer program from being executed. The debugger may be instructed to execute the at least one debugger programming statement instead of one or more programming statements at a specified position in the computer program without recompiling the computer program. |
| US08745594B1 |
Program flow specification language and system
A programming language and computer system adapted to receive and execute f-programs written in a programming language that provides a mechanism to sequence and check the correctness of the execution of a plurality of code segments. The method provides for sequencing the execution of p-segments by a computer processor, where each p-segment is a sequence of one or more executable statements. The p-segments may be part of a manipulation program. An f-program includes a number of f-segments. The manipulation program is configured so that after the completion of execution of each p-segment, control is passed to a specific f-segment associated with the completed p-segment, and at least one variable identifier and value of the variable computed by the completed p-segment is passed to the f-segment so that the f-segment either causes execution to terminate or passes control to one of the p-segments. |
| US08745588B2 |
Method for testing operation of software
A method for processing test results from testing operation of software. A test result of pass, fail status, or unperformed is received for each test case of a test performed for each release of the software. A group to which each test belongs is ascertained. A test result stability index is calculated for each test case as being proportional to a total number of consecutive releases that include and are prior to the last release of the software such that the test result for each of the consecutive releases denotes a pass. A module stability index is calculated for each test case as being a summation over a product of a weight at each release and a binary stability indicator of 0 at each release for which the test result is changed from that of the immediately prior release and 1 at every other release. |
| US08745587B2 |
System and method for testing computer programs
A method for testing computer programs includes the steps of identifying at least one code subsection of a computer program to be tested, ascertaining one or more other code subsections required for executing the identified subsection, determining one or more input arguments required for executing the identified subsection and the other subsections, prompting a developer to provide at least one of the input arguments, and executing the identified subsection using the provided input arguments. |
| US08745585B2 |
Meta-data for single development test environment
System and method for generating meta-data for a product is disclosed. An artifact repository stores first artifacts for building the product. The artifact repository stores first meta-data for one or more of the artifacts in the repository. A build manager builds second artifacts for the product from source code and one or more of the first artifacts based on information in a project script. The build manager is adapted to combine the first meta-data for each of the one or more of the first artifacts used to build the second artifact to form second meta-data for each of the second artifacts. |
| US08745584B2 |
Dependency injection by static code generation
The illustrative embodiments provide dependency injection by static transformation. Information about a first software module among several software modules is identified. The first software module has a dependency on at least one other software module among the several software modules. Information about the dependency of the first software module on at least one other software module is identified. Using the information about the first software module and the information about the dependency, code is generated for the first software module to resolve the dependency. |
| US08745583B2 |
Method and system for managing development components
Methods, systems, and software for managing development components or other enterprise content—whether developed internally or by third parties—are described herein. One method for managing reusable development components includes identifying a first development component of a first type. This first development component is stored in a repository, with the repository including a plurality of other development components with at least a second development component of a second type. The method then includes presenting an interface to a user operable to display information for at least the first and second development components. |
| US08745582B2 |
Designer for web pages at a local machine
One embodiment includes a method that may be practiced in a computing environment. The method enables design and testing of web pages locally at a local machine. After being designed and tested at the local machine, the web pages will be deployed at a remote server remote from the local machine. The web pages include relative references to resources from the perspective of the remote server. The relative references to resources are intended to be resolved by the remote server. The method includes accessing code at a local machine. The code defines a web page. The code includes relative references to resources. The relative references are expressed from the perspective of a remote server remote from the local machine, such that the relative references are only natively resolvable by the remote server. The method further includes translating the relative references to local references. The local references are resolvable by the local machine such that the local machine can resolve the local references to the resources. |
| US08745579B2 |
Methods and systems for dynamically composing distributed interactive applications from high-level programming languages
This disclosure provides techniques of verifying license compliance for a web application. A web application including a broadcast key and a license tag is generated. The generated web application is made available for review by a search engine. A query is communicated to the web search engine for a selected license tag. A list of reviewed web applications is received from the web search engine. The broadcast keys associated with each web application are evaluated to identify duplicate broadcast keys. |
| US08745571B2 |
Analysis of compensated layout shapes
The disclosure relates to the analysis of compensated layout shapes. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: analyzing a semiconductor layout using a bucket structure, the layout including a semiconductor device; and applying a pattern template to a content of the bucket structure to identify a shape adjacent to the semiconductor device; wherein the pattern template is derived from layout groundrules. |
| US08745567B1 |
Efficient apparatus and method for analysis of RTL structures that cause physical congestion
A logical congestion metric analysis engine predicts pre-placement routing congestion of integrated circuit designs. The engine uses a method employing new congestion-predicting metrics derived from structural register transfer level (RTL). The method compares multiple metrics to those stored in a knowledge base to predict routing congestion. The knowledge base contains routing results for multiple designs using the same technology. For each design the knowledge base holds pre-placement metric values and the corresponding post-placement and routing congestion results. A logical congestion debug tool allows users to visualize and fix congestion issues. |
| US08745566B1 |
Method and apparatus for utilizing constraints for the routing of a design on a programmable logic device
A method for designing a system on a programmable logic device (PLD) is disclosed. Routing resources are selected for a user specified signal on the PLD in response to user specified routing constraints. Routing resources are selected for a non-user specified signal on the PLD without utilizing the user specified routing constraints. |
| US08745565B2 |
Satisfying routing rules during circuit design
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that attempts to satisfy routing rules during routing of an integrated circuit (IC) chip design. During operation, the system receives a routing solution for the IC chip design and a set of routing rules to be satisfied by the routing solution. The system then assigns weights to the set of routing rules, wherein a higher weight for a routing rule indicates a higher importance of the routing rule. The system additionally assigns effort levels to the set of routing rules, wherein a higher effort level for a routing rule indicates that a higher amount of resources are available to satisfy the routing rule. The system then modifies the routing solution to satisfy the routing rules based at least on the weights and the effort levels associated with the routing rules. |
| US08745564B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for controlling the apparatus
The present invention provides a data processing apparatus having a programmable logic and a method for controlling the apparatus. If it is determined that the reconfiguration of the programmable logic is necessary, register setting data for reconfiguring the programmable logic is supplied to the programmable logic. The programmable logic reads out circuit information from a memory storing the circuit information in accordance with the register setting data and reconfigures a function of the programmable logic. A CPU transfers the register setting data to the programmable logic and then transfers data to be processed by the programmable logic whose function has been reconfigured, to the programmable logic. |
| US08745562B2 |
Method of on-board wiring
A design method of on-board wiring for a designed circuit includes determining a severity as a crosstalk prevention index for a pair of wires based on a generated noise level of a damaging side wire and a permissible noise level of a damaged side wire. The pair of wires is then assigned a severity class (SC) based on the severity determined. The SC is a pre-defined value range(s) for severity classification. Based on a preset SC specific permissible value list, one or more by-design permissible values belonging to the SC is generated for a design element of the pair of wires. A layout of the pair of wires on a board is constructed based on the by-design permissible value. |
| US08745561B1 |
System and method for common path pessimism reduction in timing analysis to guide remedial transformations of a circuit design
A system and method are provided for common path pessimism removal or reduction (CPPR) in a timing database provided to guide transformative physical optimization/correction of a circuit design for an IC product to remedy operational timing violations detected in the circuit design. Pessimism is reduced through generation of a common path pessimism removal (CPPR) tree structure of branching nodes, and operational timing characteristics of each node. The CPPR tree structure is used to avoid exponential phases propagating in an exploratory manner through the system design, as well as the resultant memory footprint thereof. Additionally, back-tracing node-by-node through the circuit design for each and every launch and capture flip flop pair end point through each possible path thereof is avoided. |
| US08745555B2 |
Method for integrated circuit design and manufacture using diagonal minimum-width patterns
Methods for designing and manufacturing an integrated circuit are disclosed, in which the physical design process for a standard cell or cells utilizes a preferred diagonal direction for minimum-width patterns on at least one layer, where the standard cell or cells are used in the layout of an integrated circuit. The methods also include forming the patterns on a photomask using model-based fracturing techniques with charged particle beam simulation, and forming the patterns on a substrate such a silicon wafer using the photomask and an optical lithographic process with directional illumination which is optimized for the preferred diagonal direction. |
| US08745553B2 |
Method and apparatus for applying post graphic data system stream enhancements
An approach is provided for applying post graphic data system (GDS) stream enhancements back to the design stage. Embodiments include receiving a data stream of an integrated circuit design layout from a design stage, determining one or more design constructs based on an analysis of the data stream, determining one or more instructions to implement the one or more design constructs at the design stage, and sending the instructions to the design stage to implement the one or more design constructs. |
| US08745552B2 |
EDA tool and method, and integrated circuit formed by the method
A method comprises: accessing data representing a layout of a layer of an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a plurality of polygons defining circuit patterns to be divided among a number (N) of photomasks for multi-patterning a single layer of a semiconductor substrate, where N is greater than one. For each set of N parallel polygons in the layout closer to each other than a minimum separation for patterning with a single photomask, at least N−1 stitches are inserted in each polygon within that set to divide each polygon into at least N parts, such that adjacent parts of different polygons are assigned to different photomasks from each other. Data representing assignment of each of the parts in each set to respective photomasks are stored in a non-transitory, computer readable storage medium that is accessible for use in a process to fabricate the N photomasks. |
| US08745548B2 |
Perturbational technique for co-optimizing design rules and illumination conditions for lithography process
A process of generating design rules, OPC rules and optimizing illumination source models for an integrated circuit layout, to form short lines, terminated lines and crossovers between adjacent parallel route tracks, may include the steps of generating a set of template structures which use a set of characteristic design rules, and performing a plurality of source mask optimization (SMO) operations on the set of template structures with different values for the design rules in each SMO operation. In a first embodiment, the SMO operations are run using a predetermined set of values for each of the design rules, spanning a desired range of design rule values. In a second embodiment, the SMO operations are performed in a conditional iterative process in which values of the design rules are adjusted after each iteration based on results of the iteration. |
| US08745546B2 |
Mask overlay method, mask, and semiconductor device using the same
A mask overlay method, and a mask and a semiconductor device using the same are disclosed. According to the disclosed mask overlay technique, test marks and front layer overlay marks corresponding to a plurality of overlay mark designs are generated in a first layer of a semiconductor device. The test patterns generating the test marks each include a first sub pattern and a second sub pattern. Note that the first sub pattern has the same design as a front layer overlay pattern (which generates the front layer overlay mark corresponding thereto). Based on the test marks, performances of the plurality of overlay mark designs are graded. The front layer overlay mark corresponding to the overlay mark design having the best performance is regarded as an overlay reference for a mask of a second layer of the semiconductor device. |
| US08745545B2 |
Systems and methods for stochastic models of mask process variability
Systems and methods are disclosed for a stochastic model of mask process variability of a photolithography process, such as for semiconductor manufacturing. In one embodiment, a stochastic error model may be based on a probability distribution of mask process error. The stochastic error model may generate a plurality of mask layouts having stochastic errors, such as random and non-uniform variations of contacts. In other embodiments, the stochastic model may be applied to critical dimension uniformity (CDU) optimization or design rule (DR) sophistication. |
| US08745544B2 |
Unlocking a device by performing gestures on an unlock image
A device with a touch-sensitive display may be unlocked via gestures performed on the touch-sensitive display. The device is unlocked if contact with the display corresponds to a predefined gesture for unlocking the device. The device displays one or more unlock images with respect to which the predefined gesture is to be performed in order to unlock the device. The performance of the predefined gesture with respect to the unlock image may include moving the unlock image to a predefined location and/or moving the unlock image along a predefined path. The device may also display visual cues of the predefined gesture on the touch screen to remind a user of the gesture. |
| US08745543B2 |
Control of search results with multipoint pinch gestures
A device incorporates a touch-enabled screen configured to accept a user's interaction with the touch screen to control display of the results of searches for information online and for listings within ecommerce sites. A user's interaction with multipoint pinch gestures, applied to the touch screen and immediately above item data listings, navigates through large volumes of search results. By touch-selection of a facet of the item data returned in an item listing, a user may scale a characteristic of the selected facet of item data according to an application of multipoint pinch gestures. By application of a pinch-out and a pinch-in gesture respectively, a date facet of metadata may be scaled backward and forward in time. |
| US08745542B2 |
Gesture-based selection
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for gesture-based selection. In one aspect, a method includes displaying, on a user interface, information referencing a first set of data items and at least one control that references multiple values. A first gesture input by a user using the control is identified, and a first value is selected based on the first gesture. A second gesture input by the user using the control is identified, and a second value is selected based on the second gesture. A second set of data items is selected based on the first and second values, and information referencing the second set of data items is displayed. |
| US08745541B2 |
Architecture for controlling a computer using hand gestures
A 3-D imaging system for recognition and interpretation of gestures to control a computer. The system includes a 3-D imaging system that performs gesture recognition and interpretation based on a previous mapping of a plurality of hand poses and orientations to user commands for a given user. When the user is identified to the system, the imaging system images gestures presented by the user, performs a lookup for the user command associated with the captured image(s), and executes the user command(s) to effect control of the computer, programs, and connected devices. |
| US08745537B1 |
Graphical interface for managing and monitoring the status of a graphical model
In an embodiment, a method for managing and monitoring a graphical top model includes executing the graphical top model. The graphical top model references multiple instances of at least one graphical model. The method also generates a graphical user interface that displays a component from a graphical model. The displayed component is referenced by at least two of the model instances. The graphical user interface displays a current calling hierarchy indicative of a specific model instance that is associated with the displayed component. |
| US08745536B1 |
Volumetric data exploration using multi-point input controls
A three-dimensional data set is accessed. A two-dimensional plane is defined that intersects a space defined by the three-dimensional data set. The two-dimensional plane defines a two-dimensional data set within the three-dimensional data set and divides the three-dimensional data set into first and second subsets. A three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set is rendered on such that at least a portion of the first subset of the three-dimensional data set is removed and at least a portion of the two-dimensional data set is displayed. A two-dimensional view of a first subset of the two-dimensional data set also is rendered. Controls are provided that enable visual navigation through the three-dimensional data set by engaging points on the multi-touch display device that correspond to either the three-dimensional view based on the three-dimensional data set and/or the two-dimensional view of the first subset of the two-dimensional data set. |
| US08745526B2 |
Screen display in application switching
An application-switching program displays representations of applications, for example icons, on a screen of a device. As a user of the device navigates between the representations, a screen of the application to a representation of which the user has currently navigated is shown in the background of the display. |
| US08745521B2 |
System and method for annotating graphical user interface
A system and method of creating annotations for graphical user interface (GUI) objects is provided. The annotations may be based on best candidate GUI objects that are in the vicinity of GUI objects that need annotation. The best candidate GUI object may be selected based on the position of an unannotated GUI object, a position of candidate GUI objects, a role of the unannotated GUI object, and a precedence criteria of the unannotated GUI object. The precedence criteria may include a position preference for candidate GUI objects in relation to unannotated GUI objects. The annotations may also be based on information within a self-described GUI object. Options can be specified to define how the annotations are extracted from candidate GUI objects and self-described GUI objects. The annotation of GUI objects can assist non-technical users in the automated testing and documentation of GUIs. |
| US08745520B2 |
User interface including a preview
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing content previews. One apparatus operates to display one or more user interface controls as a foreground against a background on a display device; receive user input resulting in a user interface state that has an associated action; and display as the background a preview of the associated action. In another aspect, the user input gives focus to a user interface control that has associated content; and a preview of the associated content is displayed without further action on the part of the user. In another aspect, user interface controls are displayed; and giving input focus to a particular user interface control that has associated content causes an apparatus to play a preview of the associated content without further action on the part of a user. |
| US08745519B2 |
User-customizable dialog box
A customizable dialog box. The customizable dialog box can include a primary display region and at least one secondary display region activatable from the primary display region. One or more user input fields can be disposed in the at least one secondary display region. Similarly, one or more selection controls can be disposed in the at least one secondary display region. In that regard, each one of the selection controls can correspond to one of the user input fields. Finally, at least one primary user input field can be disposed in the primary display region. Specifically, the at least one primary user input field can include a user input field in the secondary display region whose corresponding selection control has been activated. |
| US08745514B1 |
Pressure-sensitive layering of displayed objects
First and second objects are displayed on a pressure-sensitive touch-screen display device. An intersection is detected between the objects. Contact by one or more input mechanisms is detected in a region that corresponds to the first displayed object. Pressure applied by at least one input mechanisms is sensed. The depth of the first displayed object is adjusted as a function of the sensed pressure. The depth of the displayed objects are determined at their detected intersection. The determined depths of the displayed objects are compared. Based on a result of comparing the determined depths, data is stored indicating that one of the displayed objects is overlapping the other. In addition, the displayed objects are displayed such that the overlapping displayed object is displayed closer to a foreground of the pressure-sensitive touch-screen display device than the other displayed object. |
| US08745507B2 |
Preloader employing enhanced messages
A disclosed method of serving web page requests includes detecting a client request for a web page that contains an object. A preloader application is invoked to execute while the object is downloading to the client. The preloader application displays a preloader message during at least part of the downloading interval. At least a part of the preloader message is an advertisement or is otherwise unrelated to a progress of the downloading of the object. A size of the object may exceed a specified threshold and/or a type of the object may match any of a set of predetermined object types. The set of predetermined object types may include a Java® object type, a Flash® object type, or another object type suitable for implementing motion graphics. In some embodiments, the preloader application resides on a third party web site. |
| US08745506B2 |
Data structure mapping and navigation
Embodiments provide navigable and other information to users. In an embodiment, a handheld computing device can be configured to provide a navigable map that includes a number of map list items corresponding to aspects of an underlying data structure. In one embodiment, a process includes displaying a number of linked list items of a navigable list map in a first display portion and displaying a preview of pertinent information associated with an item in a second display portion. Other embodiments are available. |
| US08745503B2 |
Graphical interface for managing server environment
A system includes a server environment and a management station. The server environment includes hardware servers. At least some of the servers can be characterized by a hierarchy of partitions. The management station provides an administrative interface. The administrative interface provides a display that displays alternate views of a graphical representation of the server environment. Each of the views has graphical partition elements corresponding to at least some of the partitions nested with graphic server elements corresponding to at least some of the hardware servers. At least some of the graphical partition elements include links that, when activated, cause the graphical representation to switch to another of its views in which is highlighted a graphical partition element that was not highlighted in the previous view. |
| US08745500B1 |
Video editing, enhancement and distribution platform for touch screen computing devices
A window displaying at least one video clip and at least one highlight element is presented in a graphical user interface on a mobile device having a touch screen interface. Thereafter, user-generated input is received via the graphical user interface selecting one of the at least one highlight element during display of the at least one video clip. In response to the user-generated input, at least one thumbnail is displayed (concurrently with the window in the graphical user interface) that corresponds to a segment of the video clip being displayed. A video file is then generated or modified that includes for at least one thumbnail, the corresponding segment of the video clip. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US08745499B2 |
Timeline search and index
Some embodiments provide a timeline search tool for searching and navigating a timeline. The timeline search tool includes a search field that allows a user to search for clips. In some embodiments, each clip in the list of clips is selectable such that a selection of the clip causes the timeline to navigate to the position of the clip in the timeline. In some embodiments, the timeline search tool allows a user to search for clips based on keywords or markers. |
| US08745497B2 |
Providing an interactive presentation environment
An interactive presentation environment for eMeetings or the like that provides participants with more control over what they see and hear. One embodiment of the interactive presentation environment comprises a meeting recorder adapted to create a recording of a live meeting and a navigation control for selecting a portion of the recording to view during the live meeting. Some embodiment may further comprise a timeline control containing a first graphical indicator associated with a live position and a second graphical indicator associated with a current position, a bookmark control adapted to mark a portion of the recording for archiving, and a display operatively connected to the meeting recorder and the navigation control. |
| US08745496B2 |
Variable I/O interface for portable media device
The present invention can include electronic devices having variable input/output interfaces that can allow a user to interact with the devices with greater efficiency and in a more ergonomic manner. An electronic device of the present invention can display icons associated with user-programmable parameters of a media file. By interacting with the icons, a user can change the user-programmable parameters during playback of the media file. Changes to the user-programmable parameters can affect playback of the remainder of the media file. An electronic device of the present invention also can automatically re-orient images shown on a display and re-configure user input components based on the orientation of the electronic device. |
| US08745494B2 |
System and method for control of a simulated object that is associated with a physical location in the real world environment
Systems and methods for control of a simulated object that is associated with a physical location in the real world environment are herein disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of determining whether a location data and a timing data satisfy a criterion. Responsive to determining that the location data and the timing data satisfy the criterion, the method enables access of the simulated object in a simulated environment by a user via a device. The simulated object generally includes attributes that are perceived by the user via the device. In one embodiment, the location data includes a location of the device and the timing data includes a time when the device is located at the location. |
| US08745491B2 |
Determining event patterns for monitored applications
A method, system, and computer program product for providing information of a monitored system through a graphical user interface (GUI) of a monitoring application to support simplified or automatic identification of events. The method includes, among other possible operations, initiating an event pattern script recording. The method also includes keeping track of user actions on said GUI and on activated GUI panels during said event pattern script recording by requesting a user to specify, once the user activates a further GUI panel, which panel information in a current GUI panel triggered activation of said further GUI panel and based on what criterion the triggering occurred. The user specified information results in triggering information. The method also includes, in response to receiving an indication that an event has been identified, stopping said event pattern script recording. The method also includes, storing said event pattern script recording containing identification information identifying the event, GUI panel information about said activated GUI panels during said event pattern script recording and said triggering information. |
| US08745488B1 |
System and a method for web-based editing of documents online with an editing interface and concurrent display to webpages and print documents
A method and a system for editing documents online, that in some implementations, simultaneously edits a webpage document, in a webpage file format, and an image document, in an image file format. The webpage document and the image document may have substantially similar visual content. In some implementations, an editing interface is displayed to a client device. The editing interface may have a first portion displaying one or more webpage editing forms for editing the webpage document and a second portion displaying the webpage document or image document being edited. The editing interface accepts editing data from the client device. Both the webpage document and an image document may be updated based on accepted editing data. The image document is updated in part by updating form data retrieved from a database. In some implementations, the updated webpage document is displayed on a webpage and access to the image document is provided from the webpage. |
| US08745485B2 |
Extensible remote tag markup system and method
Functionality available on an enterprise server is applied to HTML content from a remote server. HTML content is collected from remote servers including remote markup tags upon request from an end user. The HTML content for the remote markup tags is parsed and converted to content formatted for enterprise server functionality. The converted content is executed at the enterprise server. Remote server and enterprise server data are then transmitted to the end user. Tags and/or libraries may be extensible, such that they may be created or modified, and the tags may or may not be included within a supplied library of tags and/or a created library of tags, or any combination thereof. |
| US08745484B2 |
Advanced embed code
An embed code that can be copied from a first web site for placement in a second web site by users is disclosed. The embed code will render a content object from the second web site on a number of supported platforms. Autonomously, the embed code chooses from multiple playback options to choose one for the web browser rendering the embed code, for example, Flash,™ HTML5, Silverlight,™ or a media player. Wherever the embed code is placed in a web site, a wide range of end user devices are supported without needing to reference other locations on the Internet, i.e., the embed code alone can automatically configure to play on that wide range of end user devices. The content object may be hosted or stored in various locations with the embed code accessing the proper version of the end user device. |
| US08745481B1 |
Aggregating content from multiple services
An exemplary embodiment involves receiving, by a processor, a selection of a contact from a requestor. The exemplary embodiment further involves identifying, by the processor, multiple services to which the contact subscribes and to which the requestor subscribes. Subscribing to each service comprises creating a profile comprising authentication information and associating with the profile one or more content items provided by the service. Identifying the multiple services comprises identifying, for each service that a first profile of the contact is associated with a second profile of the requestor. The exemplary embodiment further involves communicating, by the processor, with the multiple services to identify content to identify content that is provided by one or more of the multiples services and that is associated with the contact. The exemplary embodiment further involves generating, by the processor, a preview indicating the content associated with the contact. |
| US08745477B1 |
Tool for managing online content
A content management tool can assist publishers/authors in managing access rights and other parameters related to the display of documents online. The documents may include books and other documents that are traditionally published as printed works. The content management tool may display presentation parameters for the documents that relate to how the documents are to be shown to users when accessing the documents. The content management tool receives modifications to the presentation parameters and applies the modified versions of the presentation parameters to future accesses of the documents by users. The content management tool can, for example, be used to modify the portions of the document available for display, turn on/off certain portions of the document, manage links displayed concurrently with the document, and/or manage advertising related to the document. |
| US08745474B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining bits in a convolutionally decoded output bit stream to be marked for erasure
A method and apparatus are provided for determining bits in a convolutionally decoded output bit stream to be marked for erasure. K-bits and p-bits of the convolutionally encoded output bit stream may be compared with a corresponding k-bits and p-bits of a delayed version of the input bit stream. For each bit of the k-bits (p-bits) in the convolutionally encoded output bit stream and in the corresponding k-bits (p-bits) of the delayed version of the input bit stream, a number of or pattern of conflicting bits and whether the number of conflicting bits exceeds a threshold number or pattern of conflicting bits may be determined. The output bit stream may be sent to a block decoding component for decoding with the k-bit streams marked for erasure. |
| US08745472B2 |
Memory with segmented error correction codes
A code word is received that was derived from a plurality of smaller code words that represent a data word of 2m data bits and a plurality of error correction code bits. The code word is converted into the plurality of smaller code words and syndromes are computed by multiplying each of the plurality of smaller code words by a check matrix. The syndrome words are processed to determine a number of errors that exist in each of the plurality of smaller code words. A portion of the syndrome words is processed to determine locations of possible errors within the plurality of smaller code words. Up to two errors may be corrected and up to three errors may be detected in the code word by using the number of errors and the locations of possible errors to determine erroneous bits in the code word. |
| US08745469B2 |
Signal segmentation method and CRC attachment method for reducing undetected error
The present invention provides for applying a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to a data signal. The present invention includes attaching a first CRC to a first data signal block having a first length, segmenting the first data signal block attached with the first CRC into a plurality of second data signal blocks having a length shorter than the first length, respectively generating a second CRC for each second data signal block, and attaching the generated second CRC to the respective second data signal block. Moreover, the first CRC and second CRC may be generated from respectively different CRC generating polynomial equations. |
| US08745464B2 |
Rank-specific cyclic redundancy check
Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatus, and system configurations for providing rank-specific cyclic redundancy checks in memory systems. |
| US08745462B2 |
Channel coding method of variable length information using block code
A channel coding method of variable length information using block code is disclosed. A method for channel-coding information bits using a code generation matrix including 32 rows and A columns corresponding to length of the information bits includes channel-coding the information bits having “A” length using basis sequences having 32-bit length corresponding to columns of the code generation matrix, and outputting the channel-coded result as an output sequence. If “A” is higher than 10, the code generation matrix is generated when (A−10) additional basis sequences were added as column-directional sequences to a first or second matrix. The first matrix is a TFCI code generation matrix composed of 32 rows and 10 columns used for TFCI coding. The second matrix is made when at least an inter-row location or an inter-column location of the first matrix was changed. The additional basis sequences satisfy a value 10 of minimum Hamming distance. |
| US08745457B2 |
Methods and structure for utilizing external interfaces used during normal operation of a circuit to output test signals
Methods and structure are provided for routing internal operational signals of a circuit for output via an external interface. The structure includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit comprises a block of circuitry components operable to generate internal operational signals for performing designated functions during normal operation of the circuit, a control unit, a test signal routing hierarchy, and an external interface. The test signal routing hierarchy is coupled to receive the internal operational signals and controllably selects the internal operational signals for acquisition and applies them to the control unit. The external interface provides communications between the integrated circuit and an external device during normal operation of the integrated circuit. The control unit receives the selected internal operational signals from the test signal routing hierarchy, and applies the selected internal operational signals to the external interface during normal operation of the integrated circuit. |
| US08745452B2 |
Resistive memory device and test systems and methods for testing the same
A resistive memory device and a system and method for testing the resistive memory device are provided. The resistive memory device includes a plurality of bit lines comprising at least one dummy bit line to which a plurality of resistive memory cells are connected, a conducting wire connected to the dummy bit line, a first switching element positioned between the dummy bit line and an external device outside the resistive memory device, and a second switching element positioned between the conducting wire and the external device. Accordingly, the operational reliability of the resistive memory device may be increased. |
| US08745449B2 |
Systems and methods for managing end of life in a solid state drive
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing solid state drives. As an example, a storage system is described that include at least a first flash memory block and a second flash memory block, and a control circuit. The first flash memory block and the second flash memory block are addressable in the storage system. The control circuit is operable to identify the first flash memory block as partially failed, receive a write request directed to the first flash memory block; and direct the write request to the second flash memory block. |
| US08745448B2 |
Storage system, storage control apparatus and method for failure recovery
A storage system comprises a storage device for storing data, a control apparatus which controls the storage device and comprises multiple communication ports, and a switch apparatus which expands the number of storage device couplings and comprises multiple communication ports. Respective multiple communication ports of the control apparatus are coupled to respective multiple communication ports of the switch apparatus, and the switch apparatus is coupled to the storage device. The control apparatus configures at least one communication port of the multiple communication ports of the control apparatus, to a dedicated communication port for outputting only a prescribed command issued when a failure is detected. |
| US08745444B2 |
Item-level restoration and verification of image level backups
Systems and methods for item-level restoration from and verification of an image level backup without fully extracting it. The method receives backup parameters and selection of an image level backup to restore or verify and initializes virtual storage. The method attaches the virtual storage to a hypervisor to launch a virtual machine (VM) to test and restore data objects. The method stores VM virtual disk data changes resulting from restoration and verification in a changes storage. The method optionally reconfigures VMs to use an isolated network. The method optionally uses a routing appliance to provide access to VMs running in the isolated network from a production network. The method determines if the VM operating system (OS) is able to start using restored copies of selected data objects and tests applications associated with selected data objects. The method displays restoration and test results in an interface and automatically delivers the results. |
| US08745440B1 |
Computer-implemented system and method for providing software fault tolerance
A computer-implemented method for providing software fault tolerance is provided. A multithreaded program is executed. The program execution includes a plurality of multithreaded processes. A set of inputs is provided to one of the multithreaded processes and the inputs set is copied to each of the other multithreaded processes. The executions of the multithreaded processes are divided into deterministic subsets of the execution that end at a checkpoint. An execution of the deterministic subset is speculatively executed continuously on one of the multithreaded processes. Upon completion of execution through the checkpoint, the successfully completed execution path through the deterministic subset is retired. Execution of the deterministic instructions subset on the other multithreaded process is continued along the completed execution path. |
| US08745439B2 |
Systems and methods for multilevel media defect detection
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for deriving data from a defective media region. As an example, a method for deriving data from a defective media region is disclosed that includes providing a storage medium and performing a media defect detection that indicates a defective region on the storage medium. A first data decode is performed on data corresponding to the defective region. The first data decode yields a first output. It is determined that the first output failed to converge and based at least in part on the failure of the first output to converge, a second data decode is performed on the data corresponding to the defective region. The second data decode includes zeroing out any soft data corresponding to the defective region and providing a second output. |
| US08745437B2 |
Reducing impact of repair actions following a switch failure in a switch fabric
Techniques are disclosed for reducing impact of a switch failure and/or a repair action in a switch fabric. In one embodiment, a server system is provided that includes a first interposer card that operatively connects one or more server cards to a midplane. The first interposer card may include a switch module that switches network traffic for the one or more server cards. The first interposer card may be hot-swappable from the midplane, and the one or more server cards may be hot-swappable from the first interposer card. The server system may further include an interconnect between the first interposer card and a second interposer card. |
| US08745435B2 |
Network fault manager
A computer-implemented method for detecting alarm conditions, the method involving receiving at a first time a trigger notification describing a monitored occurrence on a network; setting a redundancy window to begin at the first time and to end at an expiration time; designating a first alarm condition to represent the trigger notification; receiving a second notification at a second time after the first time, the second notification describing the monitored occurrence; and determining whether a second alarm condition exists by testing whether the second time is within the redundancy window. |
| US08745432B2 |
Delay controller, control method, and communication system
A delay controller includes an acquiring section that acquires synchronization timings indicating timings when a plurality of controllers, which control via a line a plurality of transmitters that transmit data, synchronously control the transmitters, a determining section that determines a reference synchronization timing serving as a reference for synchronization between the controllers, on the basis of the synchronization timings acquired by the acquiring section, and a synchronization information transmitting section that transmits synchronization information to the controllers, the synchronization information being used when the controllers receive data from each of the transmitters at the reference synchronization timing determined by the determining section. |
| US08745430B2 |
Clock synchronization across an interface with an intermittent clock signal
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates synchronization between a first component and a second component connected to the first component via an interface in a computer system. During an active state of the interface, the system uses a local time base in the second component to generate a local clock signal that tracks a host clock signal from the first component. Next, during an inactive state of the interface, the system uses the local time base to maintain the local clock signal at the second component. Finally, during a subsequent active state of the interface after the inactive state, the system adjusts the local clock signal to remove clock drift between the local clock signal and the host clock signal. |
| US08745427B2 |
Memory link power management
Embodiments of the invention describe systems and processes directed towards improving link power-management during memory subsystem idle states. Embodiments of the invention control memory link operations when various components of a memory subsystem enter low power states under certain operating conditions. Embodiments of the invention similarly describe exiting low power states for memory links and various components of a memory subsystem upon detecting certain operating conditions.Embodiments of the invention may detect operating conditions in a computing system. Some of these operating conditions may include, but are not limited to, a memory controller being empty of transactions directed towards a memory unit, a processor core executing a processor low-power mode, and a processor socket executing an idle mode. In response to detecting said operating conditions, embodiments of the invention may execute a low-power idle state for the memory unit and various components of the memory subsystem. |
| US08745425B2 |
Computer system with blade system and management server
Provided is a computer system in which power consumption of the system can be reduced and which can smoothly supply data for a request from a client and avoid increase in a failure rate. In the computer system, by maintaining a power activation threshold for activating a stopping server blade and load balance threshold for assigning the request to a server blade, a server blade whose power is activated but to which the request from the client is not assigned is previously arranged. Priorities of the server blades are maintained, and are periodically changed or are changed in accordance with operation information such as total operation time and the number of times of activation/stop. Further, by maintaining the power activation threshold and a power stop threshold, possibilities of the unbalance among the activated/stopped server blades and frequent control of the activation/stop only in a part of server blades are avoided. |
| US08745408B2 |
Instruction encryption/decryption arrangement and method with iterative encryption/decryption key update
An instruction decryption arrangement includes an input interface configured to receive an encrypted instruction, a decryption key updater configured to output a decryption key, and an instruction decrypter including a first input connected to the input interface and a second input connected to the decryption key updater, and configured to decrypt the encrypted instruction using the decryption key and to provide a decrypted instruction. The decryption key updater is further configured to update the decryption key using at least one of the encrypted instruction and the decrypted instruction. An alternative instruction decryption arrangement includes a key stream module configured to iteratively determine a key state corresponding to a current instruction for a computing unit and an instruction decrypter configured to receive an encrypted instruction related to the current instruction and decrypt the encrypted instruction using the key state to provide a decrypted instruction. |
| US08745406B2 |
Program executable image encryption
The invention provides for a method of encrypting and executing an executable image, comprising; flagging sections of the executable image to be encrypted using commands in source files and compiling said executable images so as to generate object files, linking one or more of said executable images using a linker to produce a final executable image, passing said linked executable images to a post-linker encryption engine to encrypt a relocation fix-up patch table and sections of executable images flagged for encryption, and at load time decrypting relocating and executing the executable images. |
| US08745405B2 |
Dynamic seed and key generation from biometric indicia
A system, a method, and a computer program for generating a seed and/or a key from live biometric indicia, such that all the information necessary for generating the seed and/or the key is not stored on a storage medium. The method comprises receiving a biometric template from a user and enrolling the template; assigning an optimization value to the enrolled biometric template; encrypting an item of test data using the optimization value, such that the optimization value is an encryption seed; storing the encrypted item of test data on the storage medium; destroying the encryption seed after encrypting the item of test data; receiving a live biometric template; comparing the templates and determining an interval based on a probability that the templates are specific to the same user; iteratively testing values within the interval to identify the value in the interval for decrypting the encrypted item of test data, wherein the value used to decrypt the item of test data is the encryption seed; and generating the key using the seed. |
| US08745402B2 |
Method for constructing inner codes for anti-collusion forensic code for watermarking digital content
A method and apparatus are described including generating a unique code for each of a plurality of users using a plurality of symbols, generating a plurality of codes representing the plurality of symbols, substituting the plurality of codes into the unique code for each of the plurality of users, permuting the code resulting from the substitution to produce a codeword for each of the plurality of users and embedding the codeword into digital content. The second generating act further includes generating a string of first symbols followed by second symbols, wherein the first symbols are all ones and the second symbols are all negative ones, wherein a number of first symbols is equal to a number of the second symbols, and wherein if a length of the first symbols followed by the second symbols is less than a length of the code, then the first symbols followed by the second symbols are repeated until the code length is filled. |
| US08745396B2 |
Method for implementing the real time data service and real time data service system
The present invention discloses a method for implement real time data service and a real time data service system. After starting to forward data messages to an accessed user terminal, an access point (AP) of the real time data service system verifies the user terminal, and continues forwarding the data messages to the user terminal after the verification is successful. Therefore, with the method and system of the present invention, when accessing the real time data service system by adopting the way of authentication and key management based on pre-shared key, it is able to authenticate a user before the user obtains a big amount of service data, thereby the accessing security is effectively improved; furthermore, with the method and system of the present invention, it is able to provide free preview service data to the user at first, and after the preview, obtain and verify the WLAN authentication and privacy infrastructure (WAPI) certificate and signature of the user by initiating a signature authentication request to the user, and then start to charge, which is convenient for the user and is favorable for the operators to popularize the real time data service. |
| US08745395B2 |
Enabling use of a certificate stored in a smart card
If a smart card is to be used for a particular purpose, and there is no certificate initialized on the smart card for this purpose, a computerized device enables a user to select one of the certificates already installed in the smart card for the particular purpose. The selected certificate may be imported into the computerized device. |
| US08745393B2 |
Transmitting apparatus, communicating system
According to an aspect of the embodiment, there is provided a transmitting apparatus, including a data storage, a first key storage, a second key storage, an additional information generating unit, a first authenticator generating unit, a second authenticator generating unit, a third authenticator generating unit, and a packet transmitting unit. a judging unit that judges the candidate is admitted as the second authenticator, when the candidate contains a common part of the first authenticator. a third authenticator generating unit generates a third authenticator based on a second authenticator that is a second authenticator candidate contains a common part of the first authenticator. The packet transmitting unit transmits a packet including the data and the third authenticator. |
| US08745388B2 |
Systems and methods for securely streaming media content
Systems and methods securely provide media content from a media server to a media client via a network. The media content is segmented to create multiple media segments that are each identified in a playlist, and at least one of the media segments is encrypted using a cryptographic key. The cryptographic key is also identified in the playlist, and the playlist is provided from the media server to the media client via the network. The various media segments and cryptographic keys may then be requested from and provided by the media server using hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) or similar constructs to allow the media client to receive and decrypt the various segments of the media content. |
| US08745382B2 |
Method, apparatus, computer program, data storage medium and computer program product for preventing reception of media data from a multicast service by an unauthorized apparatus
The method for the transmission of media data from a multicast service by a first apparatus to a plurality of second apparatuses is suitable for preventing reception of the media data by an unauthorized second apparatus using a security process. A first apparatus is provided which can be used to provide the media data protected by a security process. A third apparatus is provided which can be used to perform the security process with the first apparatus, performance of the security process between the first apparatus and the third apparatus and, on the basis of this, interchange of at least security data between the first apparatus and the third apparatus in order to provide the media data. A second apparatus is selected which can be used to perform at least one reception process for receiving the media data. A first data transmission link is selected which can be used to couple the first apparatus and the second apparatus at least for the purpose of transmitting the media data. The provided media data is received using the second apparatus via the first data transmission link. |
| US08745378B1 |
System and method for validating SCEP certificate enrollment requests
A system and method for validating SCEP certificate enrollment that enforces the pairing of a SCEP challenge password and a set of expected certificate request content. A SCEP Validation Service or software residing in another system component whether a certificate request is legitimate by comparing it to registered SCEP challenges and associated expected certificate request content. This system and method addresses a privilege-escalation vulnerability in prior SCEP-based systems that could lead to a practical attack. |
| US08745377B2 |
Network system, certificate management method, and certificate management program
A network system includes a management apparatus and multiple apparatuses. The management apparatus includes a preparation instruction unit to transmit an instruction to prepare a certificate request to the apparatuses; a collection unit to collect the certificate requests; a request unit to request issuance of certificates to a certificate authority; a resetting instruction unit to transmit the issued certificates to the apparatuses and to instruct resetting of certificates. The apparatus includes a storing unit including an operation area for storing a first certificate and a provisional operation area; a provisionally operating unit to transfer the first certificate to the provisional operation area, and to generate a certificate request, and to transmit the certificate request to the management apparatus; a setting unit to store a second certificate, issued by the certificate authority, in the operation area, and to instruct a communication unit to conduct the communication by switching a certificate. |
| US08745373B2 |
Systems and methods for applying encryption to network traffic on the basis of policy
An information handling system including a receiver for inbound data destined for delivery to a network node, an encryption recognition engine operable to identify whether the inbound data received by the receiver is encrypted and an encryption policy application engine operable to apply encryption policy to the inbound data on the basis of encryption properties identified by the encryption recognition engine in the inbound data. The system may further include an encryption engine operable to selectively encrypt the inbound data on the basis of the encryption policy as applied by the encryption policy application engine and a packet delivery engine operable to deliver the inbound data to its destination. |
| US08745372B2 |
Systems and methods for securing data in motion
Systems and methods are provided for distributing trust among a set of certificate authorities. One approach provides methods and systems in which the secure data parser is used to distribute trust in a set of certificate authorities during initial negotiation of a connection between two devices. Another approach provides methods and systems in which the secure data parser is used to disperse packets of data into shares. A set of tunnels is established within a communication channel using a set of certificate authorities, keys developed during the establishment of the tunnels are used to encrypt shares of data, and the shares of data are transmitted through each of the tunnels. |
| US08745370B2 |
Secure sharing of data along supply chains
Implementations of methods of sharing data in a supply chain, the data corresponding to an item having a tag associated therewith, include generating data corresponding to the item, generating a data reference, encrypting the data using an encryption key to provide encrypted data, transmitting the encrypted data over a network for storage in a database based on the data reference, writing the data reference and the encryption key to the tag, and transferring the item to a successor in the supply chain. Implementations include retrieving information electronically stored on the tag, the information comprising a data reference and an encryption key, transmitting a data request over a network for retrieving encrypted data from a database, the data request comprising the data reference, receiving the encrypted data from the database, and decrypting the encrypted data using the encryption key to provide decrypted data. |
| US08745368B2 |
Notebook computer for performing part of power-on self-test according to proximity sensor before displaying image after power switch is triggered
A notebook computer is disclosed. The notebook computer comprises a display, a power switch, a proximity sensor, a memory, and a control unit. The proximity sensor and the power switch are disposed adjacent to each other for sensing an object approaching the power switch to output a sensing signal. The memory stores a basic input output system (BIOS). The control unit performs at least part of a power on self test (POST) according to the sensing signal and the BIOS before the display shows an image, and controls the display to display the image after the power switch is triggered. |
| US08745367B2 |
Electronic system, and preheating method and apparatus thereof
A method for preheating an electronic system when booting in an environment with low temperature and an apparatus using the same are provided. The electronic system includes at least a processor, at least a first controller, and at least a second controller. The method includes: the first controller checking whether the initialization of the second controller is successful or not after the electronic system boots, wherein the first controller include a basic input/output system; entering a preheating mode when the initialization of second controller has failed, wherein in the preheating mode, the processor is powered continuously and a turbo function is enabled, so as to provide a heat energy for heating the electronic system; and stopping the preheating mode and rebooting the electronic system. |
| US08745366B2 |
Method and apparatus to support a self-refreshing display device coupled to a graphics controller
A method and apparatus for supporting a self-refreshing display device coupled to a graphics controller are disclosed. A technique for setting the operating state of the graphics controller during initialization from a deep sleep state is described. The graphics controller may set the operating state based on a signal that controls whether the graphics controller executes a warm-boot initialization procedure or a cold-boot initialization procedure. In the warm-boot initialization procedure, instructions and values stored in a non-volatile memory connected to the graphics controller may be used to set the operating state of the graphics controller. In one embodiment, the graphics controller may determine whether any changes have been made to the physical configuration of the computer system and, if the physical configuration has changed, the graphics controller may set the operating state based on values received from a software driver. |
| US08745365B2 |
Method and system for secure booting a computer by booting a first operating system from a secure peripheral device and launching a second operating system stored a secure area in the secure peripheral device on the first operating system
An operating system is booted from a secure peripheral device on a host computer. The secure peripheral device, which includes a memory, is communicatively coupled with the with the host computer. A first operating system is booted from the memory of the secure peripheral device. A secondary operating system is launched on the first operating system. |
| US08745354B2 |
Computer system for resource allocation based on orders of proirity, and control method therefor
To reduce the number of data copies between volume pools by preventing occurrence of unevenness of resource usage between the pools, provided is a computer system including: storage apparatus; and host computer coupled to the storage apparatus, the storage apparatus including physical storage device, the storage apparatus holding information associating virtual volumes and pools each including real storage areas of the physical storage device, the storage apparatus allocating, to the virtual volume of a write destination designated by the host computer, the real storage areas included in each of the plurality of pools corresponding to the virtual volume of the write destination, and storing the data therein, the computer system being configured to: determine, based on the information held by the storage apparatus, orders of priority of the volumes of the write destination by the host computers; and hold the determined orders of priority. |
| US08745351B2 |
Initializing file data blocks
A method and system is provided for initializing files such as, for example and without limitation, pre-allocated files or raw device mapping (RDM) files, by delaying initializing file blocks. In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, file blocks are associated with corresponding indicators to track un-initialized blocks. |
| US08745349B2 |
Consolidating control areas
A detection module selects logically adjacent first and second control areas of a cluster. The detection module further determines that the first and second control areas satisfy a migration test wherein the first control area has free space exceeding a free threshold, the free space is at least equal to a space requirement for each second control area control interval, and the second control area has fewer control intervals than a control interval threshold. In addition, a copy module copies each second control area control interval to the first control area in response to determining that the first and second control areas satisfy the migration test. |
| US08745346B2 |
Time managed read and write access to a data storage device
Time managed read and write access to a data storage device. As a part of time managed read and write access to a data storage device, a request for read and/or write access to the data storage device is accessed and it is determined whether the request for read and/or write access to the data storage device is to be granted. Based on the determination, read and/or write access to the data storage device is either allowed or blocked. If read and/or write access is allowed, read and/or write access is terminated after passage of a predetermined period of time. |
| US08745345B2 |
Backup copy enhancements to reduce primary version access
A method, system, and computer program product for performing a backup operation in a computing environment is provided. A dataset corresponding to a backup copy is examined to determine if the dataset has changed from a previous backup operation. If the dataset has not changed, a backup inventory registry is consulted to determine a current version of a backup copy. The current version is one of a plurality of available versions. The backup operation is performed using the current version of the backup copy. |
| US08745342B2 |
Computer system for controlling backups using wide area network
One of a backup apparatus and a storage system performs control to store backup data in a storage system which belongs to an organization and/or location different from an organization and/or location to which a storage-target storage system for original data belongs, based on information (P) and/or (Q) below: (P) information relating to original data, and information relating to backup data, which is a copy of the original data; (Q) information indicating an organization and/or location to which each storage system belongs. |
| US08745340B2 |
Reduction of communication and efficient failover processing in distributed shared memory-based application
Various embodiments for reducing communication between cluster nodes and optimizing failover processing in a distributed shared memory (DSM)-based application by at least one processor device are provided. In one embodiment, for a data structure operable on a DSM, a read-mostly portion is maintained in a single copy sharable between the cluster nodes while an updatable portion is maintained in multiple copies, each of the multiple copies dedicated to a single cluster node. |
| US08745335B2 |
Memory arbiter with latency guarantees for multiple ports
Memory arbiter with latency guarantees for multiple ports. A method of controlling access to an electronic memory includes measuring a latency value indicative of a time difference between origination of an access request from a port of a plurality of ports and a response from the electronic memory. The method also includes calculating a difference between the latency value for the port and a target value associated with the port. The method further includes calculating a running sum of differences for the port covering each of a plurality of access requests. Further, the method includes determining a delta of a priority value for the port based on the running sum of differences. Moreover, the method includes prioritizing the access by the plurality of ports according to associated priority values. |
| US08745329B2 |
Storing data across a plurality of storage nodes
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing data on storage nodes. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a file to be stored across a plurality of storage nodes each including a cache. The is stored by storing portions of the file each on a different storage node. A first portion is written to a first storage node's cache until determining that the first storage node's cache is full. A different second storage node is selected in response to determining that the first storage node's cache is full. For each portion of the file, a location of the portion is recorded, the location indicating at least a storage node storing the portion. |
| US08745320B2 |
Ensuring write operation consistency using multiple storage devices
Relatively small capacity solid-state storage devices (SSD) are combined with larger capacity magnetic disk storage devices for storing storage block write data to ensure data consistency. Write operations are stored in a sequential write buffer in an SSD to guarantee the storage of write data and then copied from the sequential write buffer to the destination address in a magnetic disk storage device. The sequential write buffer store write data in locations corresponding to the order of receipt of write operations. Write data from the sequential write buffer is transferred to the magnetic disk storage device in the same order and a checkpoint index is frequently updated to indicate the completion of some transfers. During system initialization, the most recent value of the checkpoint index is retrieved and used as a starting location for transferring write data from the sequential write buffer to the magnetic disk storage device. |
| US08745319B2 |
Flash memory based storage devices utilizing magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) to store control information facilitating wear leveling
A flash memory based storage device may utilize magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) as at least one of a device memory, a buffer, or high write volume storage. In some embodiments, a processor of the storage device may compare a logical block address of a data file to a plurality of logical block addresses stored in a write frequency file buffer table and causes the data file to be written to the high write volume MRAM when the logical block address of the data file matches at least one of the plurality of logical block addresses stored in the write frequency file buffer table. In other embodiments, upon cessation of power to the storage device, the MRAM buffer stores the data until power is restored, after which the processor causes the buffered data to be written to the flash memory under control of the flash memory controller. |
| US08745313B2 |
Memory system and method for controlling a nonvolatile semiconductor memory
A memory system includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory having blocks, the block being data erasing unit; and a controller configured to execute; an update processing for; writing superseding data in a block, the superseding data being treated as valid data; and invalidating superseded data having the same logical address as the superseding data, the superseded data being treated as invalid data; and a compaction processing for; retrieving blocks having invalid data using a management tablet the management table managing blocks in a linked list format for each number of valid data included in the block; selecting a compaction source block having at least one valid data from the retrieved blocks; copying a plurality of valid data included in the compaction source blocks into a compaction target block; invalidating the plurality of valid data in the compaction source blocks; and releasing the compaction source blocks in which all data are invalidated. |
| US08745312B2 |
Storage device and method of mapping a nonvolatile memory based on a map history
A non-volatile memory may include a plurality of map blocks for storing a plurality of map units, the map units representing mapping information between physical addresses and logical addresses. A storage device may include such a non-volatile memory. A method of mapping such a non-volatile memory may include writing historical information regarding locations of valid map units among the map units included in map blocks previously allocated among the map blocks when a new map block among the map blocks is allocated, the valid map units representing valid mapping information, and constructing a map table including all of the valid mapping information based on the historical information and a result of searching a map block recently allocated among the map blocks. |
| US08745309B2 |
Cooperative memory management
A cooperative memory card system includes a memory card device, and a host in signal communication with the memory card device, where the host assumes at least one memory management function for the memory card device; and a corresponding method of cooperative memory management between a host and a memory card device includes selecting at least one of several memory management functions to be performed by the host for the device. |
| US08745302B2 |
System and method for high-performance, low-power data center interconnect fabric
A system and method are provided that support a routing using a tree-like or graph topology that supports multiple links per node, where each link is designated as an Up, Down, or Lateral link, or both, within the topology. The system may use a segmented MAC architecture which may have a method of re-purposing MAC IP addresses for inside MACs and outside MACs, and leveraging what would normally be the physical signaling for the MAC to feed into the switch. |
| US08745301B2 |
High voltage dedicated charging port
Circuitry in a portable device may be attached to external device, such as a power supply, to receive a voltage at a desired voltage level from the external device. The circuitry may assert one of several electrical configurations on the cabling that electrically connects the portable device to the external device to indicate to the external device a desired voltage level. |
| US08745296B2 |
Serial storage protocol compatible frame conversion, at least in part being compatible with SATA and one packet being compatible with PCIe protocol
An embodiment may include circuitry to (a) convert, at least in part, at least one serial storage protocol compatible frame into at least one packet that is compatible, at least in part, with a multi-lane input/output (I/O) protocol, and/or (b) convert, at least in part, the at least one packet into the at least one frame. The at least one packet may be transmitted via a physical layer that is compatible, at least in part, with the multi-lane I/O protocol. The at least one packet may comprise frame information structure (FIS) information of the at least one frame. |
| US08745295B2 |
Device, method and computer program product for executing a migrated execution context by a storage controller
A method for executing a migrated execution context by a storage controller, the method includes: determining, by a management entity, to migrate an execution context from a source computer to the storage controller in response to a fulfillment of a first criterion; and migrating the execution context to the storage controller; wherein the source computer is coupled to the storage controller. |
| US08745293B2 |
Data processor
A format converter includes a first input buffer for storing input data, an output buffer for storing output data, a converter connected between the first input buffer and the output buffer, and a register that the converter refers to. The register allows plural kinds of conversion patterns to be defined in conformity with a desired data format conversion. The converter generates the output data based on the input data, in accordance with the conversion pattern defined in the register. |
| US08745292B2 |
System and method for routing I/O expansion requests and responses in a PCIE architecture
A system for implementing non-standard input/output (I/O) adapters in a standardized I/O architecture, comprising an I/O hub communicatively coupled to an I/O bus and a plurality of I/O adapters at I/O adapter addresses, the I/O hub including logic for implementing a method comprising receiving requests from the plurality of I/O adapters, storing the I/O adapter addresses of a requester along with their corresponding target recipient addresses and operation codes, receiving a response from a responder, the response indicating that a request has been completed, determining that the response is in a format other than a format supported by the I/O bus, transforming the response into the format supported by the I/O bus, locating a stored I/O adapter address having a corresponding target recipient address that matches the responder address and a corresponding operation code that matches the responder operation code, and transmitting the response to the stored I/O adapter address. |
| US08745289B2 |
Image processing apparatus, method for controlling the image processing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
An image processing apparatus which is connected to a plurality of information processing apparatuses receives notification information, which includes information about each information processing apparatus and is transmitted from the plurality of information processing apparatuses, and displays an information processing apparatus corresponding to the notification information as a list. When a deletion instruction to delete a specific information processing apparatus from among the information processing apparatuses that are objects to be displayed is accepted, the image processing apparatus deletes the specific information processing apparatus from the list. After the specific information processing apparatus is deleted from the list, the image processing apparatus displays other information processing apparatus corresponding to the received notification information instead of the information processing apparatus that has been deleted, so that the other information processing apparatus can be selected as a transmission destination of image data. |
| US08745285B2 |
Sink device, source device and wireless transmission system
Disclosed is a wireless transmission system provided with: a sink device which, when AV data transmitted by means of multicast wireless transmission from a source device is reproduced, performs reproduction control in accordance with the wireless connection state of another sink device that reproduces the AV data from the same source device; and the source device which is capable of determining the wireless connection state and the reproduction control state of the sink device. When the AV data obtained by means of multicast wireless transmission from the source device (1) is reproduced, the sink device (2a) acquires state information indicating the wireless connection state of the other sink device and adjusts reproduction control for the AV data of the actual sink device (2a) in accordance with this state information. The source device (1) acquires information on the wireless connection state and the reproduction control state of each sink device and stops or restarts transmission of the AV data on the basis of this information. |
| US08745284B2 |
Haptically enhanced interactivity with interactive content
Interactive content may be presented to a user that is manipulating a peripheral. One or more state parameters that are related to the position of the peripheral may be determined. The peripheral may be identified from a plurality of possible peripherals. The interactive content may be adjusted based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. Haptic feedback to be provided to the user may be determined based at least in part on the one or more position parameters and/or the identification of the peripheral. |
| US08745281B2 |
Automatic foundation fieldbus device commissioning
A device includes an interface configured to receive an indication of a second device on a network, and a processor configured to determine if the indication is one of an expected set of indications and generate a permanent node address for assignment to the second device if the indication is one of an expected set of indications. The permanent node address places the second device into an active mode as a permanent node addressed device. The processor is further configured to receive at least one device parameter from the permanent node addressed device, determine if the at least one device parameter matches an expected device parameter for the permanent node addressed device, and generate a second permanent node address for assignment to the device if the at least one device parameter matches the expected device parameter for the permanent node addressed device. |
| US08745279B2 |
Self-healing and reconfiguration in an integrated circuit
An integrated circuit (IC) performs self-healing and reconfiguration of a portion of the IC. In response to determining that a portion of the IC should be configured, a clock to the portion of the IC to be configured is halted. That portion of the IC is then configured using a processing core that is included in the IC. The processing core is also used to perform an intended function of the IC that is different than the configuration. |
| US08745277B2 |
Command portal for securely communicating and executing non-standard storage subsystem commands
A command portal enables a host system to send non-standard or “vendor-specific” storage subsystem commands to a storage subsystem using an operating system (OS) device driver that does not support or recognize such non-standard commands. The architecture thereby reduces or eliminates the need to develop custom device drivers that support the storage subsystem's non-standard commands. To execute non-standard commands using the command portal, the host system embeds the non-standard commands in blocks of write data, and writes these data blocks to the storage subsystem using standard write commands supported by standard OS device drivers. The storage subsystem extracts and executes the non-standard commands. The non-standard commands may alternatively be implied by the particular target addresses used. The host system may retrieve execution results of the non-standard commands using standard read commands. The host-side functionality of the command portal may be embodied in an API that is made available to application developers. |
| US08745274B2 |
Storage device, host device, circuit board, liquid receptacle, and system
A storage device includes a control unit that carries out a communication process with a host device that is connected via a bus; a storage unit into which data from the host device is written; and a storage control unit that controls access to the storage unit. The control unit returns an acknowledgment to the host device in the case where the control u has received acknowledgment return request information broadcasted from the host device to a plurality of storage devices connected to the bus after the end of a period in which data is written into the plurality of storage devices by the host device, and the data has been successfully written into the storage unit of the storage device to which the control unit belongs. |
| US08745273B2 |
Out-of-band state machine
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment provides if an OOB (out-of-band) state machine has not received a confirmation from an operating system that the operating system is functional, the operating system using a primary IP (internet protocol) address, then if the OOB state machine is in a passive state, transitioning to an active state and obtaining an OOB IP address if the OOB state machine currently has no OOB IP address; and receiving one or more first packets using the OOB IP address. |
| US08745269B2 |
Method and system for generating IP address profiles
A method and server for generating an IP address profile are provided. The method may include first gathering information about an IP address associated with an Internet user based at least in part on the Internet user's activity with respect to one or more Internet sites. The information may be stored in a database in association with the IP address, and a profile associated with the IP address may be generated based at least in part on the stored information. At some point, a request may be received for the profile from a web server in response to the Internet user requesting access to an Internet site associated with the web server. In response, the profile may be transmitted to the web server, such that the web server can dynamically alter one or more configurations of the Internet site based at least in part on the profile. |
| US08745264B1 |
Random next iteration for data update management
Host machines and other devices performing synchronized operations can be dispersed across multiple racks in a data center to provide additional buffer capacity and to reduce the likelihood of congestion. The level of dispersion can depend on factors such as the level of oversubscription, as it can be undesirable in a highly connected network to push excessive host traffic into the aggregation fabric. As oversubscription levels increase, the amount of dispersion can be reduced and two or more host machines can be clustered on a given rack, or otherwise connected through the same edge switch. By clustering a portion of the machines, some of the host traffic can be redirected by the respective edge switch without entering the aggregation fabric. When provisioning hosts for a customer, application, or synchronized operation, for example, the levels of clustering and dispersion can be balanced to minimize the likelihood for congestion throughout the network. |
| US08745261B1 |
Optimized video streaming using cloud computing platform
Technology is disclosed for migrating at least portions of a video streaming application to a cloud server. The migration is based on an optimization factor of a video streaming application. The optimization factor can be computed based on consumption of computing resources of the computing device. The video streaming application is a multi-threaded application in which a background thread performs tasks that may not require user interaction and a foreground thread performs tasks that may require user interaction. A service component of the video streaming application that obtains video streaming data from video servers is one example of the background thread. A user interface component that displays the video streaming data to a user via a user interface is an example of the foreground thread. If the optimization factor of the service component is below a predefined threshold, the service component is transferred to the cloud server for further processing. |
| US08745260B2 |
System and method for progressive download using surplus network capacity
Systems and methods for providing the progressive download of media content using techniques that preferentially identify and use periods of surplus network capacity to maintain the content delivery. A buffer of a receiving system is maintained and pre-filled with enough content to bridge playback intervals where a network is unable to deliver content as fast as it is played out. Content delivery does not impact other users' applications and use of the network and its resources since content is preferentially sent when surplus network capacity exists in the network. When no surplus network capacity is available, a user requesting content may be given the option to continue the delivery in the background so that the content may be played at a later time. The user may then resume their playback experience once the content has been completely delivered using surplus network capacity as it becomes available. |
| US08745257B1 |
Methods and apparatus for rendering video advertising on a mobile device
A system downloads a video from a remote server to a local server residing on a mobile device. The video is packaged in a first protocol, where the first protocol is selected based on a preferred download compatibility associated with the mobile device and the remote server. The system converts, on the local server, the video packaged in the first protocol to a video packaged in a second protocol. The second protocol is selected based on a capability of a video controller, residing on the mobile device, to render the video using the second protocol. The system transmits the video packaged in the second protocol from the local server to the video controller. Using the video controller, the system renders the video packaged in the second protocol on the mobile device. |
| US08745253B2 |
Triggering DHCP actions from IEEE 802.1x state changes
A client device obtains an Internet Protocol (IP) address in response to completion of an authentication protocol process. The IP address can be provided in accordance with, for example, the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP). The authentication protocol can be, for example, that which is defined by the IEEE 802.1x standard. When a client device detects completion of the 802.1x authentication process, it issues a DHCP request to the network. |
| US08745252B2 |
Headers protocol for use within a web services message processing runtime framework
A method is described that involves processing a Web services message within an object oriented runtime environment. The processing itself involves executing a plurality of protocols to support a Web service that the message pertains to. Each one of the protocols perform one or more operations that contribute to a different part of the processing. The executing is hibernated by storing state information of the protocols externally from the protocols. The executing is resumed by loading the saved state information back into the protocols. The executing includes one of the protocols performing the following: receiving from an object information retrieved from the message's header; and, providing at least a portion of the information to another protocol amongst the plurality of protocols. |
| US08745251B2 |
Power reduction system for an apparatus for high data rate signal transfer using a communication protocol
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. |
| US08745250B2 |
Multimodal proximity detection
Systems and methods for proximity detection between electronic devices are disclosed. One or more electronic devices transmit signals to a proximity server, which determines whether the first electronic device may be proximate the second electronic device. The proximity server transmits a signal to the first electronic device and the second device, and in response to the signal, the first and second electronic devices activate an environmental sensor, collect at least one sample of environmental data, extract at least one feature set of the environmental data, generate a first obscured feature from the feature set, transmit the first and second obscured feature sets to the proximity server. The proximity server uses the first obscured feature set and the second obscured feature set to determine whether the first electronic device and the second electronic device are proximate. |
| US08745249B2 |
Intelligence virtualization system and method to support social media cloud service
The present invention relates generally to intelligence virtualization system and method to support social media cloud service and more particularly to multi agent structure automatically performing intelligent virtualization method for service resource for a user's access and allocation of virtualized resources and more particularly to a intelligence virtualization system and method to support social media cloud service that automates learning process of multi agents for distribution of new social media service resources and service resource management of additional component of social media cloud computing. |
| US08745243B2 |
FCIP communications with load sharing and failover
An IP gateway device establishes distinct TCP sessions within a single FCIP tunnel, each TCP session being designated for a different priority of service (e.g., high, medium, low), plus a control stream. Each TCP session has its own TCP stack and its own settings for VLAN Tagging (IEEE 802.1Q), quality of service (IEEE 802.1P) and Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP). By distributing data streams assigned to different priorities of service into different TCP sessions within the FCIP tunnel, an IP gateway device can preserve the distinctions between the data stream priorities while the data traffic is within the IP network. By further distributing the data streams between different circuits and trunks by use of multiple circuits, failover and load balancing can occur within the FCIP tunnels. |
| US08745240B2 |
Global load balancing on a content delivery network
The invention relates to systems and methods of global load balancing in a content delivery network having a plurality of edge servers which may be distributed across multiple geographic locations. According to one aspect of the invention, a global load balancing system includes a first load balancing server for receiving a packet requesting content to be delivered to a client, selecting one of the plurality of edge servers to deliver the requested content to the client, and forwarding the packet across a network connection to a second load balancing server, which forwards the packet to the selected edge server. The selected edge server, in response to receiving the packet, sends across a network connection the requested content with an address for direct delivery to the client, thereby allowing the requested content to be delivered to the client while bypassing a return path through the first load balancing server. |
| US08745238B2 |
Virtual hot inserting functions in a shared I/O environment
A blade server system and method for virtually hot plugging and virtually hot removing functions in a shared I/O environment. A management node physically hot inserts and hot removes an I/O node in the server system without a compute node being aware of the hot insert and hot removal. The management node and the compute node create and remove virtual links between the compute node and the virtual functions. |
| US08745235B2 |
Networking system call data division for zero copy operations
A method for sending data over a network from a host computer. The host computer includes an operating system comprising at least a user space and a kernel space. The amount of data provided from the user space to the kernel space within one system call exceeds the size of an IP packet. A loop function in an application in the user space sends multiple packets to the kernel space within a single system call containing IO vectors which contain pointers to the data in the user space. A last data unit being processed may be designated using a flag included in the message header. In the kernel space a second loop function is used to reassemble the vector groups and pass them down the network stack. The data may then be passed to the network hardware using a direct memory access transfer directly from the user space to the network hardware. |
| US08745234B2 |
Method and manager physical machine for virtual machine consolidation
A method and a manager physical machine (PM) for virtual machine (VM) consolidation are provided. The method is performed by the manager PM. A network connects the manager PM and a plurality of server PMs. A plurality of VMs is running on the server PMs. The method includes the following steps. The manager PM classifies the server PMs into redundant PMs and surviving PMs. The manager PM determines migration paths of the VMs running on the redundant PMs to the surviving PMs. The manager PM determines a parallel migration sequence of the VMs running on the redundant PMs based on the migration paths. The manager PM migrates the VMs running on the redundant PMs to the surviving PMs in parallel according to the parallel migration sequence. |
| US08745230B2 |
Adaptation of service oriented architecture
An architecture and method are provided for provisioning, configuring and deploying adaptive service oriented architectures through mounting provider systems on extended service containers and manipulating the instantiations of these containers so that the active instantiations can be optimized for the prevailing state within the service oriented architectures. |
| US08745227B2 |
Distributed secure content delivery
Techniques for distributed and secure content delivery are provided. Requests for content are routed to a centralized service where the requestors are authenticated for access to the content. The centralized service generates access statements for the requesters. The requestors are redirected to particular distributed content services having access to the desired content. The distributed content services verify the access statements and vend the desired content to the requestors. |
| US08745222B2 |
Content system and associated methods
A method and system are disclosed for providing data files to a community of users. The data files relate to a plurality of courses. Each user is associated with one or more of the courses. The system includes client devices operated by the users and a server system in communication with the client devices over a network. The server system provides to the client devices access to data files relating to courses with which the users are associated. The server system also includes a content system for storing content items from users. The content items in the content system are selectable by users for inclusion in one or more of the plurality of data files. |
| US08745221B1 |
Dynamic request rerouting
A point of presence includes edge servers having IP addresses and storing content, a switch/router that receives and forwards requests for content to the edge servers, a health monitoring server that gathers health information from the edge servers, and a dynamic request rerouting (DRR) server. The DRR server is connected with each of the edge servers. If the DRR server obtains a determination that one of the edge servers is down, it advertises a route including the IP address of the down edge server to the switch/router. The switch/router forwards a request for content, originally addressed to the down server, to the DRR server. The DRR server forwards the request to a working server that stores the content. The working server sends the content to the DRR server, the DRR server forwards the content back to the switch/router, and the switch/router responds to the original request with the content. |
| US08745220B2 |
System and method for providing user notifications
A method comprising obtaining a credential associated with a first device in a device group, the device group having a shared data allocation available to the device group, the shared data allocation establishing an amount of communication over a first wireless network; determining, based on the credential, that the first device is authorized to set or change an aspect of a policy applicable when a second device in the device group is connected to the first wireless network; obtaining, from the first device, a user preference; and provisioning, based on the user preference and the determination that the first device is authorized to set or change the at least an aspect of the policy for the second device, one or more network elements to at least assist in enforcing or applying the policy when the second device is connected to the first wireless network. |
| US08745218B1 |
Predictive governing of dynamic modification of program execution capacity
Techniques are described for managing program execution capacity or other capacity of computing-related hardware resources used to execute software programs, such as for a group of computing nodes that is in use executing one or more programs for a user. Dynamic modifications to the program execution capacity of the group may include adding or removing computing nodes, such as in response to automated determinations that previously specified triggers are currently satisfied, and may be automatically governed at particular times based on automatically generated predictions of program execution capacity that will be used at those times by the group, such as to verify that requested dynamic execution capacity modifications at a time are within the predicted execution capacity values for that time. In some situations, the techniques are used in conjunction with a fee-based program execution service that executes multiple programs on behalf of multiple users of the service. |
| US08745217B2 |
System and method for brand management using social networks
A system for brand management using social networks comprising an application server, social network crawler software modules, third party service integration software modules, an analytics server, a report generator, a search engine, a behavioral analysis engine, a recommendation engine, and a database. A user registers and provides data pertaining to a brand. Upon retrieving content from a plurality of social networks pertaining to the brand, the analytics server module analyzes the content to a content value specific to the brand among members of the social networks. The behavioral analysis engine obtains content elements generated by a first member a social network and analyzes the first member's behavior to compute an audience value of the first member. The report generator prepares reports specific to the brand, the reports comprising at least indicia of content value, indicia of audience value, and recommendations for improving member engagement with the brand. |
| US08745216B2 |
Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling a service level agreement
Methods and systems for monitoring and controlling a service level agreement are disclosed. A disclosed embodiment comprises a cloud platform hosting at least one application associated with at least one service level agreement, a monitoring module for collecting at least one metric relating to an application hosted on the cloud platform and terms of a service level agreement associated with each of the one or more metrics, and monitoring the metric collected against a service level objective in the service level agreement. The system may additionally comprise a controlling module for mapping a service level objective to a predefined operation rule, identifying one or more actions to be taken in accordance with the rule, assigning a priority to the one or more actions identified in accordance with the rule; and performing the one or more actions in accordance with the assigned priority of each of the one or more actions. |
| US08745215B2 |
Network delay analysis including parallel delay effects
The embodiments facilitate the analysis of application delays, including delays that occur on multiple paths. A trace file of an application's network events is processed to categorize the causes of delays incurred in the propagation and processing of these events. The system identifies the amount of delay that can be eliminated by eliminating each of the components of delay individually, as well as the amount of delay that can be eliminated by eliminating combinations of the delay components. A user interface displays the amount of reduction that can be achieved by eliminating various delays alone or in combination. The interface also allows the user to view the individual delay components contained in combinations of delay components. In this manner, the user is provided a view of each of the delay components that would need to be addressed, either individually or in combination, to improve the overall application delay. |