| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08777188B2 |
Plunger valve for a propane carburetor
A plunger valve. The plunger valve includes a body, where the length of the body is between 13 millimeters and 20 millimeters. The plunger valve also includes a set of flutes on the body. The set of flutes includes at least four flutes. The set of flutes are each symmetrically spaced about the axis of the needle-shaped plunger. The plunger valve further includes a conical tip. |
| US08777187B2 |
Humidifier
A domestic humidifier (10) is disclosed as including a water tank (34) for containing water, a basin (30) in a liquid communicable relationship with the tank (34), an adsorption medium (28) for breaking down water delivered to the adsorption medium (28) into water droplets floatable in air, a pump (22) for delivering water from the basin (30) to the adsorption medium (28), in which the tank (34) includes a water inlet (36) and a cover (38), and the cover (38) is movable to selectively close or open said water inlet (36). |
| US08777185B2 |
Rotary device and winch provided with rotary device
A bracket of a rotation device of the present invention has a guide mechanism that is configured to guide a first motor and a second motor so as to rotate the same about an axis of a cylindrical rotating body relative to each other. A first gear and a second gear can respectively be meshed with rotating body side gears corresponding thereto while the first motor or the second motor is deviated around the axis of the cylindrical rotating body from a normal attachment position with respect to the bracket. Further, the first motor or the second motor can be guided to the normal attachment position by the guide mechanism in the condition. |
| US08777183B2 |
Device for connecting a gas-operated appliance and a gas cartridge
A device for connecting gas equipment to a valve of a gas cartridge, having a tap body fixed to the gas equipment, an axial coupling ring fixed to the body of the tap and having at least one elastic lug which can engage radially in a groove of a valve of the cartridge, a rotary locking ring which can occupy a locking position in which the rotary ring keeps each lug engaged in the groove and a release position in which the rotary ring allows each elastic lug to be disengaged from the groove, and a cylinder having a tube which can override the shut-off device of the valve, wherein the rotary locking ring has radial coupling means which can interact with complementary radial coupling means provided on the gas cartridge valve, so that the device can be moved from a locking position to a release position by the rotation of the cartridge. |
| US08777180B2 |
Solenoid valve
A solenoid valve comprising a magnetic drive having at least two parallel coils which are arranged with their end faces lying between two spaced apart magnetic yoke plates, a stationary magnetic plug and an axially movable magnetic core each being arranged in each coil which together with the magnetic yoke plates form a ferromagnetic circuit. At least one further magnetic element which is firmly connected to a respective yoke plate on two opposite ends is arranged between the magnetic plates. |
| US08777179B2 |
Drive mechanism for the movement of an object along an axis of motion and micro-valve
A drive mechanism for the movement of an object along an axis of motion comprises two clamping elements and a drive element disposed between the two clamping elements which enables a relative movement of the two clamping elements along the axis of motion. Each clamping element comprises a base body and two clamping jaws, wherein a piezo-actuator is disposed between the base body and at least one of the two clamping jaws, which can produce a clamping force acting on the object which is directed transversely to the axis of motion. The base bodies of the two clamping elements are connected by at least two expansible elements. The drive element comprises a further piezo-actuator, which enables the relative displacement of the two clamping elements along the axis of motion. The drive mechanism is suitable for application in a micro-valve. |
| US08777178B2 |
Adjustable valve acutator system
A valve actuator apparatus and method for adjusting for valve bore drift using an adjustable downstop is disclosed. The adjustable downstop comprises a downstop and a drift adjuster. The drift adjuster can me moved in an upwards or downwards direction to increase or decrease the stroke length of the operator shaft. |
| US08777176B2 |
Device for mounting solar modules
A device for mounting solar modules/solar panels on props that are introduced into the ground of the mounting location, wherein supports that can be connected on top of or on the props are arranged by means of fastening means that allow vertical compensation and/or lateral compensation for deviations of the introduced props from the perpendicular, with a rail (3) that can be connected to the prop (2), a T-shaped or L-shaped or U-shaped connecting flange (4) with at least one connector (8) for a support (5), and a rocker bearing (6) that allows the connection between the rail (3) and the connecting flange (4) to be established. |
| US08777165B2 |
Aircraft fuel system
An aircraft fuel system has a fuel tank with first and second cells separated by one or more baffles. A venting system reduces pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the fuel tank, and an inerting system supplies oxygen-depleted gas to the fuel tank. The baffles permit the flow of fluid between the cells. The venting system has one or more vent nozzles within the fuel tank and in fluid communication with one or more vent ports. The inerting system has one or more inerting nozzles for injecting oxygen-depleted gas into the first and second cells. A control device varies the ratio between the total flow rates of the oxygen-depleted gas into the first and second cells. |
| US08777164B2 |
Air intake structure for an aircraft nacelle
An air inlet structure which is mounted upstream of a central structure of a nacelle of an aircraft engine includes an outer partition incorporating a lip, an upstream partition defining with the outer partition a deicing compartment in the lip, and a hot air supply device to supply the deicing compartment with hot air. The hot air supply device has a hot air supply tube and a peripheral seal plate surrounding the supply tube. In particular, the hot air supply tube has an elbowed free end, and an orifice of the upstream partition allows passage of the elbowed free end according to a main axis of the supply tube. The seal plate includes a contact plate surrounding the supply tube to ensure sealing at the upstream partition. |
| US08777157B2 |
Tethered hovering platform
The design and refinement of a tethered hovering platform into a feasible working system is presented. To determine a starting point for the design, a detailed historical search was conducted to find the history and the current state of such technology. Real world current needs are analyzed to produce a mission specification and to drive the preliminary vehicle design. Analysis of environmental conditions and decisions about an initial payload package are made in conjunction with motor and propeller sizing. Initial concept testing to discover feasibility and operational issues was performed; from this, instability issues were discovered. Analyzing these instability issues using known rotorcraft and momentum effects, in conjunction with flight testing, yields possible solutions to the problem. The use of constrained layer dampers as a means of passive stabilization is addressed and suggested as the preferred solution. Testing of passive constrained layer damping verifies the stability of the solution. The system components and manufacturing cost is presented in comparison to current systems using active stabilization. |
| US08777156B2 |
Heavier than air internal ballast
A vehicle suitable for use in high-altitude applications use may include a gas impermeable body and a flexible barrier separating the body into multiple sections or compartments. The compartments may include a lift compartment for holding lift gas, such as lighter than air gas, and a ballast compartment for holding a ballast, such as heavier than air gas. A valve may permit passage of the ballast from the ballast compartment to an exterior of the body. The body may have an oblong shape, with fins attached to an exterior back end thereof. The vehicle may have only internal ballast compartments, without including a hopper external to the body. |
| US08777153B2 |
Aerofoil
There is provided an aerofoil comprising an inboard section, a tip section moveable between a flying configuration and a parked configuration, a hinge shaft mounted at a compound angle in the inboard section, a fixed gear mounted concentrically on the hinge shaft and a drive gear coupled to the tip section and configured to mesh with the fixed gear, wherein a rotation of the drive gear against the fixed gear causes the tip section to rotate about the hinge shaft between the flying configuration and the parked configuration. |
| US08777152B2 |
Method and an aircraft provided with a swiveling tail rotor
A method of piloting an aircraft (1) provided with at least one rotary wing (2) and a tail rotor (10) suitable for swiveling to pass reversibly from an anti-torque mode of operation to a propulsion mode of operation, said tail rotor (10) having a plurality of second blades (12) having a second variable pitch and rotating about an axis of rotation (AX), said axis of rotation presenting a first variable salient angle (θ) relative to a first plane (P1). Thus, in the anti-torque mode of operation, said second pitch is controlled using first control means (31). Furthermore, in the propulsion mode of operation, said first salient angle (θ) is controlled using first control means (31) and said second pitch is controlled using second control means (32) for controlling thrust. |
| US08777148B2 |
Cord winder for a window-covering device
The invention relates to a cord winder (1) for a window-covering device, said cord winder including: a drum (7) for winding a cord (40), said drum being rotatable around a first rotationally symmetrical axis (A-A′); and a means (12, 13b) for guiding the cord to the winding drum, the winding drum being rotatably mounted in a holder (2). Said cord winder is characterized in that it includes a rotatable roller (14) that is mounted onto the holder along a second rotationally symmetrical axis (B-B′). Said cord winder is moreover characterized in that it includes a friction area (23) wherein at least one coil of the cord, wound onto the winding drum, is in contact with the rotatable drum. |
| US08777145B2 |
Frame front end of jaw crusher, jaw crusher and crushing plant
A front end of a frame of a jaw crusher comprises a curved front wall for receiving crushing force. The front end comprises an inner rib structure formed to the curved front wall. A jaw crusher and a crushing plant. |
| US08777142B2 |
Device for mechanical separation of material conglomerates from materials of different density and/or consistency
A device for mechanical separation of material conglomerates includes a separating chamber with a feed side and a discharge side, where the separating chamber is surrounded by a cylindrical separating chamber wall and has at least two consecutive sections, in each of which at least one rotor with impact tools, wherein the rotors have a rotor casing, the radius of which increases towards the discharge side, wherein the difference between the radius of the rotor casing and the radius of the separating chamber wall decreases from the feed side towards the discharge side, the directions of rotation of the rotor in the section facing the discharge side and the rotor of the section which lies ahead in the direction of the material flow are counter-rotating, and the rotational velocity of the rotors in the sections from the feed side towards the discharge side of the separating chamber, increases. |
| US08777136B2 |
Chopper for commingled fibers
A device for chopping fiber strand includes a form, and a strand feeding mechanism that delivers the strand to the form and conveys the strand along the form. First and second grinding wheels may be included to cut the strand into individual segments of desired length as the strand is conveyed along the form. A method of chopping a fiber strand includes the steps of delivering a continuous strand onto a base end of a form, conveying the continuous strand along the form from the base end toward a discharge end and cutting the continuous strand into individual segments of desired length, for example using first and second grinding wheels. |
| US08777135B2 |
Device and method for cooling solid particles
A cooling arrangement adapted to be used in a process of preparing a fine powder, and a method for using same are described. The cooling arrangement (100) comprises: a solid particles feed ingress means, a solid particles mixing means (140), a plurality of cooling air discharging devices (130) and a solid particles egress means. The cooling arrangement is characterized in that the averaged diameter of the solid particles fed the said solid particles ingress means is essentially less than 6 mm. Preferably, the solid particles are fed to the cooling arrangement and free fall (120) onto the bottom section thereof. |
| US08777127B2 |
Scent sampler and air freshener
A scent sampler and air freshener has a wafer of an absorbent resilient material infused with a liquid containing a scent. The wafer is encapsulated in a chamber formed between two panels of sheet material with edges sealed together to form an envelope. An opening in one of the panels enables scent from the liquid to be emitted to the ambient atmosphere. The rate of emission can be increased by squeezing the panels to compress the wafer. The interior surfaces of the panels can be coated with a barrier film to prevent leakage of the liquid from contaminating the sheet material. |
| US08777122B2 |
System for fixing a rail onto a foundation and support plate for such a system
A system for fixing a rail onto a foundation and a support plate intended for such a system. The system comprises a guide plate, a spring element which can be clamped against the foundation by means of a clamping element, sits on the guide plate and in the final mounted system with its free spring arm exerts a retaining force on a rail foot of the rail, and a support plate which is arranged to compensate for height differences between the guide plate and the foundation concerned. The system proposes dividing the support into two parts along a joint line which runs, starting from the one long side of the support plate aligned transverse to the rail to be fixed, at a distance from the one short side to the passage opening and from there intersecting the passage opening in the direction of the short side of the support plate. |
| US08777120B2 |
Hydronic radiant flooring heating system
A hydronic radiant flooring heating system includes a pipe having pipe sections, and a grid of a thermally conductive material. The pipe sections are arranged substantially parallel to one another along a first axis, where there is a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The pipe is to carry a heated liquid to radiantly heat a flooring under which the pipe is situated. The grid is situated relative to the sections. A portion of the grid is positioned substantially parallel to the second axis, and has an increased gauge to provide for lateral heat flow from the sections along the second axis. Heating of the flooring under which the pipe and the grid are situated is substantially uniform at least partially due to the increased gauge of the portion of the grid positioned substantially parallel to the second axis, while permitting wider spacing between adjacent of the pipe sections. |
| US08777117B2 |
Metal sheet and tag set
A metal sheet including: a first and second metal sections disposed at point symmetrical positions about a center point of the metal sheet, wherein each portion of the first and second metal sections is affixed to a tag so as to contact to the tag which performs non-contact communication. |
| US08777115B2 |
Card switch
There is provided a switch assembly for an electronic card. The switch assembly is mounted within a housing of the card and comprises a switch member adapted to travel axially relative to the housing between a rest position and an actuated position upon application of pressure on the switch member. An actuation member is positioned adjacent the switch member and adjacent an upper face of the housing. Upon exertion of pressure on the upper face, the pressure also applies on the actuation member, thereby displacing the latter. Displacement of the actuation member in turn transfers the pressure to the switch member to move the latter to the actuated position. |
| US08777113B2 |
Integrated circuit film for smart card and mobile communication device
An integrated circuit film for a smart card, such as a Micro SIM card or a Mini UICC card, is provided. The integrated circuit film includes a flexible print circuit board (FPC) and an integrated circuit chip, and the integrated circuit chip has an ATR (Answer to Reset) signal generating device. When a terminal issues a Reset signal, this Reset signal is sent to the smart card and the ATR signal generating device, respectively via circuits of the FPC, whereby the ATR signal generating device generates ATR signal and send back to the terminal. |
| US08777108B2 |
Cell phone reading mode using image timer
An EIR terminal containing an image capture device configured to scan an image. The EIR terminal includes a lighting and exposure mechanism. The EIR terminal also includes a camera sensor interface with a stat FIFO. The stat FIFO is configured to receive data from the image capture device. When the stat FIFO, during image scanning, receives a pre-determined amount of image data, it fires an interrupt, which times the lighting and exposure mechanism in the EIR terminal. |
| US08777104B1 |
Detecting a malfunctioning device using sensors
Various embodiments are related to apparatuses and methods for detecting a malfunctioning device using a sensor. An electronic device, such as a card reader, can be coupled to a mobile device, such as a smartphone. The smartphone has an integrated sensor, such as a motion sensor. An application can run on the smartphone and can use the sensor to determine the status of the electronic device, for example using the motion sensor to determine that the card reader has a status of malfunctioning. The application can determine that the card reader is malfunctioning by analyzing the motion sensor data to detect movements indicating multiple card swipes. If the card reader did not read any data during the card swipes, the application can deduce that the card reader is malfunctioning. The application can cause a replacement card reader to be sent to replace the malfunctioning card reader. |
| US08777101B2 |
Monitoring of stored-value-instrument usage
Methods and systems are disclosed of executing a financial transaction that enable enhanced usage monitoring. Funds are received from a buyer for purchase of a single-load stored-value instrument. The single-load stored-value instrument is associated with a predefined value amount. Buyer identification information that identifies the buyer is received. The buyer identification information is stored in association with the stored-value instrument. The stored-value instrument is validated for use in making purchase by drawing from value associated with the stored-value instrument. |
| US08777099B2 |
Bendable electronic device status information system and method
A system includes, but is not limited to: obtaining and one or more physical status sending modules configured to direct sending one or more bendable electronic device physical status related information portions to the bendable electronic device based upon the obtaining of the first information. In addition to the foregoing, other related system/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08777096B1 |
Cardboard desk organizer
A foldable cardboard desk organizer made of corrugated cardboard for use in standard elementary school desks. The desk organizer includes a base to which are attached a front wall, a back wall and two side walls. The walls are formed by folding the wall elements upon themselves and securing by a tab and slot system to create strong, two-layer walls. The wall elements further include wing portions that, when assembled, overlap and link separate wall elements together to provide structure and support for the desk organizer. One or more divider sections may be installed within the base by attaching them to the walls to create two or more compartments within the base and defined by the divider sections. The divider sections include three overlapping layers for increased strength. |
| US08777094B2 |
Container having interlocking top flaps and blanks for forming same
A barrel formed from a sheet of blank material includes a plurality of side wall panels for forming sides of the barrel including a front panel, a rear panel, two opposing end panels, and at least one diagonal corner panel, at least one bottom flap for forming a bottom of the barrel, and a plurality of top flaps for forming a top of the barrel including a top front flap foldably connected to the front panel, a top rear flap foldably connected to the rear panel, and two opposing top end flaps each foldably connected to one of the end panels. The top front flap and the top rear flap include at least one closure slot. Each of the two opposing top end flaps includes at least one locking finger. The locking fingers are inserted within the closure slots for securing the top of the barrel in a closed position. |
| US08777090B2 |
Methods of joining metallic protective layers
In various embodiments, protective layers are bonded to a steel layer and connected by a layer of unmelted metal powder produced by cold spray. |
| US08777087B2 |
Method and apparatus for applying solder to a work piece
The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for the application of solder onto a work piece, wherein the solder is soldered on at a soldering temperature TL and subject to the influence of ultrasound. In order to be able to solder without difficulties the solder onto work pieces that exhibit sensitivity to breakage it is proposed that the solder is heated, is applied to the work piece that is supported in particular in a spring-mounted manner, and is soldered-on subject to the influence of ultrasound. |
| US08777083B2 |
Surgical stapling device
A surgical stapling device for applying an array of surgical staples to tissue is provided. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism for moving a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly between spaced and approximated positions and a firing mechanism for ejecting the array of staples from the cartridge assembly. A single trigger is operable to effect approximation and firing of the device. The device also includes an alignment pin assembly which can be selectively manually or automatically advanced. The anvil assembly includes a stiffener plate which allows the device to have a reduced head portion profile. |
| US08777076B1 |
Multifunctional organizer and method of making
A multipurpose organizer that can be quickly and easily converted into multiple articles such as but not limited to a carrying tote, a purse, a seat organizer and a head rest is provided. The method of making the multifunctional organizer and the methods of using the multifunctional organizer are also provided. In one embodiment the main body of consists of a single piece of material providing for low cost construction. |
| US08777075B2 |
Combination hydration, nutrition, and pack apparatus for a bicycle
The hydration pack apparatus for a bicyclist herein described includes a hydration fluid container that is removably mounted to a bicycle. Hydration fluid is transported from the container to the bicyclist via a flexible tube with one end connecting to an outlet on the container and the other end terminating at a bite actuated valve. The tube is routed on and mounted to the bicycle in a novel fashion. The cyclist, with the brief use of one hand, is able to easily access the bite valve and tube to retrieve hydration while continuing to ride the bicycle and maintaining a neutral and ergonomic posture. Retracting reel assemblies are used to automatically return and hold the tube in a stored position on the bicycle while not in use. The hydration pack can be equipped with additional features allowing for convenient storage and retrieval of nutrition supplements and for secure storage of other accessory items commonly employed by bicyclists. |
| US08777074B2 |
Hitch-mounted telescopic rack and method of use
One possible embodiment of the invention could be a hitch-mounted telescopic rack and its operation, the rack could be comprised of a vertical telescopic tube assembly having an inner tube movably received within a hollow outer tube, the hollow outer tube having a hitch attachment end while the inner tube has an attachment end that connects to a top tube assembly that movably supports one or more rollers perpendicularly to the vertical telescopic tube assembly; wherein the hitch attachment end is reversibly received by a trailer hitch of an automotive vehicle to vertically orient the vertical telescopic tube assembly and place the rollers in a horizontal position distal from the trailer hitch, the one or more rollers moving an object relative to a rear edge of a top of the automotive vehicle as well as supporting the rear overhanging portion of the object that is placed on the top. |
| US08777067B2 |
Beverage dispensing system with apparatus for controlling foaming and flow rate
The beverage dispensing system includes a dispensing faucet defining a flow path, a valve head in the flow path movable between a closed position in sealed contact with a valve seat, and an open position. An actuator is manually movable to operate the faucet, and a biasing element is cooperable with the actuator and valve head such that an initial movement of the actuator will automatically cause sufficient energy to be stored or loaded in the biasing element for moving the valve head to the open position but without doing so. Occurrence of a subsequent predetermined event such as a further movement of the actuator will cause the stored energy to be automatically released to rapidly or nearly instantaneously move the valve head to the open position. As a result, no instruction or skill is required to operate the faucet to uniformly dispense pressurized beverages such as draught beer. |
| US08777066B2 |
Packaging element with a hermetically sealed dosing mechanism for semi-solid products
Packaging element with a hermetically sealed dosing mechanism for semi-solid products, comprehending its body as a sole piece (10) injected in plastic material, configuring two concentric parts, one internal that configures the product containing cup-like recipient (11) and an external which configures a skirt for optional finishing (12), both with their top endings integrated between themselves by a horizontal wall (13), above which emerge vertically two concentric collars (14) and (15), which configure a hermetical coupling for a device in the shape of a spinning disc (16) that rotates in only one direction and always in the same plane in relation to the main body (10), and whose spinning disc (16) outside portion, may receive an optional over-lid (17), while from its inside portion has constructive details integrated to the assembly of an integrated protection dosing valve mechanism (18) and an actioning mechanism (19) for a piston (20) that, by its turn, initially (full package) is placed along with the bottom (21) of the cup-like recipient (11) containing the product (P). |
| US08777065B2 |
Container with dip tube holder
A container for use with a handheld fluid dispenser is provided. The container may include a container body having interconnected walls that define an inside space therebetween and in which liquid contents are held. An opening may extend through the container body and permit access to the liquid contents in the container body. A cap may engage the container body and be aligned with the opening of the container body. The cap may include a rim that defines an outer portion of the cap. A neck may be arranged concentrically within the rim, the neck including a bore that extends longitudinally through the neck and is aligned with the opening of the container body. A recess that has an annular shape may be defined between the rim and the neck of the cap. |
| US08777062B2 |
Manual skin-care product dispenser
A product dispenser includes a housing having a backplate and a cover that, together, define a reservoir recess. The cover pivots relative to the backplate and is pushed to pivot about a pivot point and actuate a pump. The pivot point is positioned such that the volume of the reservoir recess increases as the pump is actuated to dispense the product. |
| US08777058B2 |
Spout assembly for a replaceable fluid reservoir used in personal care appliances
A pouch has an upper spout portion which is heat sealed to the opening of the pouch. The upper spout portion has two curved gripping elements and a receiving assembly that projects inside the pouch. The receiving assembly is configured to connect with a bellows pump that seats into the upper spout portion and can be removed by pinching the two curved gripping elements together. This action in turn allows a user to remove the bellows pump easily as desired. |
| US08777055B2 |
Passive device for staging and dispensing objects
A passive chute assembly includes: a chute configured to receive objects to be dispensed, the chute having an outlet; and a passive dispensing unit attached to the chute outlet. The passive dispensing unit has a staging portion, wherein objects are captured prior to dispensing. The staging portion is movable between a staging position, in which objects may be captured within the staging portion, and a dispensing position, in which the objects may be fed gravimetrically into a receptacle positioned below the dispensing unit. The staging portion includes an adaptive opening that, when the staging portion moves to the dispensing position, opens adaptively corresponding to a diameter of the receptacle. |
| US08777053B2 |
Sheets dispenser
A sheets dispenser comprising a container with an opening, and a spring loaded lid adapted to close say opening, in which the opening is provided with extrusion means, and in which the lid is biased into a closed position. |
| US08777048B2 |
Drink bottles
Drink bottles, or drink containers with cap assemblies that include a drink spout. In some embodiments, the drink spout is pivotally coupled to a base of the cap assembly. In some embodiments, the drink spouts include mouthpieces, including self-sealing mouthpieces. In some embodiments, the cap assembly includes a handle, which may include at least one guard for the drink spout and/or mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the drink containers include a manual on/off valve. In some embodiments, the dispensing spout includes a mount for the mouthpiece and/or cooperates with the cap to provide a manual on/off valve to selectively restrict flow of drink fluid from the drink container regardless of the drink spout's and/or mouthpiece's configuration. In some embodiments, the drink containers include a drink tube extending from external of the drink containers and/or an air return system. |
| US08777047B2 |
Containers
A polyhedron disposable container formed from flexible weldable plastic film is provided. The container has opposite ends and an opening that accommodates a port at the center of at least one of such ends. The container also has multiple sides and an opening on at least one such side located midway between the edges of such side. |
| US08777046B2 |
Drink cup with rolled brim
A drink cup includes a body formed to include an interior fluid-storage region and a brim. The brim is coupled to the body to surround an opening into the interior fluid-storage region. |
| US08777045B2 |
Insulated container with work surface
A soft sided insulated container assembly includes a first portion having an insulated, soft sided external wall structure, and a second portion that defined a lid co-operable with the first portion. The lid includes an auxiliary access opening and closure member that are smaller than the main opening, and that can be operated one-handed. A rigid work surface is provided, typically immediately adjacent to the secondary closure member, the work surface providing a place for holding or mixing a drink or for preparing a snack. In some embodiments the work surface may be movable relative to the container, whether slidable in a co-planar or parallel planar manner in translation, or folding as in a foldable shelf. The entire container assembly may be foldable or collapsible to a storage condition, and the rigid member, whether fixed or movable, does not impede that folding or collapsing. |
| US08777044B1 |
Beverage container device
A beverage holding device comprising a container and a removably engageable lid. The container includes a partition extending between opposing sides of the sidewall of the container to define a plurality of separated cavities. The partition includes an edge surface forming an interior seal against a lower surface of the lid upon an engagement of the lid with the container for maintaining the plurality of cavities fluidly separated. A plurality of apertures in offset elevated positions above an upper surface of the lid are provided, with each communicating with a respective one of the plurality of cavities. The elevated and offset apertures provide a respective relief area to accommodate a projecting nose of a user during an engagement of the user's mouth with a respective aperture while tipping the container. |
| US08777038B2 |
Air relief valve structure of pressure cooker
In an air relief valve structure of a pressure cooker, the pressure cooker includes a cooker body and a lid. The lid has a containing trough and an air relief valve. The air relief valve includes a middle column, an airtight column, an elastic element and a gravity valve. The middle column has a containing space and air relief and through holes formed on an outer wall of the middle column and interconnected with the containing space. In the containing space, an airtight column is installed. An end column is defined at an end of the airtight column and is disposed adjacent to an inner wall of the middle column, and the end column has a diameter equal to the diameter of the containing space of the middle column. The air relief hole allows food material to be discharged easily to reduce pressure and enhance the overall safety of the pressure cooker. |
| US08777034B1 |
Containment bag system for use in a commercial disposal container
The invention consists of a non-self supporting containment bag used in conjunction with a dumpster container. The bag has a zipper or other sealable means, and a series of pick-up or attachment loops or handles that may also be attached to the outer bag material. The bag is constructed of at least two layers, a first layer constructed of woven materials and a second layer constructed of non-woven materials. |
| US08777033B2 |
Plastic container with reinforced base and closure and system and method of making same
A plastic container and closure, and system and method of making the same. Container can include a solid bottom end, an outer sidewall extending from solid bottom end, a shoulder portion extending from outer sidewall, and neck portion extending from shoulder portion, forming an open end of container. Solid bottom end includes a circumferential heel portion having a plurality of radially asymmetrical projections and recesses disposed on an outer periphery of the heel portion, the plurality being configured to increase heel portion rigidity while maintaining substantially uniform material thickness. Shoulder portion forms an angle with a plane perpendicular to the container central axis. At an angle of 50° a desirable failure mode may be achieved where the yield strength of the shoulder portion is balanced against that of the heel portion and the outer sidewall to maximize the top load strength of the container. |
| US08777030B2 |
Non-reusable closure
In various embodiments, a non-reusable closure may include a base attachable to a container. The closure base contains an engagement insert that can screw onto a container neck. The base and engagement insert together contain one or more regions of weakness which break and/or deform when the closure is removed from the container thereby preventing re-attachment of the closure to the container. |
| US08777028B2 |
Spout for drinking container
A spout for attachment to bottles, cups or other drinking vessels and containers having a dome shaped enclosure and a set of stability ribs. The stability ribs specifically ensuring that fluid flow through the fluid conduit remains as laminar as possible, and prevents the fluid conduit from collapse if a high amount of suction or mastication is provided by a user of the drinking vessel or container. |
| US08777027B2 |
Mobile crane
The present application relates to a mobile crane comprising a telescopic boom which has a hinged section and at least one telescopic section which can be telescoped out of it, or to a crawler-mounted crane. In accordance with one embodiment, as a position detection device, it has at least one transducer in the form of an inductively operating transponder, a receiver unit for the sensing of the position of the transducer, a control device for control in dependence on a signal of the receiver unit, as well as a signal transmission device in the form of a databus for the transmission of the signal data from the receiver unit to the control device. |
| US08777026B2 |
Crane jib transition structure
Provided is a crane jib transition structure, including a jib section, a transition section and a supporting structure. The jib section matches with the transition section, and they fixedly connect to each other. The upper end of the supporting structure fixedly connects to the upper end of the side of the jib section. The bottom end of the supporting structure fixedly connects to the bottom end of the corresponding side of the transition section. The middle part of the supporting structure fixedly connects to the connection point between the side of jib section and the corresponding side of transition section. Therefore, the crane jib transition structure can not only achieve the strength of a crane jib transition structure, but also achieve the strength and the overall stability of a crane jib, by using the supporting structure connecting to between the crane jib section and transition section. |
| US08777022B2 |
Universal storage and shelving system
There is disclosed a simple and versatile storage and shelving system. A plurality of specialized, sturdy, lightweight, integrally molded main panels (10) are provided, which may be hanged upon a hanger track (16) mounted upon a vertical wall (15). The main panels (10) are specially shaped to define shelf ledges (26) therein upon which shelves (18, 20) may be easily but securely placed. There are defined in the fronts of the panels (10) one or more wardrobe hooks (22) into which wardrobe rods (14) may be placed. Special hook bodies (53) for the wardrobe rods (14) and flange elements (44, 47) for the panel wardrobe hooks (22) promote secure engagement of the wardrobe rods (14) with respective pairs of panels (10) to promote the stability and security of a completely installed system. Auxiliary panels (80) may be removably connected to the bottoms of main panels (10) to increase versatility of a given system by permitting the additional of more shelves (18, 20) or drawers (20). |
| US08777018B2 |
Filter device
The present invention relates to a filtering device, facilitating the filtration of media to be cleaned, and also the cleaning of the filter material or filter elements in a filtering device. Said filtering device comprises at least one filter element arranged in a housing, with at least one filter material and at least one rebound element. The invention further relates to a cleaning device, comprising at least one nozzle, which is arranged perpendicularly and/or angularly in relation to the filter element for removing a filter cake on the filter material, wherein the cleaning medium at least partially penetrates the filter material during cleaning. The rebound element deflects the cleaning medium at least partially for renewed penetration through the filter material, while at least partially removing the filter cake at the same time. |
| US08777016B2 |
Material separator systems
Embodiments provide a vehicle for separating a mixed debris stream. The vehicle may include an elongate vehicle frame; a separating structure mounted on the vehicle frame and configured to contact the mixed debris stream with a fluid stream to separate the mixed debris stream into at least a first debris stream and a second debris stream; a feed structure for transporting the mixed debris stream to the separating structure at a delivery location; a first conveyor configured to receive the first debris stream at a receiving location; and a second conveyor configured to receive the second debris stream. At least one of the delivery location of the mixed debris stream, the receiving location of the first debris stream, and/or an ejection angle of the fluid stream may be adjustable. |
| US08777015B2 |
Magnetic separator
There are provided devices, systems and processes to treat slurries that include magnetic and nonmagnetic particles suspended in water in such a fashion as to separate certain valuable elements and/or minerals from less valuable minerals or elements. A high intensity magnetic separator includes at least one large rotatable turntable that defines at least one circular channel therethrough in which a matrix material is positioned. The turntable is configured to rotate in a generally horizontal plane about a generally vertical virtual axis, causing the at least one circular channel to rotate through a plurality of intermittent magnetic and nonmagnetic zones generated by a plurality of permanent magnet members. A treatment slurry is directed into the channel or channels in one or more of the magnetic zones as the turntable rotates. A tailings fraction passes through the channel or channels in a generally downward direction in the magnetic zones and is collected in tailings launders. Magnetic particles are attracted to the matrix material in the magnetic zones and remain in the channel until it passes into an adjacent nonmagnetic zone, where the magnetic particles are washed form the channel into concentrate launders. |
| US08777014B2 |
Contraception kit
The invention relates to a contraception kit that includes at least one regular contraception for the female cycle as well as an emergency contraception. The invention is characterized in that both types of contraception are included in a common packaging. |
| US08777010B2 |
Container blank and container with denesting feature
A blank for being formed into a container. The blank has a marginal area that includes a plurality of score lines for facilitating forming of the blank into the container. The score lines are positioned to facilitate formation of denesting features of the container. A container formed from the blank has denesting features. |
| US08777008B2 |
Package cushioning structure for liquid crystal display module
Disclosed is a package cushioning structure for liquid crystal display modules, which includes two opposite cushioning side boards, a plurality of cushioning position-limiting boards arranged between the two cushioning side boards, and a plurality of connection plates connecting the cushioning side boards and the cushioning position-limiting boards. The cushioning side boards form first retention slots corresponding to the connection plates. The cushioning position-limiting boards form second retention slots corresponding to the connection plates. The connection plates form first and second coupling sections respectively corresponding to the first and second retention slots, whereby the first and second coupling sections are respectively received in and retained by the first and second retention slots to couple the cushioning side boards and the cushioning position-limiting boards together in a releasable manner. |
| US08777003B2 |
Two-piece protective case
A two-piece carrying case for a portable electronic device is disclosed. Generally speaking, the protective case includes a first body section and a second body section, each having a back surface, upturned sides, a connecting surface and a rim tightly bonded to an edge of the upturned sides of each body section. The rim defines an open area. The first and second body sections are joined by overlapping the respective connecting surfaces. Correspondingly aligned protrusions and depressions in the connecting surfaces retain the two sections in an overlapping configuration. |
| US08777002B2 |
Protective case with substantially-rigid outer layer and cushioning inner layer
A handheld device, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer, palmtop computer, or the like, can be protected from physical shock by being suspended within a multiple layer enclosure forming a protective case. The protective case includes an outer shell and an inner cushioning layer comprising one or more cushions. The cushions can be interlocked with opposing ends of the outer shell via an interlocking connection, so that the pieces of the cushion layer can be secured within the protective case. The cushions can cooperate to suspend the handheld device within the enclosure of the protective case and isolate the handheld device from the outer shell to protect the handheld device from physical shocks imparted to the outer shell. |
| US08776998B2 |
Conveyor belt and module with hooked connection and associated method
A modular plastic conveyor belt constructed of belt modules having hooked structure to hold belt rows together during splicing for easier hinge-rod insertion and to accommodate an elongated belt edge portion permitting hinge-rod growth and a method for splicing such a belt together. The modules include a pivot end that hooks into a mating receptacle on the module of a consecutive belt row. An aperture through the receptacle and the pivot end is aligned with the apertures of other hinge elements to form a lateral passageway for a hinge rod. |
| US08776997B2 |
Adjustable conveyor guide
This invention relates to conveyor guides comprising conveyor guide rail units, such as those used on automated handling lines where containers of different sizes are processed. One or more guide rails are employed to the sides of the conveyor guide to ensure that articles follow a desired path. This invention provides an adjustable conveyor guide rail unit that comprises a guide member operable to be set in a plurality of discrete positions, thereby allowing the width of a channel through which an article may be conveyed to be varied. Width adjustment is effected by adjusting a rotatable tab to align one of a number of holes with a pin provided on the guide rail. With the pin received in a hole, the guide rail is secured in a desired setting. |
| US08776994B2 |
Chain conveyor system
For a chain conveyor system having a main conveyor having links with an inclined or a slippery wet conveying run extending from a feed end to a discharge end capable of securely attracting and retaining metallic magnetic articles on the run by article-attracting magnet pieces in selected links for attracting and retaining the articles on the run. An auxiliary conveyor for enabling separation of the articles from the conveyor at the discharge end of the run by releasing attraction of the articles. The auxiliary conveyor has links which register with the main conveyor links at the discharge end of the main conveyor system. The registering links of the auxiliary conveyor have article-separating elements operable to reduce the magnetic force of the magnet pieces at the discharge end of the run to enable separation of the conveyed articles from the main conveyor. |
| US08776991B2 |
Apparatus for transporting food products to a loading head
An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head. |
| US08776986B2 |
Singulator
A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports. |
| US08776984B2 |
Method for transferring articles picked up from several channels to a supply line of a packing machine
In the present method, which includes use of an operating head, groups of articles are intermittently picked up from a plurality of identical flanked channels (10, 20, 30) which bear articles (3) equidistanced from one another. The articles are ordered in groups in identical flanked lines (F1, F2, F3) and in a number that is equal to the number of channels. In the method, each group of articles is transferred above a supply line (40) provided with equidistanced compartments corresponding to the articles arranged on the channels. Each line of articles is unloaded into underlying compartments (4) of a series of compartments in the line. It is thus possible to insert into the compartments of a series of compartments an equal, smaller or greater number of articles than the number of channels. |
| US08776983B2 |
Turntable device for substrate and substrate transporting system
The present invention provides a turntable and a substrate transporting system. The turntable includes an interconnecting device and a transporting platform which is moved by the interconnecting device in a way that the transporting platform is docked to a substrate exporting apparatus or importing apparatus, alternatively. Wherein the transporting platform picks up the glass substrate from the substrate exporting apparatus when docked thereto, and then transporting the substrate horizontally to the substrate importing apparatus in which the glass substrate is delivered as the transporting device is articulated thereto. The turntable device made in accordance with the present invention is properly arranged with a transporting platform to pick up, displace, and finally deliver the substrate. Since all these operations are streamlined, as a result, no waiting area is needed so as to effectively reduce the area for establishing the production line. |
| US08776982B2 |
Article sorting equipment
Article sorting equipment of the present invention comprises: a rotation drive device; endless chains rotated on a conveyance route by the rotation drive device; a plurality of slats on which the article is placed and conveyed; and shoes attached to the slats. In the present invention, detected plates are attached to the slats, and a detection device for detecting the detected plates is provided. Based on timing of detecting the detected plates, positions of the slats are obtained. |
| US08776981B2 |
Static temporary storage device for motor vehicle body parts
A static temporary storage device for motor vehicle body parts, the device has a stationary frame; at least two stationary parallel rails that are mounted horizontally or in a slightly angled manner on the frame, each rail being capable of supporting a bearing fitted onto the rail so as to be longitudinally movable on the rail; at least one carriage having bearing fitted onto the rail, the carriage being dimensioned so as to rest on both rails by means of the support; A device or means for suspending a body part from the carriage; each carriage extending longitudinally relative to the rails over a length that is shorter than the longitudinal extent of a body part when in its suspended position. |
| US08776980B2 |
Bill processing machine
A bill processing machine according to the present invention includes a control portion that controls a pair of first and second sensor units. The control portion performs: a first process in which first and second reflected lights of one face of a bill are detected sequentially by first and second reflection sensors of the first sensor unit, respectively; a second process in which third and fourth reflected light of an other face of the bill are detected sequentially by first and second reflection sensors of the second sensor unit, respectively; and a third process in which first and second transmitted lights in one direction of the bill are detected by the first and second reflection sensors of the first sensor unit, respectively, and third and fourth transmitted lights in an other direction of the bill is detected by the first and second reflection sensor of the second sensor unit, respectively. The control portion makes timing of detecting the first reflected light by the first reflection sensor of the first sensor unit in the first process agree with timing of detecting the fourth reflected light by the second reflection sensor of the second sensor unit in the second process. |
| US08776978B2 |
Clutch with adjusting device
A friction clutch for a motor vehicle is provided. The friction clutch is disengaged when unpowered and engaged by axial movement of an actuating lever operated by an actuating device via a further lever. In the event of overtravel traversed beyond the unpowered state the friction clutch compensates for an incorrect axial gap between the friction surfaces provided in a friction clutch caused by wear. The friction clutch includes a switchable stop provided on the actuating device. The switchable stop releases an overtravel path for the further lever when a detected engagement path of the further lever exceeds a predefined length. |
| US08776976B2 |
Electromagnetic friction clutch
An electromagnetic friction clutch including a rotor, further clutch element which orbits a common axis of rotation with the rotor and is supported so that it can rotate relative to the rotor, eddy current elements for transmitting a rotational movement on the principle of an eddy current clutch, one of the eddy current elements being rotationally fixed to the further clutch element, and one or more magnetic elements rotationally fixed to the rotor so as to orbit one of the eddy current elements. |
| US08776969B2 |
Overload restriction in system for electrical vehicles
An arrangement for overload restriction associated with a system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle is provided with a current collector, which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be supplied with current and put under voltage. The arrangement comprises a circuit for limiting the momentary power outlet connected to said vehicle-external power source and being adapted to supply power to said conductor within the roadway section via said switch when the vehicle passes. |
| US08776967B2 |
Adjustable suspension arrangement for wind turbine towers
The present invention relates to a wind turbine tower suspension arrangement comprising magnetic attachment means adapted to magnetically secure the suspension arrangement to an inner surface portion of the wind turbine tower. The suspension arrangement further comprises guiding means adapted to guide an element suspended in a substantially longitudinal direction of the wind turbine tower, the guiding means being connected to the magnetic attachments means. Moreover, the present invention relates to the method for applying a wind turbine tower suspension arrangement. |
| US08776966B2 |
Hydraulic brake lever apparatus
A hydraulic brake lever apparatus is provided with a brake lever housing, a piston, a mounting structure, a brake lever and a fluid reservoir. The brake lever housing includes a cylinder having the piston movably disposed within the cylinder. The mounting structure mounts the brake lever housing to a bicycle handlebar. The brake lever pivotally is mounted to the brake lever housing and moves the piston within the cylinder in response to pivotal movement of the brake lever relative to the brake lever housing. The fluid reservoir fluidly communicates with the cylinder via a port that communicates hydraulic fluid therebetween. The fluid reservoir has a cylindrical shape and lies in a side by side relationship with the cylinder to prevent gas bubbles that have moves from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir via the port from flowing back to the cylinder. |
| US08776965B2 |
Shock absorber
A shock absorber that absorbs a vibration using a working fluid charged into a first chamber and a second chamber comprises a tube body, an inserted body, a tip end of which is inserted into the tube body from an end portion of the tube body, and a partition wall portion that is provided on the tip end of the inserted body to be capable of sliding within the tube body and partitions an interior of the tube body into the first chamber and the second chamber. The shock absorber comprises a connecting portion that is provided within a partition wall portion sliding region of the tube body and connects the first chamber and the second chamber when the partition wall portion passes thereby. |
| US08776958B2 |
Brake apparatus
A brake apparatus for restraining rotation of a wheel of a vehicle by application of a brake that is to be activated for causing a friction member, to be pressed against a brake rotor, through a piston that is movable in an axial direction of the piston. The brake apparatus includes: (a) a power drive device; (b) a driven member that is to be moved, by the power drive device, relative to the piston in the axial direction; and (c) an engaging portion that is provided in one of the driven member and the piston, such that the piston is held in engagement with the driven member through the engaging portion. The engaging portion is disposed such that, during release of the application of the brake, the piston is movable rearwardly while being held in engagement with the driven member through the engaging portion. |
| US08776957B2 |
Anti-blowback brake retractor assembly
A brake retractor assembly (10) for a vehicle, such as an agricultural vehicle, includes a brake housing (12) and a brake cover (14) defining a friction chamber (16). A brake piston (18) is arranged within the friction chamber (16) and coupled to the brake cover (14) by a bolt (44) including a first end (46) coupled to the brake cover (14) and a second end (48) coupled to the brake piston (18). A portion of the second end (48) passes through the brake piston (18) via a bore (64) defined in the brake piston (18) and is fixedly retained to the brake piston (18). An actuation system (24) is coupled to apply an axial force to the brake piston (18). Activation of the actuation system (24) results in axial movement of the brake piston (18) in a first direction (80). Deactivation of the actuation system (24) results in axial movement of the brake piston in a second direction (82). Axial movement of the brake piston (18) in the second direction (82) is limited by the fixed retention of the bolt to the brake piston. |
| US08776955B2 |
Liquid cooled brake with support columns
A liquid cooled brake is provided having an improved housing that provides strong yet lightweight structural support. The brake includes end plates disposed about a driven shaft and axially spaced from one another. A plurality of axially extending pins connect the end plates. A friction plate is coupled to the driven shaft for rotation therewith and is axially movable relative to the driven shaft. Another friction plate defines a fluid jacket and is coupled to the pins. The friction plate is fixed against rotation, but axially movable, relative to the pins. A pressure plate is configured for selective movement towards the friction plates. Support columns are disposed radially outwardly of each pin and fixed to the end plates The support columns prevent undue strain on the pins. Ventilated guards may also be located between each pair of columns to limit access to internal working components of the brake. |
| US08776954B2 |
Car destination floor indication device
There is provided a car destination floor indication device which can indicate all registered destination floors even when a large number of destination floors have been registered, and enables a user to easily grasp how the registration condition of destination floors has changed. For this purpose, a car destination floor indication device which is provided in a hall or car of an elevator and indicates destination floors of the elevator to users includes an indication section which indicates registered destination floors, and an indication control section which controls indication contents of the indication section and controls switching of a plurality of indication layouts for indicating the indication contents. The configuration is such that the indication control section performs switching of the indication layout presently being indicated to another indication layout belonging to the indication layouts when the number of registered destination floors has exceeded a first reference value and when the number of registered destination floors has become not more than a second reference value. |
| US08776953B2 |
Magnetic elevator door coupler
An elevator door coupler includes a vane member adapted to be supported on one of a hoistway door or an elevator car door. A magnetic coupler device (500) is adapted to be supported on the other of the hoistway door or the elevator car door to be selectively magnetically coupled with the vane member. The magnetic coupler device includes a plurality of modules (520) each having a core and at least one coil associated with the core. An insulation material (528) occupies a space between the modules for substantially insulating adjacent coils from each other and for maintaining a desired alignment of the modules relative to each other. |
| US08776951B2 |
Lubricating device and its use for lubricating a wheel flange of a railway vehicle
Device for lubricating a wheel flange of a railway vehicle based on the spraying of a pressurized jet of lubricant, comprising an electromagnetic pump with a pump body (5) in which a piston (20) is displaced, and a means (19) for guiding the piston (20) in a bore (22), the guidance means (19) including an opening (32) designed to communicate with a lubricant transfer channel (17) in the pump body (5), said opening (32) opening out into a compression chamber (23) situated in a downstream part of the bore (22), the device comprising a heating block (7) arranged so as to transfer heat energy to the lubricant before spraying. |
| US08776950B2 |
Transfer case arrangement
A transfer case arrangement may include a first output shaft, a second output shaft, a clutch, a shutdown device, a lubrication device, and a control. The clutch may distribute a torque between the output shafts. The shutdown device may shut down the second output shaft when the clutch is disengaged. The lubrication device may lubricate the clutch and/or another component of the transfer case arrangement. The lubrication device may include an oil conveying device for conveying lubrication oil. The control may activate the oil conveying device periodically when the second output shaft is shut down. |
| US08776949B2 |
Systems and methods for covering ladder rung throughbores
Provided is a plugging device for covering the open ends of the rungs of a ladder. The device includes a pair of plug members and a connection member. The plug members include a plug body to cover the open ends of the rung and sit adjacent to the ladder rail and a gasket configured for insertion into the ladder rung. The gasket is made of a flexible, compressible material to fit snugly within the open end of the ladder rung. The connection member is configured to be passed through the ladder rung and is elastically biased to pull the pair of plug members towards one another, when connected, through the ladder rung and secure them in place in the open ends. |
| US08776945B2 |
Noise barrier
In one embodiment of the invention, a noise barrier is disclosed that provides noise insulation from roadway noise, construction sites, manufacturing sites, railways or the like wherein the noise barrier includes a plurality of vertical sections, with each section having a base portion with a generally inverted T configuration. The inverted T configuration includes bottom flanges designed to be mounted substantially in the ground. At least one mounting post is attached to the base portion; and a barrier member manufactured from recycled rubber materials and a binder is mounted to the mounting post. The barrier member includes a through hole for receipt of the mounting post. The through hole extends from a bottom end of the barrier member vertically up and out a top end of the barrier member. |
| US08776940B2 |
Chassis for a road making machine
A chassis for a road making machine comprises at least one first longitudinal beam which extends at least in sections laterally along an engine compartment of the road making machine. The longitudinal beam comprises a step which divides the longitudinal beam into an external longitudinal beam section and an internal longitudinal beam section. The internal longitudinal beam section forms a receiving area by the step in which a first cover element can be received. |
| US08776935B1 |
Bi-directional overrunning clutch assembly
A drive arrangement comprising a power source driving a First shaft, a second shaft, and at least one double overrunning clutches mechanically connecting the first shaft to the second shaft.The double overrunning clutch is stacked in axial alignment around said first shaft and engage an interior surface of the second shaft such that torque from the first shaft can be selectively transmitted to the second shaft. |
| US08776933B2 |
Vehicle body frame for motorcycle, and motorcycle incorporating the same
A vehicle body frame of a motorcycle includes a head pipe, a pair of main frame sections extending rearwardly from the head pipe, a pair of pivot plates joined to end portions of the main frame sections, and a crossmember arranged between the pivot plates. In such vehicle body frame, the crossmember is arranged between upper end portions of the pivot plates such that the upper end portions of the pivot plates are sandwiched between the crossmember and rear end portions of main frame sections so that at least a portion of the crossmember overlaps a joint portion between the main frame sections and the pivot plates as viewed in a side view. Such structure of the vehicle body frame ensures the rigidity of connecting portions where the crossmember is connected to pivot plates without making the vehicle body frame heavy and thick. |
| US08776932B1 |
Foldable electric cart
The foldable electric cart has a frame supported by two rear wheels and a steerable and motor driven front wheel. A seat is mounted on the rear portion of the frame. The seat is supported by left and right rear arms and left and right front arms. The arms pivot the seat between a horizontal use position above the rear wheels and horizontal folded position on a foot support plate. A seat back rest is pivoted relative to the seat between an upright position and a horizontal position. A yoke, holding a hub motor and driven wheel, is fixed to a steering tube journaled in a housing. The housing is pivotable about a transverse horizontal axle. A steering handle base and handle is clamped to the steering tube. The housing pivots from an upright position to a storage position with steering handles to the rear of the folded horizontal seat. |
| US08776931B2 |
Track system for an all-wheel drive vehicle
The track system includes a plurality of track assemblies, each having track; a frame structure to mount the track to the vehicle; and inner wheels in contact with an inner surface of the track. The track assembly also includes two drive gears disposed externally to the track and configured to frictionally engaged an outer surface of a corresponding one of the tires. The drive gears are drivingly connected with the track for transmitting power thereto. Each one of the drive gears has a rotation axis, a plurality of elongated traction bars extending substantially parallel and circumferentially to the rotation axis, and open ends. The elongated traction bars are spaced-apart from one another and define channels therebetween allowing granular and liquid materials to flow inwardly towards the rotation axis, and outwardly of the drive gears through the apertured ends. |
| US08776926B2 |
Fastening device
A fixing device for releasable fixing an electrical energy accumulator to a carrying structure of a motor vehicle includes at least one insertion bolt and a receiver unit for the insertion bolt which are provided on the carrying structure and on the energy accumulator (or vice versa). The insertion bolt includes a retaining protrusion and the receiver unit includes a cage and a locking element mounted in the cage. The cage includes an insertion opening into which the insertion bolt can be introduced along an insertion direction, and the locking element can be moved between a release position and a locked position. In the release position, the locking element opens the insertion opening for introduction of the insertion bolt and in the locked position engages behind the retaining protrusion of the insertion bolt when the insertion bolt is introduced in the insertion opening of the cage. |
| US08776922B2 |
Method for reducing a driving power of a vehicle drive
A method for reducing a driving power of a vehicle drive includes detecting a temperature difference between a temperature of at least one component of the vehicle drive and a temperature threshold value, detecting an instantaneous driving state of the vehicle drive, establishing whether or not the instantaneous driving state allows for a reduction in the driving power of the vehicle drive, and reducing the driving power of the vehicle drive for lowering the temperature of the at least one component in order to increase the temperature difference if the instantaneous driving state allows for the reduced driving power. |
| US08776919B2 |
Clutch compressor and power steering pump arrangement, and method for controlling the same
A vehicle has a drive shaft which transmits torque onto a first drive, a clutch compressor, and a power steering pump. The power steering pump is driven by an output shaft which transmits torque from the first drive onto the power steering pump. A method is provided for controlling the power steering pump and the clutch compressor in the vehicle. An additional output shaft is provided for driving the clutch compressor. The additional output shaft is arranged on a second drive onto which torque is transmitted by the drive shaft which is driven by the engine. The additional output shaft transmits torque from the second drive onto the clutch compressor. |
| US08776917B2 |
Stair-climbing apparatus
The stair-climbing apparatus has a series of articulating wheel sets extending below the platform. All of the wheel sets are vertically adjustable to negotiate stairways and similar changes of elevation. The lead wheel set is fixed longitudinally relative to the platform, while following wheel sets are longitudinally adjustable to adjust for the pitch or slope of different stairways. The apparatus uses sensors (e.g., mechanical, infrared, ultrasonic, etc.) to detect the presence of the stair risers and their height, control of the assembly being accomplished by a control circuit on board the machine. The wheel sets are raised and lowered independently of one another by pantograph mechanisms extending between the platform and the wheel sets. The horizontally adjustable wheel sets are positioned by a longitudinally disposed rack on the platform. |
| US08776916B2 |
Drilling motors with elastically deformable lobes
In an aspect, a drilling motor is provided that in one embodiment includes a stator and a rotor configured to be disposed in the stator, wherein the rotor includes a lobe member having an elastically deformable surface configured to provide an interference seal between the stator and the rotor. |
| US08776914B2 |
Drainage method for multilayer reservoirs
A main borehole is drilled into an underground reservoir comprising a plurality of layers of different fluid mobilities. The fluid mobility in each of the plurality of layers is determined. A number of lateral boreholes extending from the main borehole in each of the plurality of layers are then drilled based on the determined fluid mobility in each of the plurality of layers, such that resulting fluid production rates in each of the plurality of layers are substantially similar. |
| US08776913B2 |
Special curve braze sheet for top loading cutter to get better braze strength
A method of brazing a top loading cutter into a cutter pocket is disclosed, wherein the method includes placing at least one braze disc between an inner wall of the cutter pocket and a portion of the top loading cutter and heating the at least one braze disc to a temperature above the melting temperature of the braze disc. |
| US08776907B2 |
Apparatus for selectively removing plant parts from a bed of plants
A device for removing plant material from a plant bed. In one embodiment, the device includes a frame with an oscillating cutter attached thereto. The oscillating cutter is disposed such that a cutting portion thereof is beneath the surface of a plant bed when the device is in use. A conveyor is also attached to the frame, the nose of the conveyor being disposed beneath the surface of the plant bed. As the device moves along a plant bed, the oscillating cutter cuts plant material, which is scooped up by the nose of the conveyor and transported to a desired location. |
| US08776904B2 |
Light ultra high pressure fire vehicle system
A firefighting apparatus on a small all-terrain utility vehicle has a U-shaped water tank closely spaced from the driver's cab. A reel for a high-pressure hose is mounted in the U of the water tank. A high-pressure engine driven pump is connected to the reel and a high-pressure hose through a water management system, which directs water from the water tank to the pump, and from the pump to the hose. The pump has a pressure valve which sets the engine idle when the high-pressure water nozzle is closed. A pressure unloader valve recirculates water from the pump outlet to the pump inlet when the nozzle is closed. A check valve is used between the water tank and a point where water recirculates to the pump. A prefilter is connected between the check valve and the water tank. |
| US08776899B2 |
Flow control devices on expandable tubing run through production tubing and into open hole
Disclosed is a downhole completion assembly for sealing and supporting an open hole section of a wellbore and providing flow control through the downhole completion assembly. One downhole completion system includes a first sealing structure arranged within an open hole section of a wellbore and being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, a second sealing structure arranged axially adjacent the first sealing structure and also being movable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration, and a flow control device arranged between the first and second sealing structures and configured to provide a flow path for fluids to communicate between a surrounding subterranean formation and an interior of the downhole completion system. |
| US08776895B2 |
Method for quantifying reservoir connectivity using fluid travel times
The present application describes a method and system associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In the method, fluid travel time models are constructed from a reservoir model. Then, reservoir connectivity measures are calculated from the fluid travel time models and analyzed to determine a location for at least one well. Based on the analysis, one or more wells may be drilled and hydrocarbons produced. |
| US08776881B2 |
Systems, methods and apparatuses for monitoring and recovery of petroleum from earth formations
A system for production of petroleum from an earth formation. The system includes: an injection assembly disposable within a first borehole for injecting a thermal source into the formation, the injection assembly including an injector extending from a distal end of the assembly; and a production assembly disposal within a second borehole for recovering material including the petroleum from the formation, the production assembly including a collector extending from a distal end of the assembly. At least one of the injector and the collector includes at least a first conduit and at least a second conduit concentric with the first conduit, the first conduit having a first distal end and the second conduit having a second distal end, the first and second distal ends located at different locations along a length of at least one of the first and second borehole. |
| US08776879B2 |
Method for production of high purity distillate from produced water for generation of high pressure steam
Embodiments presented herein provide an evaporation based zero liquid discharge method for generation of up to 100% quality high pressure steam from produced water in the heavy oil production industry. De-oiled water is processed in an evaporation system producing a distillate that allows steam to be generated with either drum-type boilers operating at higher pressures or once-through steam generators (OTSGs) operating at higher vaporization rates. Evaporator blowdown is treated in a forced-circulation evaporator to provide a zero liquid discharge system that could recycle >98% of the deoiled water for industrial use. Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide at least one “straight sump” evaporator and at least one hybrid external mist eliminator. Embodiments of the evaporation method operate at a higher overall efficiency than those of the prior art by producing distillate at a higher enthalpy which minimizes the high pressure boiler preheating requirement. |
| US08776874B2 |
Heat exchanger tubes and methods for enhancing thermal performance and reducing flow passage plugging
Heat exchanger tubes are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a heat exchanger tube includes a tube body having two opposed sides. A plurality of exterior flow passages is defined in the tube body adjacent one of the two opposed sides. A plurality of interior flow passages is defined in the tube body adjacent the plurality of exterior flow passages. The plurality of exterior flow passages has at least one of an average hydraulic diameter or an average width that is i) greater than at least one of an average hydraulic diameter or an average width of the interior flow passages and ii) less than twice the at least one of the average hydraulic diameter or the average width of the interior flow passages. |
| US08776870B2 |
Tunable thermal link
Disclosed is a device whereby the thermal conductance of a multiwalled nanostructure such as a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) can be controllably and reversibly tuned by sliding one or more outer shells with respect to the inner core. As one example, the thermal conductance of an MWCNT dropped to 15% of the original value after extending the length of the MWCNT by 190 nm. The thermal conductivity returned when the tube was contracted. The device may comprise numbers of multiwalled nanotubes or other graphitic layers connected to a heat source and a heat drain and various means for tuning the overall thermal conductance for applications in structure heat management, heat flow in nanoscale or microscale devices and thermal logic devices. |
| US08776867B2 |
Modular, stackable, geothermal block heat exchange system with solar assist
A modular, stackable, geothermal block system for use as a subterranean or submarine heat exchanger in a geothermal energy system which provides a heating/cooling means to an external load. The stackable blocks, which can be filled with a fluid and/or material of generally high heat retention characteristics or precast in such material, contain one or more continuous passageways that extend from the top face of each block through the opposing face, through which a rigid structural heat exchange tube, fabricated from material of high thermal conductivity, is placed. The blocks are stacked one upon another and slidably mounted on the tube(s). Each tube contains a helically wound, thermal transfer tubing comprising one leg of a U-shape configured loop. Each stackable block can contain multiple paired passageways permitting more than one U-shape loop within the system. The system can interface with a solar thermal collector system. |
| US08776866B2 |
Heat exchanger plate and a plate heat exchanger
The invention refers to a heat exchanger plate and a plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger plates are arranged beside each other in the plate heat exchanger to define several first plate interspaces for a first medium and several second plate interspaces for a second medium. The heat exchanger plate comprises a heat transfer area, an edge area, which extends around and outside the heat transfer area, and a device, which is configured to receive or produce a signal. The heat exchanger plate also comprises a communication module comprising an electronic circuit connected to the device and communication means permitting communication of said signal with a master unit via at least a communication module of another heat exchanger plate in the plate package. |
| US08776865B2 |
Latent heat storage device
A latent heat storage device for an exhaust system of a combustion engine of a motor vehicle, with a storage body having a plurality of channels running parallel to one another, of which at least some contain a phase-changing material.The storage body is formed through a layer structure with at least two plates of which at least one is corrugated and which contact each other and are fastened to each other in such a manner that the corrugations of the at least one plate form the channels. |
| US08776862B2 |
Chamfered narrow side copper plate for mould with funnel-shaped curved surface
A chamfered narrow side copper plate for a mold with a funnel-shaped curved surface has a working face contacting molten steel that includes a middle area and two chamfered areas, which are arranged at two sides. The working face has a funnel-shaped curved surface, which is larger at a top and smaller at a bottom. The chamfered narrow side copper plate for mold with funnel-shaped curved surface can ensure the uniformity of the cooling effect of the chamfered surface and enhance the service life of the narrow side copper plate. |
| US08776860B2 |
Vane assembly of vertical window blind and the vane carrier thereof
A vane assembly of a vertical window covering includes a vane carrier and a vane hung thereon. The vane carrier has front wall and a rear wall with top ends connected to form a clip slot therebetween, and a hook on the rear wall in the clip slot. The hook has a slot and a slot bottom. The vane has a bore to engage the hook of the vane carrier. The slot bottom of the hook has a curved surface complementary to at least a portion of an edge of the bore to avoid damage of the vane. |
| US08776858B2 |
Apparatus and method for mounting and removing tyres on and from respective wheel rims
An apparatus (1) for mounting and removing a tire (2) on and from a respective rim (3) comprises: a movement element (9) for moving a bead (2a) of the tire (2) in order to insert/remove the bead (2a) into/from a respective groove in the rim (3); means (4) for supporting and moving the rim (3), designed to rotationally drive the rim about its longitudinal axis; characterized in that the means (4) for supporting and moving the rim (3) comprise a sensor (252) for measuring the mechanical strain applied to the supporting and movement means (4) as a result of the mechanical stress on the bead (2a) of the tire (2) during mounting/removal of the latter on/from the rim (3). |
| US08776857B1 |
Label application devices
Label application devices and methods of printing and applying labels are described herein. One label application device can comprise a feed component configured to deliver a sheet of label material to a position, a product identification component configured to identify a type of a product that is approaching the position, a printing component configured to print data onto the sheet of label material, the data based on the identified type of product, a stripping component configured to remove a liner portion of the sheet of label material from a label portion of the sheet, and an applicator component configured to apply the label portion to the product. |
| US08776851B2 |
Film to keep tire surface clean and simultaneously prime for better adhesion of balance pad
A method of preparing a tire inner surface includes providing an uncured tire having an inner surface, placing a strip of multi-axially stretchable blend film on a circumferential surface of the inner surface, wherein one end of the overlapped splice joined by a pressure-sensitive adhesive for easy removal of the strip from the inner surface, applying a release agent coating to the annular, circumferential film strip and the inner surface of the uncured tire, shaping and curing the uncured tire with the release coating on the annular circumferential film strip and inner surface in a suitable mold at an elevated temperature, removing the cured tire from the mold and allowing the cured tire to cool, and removing the annular circumferential film strip with its release coating by use of a film strip to provide a circumferential release coating-free tire inner surface of the cured tire for adhering balance pads, puncture sealants, and noise reduction foams. |
| US08776847B2 |
Mechanisms for ejecting objects from a tire tread
Apparatus for ejecting objects from a tire tread include, in particular embodiments, a pair of adjacent ground-engaging elements, each element including a ground-engaging contact surface; a groove separating the pair of ground-engaging elements, the groove having a base and a pair of opposing sidewalls spaced apart by a groove width; a sipe having a particular size, and located in communication with a portion of the groove extending between the pair of ground-engaging elements; and, an ejector associated with the sipe, the ejector comprising a projection that extends within the groove. |
| US08776844B1 |
Flow diverter
An apparatus diverts the flow of bulk solids into a bin from a discharge of a bulk solids conveyor. The apparatus contains a fitting that attaches to the discharge, a frame with a vertical conduit, at least two baffles that pivot on rotating shafts and are capable of variable positioning between a substantially vertical position that opens the vertical conduit of the frame and a substantially horizontal position that substantially closes the vertical conduit of the frame, and a drive motor to rotate the baffles. |
| US08776843B2 |
Suction nozzle, suction device, gas filling device, gas consuming device and gas filling system
A suction nozzle, which is configured to be interlocked with a gas filler nozzle used to supply a gas to a gas consuming device, comprises a suction port configured to suck moisture inside the gas filler nozzle when the suction nozzle is interlocked with the gas filler nozzle. |
| US08776842B2 |
Method of treating a beverage bottle filling machine in a beverage bottling plant, method of cleaning a container filling machine in a container filling plant, and arrangements therefor
A container filling arrangement and a method of operating a container filling arrangement, which container filling arrangement comprises a filling element, a closure element, a supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium, and a control element. During a cleaning and/or sterilizing operation of the filling element, cleaning and/or sterilization medium is conducted from the supply of cleaning and/or sterilization medium to the filling element. The control element is operatively connected to the closure element and is actuatable, by fluid pressure of the cleaning and/or sterilization medium in the filling element, to increase the force of engagement of the closure element during the cleaning and/or sterilizing operation. |
| US08776840B2 |
Tubular dry powder feeders with axially applied vibration for dry powder filling systems
Tubular dry powder feed systems in communication with a hopper of dry powder are configured with an in-line actuator that applies a flow vibration signal axially. The flow vibration signal can be a harmonic or non-harmonic signal, such as a sinusoidal, saw tooth, square wave or other signal and may be frequency or amplitude modulated. |
| US08776834B2 |
Device for the deflection of the air jet pulse from the air dryer of large truck air brakes
The air deflection device prevents the development of a cloud of dirt and debris when the air dryer essential to the air brakes of large trucks or other vehicles ejects a high velocity pulse of air from the bottom of the air dryer onto the ground. The air deflection device deflects the pulse of air away from the ground harmlessly toward the engine and transmission of the truck. The air deflection device is designed and configured so as to easily fit and be fastened to the bottom of a truck's air braking system air dryer. The pulse of air from the air dryer is routed through the air deflection device in such a manner as to be harmlessly directed toward the engine and transmission of the large truck. |
| US08776830B2 |
Material transport apparatus and method
An invention for transporting material is described. The material, which may be or include a liquid or particles, be transported floats on and flows on a more dense fluid. Standing waves may be induced in the more dense fluid, and devices are provided to either force the transported fluid in a direction, or to prevent the transported fluid from flowing in a direction counter to the flow direction. The inventive apparatus and method have the ability to transport fluids long distances with much less frictional losses than convention technology. |
| US08776829B2 |
Valve apparatus and water heating apparatus
A shaft body (12) is rotatable around an axial line (C-C). A first valve element (13a) is located between a first opening (11a) and a second opening (11b) and it has a first notch (13a1). A second valve element (13b) is located between first opening (11a) and a third opening (11c) and it has a second notch (13b1). By rotating first and second valve elements (13a, 13b) around the axial line (C-C) as a center (O), an operation for opening and closing first and second notches (13a1, 13b1) can be performed. |
| US08776828B2 |
Fluid dispensing assembly
Known fluid dispensers can suffer from the disadvantage of inadvertent disconnection of a connector causing potentially hazardous spillage of fluid. The present invention relates to a fluid dispensing assembly comprising a tap and a connector body. The tap comprises a first valve, movable between an open and closed position to allow fluid flow through; and a first portion of an interlocking coupling, configured for rotational engagement with a second complementary interlocking coupling portion of the connector body by rotation about a first fluid dispensing assembly axis. The connector body also comprises a second valve, movable between an open and closed position to allow fluid flow through. By this configuration, the first and second interlocking coupling portions remain interlocked preventing disconnection of the connector body from the tap unless the first and second valves are both in the closed position. |
| US08776825B1 |
Fluid drain cart
An oil removing apparatus and system designed to drain fluids such as hot motor oil from a motor vehicle comprises a tank supported by rolling casters and having handles used to position the tank underneath a motor vehicle. An upper portion of the apparatus comprises an inflatable wall structure which provides vertically adjustable positioning around an oil pan or similar structure. The inflatable structure further includes a heat-resistant glove for accessing and removing a drain plug or similar feature. During typical use, a user removes the drain plug with the glove and drains the oil while the glove and inflatable structure protects the user from the hot motor oil. |
| US08776822B2 |
Inflow protection device for air relief valves on water-carrying pipelines
An inflow protection device for preventing liquids and other contaminants from entering a water-carrying pipeline through an air valve connected to the pipeline. The inflow protection device includes an adaptor and an elongated vent pipe. The adaptor has a first end for coupling with an outlet of the air valve and second end. The vent pipe has a first end configured for directly or indirectly coupling with the second end of the adaptor and a second end extending out of and above a vault in which the air valve is installed. The vent pipe is of a length sufficient to position its second end above a flood plain level so that the second end allows air to be exhausted from and admitted into the air valve even when the vault in which the air valve is located becomes flooded. |
| US08776818B2 |
Electronic coolant valve with flexible seal
An electronic coolant valve with a flexible sealing membrane. The membrane is expanded or contracted radially via a drive screw and an electric motor. The extension and retraction of the drive screw changes the shape of the membrane in the flow passage. The membrane can be adjusted to allow full passage of coolant through a passageway, to completely block off (close) the flow channel preventing fluid from flowing through it, or to allow a restricted or metered amount of coolant to pass through the passageway. |
| US08776815B2 |
Mounting assembly for a collapsible canopy
A collapsible shelter assembly includes legs, a truss system, a cover, cover supporting rods and mounting brackets. Each of the legs has an upper and a lower end. The truss system is configured to link each pair of legs together and define a base perimeter. The brackets are adapted for mounting to the upper ends of the legs, for attaching to the rods at a predefined distance distal to ends of the rods and for defining an outer perimeter greater than the base perimeter. The cover is adapted for attaching about the ends of the rods for covering the outer perimeter. |
| US08776811B2 |
Vehicle anchored accessory holder and associated methods
A vehicle anchored accessory holder may include a base plate, a brace connected to and extending upwardly from the base plate and an angled support connected to the at least one brace. The vehicle anchored accessory holder may also include a female fitting connected to and extending upwardly from the base plate. The female fitting may also be connected to the angled support. The female fitting may have an open top to receive at least one of an extension arm stem and an accessory. A first tube and a second tube may be connected to an upper portion of the female fitting to receive a connector adapted to move the female fitting between an opened position and a closed position. |
| US08776809B2 |
Short force arm deflection device
A short force arm deflection device is mounted to a section of a center post of an umbrella between a top cap and a runner and includes an upper deflection member and a lower deflection member pivotally connected to each other, and a barrel receiving a compression spring. The upper and lower deflection members are respectively connected to a lower end of an upper post segment and an upper end of a lower post segment. The barrel, receives the compression spring and goes over the connection portion between the lower deflection member and the lower post segment. To open, the runner is pulled upwardly by a pull cord to contact the barrel causing a relative rotation between the upper and lower deflection members for realizing deflection between the top cap and the runner for inclining a canopy. |
| US08776804B2 |
Litter disposal device
A handheld litter disposal device for temporarily storing and containing cigarette ash, butts, and other litter. The litter disposal device includes a cap, a storage system, a pivot system adapted to permit the cap to move between the closed and open positions, and an extinguishing system containable within the storage system and adapted to extinguish the lit end of a cigarette. In the open position, ashes, butts, and unused portions of cigarettes, cigars, and/or other similar products can be transported from the outside to the inside of the litter disposal device and vice versa. In the closed position, however, cigarette ash and butts cannot enter or exit the storage system of the litter disposal device. The storage system has a rounded bottom or outer surface to prevent the litter disposal device from maintaining an upright position. |
| US08776803B2 |
Filter holder used for smoking, a smoking pipe, and a smoking pipe unit
A filter holder used for smoking has a tubular body (12), which includes a socket portion (14) for receiving a cigarette (C) at one end thereof, a dilution chamber (18) located adjacently to the socket portion (14) in the inside, a chamber (22) for containing a charcoal filter (26), a chamber (24) for containing a flavor generation element (32), an annular groove (42) formed in the outer circumferential surface of the body (12), and a plurality of vent holes (44) formed in the bottom of the annular groove (42) and introduces outside air into the dilution chamber (18). |
| US08776802B2 |
Methods and systems for prolonged localization of drug delivery
An effective method for prolonging localization of therapeutics within the rat gastrointestinal tract of at least about 12 hours is provided. Attractive forces between an orally administered magnetic dose and an external magnet were monitored and internal dose motion in real time using biplanar videofluoroscopy was visualized. Tissue elasticity was quantified as a measure of tissue health by combining data streams. The methods address safety, efficacy, and monitoring capacity of magnetically localized doses and show a platform for testing the benefits of localized drug delivery. |
| US08776795B2 |
Gas delivery device and system
A gas delivery system including a gas delivery device, a control module and a gas delivery mechanism is described. An exemplary gas delivery device includes a valve assembly with a valve and circuit including a memory, a processor and a transceiver in communication with the memory. The memory may include gas data such as gas identification, gas expiration and gas concentration. The transceiver on the circuit of the valve assembly may send wireless optical line-of-sight signals to communicate the gas data to a control module. Exemplary gas delivery mechanisms include a ventilator and a breathing circuit. Methods of administering gas are also described. |
| US08776793B2 |
Methods and devices for sensing respiration and controlling ventilator functions
Improved methods and devices are described for sensing the respiration pattern of a patient and controlling ventilator functions, particularly for use in an open ventilation system. A ventilation and breath sensing apparatus may include a ventilation gas delivery circuit and a ventilation tube coupled to the ventilation gas delivery circuit. A plurality of pressure sensing elements may be separated by a distance and may produce independent signals. The signals may be used to detect pressure differentials between the plurality of pressure sensing elements. Sensing ports may be located in an airway, and connected to transducers that are valved to optimize sensitivity and overpressure protection. Airway pressure and flow can both be obtained and used to optimize ventilator synchronization and therapy. |
| US08776789B2 |
Portable athletic air cooler with face adapter
A portable, low maintenance apparatus is provided for cooling down athletes following strenuous exercise. The apparatus has a repository that holds ice, and a fan configured to blow air through the ice and out of a face adapter part. The face adapter is shaped to provide a cool, breathable stream of air to a user who presses his face up against the adapter. |
| US08776787B2 |
Adaptor and breathing assist device using the same
An adaptor includes a housing and a plurality of blades disposed inside the housing. The adaptor can be utilized with a breathing assist device such as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Air flowing through an air flow path defined by the two ends of the housing is delivered for use. The blades within the housing are aligned in a direction parallel to the air flow path. The blades within the housing can be parallel, zigzag or chevron shape and are designed to facilitate condensation of water from the air flowing over the blades. The adaptor will reduce rain-out effect in the breathing device. |
| US08776782B2 |
Solar collector
A solar collector comprises an evacuated glass tube (8), an absorbing section (9) comprising a radiation absorbing plate (10), an elongate tube (11, 15) for a working fluid in contact with the radiation absorbing plate (10) and a wire clip (25) for retaining the absorbing section (9) in position in the solar absorbing glass tube (8). The wire clip (25) consists of a single piece wire having a clamping portion (26) for clamping onto the outer surface of the working fluid tube (11, 15) and a pair of resilient side support sections (27) flanking the clamping portion (26). The side support sections (27) extend so that portions thereof engage against the inner surface of the solar absorbing tube (8). |
| US08776781B2 |
Variable tilt tracker for photovoltaic arrays
A solar tracking system is disclosed. The tracking system includes a tube rotatable around its end-to-end axis. A first support is coupled to the tube at a first location of the tube, and is coupled with a first base. A second support is coupled to the tube at a second location of the tube, and is coupled with a second base. A translation mechanism is coupled with the tube and provided to change the position of the first support relative to the second support. |
| US08776777B2 |
Gas heater with visible flame guider
A gas heater includes a support unit, a burner unit, a venting unit and a frame guider. The burner unit includes an ignition unit, a hollow and transparent radiant unit defining a cavity in which the flame guider is positioned, a heat reflector and a burner top cover. The radiant unit comprises a bottom unit with inlet air passages through which an air flow into the radiant unit cavity is created. Then, the frame guider, which has a preset structure such as a spiral and a cone structure and a plurality of guider through-holes, is arranged for guiding and generating a flame pattern which is visible through the radiant unit. The venting unit, which is connected to the radiant unit in an air-tight manner, then provides an air exit. Accordingly, energy utilization is increased and visible flame pattern assemble to real flame can be seen. |
| US08776773B1 |
Air impingement tunnel oven
An air impingement tunnel oven including a baking case having a plurality of walls, the case's interior having high and low pressure zones; a food conveyor spanning between food passage ports; a plenum and air impingement registers combination having pluralities of finger ducts overlying and underlying the food conveyor, each finger duct being attached to and extending from the plenum, and the plenum dividing the baking case's high and low pressure zones; a gas burner supported upon one of the baking case's walls and including a shell and a gas tube within the shell, the shell defining an annulus which opens the baking case's low pressure zone; and an optical flame sensor operatively mounted for detecting burner flame light passing outwardly through the annulus. |
| US08776771B1 |
Pneumatic gun and extension barrel
The present invention relates to an extension barrel, which comprises an outer tube and a dye coating module. The outer tube is provided at the rear end thereof with a connector portion adapted for connection to a front end of a pneumatic gun. The dye coating module is mounted within the outer tube, so that a bullet projected from the pneumatic gun is coated with dye having a desired color when passing through the dye coating module. As a result, the object hit by the bullet is stained with the color and can be easily identified. |
| US08776770B2 |
Bow with adjustable limbs
Archery bow adjustment systems that enable adjustment of both the draw weight and the brace height of the bow. The adjustment system includes a plate mounted on an end of a riser of the bow. The plate supports a limb of the bow and is adjustably positionable relative to the riser. |
| US08776761B2 |
Internal combustion engine with high efficiency
An internal combustion engine that is structurally similar to a four-stroke engine. The engine comprises at least one cylinder unit, in turn, comprising a cylinder, a piston head that reciprocates within the cylinder, a combustion chamber defined between the cylinder and the front of the piston head, a fuel injector, an oxygen injector, and an exhaust port. The IC engine further comprises a piston rod, one end of which is connected to the piston head and the other end to the crankshaft. The combustion within the combustion chamber is initiated upon the injection of the fuel and the oxygen into the combustion chamber when the piston is at the top dead center. The spent gases are expelled through the exhaust port as the piston returns to the top dead center. |
| US08776760B2 |
Combustion chamber for fuel injected engines
Passageways are provided within the combustion chamber of a fuel injected internal combustion engine to convey injected fuel to desired positions within the combustion chamber. The fuel-conveying passageways may be either open-sided or closed, and are positioned within the combustion chamber in substantial alignment with a respective spray jet of fuel, enabling optimum distribution of the fuel through the combustion chamber for enhanced mixing with air prior to combustion. |
| US08776755B2 |
Sound transmission system
A sound transmission system of a motor vehicle, having an intake sound transmission device which can be coupled via a first tubular connecting element to an air intake manifold which leads to an internal combustion engine and via a second tubular connecting element to a vehicle interior, the first tubular connecting element being assigned a first switchable shut-off device, having a resonator device which interacts with the intake sound transmission device and can be coupled via a third tubular connecting element to the air intake manifold which leads to an internal combustion engine, the third tubular connecting element being assigned a second switchable shut-off device. |
| US08776754B2 |
Method and system for adjusting port throttles
An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, two engine cylinder port throttles are adjusted differently during engine starting. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start. |
| US08776748B2 |
Variable valve timing control apparatus
A variable valve timing control apparatus includes a driving side rotating member, a driven side rotating member, a fluid pressure chamber, an advanced angle chamber, a retarded angle chamber, an intermediate lock mechanism including a locking member and a locking hole engaged with the locking member when the locking member comes to protrude, the intermediate lock mechanism being configured to switch between a locked state and an unlocked state, a relative rotational phase of the driven side rotating member relative to the driving side rotating member being restrained at an intermediate phase in the locked state, a valve allowing a fluid to be discharged when electricity is supplied thereto and allowing the fluid to be supplied when supply of electricity is interrupted, and a control portion, wherein the supply of the electricity to the valve is interrupted after a pressure of the fluid starts to decrease. |
| US08776743B2 |
Variably operated valve apparatus of internal combustion engine and start control apparatus of internal combustion engine
In a variably operated valve apparatus of an internal combustion engine and a start control apparatus of the same engine, the internal combustion engine being equipped with a crank position control mechanism by means of which a stop position of a piston is controllable at a time of an engine stop and the variably operated valve apparatus being capable of variably controlling at least a closure timing of an intake valve, the closure timing of the intake valve is placed at a first position which is more advance angle side than the stop position of the piston of one of engine cylinders in a compression stroke and which is stop controlled by means of the crank position control mechanism and one of the remaining cylinders which is in a suction stroke has its the intake valve open, at the time of the engine stop. |
| US08776742B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine
In a valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, a torsion spring whose one end section is fixed into a front side of a housing and whose other end section is fixedly retained into a communication hole to bias a vane member to rotate in one direction, the communication hole being formed in an inner axial direction of the vane member to introduce a working oil within the back pressure into the engine. |
| US08776741B2 |
Engine assembly including cam phaser assembly aid pin
An engine assembly includes an engine structure, a camshaft supported on the engine structure, a first cam phaser coupled to a first axial end of the camshaft, and a locating pin. The camshaft includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a first cam lobe and a second cam lobe. The first shaft defines a first opening. The second shaft is supported within the first shaft and defines a second opening. The first cam lobe is located on and fixed for rotation with the first shaft. The second cam lobe may be located on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the second shaft. During assembly, the first cam phaser is located on the camshaft and the locating pin may be inserted through the first and second openings to rotationally fix the first and second shafts. The first cam phaser is then secured to the camshaft. |
| US08776739B2 |
Internal combustion engine valve actuation and adjustable lift and timing
A cam can rotate on a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. A rocker arm that actuates a valve of the internal combustion engine can include a rocker pivot connection point located on a distal side of a valve component from a proximate end of the rocker arm that is deflected by action of the cam. The rocker arm can include a contact point located between the rocker pivot point and the proximate end. The contact point can act on the valve component to actuate the valve. The rocker pivot connection point can be translated such that it is closer to or further from the cam. This translation can be used to vary valve lift and/or valve timing. The cam can have a three-dimensional profile to provide different actuation distance of the rocker arm. Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture consistent with one or more of these features are described. |
| US08776737B2 |
Spark ignition to homogenous charge compression ignition transition control systems and methods
A system for a vehicle includes a mode control module and a valve control module. The mode control module selectively sets an ignition mode for an engine to one of a spark ignition (SI) mode and a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode. In response to the ignition mode transitioning from the SI mode to the HCCI mode during a first engine cycle, the valve control module operates an exhaust valve in a high lift mode during a second engine cycle, operates an intake valve in a low lift mode during the second engine cycle, and operates the exhaust and intake valves in the low lift mode during a third engine cycle. The first engine cycle is before the second engine cycle, and the second engine cycle is before the third engine cycle. |
| US08776734B1 |
Remedial system: a pollution control device for utilizing and abating volatile organic compounds
A remedial pollution control system for treating volatile organic compounds that may include a vapor concentrator connected to a line that is laden with volatile organic compounds, the concentrator has an organic condensate output line and a vapor output line; a mixing chamber adapted to receive air provided from an air supply line, combustible fuel from an alternate fuel supply line, and a vapor stream from the vapor output line to produce a mixed fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine, a control mixing system with a controller for producing a proper air to fuel ratio in the mixed fuel supply, and power generated to operate other devices used to more efficiently abate volatile organic compounds and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. |
| US08776731B1 |
Canine odor recognition training system
An odor recognition training system for use in training an animal to recognize a desired odor, the system including an odor enclosure configured to receive an odor source within an odor storage area, a reward within a reward storage area, and an odor retention zone adjacent to and in fluid communication with the odor storage area; and a reward release system associated with the desired odor enclosure is remotely operable by the trainer for dispensing the reward directly to the odor retention zone. |
| US08776730B2 |
System and method for treating pets
A system and method for treating pets, the system comprising: a content provider to provide video and audio content adapted for treating a pet; a video and audio output device for playing the video and audio content; and a feedback interface for providing indications to the content provider about behavior of the pet, wherein the content provider is to adapt the provided content according to the received indications. The method comprising playing video and audio content by a video and audio out-put device, the content comprising: an image adapted for treating a pet; and a sound adapted for treating a pet; receiving indications about behavior of the pet; and adapting the played content according to the received indications. |
| US08776728B2 |
Edible pet chew
An edible pet chew for pets primarily dogs has a chewy sheet of meat based material. The “meat based” chewy sheet imitates the chewy property and chewing function of known rawhide sheet and thus substitute the “meat based” chewy sheet for the known rawhide sheet to form a pet chew. In order to achieve the “chewy” property, a necessary additive is used to form the “meat based” material. The “meat based” chewy sheet is then formed to pet chews with various shapes and structures as known rawhide sheet is. A second aspect of present invention is that, wrapping another member of “edible chewable material”, preferably chicken jerky into the “meat based” chewy sheet to further enhance attraction or nutrition to dogs. A third aspect of present invention is that, instead of chewy sheet, a three-dimensional-shape chewy mass is introduced wrapping or containing another member of “edible chewable material” preferably chicken jerky in the chewy mass member. |
| US08776727B1 |
Multiple use modular apparatus for animals
A multiple use modular apparatus for animals having a tower and a base is disclosed that is light weight, easily assembled and reconfigured, and ballast is added inside the tower and base to stabilize the apparatus. The tower is inserted into the base in a very snug interference fit, and the tower has tiers of rows of recesses around its periphery facing in different directions. Shelf pieces of different sizes and shapes and having protrusions extending from one edge are utilized. The protrusions of the shelf pieces are inserted into the recesses in the side of the tower in a snug interference fit to firmly hold the shelf pieces to the sides of the tower. The shelf pieces may be fastened to the tower in a wide variety of configurations to create steps, walkways and platforms. Pieces of carpet or other material may be fastened to the sides of the tower and to the tops of the shelves, walkways and platforms. The modular apparatus may be used by an animal for exercise, play and resting. The shelves are easily removed and reattached to different positions on the sides of the tower to create the wide variety of configurations of shelves, walkways and platforms that will keep an animal interested in exploring the apparatus. In addition, the pieces may be assembled into complex arrangements having multiple towers, interconnecting walkways and toys mounted on the shelves and platforms. |
| US08776726B2 |
Portable pet urine reservoir
A portable pet urine reservoir is provided and includes a housing that defines a reservoir with a sloped basin with a plurality of polygonally shaped protrusions upwardly emanating from the basin. The polygonally shaped protrusions are of different heights to allow a permeable pad disposed on top of the polygonally shaped protrusions to lay approximately flat. An aperture disposed in the housing is also provided through which collected urine in the reservoir can be emptied. The portable pet urine reservoir further includes an additional reservoir, an additional basin, and an additional aperture which permits fluid communication between the reservoir and the additional reservoir. The portable pet urine reservoir also includes support structure, which upwardly extends from the additional basin. |
| US08776725B1 |
Pet waiter systems
Pet Waiter Systems is an innovative and useful device for easily and efficiently feeding domesticated pets, such as cats and dogs. The systems may include a pet nourishment station assembly, a container holding member, a tray elevator assembly, and a motor assembly. In use, a nourishment tray may integrally include a stainless steel food bowl and water bowl. The nourishment tray may be easily adjusted vertically via a handy control panel for making it easier on a user to dispense a ration of pet-food and drinking-water into the bowls contained within the nourishment tray which may serve to reduce injury caused from excessive bending. |
| US08776724B1 |
Animal feeder integral with vehicle bumper
An integral animal feeder and bumper assembly for dispensing animal foodstuff from a vehicle includes an impact member to fend off blows to the vehicle, a hopper to store therein a quantity of substantially granular foodstuff such as, for example, feed corn, and a dispenser to selectively discharge from the hopper foodstuff contained in the hopper. The hopper is substantially contained with the extents of the impact member and/or the aesthetic coverings thereof. In this manner, assembly is adapted to function as a road feeder with little or no interference with other features of the vehicle configuration such as, for example, utilization of the tailgate and/or towing hitch, legal display of the license plate associated with the vehicle, access to the rear area of the vehicle and the like. |
| US08776719B2 |
Microwave plasma reactor
A microwave plasma reactor (10) comprises a reactor chamber, a microwave resonant cavity (14) located within the reactor chamber, a waveguide (16) for conveying microwave radiation to the resonant cavity, the waveguide having a convergent tapered portion, means for forming an electromagnetic standing wave within the resonant cavity from the microwave radiation for initiating and sustaining a plasma within the resonant cavity, the resonant cavity having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and conduit means extending from the gas outlet for containing a plasma conveyed from the resonant cavity with a gas flowing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet. |
| US08776713B2 |
Whistle
A whistle includes: an air supply opening; a first resonance chamber, a second resonance chamber and a third resonance chamber; a first air supply passage, a second air supply passage and a third air supply passage that branch from a common air supply passage; and a first sound emitting opening, a second sound emitting opening and a third sound emitting opening that emit sounds generated in the first resonance chamber, the second resonance chamber and the third resonance chamber, respectively. The first resonance chamber and the second resonance chamber are arranged side by side in a planar view. The third resonance chamber is disposed between the first resonance chamber and the second resonance chamber, as well as upside the first resonance chamber and the second resonance chamber. The first sound emitting opening, the second sound emitting opening and the third sound emitting opening are open upward. |
| US08776709B2 |
Apparatus and method for watercraft stabilization
A transportable watercraft stabilization apparatus includes a stability device configured to impart a stabilizing torque to a watercraft when mounted on the watercraft and a transportable containment device containing the stability device therein. The transportable containment device includes a first attachment apparatus for releasably attaching to a transporting means and a second attachment apparatus for releasably attaching to a coupling device onboard a watercraft. Furthermore, the transportable watercraft stabilization apparatus includes a power source configured to provide power to the stability device for generating the stabilizing torque. The watercraft stabilization apparatus is transportable between a first watercraft and a second watercraft for providing on-demand stabilization to the second watercraft. |
| US08776708B2 |
Mechanised device for rigging a sail
There is provided a mechanized device for rigging a sail of a ship that includes: a mast, a boom and a gaff secured to the mast by the respective front ends thereof, a guiding element linking the two rear ends of the boom and the gaff, and delimiting a frame together with the mast, a rectangular sail, secured to the boom by the edge thereof, and equipped on the hoist and leech thereof with a means for guiding respectively along the mast and along the guiding element, a mechanized means for hoisting and lowering the sail in the frame, while keeping the hoist and the leech thereof respectively guided along the mast and along the guiding element. |
| US08776706B2 |
Buoyancy device and a method for stabilizing and controlling the lowering or raising of a structure between the surface and the bed of the sea
A method of using a buoyancy fluid presenting density that is less than that of sea water, and that is confined in a rigid or flexible leaktight casing, so as to constitute an immersed buoyancy element, wherein the buoyancy fluid is a compound that is naturally in a gaseous state at ambient atmospheric temperature and pressure, and in a liquid state at the underwater depth to which the buoyancy element is immersed. A method is also disclosed for placing a buoyancy element in place between the surface and the bed of the sea, wherein fluid is stored in a tank on a surface ship as a liquid in the cooled or compressed liquid state, and is injected in the liquid state into a pipe from the surface where it is stored to an immersed casing at an underwater depth at which the underwater pressure is not greater than the vapor pressure of the gas corresponding to the compound at the temperature at the depth. |
| US08776701B2 |
Row crop fertilizer applying apparatus
Embodiments are directed to an apparatus for use in applying fertilizer in the ground adjacent to a row line of seeds being planted by a planter the apparatus comprising a frame mounted to the planter, and having at least one mount structure extending from a forward end of the frame, a disk structure mounted to each of the mount structures and configured to be horizontally pivotable about a selected one of multiple forwardly located pivot points on the mount structure, the disk structure being horizontally pivotably attached to the mount structure at one of the pivot points, the disks forming a V shaped opening in the ground during forward movement, a fertilizer applying structure mounted to the apparatus for delivering a fertilizer into the V shaped opening, wherein each of the multiple pivot points delivers fertilizer into the V shaped opening at predetermined lateral distances from the row line of seeds being planted by the planter. |
| US08776700B2 |
System and process for the pyrolysation and gasification of organic substances
A system is described for the pyrolysation and gasification of organic substances, in particular biomasses, comprising in cascade at least one evaporation module, at least one pyrolysis reactor and at least one gassing device, such evaporation module being supplied with the organic substance, to be dried and then be transferred through first supplying means in such pyrolysis reactor to be subjected to a pyrolysis process for producing at least one pyrolysis fuel syngas and remaining organic products, the remaining organic products being then transferred through second supplying means to such gassing device to produce at least one gasification fuel syngas, further comprising first channelling means for such pyrolysis fuel syngas and such gasification fuel syngas from such pyrolysis reactor to at least one energy user, second channelling means of burnt exhaust gases produced by such energy user towards such evaporation module, and third channelling means of such gasification fuel syngas from such gassing device to such pyrolysis module. A process is further described for the pyrolysation and gasification of organic substances through such system. |
| US08776699B2 |
Interconnectable furniture
An interconnectable furniture having a planar surface. The planar surface includes at least two pairs of curved sides, each of the pairs includes a convex side, convex with respect to points within the planar surface, and a concave side, concave with respect to points within the planar surface. The pairs of curved sides are defined by arc lengths having a same radius R, and wherein the respective sides of the planar surface meet to form rounded corners of the planar surface. Additionally, a plurality of attachment points attached to a bottom of the planar surface and located substantially near rounded corners of the planar surface formed by the at least two pairs of curved sides, and configured for attaching a corresponding plurality of legs. |
| US08776697B1 |
Pallet with tine support elements
An improved pallet comprising: a support deck with an upper load contacting surface and a lower ground facing surface; a first and second sidewall, each with ground contacting legs and each connected to two elongate sides of the support deck; a pallet cavity formed below said lower ground facing surface of the support deck and between said first and second sidewalls; and a support element with a tine contacting surface protruding vertically down from the lower ground facing surface of the support deck partially into the pallet cavity but not below the ground contacting legs of the first and second sidewalls. |
| US08776696B2 |
Low floor vehicle
A low floor vehicle can reduce, during curved track traveling of a vehicle, the lateral pressure of the vehicle, can prevent occurrence of vibration and creaking sounds of the vehicle, can improve riding comfort for passengers, and can reduce wear of wheel flanges, is provided.The low floor vehicle includes: a journal member which couples a pair of wheels and is attached to a truck frame; and a truck frame lateral beam arranged along a vehicle width direction closer to the center of the truck frame than the journal member. The journal member can turn with respect to the truck frame. A coupling member which couples the journal member and the truck frame lateral beam is provided. The coupling member is attached to the center in the vehicle width direction of the truck frame lateral beam so as to be pivotable around an axis extending in a vehicle height direction. |
| US08776695B2 |
Support sleeve for a track riser
The present invention is for a support sleeve for a riser supporting an elevated toy vehicle trackway above a surface, the sleeve comprising a first end, a second end having an open end, one or more walls extending between the first end and second end, wherein the one or more walls define a hollow interior for supporting the riser, and one or more supports extending outwardly from the perimeter of the first end. The one or more supports form a shoulder extending outwardly from the first end, wherein the shoulder encircles the perimeter of the first end. The present invention further provides a method of stabilizing one or more toy vehicle tracks mounted on one or more track risers, comprising inserting a first track riser within a hollow support sleeve having a top end and a base end, the base end having one or more outwardly projecting supports. |
| US08776694B2 |
Monorail sortation system
A sortation system where control and operation is facilitated by a contact-free, wireless communication configuration. Wireless communication is accomplished in a line-of-sight (LOS) manner while the cars of the sortation system are continuously moving along the track at operational speed. Each car is configured to operate independently with respect to how a car is instructed to accept and deliver packages. The sortation system provides for the cars to act as messengers between the bin stations and the system controller with respect to the status and health of the bin stations. |
| US08776693B2 |
Apparatus and method for dispensing incendiary projectiles
An apparatus and method for dispensing incendiary projectiles is provided. The apparatus includes an injector for injecting the projectiles with a reactant at a dispensing rate, and a controller operable to control the dispensing rate. The controller is operable to control solenoids of a dispenser gate and a shuttle motor, and to prevent jam conditions of the apparatus. The apparatus can detect and automatically correct jam conditions that do occur. The apparatus can count the number of incendiary projectiles dispensed during a current operation and during the lifetime of the apparatus. The apparatus is dimensioned to minimize the number of incendiary projectiles purged from the apparatus after an operator has indicated to stop dispensing. |
| US08776692B1 |
Flameless smoke pot
A flameless smoke pot and a method of generating smoke using the smoke pot. The smoke pot includes a casing having a side wall with air inlet openings and containing a plurality of perforated tubes containing red phosphorous pellets. A heat generating pyrotechnic composition is disposed at a first end of the casing to generate heat which flows through the perforated tubes containing red phosphorous pellets to produce white phosphoric acid clouds of smoke. The white phosphoric acid clouds of smoke are combined with atmospheric air containing water to generate the white phosphoric acid clouds of aerosol smoke. The white phosphoric acid clouds of aerosol smoke are directed through a perforated flame arrester whereby visible flame is prevented from being created. |
| US08776690B2 |
Sleeve for accommodating propellant charge powder
The invention relates to a combustible sleeve for accommodating propellant charge powder, to munitions designed using such a sleeve, and to a production method for such sleeves. The sleeve according to the invention is designed for accommodating propellant charge powder and has a jacket wall made of combustible felted fibrous material and an inlay of intersecting threads in the jacket wall. The threads are disposed therein at a distance from one another such that felted fibrous material reaches through the regions between the threads. The method comprises the following steps: preparing a jacket wall made of combustible felted fibrous material and inserting an inlay made of intersecting threads into the jacket wall. The threads are disposed therein at a distance from one another such that the felted fibrous material extends through the regions between the threads. |
| US08776688B2 |
Electrically initiated inertial igniters for thermal batteries and the like
A method for electrically initiating an inertial igniter for a munition. The method including: providing an electrical energy generating device to generate a voltage over a duration responsive to an acceleration of the munition; providing a first electrical storage device connected to the electrical energy generating device through a voltage divide circuit to receive a portion of the voltage over the duration; providing a second electrical storage device connected to the electrical energy generating device to accumulate the voltage; and providing a circuit powered by a connection to the electrical energy generating device, the circuit determining an all-fire condition based on both a connection to the first electrical storage device that receives the portion of the voltage and the duration of voltage generation and a predetermined accumulated voltage of the second electrical storage device. |
| US08776687B2 |
Device and method for forming thin film pattern
The present invention provides device and method for forming a thin film pattern which can maintain an extent of wetting of a printing liquid at a proper state without time dependence. The device for forming a thin film includes a printing liquid supply unit for supplying printing liquid, a cliché having a depressed pattern and a relieved pattern for patterning the printing liquid, a printing roller for having the printing liquid supplied from the printing liquid supply unit thereto coated thereon and being rolled on the cliché and the substrate, and a solvent supply unit for supplying a solvent to the printing liquid before the printing liquid coated on the printing roller is brought into contact with the cliché. |
| US08776686B2 |
Automated cutting system for customized field stencils
The Automated Cutting System for Customized Field Stencils (“ACSCFS”) is a device designed to implement an automated field stencil creation process. The ACSCFS is comprised of a computer system and an automated cutting table, wherein said automated cutting table is further comprised of a cutting surface, an automated means for placing sheet material onto said cutting surface, and an automated cutting implement. The computer analyzes a color logo image and translates it into a line drawing. The drawing is then scaled, and guideline aperture locations are placed along each line. The computer then transmits instructions to the automated cutting table, directing the creation of a field stencil with a dotted guideline hole pattern. Such field stencils allow for the reproduction of multi-color logos using a single stencil. |
| US08776685B2 |
Screen printing apparatus
A screen printing apparatus including two screen printers, each including a substrate introduction portion by which a substrate is introduced from an upstream side of a component mounting line, a printing portion which performs a screen printing to the introduced substrate, a substrate discharge portion by which the substrate is discharged to a downstream side, and a substrate moving stage which receives the substrate to position the substrate with respect to the printing portion and to move the substrate to the substrate discharge portion. The two substrate introduction portions, the two printing portions, and the two substrate discharge portions are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a perpendicular symmetrical plane extending in a transportation direction of the substrate in the component mounting line, respectively. Each printing portion is provided at a position further from the perpendicular symmetrical plane than the substrate discharge portion. |
| US08776683B2 |
Process for manufacturing absorbent products having customized graphics
The present disclosure involves absorbent articles having customized graphics disposed inside packages labeled as containing customized articles. During the manufacturing process, customized absorbent articles are constructed with article identity graphics, and the packages to contain the customized articles are labeled with package identity graphics. A controller uses article and package identity graphics to track the manufacture of the customized articles and synchronize placement of the customized articles in the appropriately labeled packages. The methods disclosed herein provides for the manufacture of customized absorbent articles in series with the manufacture of absorbent articles having non-custom graphics. The substrates and/or components having the custom graphics in the manufacturing process are detected by a sensor that provides a feedback signal to a controller. The controller, in turn, commands a packing system to place the customized absorbent articles in packages; label the packages with a package identity graphic; and thereby create customized absorbent products. |
| US08776681B2 |
Apparatus and method for densifying a fibrous mat
An apparatus and method for densifying a fibrous mat, such as scrim, to achieve a uniform mat density, comprising a set of parallel bars each having a row of pins extending downward therefrom which can engage the mat fibers, a plurality of shafts along which the bars slide so as to maintain the bars parallel, a plurality of extendable accordion linkages connecting the set of bars, and a linear positioning assembly having a reciprocating drive mechanism coupled to one of the bars which can move the bars in response to an actuation signal. As the drive mechanism retracts the bar to which it is coupled the spacing between the rows of bars is decreased uniformly and the rows of pins draw the fibers together and compress them uniformly across the width of the mat. |
| US08776679B1 |
Semi-automatic bale ejection sequence
A bale ejection sequence for ejecting a bale from a baler is initiated from an operator command based upon monitored bale ejection factors. A controller implements a timing sequence that is based on a calibration of a cycle timing of a tailgate of the baler. The timing sequence relates to movement of the tractor, a position of the tailgate, and a hydraulic flow rate of fluid to a hydraulic system connected to the tailgate to move the tailgate between a closed position and an open position. |
| US08776677B1 |
Nut shelling machine and method
A nut shelling apparatus and method for the shelling of nuts such as chinquapins and chestnuts without substantially damaging the meat of the nuts. The nut shelling machine utilizes a combination of the inertia of the nut and a planar rotating cutting disc, such as one with a layer of aluminum oxide abrasive material, to cut the shell of the nut in a series of small cuts. The rotating abrasive disc utilizes the resistive inertia of the nuts to launch the nut in an upward direction and causing the nuts to fall onto the abrasive surface to repeatedly cut the shells. The repeated cutting action results in removal of a substantial amount of the shell in a short period of time while at the same time minimizing damage to the meat of the nut. |
| US08776670B2 |
Piston assembly
A piston assembly and a method of making the same. Exemplary piston assemblies may include a piston crown having a ring belt portion defining a cooling gallery, and a strut extending away from the ring belt portion to define a wrist pin bore. The piston may further include a piston skirt assembly secured to the strut. The piston skirt assembly may include two separate portions that each have a closure plate formed integrally with the portion, with the closure plate generally enclosing the cooling gallery. Exemplary methods of assembling a piston may include providing a piston crown having a ring belt portion defining a cooling gallery and a strut extending away from the ring belt portion to define a wrist pin bore. The methods may further include forming a piston skirt assembly having two portions having a closure plate integrally formed therewith, and securing the skirt to the crown. |
| US08776668B2 |
Machine housing of a hydraulic machine
A machine housing of a piston machine is disclosed. The machine housing is formed in two parts. The machine housing has a main housing which is closed off by a connection plate. Here, the connection plate is screwed to the main housing by means of a plurality of screws, and is positioned with low tolerances with respect to said main housing by means of two centering pins. Here, the centering pins are arranged with twofold rotational symmetry with respect to a shaft axis of a drive shaft of the piston machine. In contrast, screw positions do not have rotational symmetry with respect to said shaft axis. This prevents incorrect mounting of the connection plate. |
| US08776667B2 |
System for determining the position of a piston along its path of travel for a fluid-dynamic actuator
A fluid-dynamic actuator having a detection system for determining the position of a piston along its path of travel within a cylinder. The piston includes a head and rod extending therefrom. First grooves are machined on respective sections of the rod. Projections of the first grooves onto a first plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod define segments arranged obliquely with respect to the axis. Second grooves extend along the axis for predetermined lengths such that a respective number of second grooves run across each section. Optical sensors detect the presence of second grooves through a second plane transverse to the axis and a displacement of segments along a line coplanar with the second plane due to movement of the piston. A processor counts detected second grooves to determine the position of the piston as a function of the count of second grooves and the displacement of segments. |
| US08776663B1 |
Cabin for a humvee vehicle
The present invention is directed to new and improved armor protection that can replace the existing crew cabin with a field replaceable armored crew compartment to be attached to the existing body of an HMMWV military vehicle to protect the military personnel within from explosive blasts, roll-over or collisions. In accordance with the concepts of the present invention, in order to provide additional protection to personnel in the HMMWV crew compartment, a sacrificial V shaped hull is designed to be attached onto the underside of the crew compartment over the HMMWV frame rails. In the event of an explosion underneath the HMMWV, the V shaped hull will shield the personnel inside the cabin. |
| US08776658B2 |
Band saw
A band saw comprises a band saw blade that is moved along a running direction against which a sawing material is guided in a feed direction. The band saw further includes a guide mechanism for the band saw blade comprising a plurality of magnet guide elements that are adjustable in their force for exerting a force on the band saw blade to influence its position in space. The magnet guide elements are positioned upstream and downstream of the sawing material and have at least two magnets one beside the other, as viewed along the running direction. |
| US08776653B1 |
Meat cutting assembly
An assembly for cutting a meat or food product passing along a path of travel comprising a cutting roller having a plurality of cutting blades radially mounted thereon. A mating assembly interacts with the cutting blades to accomplish a multipoint cutting procedure facilitated by the concurrent rotation of the cutting roller and cutting blades as well as a linear reciprocal travel thereof transverse to the path of travel. A stabilizing assembly restricts the dimensional variance of the spacing between the cutting roller and mating assembly, through which the meat product travels and an ejecting assembly removes cut portions from the cutting blades, back onto the path of travel. The assembly includes a modular construction disposal within and removal from a processing line associated with the path of travel. |
| US08776652B2 |
Device and method for cutting through the adhesive bead of panes
A device and a method for cutting through the adhesive bead of panes that have been fixed by bonding is specified, said device having a motor-drivable winding device, a coil for winding-on a separating means for cutting through the adhesive bead, a suction plate for fixing the winding device by means of negative pressure on a pane to be removed, wherein the winding device is mounted so as to be rotatable on the suction plate and wherein at least one guide roller for guiding the separating means is provided, which is preferably placed in a corner region of the pane in order to hold the cutting angle between separating means and adhesive bead extensively ≦90° during the removal operation. |
| US08776644B2 |
Electronic identifier attachment for inventory items
Disclosed are various embodiments and a corresponding method for an adapter configured to attach an electronic identification device to an inventory item having a universal attachment fitting. A first end of the adapter body is configured to permanently attach to the universal attachment fitting. A second end of the adapter body is configured to attach to a tool configured to attach to the universal attachment fitting. An electronic identification device is attached to the adapter body. |
| US08776643B2 |
Indexable tool
A tool may be configured, in various embodiments, with a handle capable of housing house a gear in an aperture. The gear can have at least a predetermined number of facets and an orbital ring. A securing feature can have a first notch that is adapted to engage the orbital ring to allow rotational movement while securing the gear within the aperture. |
| US08776640B2 |
Ratchet wrench preventing jam of pawls
A ratchet wrench includes a head having a first compartment rotatably receiving a drive member. A second compartment is defined in an inner periphery of the first compartment and receives first and second pawls. A switch is pivotably mounted in a control groove of the head and controls engagement relations between the first and second pawls and the drive member. A limiting member is connected between the first and second pawls and maintains two closest teeth respectively of first and second toothed sections of the first and second pawls to be in a restraining spacing that is smaller than a jam spacing, preventing the first and second pawls from jamming between the drive member and a wall of the second compartment. |
| US08776635B2 |
Composite flywheel
A flywheel includes a wheel having a composite rim structure with multiple radial layers of steel material. Epoxy type adhesive can bond the multiple layers of stainless steel together. |
| US08776628B2 |
Transmission of motorcycle
A motorcycle having a transmission which includes a counter shaft to which a rotation of a crankshaft disposed in an engine is transmitted and a drive shaft to which a rotation of the counter shaft is transmitted. A pair of drive gears mounted on the counter shaft so as to be rotated integrally with the counter shaft, and a pair of driven gears mounted on the drive shaft so as to be meshed with the pair of drive gears, respectively, to be rotatable therewith, and a friction ring is interposed between the pair of driven gears. |
| US08776622B2 |
Apparatus for mobile collection of atmospheric sample for chemical analysis
Portable devices and related methods for collecting and storing atmospheric samples for subsequent chemical analysis are provided. A sample cartridge according to one implementation includes self-sealing inlet and outlet ports configured to close automatically when not in use, and a sample retention portion between the inlet and outlet ports that is adapted to trap an atmospheric sample. The sample cartridge may also include a memory device for recording data regarding the sample. Another embodiment provides a portable sampler configured to removably secure a self-sealing sample cartridge. A portable sampling device may also be used with an analytical instrument. The analytical instrument may analyze the sample and read the data recorded on the sample cartridge's memory. |
| US08776619B2 |
Small angle sensor for measuring steering shaft torque
A small angle sensor for measuring steering shaft torque. The sensor includes a multi-pole magnet and one or more stators. Each of the one or more stators encompasses the outer circumference of the multi-pole magnet. Each of the one or more stators has a horizontal ring section having an inner circumference and an outer circumference; and a plurality of teeth. Each tooth extends in a vertical direction from the inner circumference of the horizontal ring section; and a lip extends in a vertical direction from the outer circumference of the horizontal ring section. The sensor also includes one or more collectors. Each of the one or more collectors encompasses only a portion of the lip of the one or more stators. The sensor includes one or more magnetic sensing elements. Each of the one or more magnetic sensing elements located proximate to the one or more collectors. |
| US08776618B2 |
Torque sensor rotor
Disclosed is a rotor for a torque sensor configured to improve a mechanical coupling force with respect to a jig in a process of adjusting a torque center, thus enabling a fine adjustment, the rotor including a rotor body having a sleeve coupled to a rotating shaft and a yoke protruding from an outer circumference of the sleeve, a ring-shaped magnet coupled to an outer circumference of the yoke, and an anti-slip structure formed on the rotor body and partially coming into contact with a jig during a rotating process for adjusting a torque center, thus inhibiting slipping between the rotor body and the jig when a rotating force is transmitted, so that slipping between the jig and the rotor body is inhibited to enable precise transmission of the rotating force whereby accuracy is improved during fine adjustment of the torque center. |
| US08776617B2 |
Method and system of submersible pump and motor performance testing
Submersible pump and motor performance testing. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: coupling a torque meter between an electric motor and a pump; and submersing the torque meter, electric motor, and pump in water. During periods of time when the torque meter, electric motor and pump are submerged in the water, the method comprises: operating the pump and the electric motor; measuring pump performance; and simultaneously measuring electric motor performance. |
| US08776608B2 |
Coplanar process fluid pressure sensor module
A coplanar process fluid pressure sensor module is provided. The module includes a coplanar base and a housing body. The coplanar base has a pair of process fluid pressure inlets, each having an isolator diaphragm. The housing body is coupled to the coplanar base at an interface between the coplanar base and the housing body. A differential pressure sensor is operably coupled to the pair of process fluid pressure inlets, and is disposed proximate the coplanar base within the housing body. |
| US08776603B2 |
Method and system for non-destructive testing
Provided herein is a non-destructive testing method capable of diagnosing a condition of an object to be tested using a single-pulse ultrasonic wave signal. An attenuation waveform of the single-pulse ultrasonic wave signal received by a receiving section 3 is wavelet transformed by a wavelet transform section 6 to obtain an envelope line A(t) and a phase φ(t) of the attenuation waveform. A temporal change computing section 7 approximates the attenuation waveform by an approximation equation available for computation, using the envelope line A(t) and the phase φ(t) of the attenuation waveform inputted from the wavelet transform section 6, and obtains the temporal change of instantaneous frequency of the attenuation waveform. A diagnosing section 8 diagnoses a condition of the object to be tested, based on the temporal change of the instantaneous frequency computed by the temporal change computing section 7. |
| US08776596B2 |
Apparatus for the monitoring of floating roof position for storage tank roofs
A floating storage tank roof having a roof cover level monitor apparatus uses a flexible rod having a first end in contact with the storage tank cover bottom surface and a second end in contact with a base mounted to the top of the storage tank roof. As the rod flexes the second end of the rod is pushed into a slot within the base and against a resilient member within the slot. Within the slot are disposed proximity switches. As the rod second end sinks into the slot the proximity switches are actuated by mechanical or magnetic means. The spacing of the switches within the slot is calibrated to represent the level of the storage tank roof. A force transducer may also be used in lieu of the switches. |
| US08776591B2 |
Downhole, single trip, multi-zone testing system and downhole testing method using such
A multizone testing system (100), for the testing of subterranean layers, comprises an upper subsystem (109) comprising a control station (151), a main isolation packer (113) for isolating the upper subsystem (109) from the lower subsystem (111), a lower subsystem (111) comprising an array of individual apparatuses (116) connected in series, each apparatus (116) being adapted for the testing of one layer and comprising a series of remotely activated tools for hydraulically isolating and testing the corresponding layer and a communication system comprises communication means between the control station (151) and the surface and between the control station (151) and each of the individual apparatuses (116) in order to control the remotely activated tools of the individual apparatuses for sequential testing of the layers. A multizone testing method for the testing of a plurality of subterranean layers intersected by a well, using a multizone testing system (100) comprises the steps of running and positioning said system (100) into the well such that each individual apparatus (116) is adjacent to a layer to be tested and controlling the remotely activated tools of the individual apparatuses for a sequential test of the layers. |
| US08776588B2 |
Transmission device for transmitting information about tire condition and tire condition monitoring system
A tire condition monitoring system includes a transmission device, a receiving device, and a monitoring section. The transmission device includes a sensor, a transmitter, a housing, and a engaged member. The sensor detects, as the tire information, a condition of gas filled in the tire cavity area surrounded with the tire and a rim. The transmitter wirelessly transmits the detected tire information. The housing houses the sensor and the transmitter, including an inner space and a through hole. The inner space is surrounded with a wall of the housing and is separated from the tire cavity area. The through hole passes through the wall. The engaged member is engaged with the through hole to be provided to the housing. The engaged member includes one of an air vent and a communication groove for communicating between the tire cavity area and the inner space. |
| US08776587B2 |
Tire tester
Disclosed is a tire tester (1) provided with: a device frame (3); a slide base (10) provided on the device frame (3) so as to be able to move up and down; a large spindle (11) that is attached to the slide base (10) and can rotatably support a large-diameter tire (T1); and a small spindle (12) that is attached to the slide base (10) and can rotatably support a small-diameter tire (T2) that is smaller than the large-diameter tire (T1). The disclosed tire tester (1) can push one of the tires (T1 or T2) against a simulated road surface (5), by means of the up/down movement of the slide base (10), and perform a tire test. |
| US08776585B2 |
Fuel vapor purging diagnostics
Systems and methods are provided for monitoring reverse flow of fuel vapors and/or air through a vehicle fuel vapor recovery system, the fuel vapor recovery system coupled to an engine intake of a boosted internal combustion engine. One example method comprises, intermittently adjusting a restriction in the fuel vapor recovery system during boosted conditions, and indicating degradation based on one or more of a change in a pressure value, or based on a change in flow in the fuel vapor recovery system. |
| US08776580B2 |
System and process for detecting leakage in umbilicals
A system and process for detecting the place of leakage from umbilical hoses. This system includes an internal device (PIG) which is inserted in the hose of the umbilical cable which is leaking and external detecting equipment which is intended to identify the position of the PIG device which is already inside the umbilical. The device which is inserted in the umbilical and which is known as a PIG, is made of metal and the external detecting equipment comprises two parts: one formed by a ring which surrounds the umbilical, having a sensor system and another part which has the electronics, capable of identifying the presence of the PIG and, with this, modifying the signal, so that it can be identified. The system is presented as a process for detecting the exact place of leakage from umbilical hoses and the technology tested is easy to operate and the inspection is carried out at a good speed and continuously, without creating waste. |
| US08776578B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor having high detection sensitivity and a low output signal noise includes a laminate of thermistor ceramic, a catalytic electrode, an internal electrode, and external electrodes. When coming into contact with a detection target gas, the catalytic electrode generates heat, and the resistance of a thermistor layer of a sensing portion is decreased. Since the heat generated by the catalytic electrode is directly transferred to the thermistor layer without passing through an insulating layer or the like, high detection sensitivity is obtained. In addition, the structure can be formed in which heat of the sensing portion is insulated by a hollow portion and heat diffusion is prevented, so that the heat capacity of the sensing portion is further decreased. |
| US08776577B2 |
Generated gas collecting method and measuring method
According to one embodiment, a generated gas collecting method collects a generated gas after exposing the interior of a chamber to an organic gas having a boiling point higher than that of the generated gas. |
| US08776572B2 |
Necking machine
A necking machine (1) having a plurality of processing stations on a rotating tool carrier (7). The motion of the tool carrier (7) with respect to the work pieces is carried out by a crankshaft (25). This is carried out by a non-constant gear. The gear includes two non-round gearwheels (21, 23) that improve a rotational-speed profile of the crankshaft (25) and thus a velocity profile, in particular, in an area of the dead center. |
| US08776569B2 |
Forging mold
A forging mold includes a female mold and a male mold coupling with the female mold. The female mold includes an external mold defining an accommodating groove for receiving an internal mold and a pressing block therein, and a first fixing hole penetrating through the external mold and connected with the accommodating groove. The pressing block has a gap opened at a bottom portion thereof and adjacent to the internal mold. The internal mold has a base body and a blocking protrusion protruded from a bottom portion of the base body to be pressed in the gap. A first fixing element is screwed into the first fixing hole of the external mold with a distal end thereof resisting against the pressing block to further press the pressing block towards the internal mold so as to secure the internal mold and the pressing block in the accommodating groove. |
| US08776567B2 |
Arm material and a method for its manufacture
An arm material for an upper arm or a lower arm is provided which constitutes a double wishbone suspension or the like of an automobile and which has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape and enables further decreases in size, decreases in weight, and increases in strength.An arm material for an automobile suspension has a body made from a parts material made by metal. The parts material made by metal has a flat, hollow, closed cross-sectional shape having a pair of opposing long sides and is formed from a single member in its lengthwise direction. The body has at least a first bent portion which is bent in a plane roughly parallel to the pair of long sides. |
| US08776564B2 |
Impact treatment method for improving fatigue characteristics of welded joint, impact treatment device for improving fatigue characteristics for same, and welded structure superior in fatigue resistance characteristics
An impact treatment method for improving fatigue characteristics of a welded joint comprising pressing an impact pin against the surface of a base metal material near a toe of a weld bead and making it move relatively to the weld line direction to apply hammer peening treatment or ultrasonic impact treatment, characterized by using as the impact pin an impact pin having a tip curvature radius of ½ or less of a thickness of the metal material and between 2 to 10 mm and, on a surface of a base metal material up to a range where a distance from the toe of the weld bead to the center of the impact treatment position is within 2.5 times the tip curvature radius of the impact pin and where the impact pin does not contact the weld metal during impact treatment, applying hammer peening or ultrasonic impact treatment so as to cause by the impact pin residual plastic deformation where an impact dent has a groove depth of 0.1 to 2 mm, the tip curvature radius of the impact pin or less, and 1/10th or less of the thickness of the metal material and where the impact dent has a width of 1.5 to 15 mm and five times or more the groove depth. |
| US08776561B1 |
Door knob unlocking tool kit
A tool kit for unlocking a door knob lock set which bypasses the cylinder and pin pairs which normally must be aligned properly with the proper key. The tool kit includes a pin lifting tool which is used to move the pins so that a forked tool is inserted into the key way, through the cylinder, through an aperture in the end of the cylinder and on to the shaft which must be turned to unlock the lock. The forked tool straddles the shaft and then the forked tool is turned, thereby turning the shaft and unlocking the lock. |
| US08776560B2 |
Bike link for securing a bike
A bicycle link having one or more openings that can be π-shaped and having a slider that closes a portion of the one or more openings is disclosed. The slider can be secured in place in relation to the bicycle link with a padlock or the like being placed in aligned holes in the slide and it the portion of the bicycle link containing the slider. Cables, chains and the like are placed in the openings and secured to immovable objects. When the slider is locked in place to close a portion of the openings, this arrangement secures the bicycle. |
| US08776559B2 |
Security device for a power tool accessory
A security assembly is configured for attachment to a hole saw having a cap defining a central mounting aperture. The security assembly includes a substantially cylindrical base portion having a central axis. A handle portion is coupled to the cylindrical base portion and defines a tag cavity for housing a security tag. An extension member extends opposite the handle portion from the base portion along the central axis. The extension member engages the central mounting aperture of the hole saw. |
| US08776555B1 |
Safety locking handcuffs
A handcuff assembly comprising a pair of handcuff bodies retained to one another by one or more linkages. Each body extends between a pivot end and a body latching end. A locking arm is pivotally assembled to the handcuff body pivot end. A series of ratcheted teeth extend along a portion of each locking arm proximate an arm latching end. A first locking pawl is integrated into each handcuff body, wherein the first locking pawl is operated by a key to engage the pawl with the ratcheted teeth, retaining the handcuff assembly in a locked configuration. A second locking mechanism is provided at the pivot assembly, wherein the second locking mechanism resists pivotal motion of the locking arm when oriented into a locked configuration by way of rotating a key. The handcuff assembly requires rotation of two separate locking mechanisms by two separate key motions to unlock each locking arm. |
| US08776553B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining load size in a washing machine
A method and apparatus according to one embodiment for determining laundry load size in an automatic clothes washer includes supplying water to predetermined water levels higher than a saturate water level and determining the amount of water supplied to reach each predetermined water level from a prior water level, and determining a load size based on the determined amount of water supplied between the current predetermined water level and the prior water level. |
| US08776551B2 |
Transverse row bushings having ceramic supports
A bushing system includes a bushing having a bottom plate with a plurality of holes from which filaments are drawn. At least one elongated support extends through the bushing generally along a longitudinal axis to hold and stabilize the bushing. To handle the harsh conditions under which the bushing is subjected, the support comprises an alumina-based ceramic that generally resists sagging or excessive expansion and contraction during heating and cooling. |
| US08776549B2 |
Device and method for severing a continuous glass strip
The invention relates to a method and a device for severing a marked region of a glass strip (1) produced continuously on a conveyor belt (11), having the following characteristics: a) a line (12) highlighting the severing of the marked region is scored on the continuous glass strip (1), b) once the scored line (12) reaches the crusher roll (6), the two lock rolls (7, 8) following the crusher roll (6) are folded away downward, c) once the scored line (12) is located in the region of the highest area of the crusher roll (6), means for shearing off (5) push onto the glass strip (1) and break it off, d) after the broken-off glass piece (10) has dropped, the lock rolls (7, 8, 9) are folded back in the conveyor belt (11), and to a computer program and a machine-readable carrier with the program code thereof. |
| US08776547B2 |
Local strengthening of glass by ion exchange
This disclosure describes a process for strengthening, by ion-exchange, the edges of an article separated from a large glass sheet after the sheet has been ion-exchanged to strengthen by exposing only the one or a plurality of the edges of the separated article to an ion-exchange medium (for example without limitation, a salt, paste, frit, glass) while the glass surface is maintained at temperatures less than 200° C. |
| US08776542B2 |
Cooling system
A cooling system that cools a wafer in a vacuum chamber of a sputtering apparatus, includes a wafer cooling stage for cooling the wafer, a cooling mechanism for cooling the wafer cooling stage, cooling gas supply units which introduces a cooling gas to the wafer cooling stage, a wafer rotating mechanism which holds the wafer in a state separated from the wafer cooling stage by a predetermined gap, and is rotated while holding the wafer, and a driving mechanism which rotates the wafer rotating mechanism at a predetermined rotational speed. |
| US08776539B2 |
Ejector-type refrigeration cycle and refrigeration device using the same
A system has first and second compressors (22, 180), a heat rejection heat exchanger (30), an ejector (38), a heat absorption heat exchanger (64), and a separator (48). The heat rejection heat exchanger (30) is coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressor. The ejector (38) has a primary inlet (40) coupled to the heat rejection exchanger (30) to receive refrigerant, a secondary inlet (42), and an outlet (44). The separator (48) has an inlet coupled to the outlet of the ejector to receive refrigerant from the ejector. The separator has a gas outlet (54) coupled to the compressor (22) to return refrigerant to the first compressor. The separator has a liquid outlet (52) coupled to the secondary inlet of the ejector to deliver refrigerant to the ejector (38). The heat absorption heat exchanger (64) is coupled to the liquid outlet of the separator to receive refrigerant. The second compressor (180) is between the separator and the ejector secondary inlet. |
| US08776534B2 |
Gas balanced cryogenic expansion engine
An expansion engine operating on a Brayton cycle which is part of a system for producing refrigeration at cryogenic temperatures that includes a compressor, a counter-flow heat exchanger, and a load that may be remote, which is cooled by gas circulating from the engine. The engine has a piston in a cylinder which has nearly the same pressure above and below the piston while it is moving. Low pressure on a piston drive stem provides a force imbalance to move the piston towards the warm end. |
| US08776533B2 |
Strain tolerant bound structure for a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine includes bound assemblies with an inner diameter ring, struts, and an outer diameter ring. The strut is connected to the inner diameter ring and extends radially outward therefrom to connect to the outer diameter ring. A strain relief feature is disposed adjacent to or at the connection between the strut and the inner diameter ring and/or the outer diameter ring. The strain relief feature lengthens the arc segment of fillet curvature. For a constant thermal punch load, the lengthened arc segment of fillet curvature results in a decreased maximum strain in the bound assembly. |
| US08776531B2 |
Gas engine drives for gasification plants
The present application provides an integrated gasification combined cycle system. The integrated gasification combined cycle system may include a gas turbine engine, a syngas system for producing a syngas for the gas turbine engine and having a compressor therein, and a second gas engine in communication with the syngas system. The second gas engine dives the compressor via the syngas. |
| US08776528B2 |
Method for operating a gas turbine plant with a compressor station for gaseous fuel
The disclosure relates to a method for operating a gas turbine plant which is supplied with a fuel gas via a compressor station. The compressor station includes a compressor which compresses the fuel gas which is fed via a gas feed line and delivers it via at least one control valve to a combustion chamber of the gas turbine plant. A bypass system is arranged in parallel to the compressor via which fuel gas can be directed in a switchable manner past the compressor to the at least one control valve. An energy-saving operation can be achieved in a simple manner by continuously measuring the fuel gas pressure at the outlet of the at least one control valve. A minimum fuel gas pressure, which is desired (e.g., necessary) for operation of the gas turbine, at the inlet of the at least one control valve is determined from the measured pressure values in each case. The compressor station can be switched over to bypass operation when the fuel gas pressure which reaches the inlet of the at least one control valve via the bypass system is greater than or equal to the minimum fuel gas pressure. |
| US08776527B1 |
Techniques to reduce infrared detection of a gas turbine engine
A discharge nozzle is provided having a centerbody and a conduit enclosing the centerbody and is operable to receive exhaust flow from a turbine discharge of a gas turbine engine. In one form the centerbody is symmetric and extends along the flow direction, rising away from a reference axis to a maximum position before falling and converging on the reference axis. A set of rings is disposed between the centerbody and the conduit and are positioned between the centerbody and the conduit. |
| US08776523B2 |
Steam-driven power plant
A steam-driven power plant includes a steam source providing steam at a desired pressure and a steam turbine operably connected to the steam source. The steam turbine includes a low pressure section and an intermediate pressure section. A low pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to an entrance of the low pressure section and an intermediate pressure admission conduit is configured to convey steam from the steam source to a mid-steampath point of the intermediate pressure section. One or more valves are located between the steam source and the steam turbine to control a flow of steam from the steam source through the low pressure admission conduit and/or the intermediate pressure admission conduit. |
| US08776521B2 |
Systems and methods for prewarming heat recovery steam generator piping
The present application describes a heat recovery steam generator. The heat recovery steam generator may include a superheater, a first turbine section, a first main steam line in communication with the superheater and the first turbine section, and a first prewarming line positioned downstream of the first main steam line such that a flow of steam from the superheater preheats the first main steam line without entry into the first turbine section. |
| US08776517B2 |
Emissions-critical charge cooling using an organic rankine cycle
The disclosure provides a system including a Rankine power cycle cooling subsystem providing emissions-critical charge cooling of an input charge flow. The system includes a boiler fluidly coupled to the input charge flow, an energy conversion device fluidly coupled to the boiler, a condenser fluidly coupled to the energy conversion device, a pump fluidly coupled to the condenser and the boiler, an adjuster that adjusts at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle subsystem to change a temperature of the input charge exiting the boiler, and a sensor adapted to sense a temperature characteristic of the vaporized input charge. The system includes a controller that can determine a target temperature of the input charge sufficient to meet or exceed predetermined target emissions and cause the adjuster to adjust at least one parameter of the Rankine power cycle to achieve the predetermined target emissions. |
| US08776515B2 |
Pumping assembly using active materials
A pumping assembly is provided. The assembly includes a first movable element selectively movable within a first pump housing and an actuator including an active material. The active material is configured to undergo a change in attribute in response to an activation signal. The active material is operatively connected to the first movable element such that the change in attribute causes the first movable element to move within the first pump housing. In one example, the active material is a shape memory alloy material having a crystallographic phase that is changeable between Austenite and Martensite in response to the activation signal. |
| US08776514B2 |
Electrothermal microactuator for large vertical displacement without tilt or lateral shift
A microactuator for displacing a platform vertically with respect to a substrate includes a first rigid frame, a first flexible bimorph beam connecting the first frame to the substrate, a second rigid frame, a second flexible bimorph beam connecting the second frame to the first frame, and a third flexible bimorph beam connecting a platform to the second frame. Activation of the first, second, and third flexible bimorph beams allows vertical displacement of the platform with respect to the substrate, with negligible lateral shift. A microactuator assembly includes a substrate, a plurality of first rigid frames, a plurality of first flexible bimorph beams, a plurality of second rigid frames, a plurality of second flexible bimorph beams, a platform, and a plurality of third flexible bimorph beams. Activation of the first, second, and third bimorph beams allows vertical displacement of the platform with respect to the substrate, with negligible lateral shift. A further embodiment with four identical such microactuators oriented at four sides of the platform, can achieve 1D or 2D angular scanning of the mirror plate by the activation of 1 or 2 adjacent microactuators. |
| US08776512B2 |
Swing system and construction machinery or vehicle comprising a swing system
A swing system for construction machinery or a vehicle, particularly an excavator or a crane, includes a swing brake for blocking or unblocking a rotational movement of a first portion of the vehicle relative to a chassis portion of the vehicle, and a swing pump and a swing motor are provided for performing the rotational movement. The swing pump can be positioned in a neutral position where no rotational movement of the first portion takes place. At least one brake control actuator is provided for automatically engaging the brake when the swing pump is in its neutral position. The swing system can provide an improved control of the swing movement on a slope and an improved comfort during operation of the swing movement. |
| US08776508B2 |
Passive valve assembly with negative start angle
A passive valve assembly for a vehicle exhaust system includes an exhaust component that defines an exhaust gas flow path and a vane that is positioned within the exhaust gas flow path. The vane is positioned at an initial start position and is movable between a closed position to provide a minimum exhaust gas flow and an open position to provide a maximum exhaust gas flow. The start position is orientated at a negative angle relative to the closed position. |
| US08776506B2 |
Method for predicting NOx amount and exhaust system using the same
A method for predicting a NOx amount may include detecting an O2 amount in an intake air, calculating a reference O2 amount in the intake air according to a driving condition of an engine, calculating a reference NOx amount contained in an exhaust gas according to the driving condition of the engine, and primarily correcting the reference NOx amount based on the detected O2 amount in the intake air and the reference O2 amount in the intake air according to the driving condition of the engine. |
| US08776505B2 |
Method for predicting NOx amount and exhaust system using the same
A method for predicting a NOx amount, may include determining a reference NOx amount according to a driving condition of an engine, primarily correcting the reference NOx amount according to an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) ratio, and secondarily correcting the primarily corrected NOx amount according to an environmental factor and the driving condition. |
| US08776503B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring a reductant injection system in an exhaust aftertreatment system
A reductant injector is configured to dispense a reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream of an internal combustion engine upstream of a selective catalytic reduction device. The reductant injector of a reductant injection system is monitored by generating injector pulsewidth commands corresponding to a prescribed reductant flowrate, monitoring the injector pulsewidth commands, verifying the prescribed reductant flowrate corresponds to the injector pulsewidth commands, monitoring a fluidic pressure in the reductant injection system, estimating a first injected quantity of the reductant corresponding to the injector pulsewidth commands, estimating a second injected quantity of the reductant corresponding to the fluidic pressure in the reductant injection system, and comparing the first and second injected quantities of reductant. |
| US08776499B2 |
Emission treatment systems and methods using passivated surfaces
Provided are exhaust systems, components, and catalytic articles that have been passivated for use in conjunction with diesel engines that includes a NOx abatement system that uses a reductant. These items are passivated in order to minimize degradation of a reductant in their presence when, for example, they have been subjected to temperatures in excess of 650° C. |
| US08776496B2 |
Hydrocarbon retaining system configuration for combustion engine
Systems, methods, and computer readable storage media are described in which exhaust gas is routed to a hydrocarbon retaining device during starting, and purged to the engine intake manifold. Various alternative approaches are described for controlling operation and diagnosing degradation. Further, various interrelated configurations are described. |
| US08776492B2 |
Adjustable link
An adjustable link for a bracelet, including first and second half links longitudinally moveable via cooperation of a guide and a complementary guide, and captived by cooperation of a stopping mechanism and a complementary stopping mechanism. The first half link includes a longitudinal finger with a locking mechanism including a radial elastic return moveable between folded and unfolded positions, and the second half link includes a longitudinal channel allowing the finger to pass in only one of the folded or unfolded positions, and, in proximity to the channel, a complementary locking mechanism cooperating, in at least one locking position, with the locking mechanism in the other of the folded or unfolded positions, the locking mechanism and complementary locking mechanism together defining at least two of the longitudinally separate locking positions. |
| US08776489B2 |
Mowing cutter disc having a mowing blade and a holder
A quick-change mowing blade arrangement is provided. The mowing blade has a shaped feature and a hole which maintain a certain spacing X from one another. For installation, the mowing blade is held, by means of the hole, pivotally on a head of a peg. If the head) undergoes an impermissible amount of wear, the shaped feature is no longer hidden by a cover of the mowing cutter disc, but becomes visible. |
| US08776488B1 |
Mower apparatus with cutting mechanism adaptation
An apparatus for cutting vegetation is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first and second cutting mechanism for cutting vegetation. The first cutting mechanism is configured to cut vegetation from an original height to a first height. The original height is a height greater than a height reachable by the second cutting mechanism. The second cutting mechanism is configured to cut the same vegetation from the first height to a second height, after the first cutting mechanism has cut the vegetation to the first height. |
| US08776487B2 |
Integrated draper belt support and skid shoe in an agricultural harvesting machine
A cutting platform for use with an agricultural harvesting machine includes at least one platform section. Each platform section has a cutterbar assembly movable in a localized manner in upwards and downwards directions, an endless belt with a leading edge, and a plurality of skid shoes. Each skid shoe extends rearwardly from the cutterbar assembly and has an upper surface defining a belt support for the leading edge of the endless belt. |
| US08776485B2 |
Form-fill-seal machine
A form-fill-seal machine is capable of reducing poor sealing caused by a packaged article catching in lateral seal portions. The form-fill-seal machine is provided with an upper tube, a lower tube disposed therebelow, a former, a lateral sealing mechanism below the lower tube, and opening and closing sliding members. A packaged article is dropped through the interiors of the upper tube and the lower tube. The former winds a sheet of a film F around the circumference of the lower tube to convert same into a tubular film. The lateral sealing mechanism laterally seals the tubular film. The opening and closing sliding members, which are disposed between the upper tube and the lower tube, shut off an upwardly oriented flow of gas from the interior of the lower tube when in a closed state. |
| US08776483B2 |
System for making pneumatically filled packing cushions
System, method and material for making pneumatically filled packing cushions in which a plastic film material having two superposed layers joined together along first and second longitudinal edges is prefabricated at a first location by forming longitudinally spaced, transversely extending rows of perforations across it and sealing it together along seal lines which extend from the first edge of the material in a direction generally parallel to the rows of perforations other and terminate a short distance from the second edge to form chambers with open mouths facing the second edge between the rows of perforations. The material is then fan-folded or formed into rolls for storage and shipment. At a second location, gas is introduced into the chambers by passing the material along a tube positioned between the ends of the seals and the second edge of the material and injecting the gas into the open mouths of the chambers through openings in a side wall of the tube. The two layers are then sealed together across the open mouths to close the chambers and retain the gas in them. |
| US08776482B2 |
Container treatment machine with a passage for passing
A passage for the sealed and/or sterile passage of a functional element (15), for example a rod and/or wave-like functional element through at least one wall (6) separating a sterile chamber (5) from an non-sterile chamber, comprising at least one hydraulic seal (20) enabling a relative movement of the functional element (15) in relation to the at least one wall (6). |
| US08776481B2 |
Packing-packaging apparatus
A packing-packaging machine includes: sheet feeding means; a horizontal bonding unit for forming a bag body by forming horizontal bonding on a tubular body at predetermined intervals; and an object dispensing unit for dispensing an object to be packaged to the bag body during a repetition of the formation of the horizontal bonding. The object dispensing unit includes a shutter for opening and closing a falling path of a predetermined amount of the object into the bag body. The shutter is opened and closed such that the predetermined amount of the object and another predetermined amount of the object fall with a spacing therebetween, and that before the horizontal bonding is formed on the bag body packed with the predetermined amount of the object which has been dropped during opening-closing operation of the shutter, the other predetermined amount of the object for a next bag body starts falling. |
| US08776480B2 |
Vented nail base roof assembly and associated method
A roof assembly for covering a building includes a first structural layer coupled to the framework of the building, a second structural layer positioned above the first structural layer, and an insulating layer including a roof insulation panel positioned between the first and second structural layers. A ventilating purlin extends between and contacts the first and second structural layers along at least one edge of the roof insulation panel. The ventilating purlin transfers loads from the second structural layer to the first structural layer without using the insulating layer for structural support. The ventilating purlin also includes at least one ventilation opening positioned to enable air flow through the ventilating purlin into a ventilating layer of air space formed between the insulating layer and the second structural layer. Thus, the ventilating purlin permits full ventilation of the roof assembly. |
| US08776479B2 |
Anchoring in a construction model
An anchoring device including an anchoring element suitable for being anchored an object of construction material with the aid of mechanical vibrations. The anchoring element includes a thermoplastic material and a tool. The thermoplastic material forms at least a part of a radially outer surface of the anchoring element, and the tool has a proximal portion and a broadening portion distally of the proximal portion. The broadening portion has an outer second cross-section, the second cross section being larger than the first cross section but being adapted to the first cross section so that the tool can be moved with respect to the anchoring element while the broadening portion is in the axially-extending opening and locally expands the anchoring element while thermoplastic material of the anchoring element that surrounds the broadening portion is in a solid state. |
| US08776475B2 |
DLO molding with dutch bend feature and clip retention feature
A window surround molding is secured on a vehicle door flange with a retainer clip. The molding extends in a longitudinal direction and has a cross-section including first and second channels separated by a Dutch bend. The flange is disposed in the second channel on one side of the Dutch bend. The clip is disposed in the first channel on an opposite side of the Dutch bend. An arm extends in the longitudinal direction away from first and second ends of the clip and engages the molding to secure the clip within the first channel. The clip also includes a lower edge that engages the Dutch bend. A flex tab protrudes from a front face of the clip and engages the flange to secure the molding on the flange and to prevent rotation of the molding relative to the flange. |
| US08776474B2 |
Anchoring method for external bonding and reinforcing technique with prestressed fiber cloth
An anchoring method for external bonding and reinforcing technique with prestressed fiber cloth mainly involves the following steps: stretching fiber cloth (1) on the surface of a reinforced member (2) firstly, and then bonding the prestressed fiber cloth (1) and the reinforced member (2) as a whole with resin. In addition, certain measures of installing a steel plate (5) for anchoring and using an anchor device (7) are applied to the anchorage end of the prestressed fiber cloth (1) on the end of the reinforced member (2). The prestress on the anchorage end of the prestressed fiber cloth (1) is partly or all released after thermosetting of the resin so as to eliminate or reduce the stress concentration on the end. |
| US08776469B2 |
Adjustable hanger assembly for use with metal bar joists and beams
An adjustable hanger assembly for hanging support rods or ceiling fixtures includes two adjacent spanning angles or channels having at least one clamp assembly at each end thereof and at least one fixture hanging assembly disposed between the ends of the spanning angles or channels. The clamp for use with joists utilizing angles includes legged and washer clamp plates, fastener, and fastening device. The clamp for use with beams utilizing angles includes alternate legged clamp plate, fastener hook, and fastening device. The fixture hanging assembly includes legged and washer fixture plate, hanger rod with threaded end, and fastening. Each legged clamp plates, alternate legged clamp plates, and legged fixture plates is adapted to ride horizontally along top of spanning angles or channels. The load bearing capacity of the angles or channels is increased by bracing these members against each other at clamp assembly and fixture hanging assembly locations. |
| US08776466B2 |
Lath furring strips
The present invention provides a lath furring strip having a height not exceeding 0.365 inches which has improved waterproofing capabilities by incorporating the lath furring strip into other architectural structures such as reveals, expansion joints and window flange coverings. By integrating these structures with a lath furring strip having water proofing features, there is increased water proofing of the entire architectural structure. One or more moisture barriers can easily be applied to the wall or furring strips that prevents seepage of moisture from the stucco on the lath to a wall or framing. |
| US08776464B2 |
Protective cover for reinforcing bar
A protective cover for covering an end of a reinforcing bar is provided. In some aspects, the protective cover includes a collar having a first end, a second end, and an impact absorbing portion disposed therebetween. The first end of the collar is configured to receive the end of the reinforcing bar. The impact absorbing portion of the collar is configured to withstand an impact without penetration of the reinforcement bar through the protective cover and is further configured to absorb at least a portion of the impact. The impact absorbing portion resides solely within the collar. The protective cover further includes a cap disposed at the second end of the collar. The cap has a surface area of about sixteen square inches. |
| US08776461B2 |
Plastic window frame trim for corrugated building walls and installation method
A plastic window frame trim is for installation of a window in a corrugated metal building wall having a cut opening with a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges, each of the edges being backed by framing members. The window frame trim includes: a frame header J-channel with a flange; a frame footer J-channel with a flange; a pair of nailing fins; and fasteners. The trim header J-channel, footer J-channel, and nailing fins are attached to the window frame. The window frame is lifted so frame header J-channel flange slides between the top edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the top of the cut opening. The window is lowered so footer J-channel flange slides between the bottom edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the bottom of the cut opening so that window frame rest on the window sill. Fasteners attach the window frame to the framing members through the metal building wall. Trim caps snap over the nailing fins to finish the trimmed window. |
| US08776460B2 |
Plastic window frame trim for corrugated building walls and installation method
A plastic window frame trim is for installation of a window in a corrugated metal building wall having a cut opening with a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges, each of the edges being backed by framing members, the window having an accessory groove. The window frame trim includes: a frame header J-channel with a flange; a frame footer J-channel with a flange; a pair of nailing fins; and fasteners. The trim header J-channel, footer J-channel, and nailing fins are attached to the window at the accessory groove on the window frame. The window frame is lifted so frame header J-channel flange slides between the top edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the top of the cut opening. The window is lowered so footer J-channel flange slides between the bottom edge of the metal building wall and a framing member at the bottom of the cut opening so that window frame rest on the window sill. Fasteners attach the window frame to the framing members through the metal building wall. Trim caps snap over the nailing fins to finish the trimmed window. |
| US08776456B1 |
Solar panel tile roof mounting device
Disclosed is a device for mounting solar panels and other equipment to tile roofs, or similar roof structures, that does not require removal of roofing tile for installation. A stanchion is inserted into a hole drilled into a roofing tile. Two or more wood securing fasteners are inserted into diagonal and crossing through-holes in the sides of the stanchion above the tile and exit on opposing sides of the stanchion, with respect to their insertion point, below the tile. The ends of the wood securing fasteners engage the surface of the roof sheeting beneath the tile at a distance outwardly away from the stanchion. With this arrangement, the tile roof equipment-mounting device engages the roof surface over a wider area than the diameter of the hole drilled into the roof tile without the need for removing the roof tile. |
| US08776455B2 |
Photovoltaic tile for a roof
A photovoltaic tile for a roof includes a plurality of tiles, at least two adjacent tiles of which at least partially overlap each other, including a body (12) having overlapping edges constituting a top edge (20) and a bottom edge (22), the top edge (20) being formed so as to cover the bottom edge (22) of at least one of the adjacent tiles, a photovoltaic layer (40), and electrical connectors (52) which are connected to the photovoltaic layer (40) through electrical conductors (54). The electrical connectors (52) are provided in assembly elements (57, 58) by nesting, the assembly elements being provided on the overlapping edges (20, 22) to enable the overlapping edges to be mutually positioned during the placement of two of the adjacent tiles (10) and the electrical contact of the electrical connectors (52) with each other. The invention also relates a method for manufacturing such tile. |
| US08776452B1 |
Universal quick corner for raised floor system
A floor panel assembly (used as replacement floor panel or in a new installation) includes universal quick-attach corners that mates with support stands and stringers of an existing raised floor system to provide leveling. The panel assembly includes a top plate (apertured or not) with corner structures including a post retainer and interconnected down flanges that support the top plate inboard of its perimeter. In one form, the universal quick corners each includes an arrow-shaped extension plate attached to the post retainer and extending toward the top plate's perimeter, and includes a body with multiple thickness pads selectable to support the extension plate at selected height. Thus, the quick corner holds an upper surface of the top plate level with an upper surface of adjacent existing floor panels of the existing raised floor system. In another aspect, only the body is used at each corner (without the extension plate). |
| US08776451B2 |
Extendible structure
An extendible structure which includes an elongated extendible member having elasticity, and a storage part that serves to store the extendible member by winding it up, wherein a tip end of the extendible member can be extended from the storage part in a one-dimensional manner, so that an extendible part thus extended becomes a hollow tubular structure. The extendible member is composed of three divided extendible members so that the extendible part of the hollow tubular structure is divided into three parts, and the individual divided extendible members are constructed such that their tip end portions are joined with one another, and at the same time, their base end portions are wound around individual storage parts, respectively, independently from each other. Surface fasteners are each provided on a side of each of the divided extendible members. |
| US08776446B1 |
Pharmacist workstation
A pharmacist workstation that has a desk that is accessible to customers at a customer position in front of the desk; pharmacist seating directly behind the desk, from which a pharmacist can directly interact with a customer in front of the desk; a pass-through window to a secure preparation area; and a private consulting area that has an entrance that is located to a side of the pharmacist seating. |
| US08776441B1 |
Window vent latch sheath and method
A sheath for a window vent latch having a housing defining a slot sized to allow a vent latch to fit therein, and a spring attached to the housing for engaging the inside of a conventional window jamb. A method of seating a window vent latch in a window frame including the steps of providing a vent latch in a vent latch sheath having a housing and a spring, a window with a window frame having a window jamb, placing the vent latch sheath in the window jamb while allowing the spring to engage the window jamb, and adjusting the vent latch housing along the window jamb. |
| US08776440B2 |
Sash limiter apparatus and method
A limiter system includes a base including a pin. A rocker is rotatably and translationally coupled with the pin. The rocker includes a first end including an abutment feature, a second end including a reset feature, and a slot including first and second slot ends and a slot track therebetween. The pin is translationally and rotatably received in the slot, and the pin is translational between the first and second slot ends. The rocker is configured for positioning between a first abutting position and a second resetting position. In the first abutting position, the abutment feature extends away from the base. In the second resetting position, the reset feature extends away from the base, and the abutment feature is nearer to the base than the reset feature. |
| US08776437B2 |
Casement window operator with folding handle
An operator for a casement window is disclosed which includes a hub that frictionally receives a spindle. The hub is pivotally connected to a proximal end of a pivoting handle. The hub is disposed within a cavity that extends through the proximal end of the handle and terminates at a back wall. The cavity partially accommodates a biasing element, an actuator and the hub. The biasing element is disposed between the actuator and the back wall and biases the actuator towards the hub. The hub includes at least one open position recess and open position protrusion and the actuator includes a complementary protrusion and a recess wherein the protrusion is received in the at least one open position recess of the hub and the recess of the actuator receives the at least one open position protrusion of the hub when the handle is pivoted to the open position. |
| US08776432B2 |
Integrated trellis machine
An integrated trellis machine for growing systems. The trellis machine comprises a framework which supports a shroud such that the shroud defines a growing area within the interior of the trellis machine. A nutrient delivery system supplies nutrients to vegetation as it grows within the growing area. A lighting system supplies light to the vegetation and includes a source of light which is housed within a casing. The casing is supported within the growing area and forms a conduit having ends which are open to the exterior of the growing area. A trellis is supported by the framework and located within the growing area between the nutrient delivery system and the source of light The trellis forms a barrier between the vegetation and the source of light and the trellis is shaped so as to redirect the growth of the vegetation as the vegetation grows. |
| US08776427B1 |
Fish attraction device
An apparatus for attracting fish is disclosed. The apparatus has a motor with rotating driveshaft that defines a rotational axis substantially parallel to a surface of a body of water. A housing encloses the motor, and the driveshaft extends therefrom. There is an impeller with a hub axially aligned with and coupled to the driveshaft. The impeller has one or more flat planar blades, each defined by a trailing edge and a leading edge and extending radially from the hub in an orthogonal relationship to the rotational axis of the driveshaft without pitch. A proximate end of the blades is fixed to the hub an opposed distal end includes a cupped paddle projecting therefrom with a paddle leading surface and a paddle trailing surface. Turbulence and cavitation is generated by the impeller, and the visual and audible side effects thereof are simulative of fish feeding activity. |
| US08776426B1 |
Magazine release assist tool
A magazine release assist tool is described comprising of a generally U-shaped clip having an integrated arm extension. The tool is used to assist in the release of a magazine from a firearm that is equipped with a magazine release blocking mechanism. The clip is removably secured to the lower receiver of a firearm and the arm extension is provided to form a resilient flat spring having a pivot at its proximate end and a push pin at its distal end. When attached to the firearm, a user can depress the flat spring such that the push pin will engage the magazine release button of the firearm allowing quick removal of the magazine. |
| US08776422B2 |
Communication and control of accessories mounted on the powered rail of a weapon
A firearm used in military applications may have a plurality of accessories that can be attached to the weapon, with each accessory having a need for electric power. In order to reduce the weight of these power-consuming accessories, as well as the proliferation of batteries used to power these power-consuming accessories, a Powered Rail provides a point of mechanical and electrical interconnection for the power-consuming accessories with a common power source. The Weapon Accessory Control System is provided to enable the user to control the activation of a power-consuming accessory as well as enable communications between the user and the power-consuming accessory and among power-consuming accessories. |
| US08776421B1 |
Shoulder stock adapter for a handgun
An adapter is described for use in attaching a shoulder stock to a handgun with a bottom opening handgrip recess. The adapter includes an upright member having upper and lower ends and a longitudinal slot to attach a stock. A lower arm extends forward from the upright member lower end, and a brace arm extends forward from the upright member upper end. A recess insert extends upwardly from the distal end of the lower arm. A latching member releasably secures the insert in the handgrip recess. Also described is a grip plate module to replace the grip plates on a handgun handgrip that does not include a recess. The module includes first and second replacement grip plates for attachment in place of the original grip plates, and a replacement grip plate connector extending between the replacement grip plates. The connector includes a bottom opening recess to receive an adapter insert. |
| US08776420B2 |
Firearm having a removable hand guard
A method of making a hand guard for a semi-automatic or automatic rifle is provided. The method including the steps of: forming a first portion of the hand guard from a first material; inserting the formed first portion into a mold; and molding a second portion of the hand guard about the first portion, the second portion being a second material, the second material being different from the first material, wherein a first section of the first portion is completely encased by the second portion and a second section of the first portion is not encased by the second portion. |
| US08776419B2 |
Double stack magazine
Double stack magazines have a tubular body defining an elongated passage and a lower and upper end, a floor plate element connected to the lower end, an elongated separator element within the passage, a follower defining an aperture receiving the separator element and movable within the elongated passage, a spring within the passage having a first end contacting the floor plate, and having an opposed second end contacting and biasing the follower toward the upper end of the body. The separator may be a rod spaced apart from the body surfaces. The spring may be spaced apart from the separator element. The spring may be a coil spring having multiple winds, each encompassing the separator element. The separator element may be medially located in the body. The separator element may be positioned to define first and second stack passages between the left and right side walls and the separator element. |
| US08776406B2 |
Reversible wing plow and method of rotation
A reversible wing plow including a hitch, a moldboard and a moldboard shifting mechanism. The hitch is coupleable to the rear of a prime mover. The moldboard is operably coupled to the hitch proximate an inboard end and rotatable about a first horizontal axis that extends outwardly from the hitch generally parallel to a direction of forward movement of the prime mover. The moldboard shifting mechanism includes first and second linear actuators, both of which are coupled to the hitch at one end and coupled to opposing sides of a rotation crank plate on the other end. The crank plate is further operably coupled to the moldboard, whereby the moldboard is rotatably shiftable to the driver or passenger side of the prime mover, or to a vertically oriented transport position. |
| US08776402B2 |
Ankle inversion and eversion prevention shoe
An ankle inversion and eversion prevention athletic shoe has an upper foot support portion and a shoe bottom. The ankle inversion and eversion athletic shoe device is designed for preventing an athlete from spraining or turning or rolling an ankle during normal athletic competition or play or activities. The shoe includes a brace. The brace is located either behind the ankle on a heel of the shoe or on a side of said shoe in the general vicinity of the ankle. The brace includes an elongated arm and a floor contact surface designed to limit or control sliding of the foot to enable wearer time to regain composure, footing and balance. The brace provides the wearer time to regain his or her balance onto the shoe bottom, thus significantly limiting or precluding the typical and usually unavoidable ankle injury. |
| US08776395B2 |
Washer/dryer
A washer or dryer including a body with a loading port covered by a door having a convex transparent face that extends from the loading port inwards towards the interior of the body; and a detachable convex carrier having a depth and diameter greater than the convex transparent face that is stored on the convex transparent face that extends from the loading port inwards towards the interior of the body. |
| US08776392B2 |
Resin drying method and apparatus
A low pressure dryer for granular or powdery material includes a plurality of canisters rotatable about a common vertical axis serially among material heating, vacuum drying and material inventory discharge positions; pneumatic piston-cylinder means for rotating the canisters about said axis among said heating, vacuum drying and inventory discharge positions; means for heating contents of a canister at said heating position; means for sealing and drawing vacuum within a canister at said vacuum drying position and means for selectably permitting downward flow of dried granular or powdery material out of a canister at said discharge position where said canisters move collectively and unitarily one with another. |
| US08776389B2 |
Tape-measure device having an L-shaped pivotable end piece having a slot for guiding a tool
A tape-measure device having elements for measuring and/or marking/cutting an object, includes a tape, a shell (3) with a reel, an opening (5) enabling the tape (2) to pass through the shell wall, an end piece (6) attached to the distal end of the tape, a stop button (7) for the reel for blocking the tape or for enabling the rolling/unrolling of the tape. The elements include a guide shoulder (8) formed on the shell, a guide opening (9) at the end piece for the removable insertion of the end of a marking/cutting tool, and a sliding surface (60) for the end piece for translatably engaging the surface of the object to mark/cut the object using one of the surfaces thereof when the guide shoulder is simultaneously slid along an edge of the object and the end piece of the tape against the surface of the object to be marked/cut. |
| US08776383B2 |
Clamp for reciprocating saw
A reciprocating saw can include a housing and a motor disposed in the housing. A blade retaining mechanism can receive a saw blade. A drive mechanism can translate rotational motion of the motor into reciprocating motion of the blade retaining mechanism. A clamp assembly can include first and second shoes that are coupled to the housing. The first shoe can have a first shoe body that includes a first material facing surface. The second shoe can include a second material facing surface that opposes the first material facing surface and that defines a clamping distance therebetween. At least one of the first and second shoes is selectively adjustable relative to the housing, such that the clamping distance can be altered. One of the first or second shoe bodies can have a third material facing surface that comprises an arcuate section defining a radius. |
| US08776381B2 |
Double-pivot folding knife
A folding knife having a handle, a blade pivotably coupled to the handle, and a liner includes a liner lock and a first pivot member that is a post, pin, rod, or other structure having a shape adapted to be slidably received in the second arcuate opening of the blade. The liner further includes a first arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle adapted for slidably receiving the second pivot member of the blade. A tang of the blade includes the second pivot member, and the second arcuate opening that has an enlarged end portion and an axis approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade. An extended tang portion, or flipper, extends downward from the tang. The handle also includes an opposing liner arranged alongside the liner in the handle with the blade positioned therebetween. |
| US08776379B2 |
Removable strip for packaging cutlery and related methods
An elongated apparatus for releasably retaining a plurality of utensils in a grouping includes an elongated base and at least one protrusion. The apparatus includes an elongated base having a longitudinal axis and at least one protrusion extending from the elongated base. The at least one protrusion is configured to be removably coupled to a handle end of a utensil such that coupling of the handle end occurs via movement of the handle end along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated base. Upon coupling of the handle end of the utensil to the at least one protrusion, the utensil is restricted from rotating about the longitudinal axis so long as the handle end of the utensil is coupled to the at least one protrusion. |
| US08776372B2 |
Cast magnesium alloy wheels
A method of imparting superior fatigue performance to a vehicle wheel cast from a magnesium alloy by selective application of friction stir processing to regions of the casting known to be subject to high in-service stresses is described. The method may be particularly applicable to open wheel designs in which a plurality of spokes is used to connect the hub and rim portions of the wheel. |
| US08776360B2 |
Workshop for preparing aircraft engines for shipping
A workshop for preparing aeroengines for shipping, the workshop including a station for fitting test and measurement mechanism on an engine, a mechanism for transporting the engine to test premises and for returning the engine to the workshop, a station for removing the test and measurement mechanism, a station for endoscopic inspection, a finishing station, and a shipping station. The engines are transported from one station to another by spreaders fastened on the engines and attached to hoists that are movable in translation along an overhead structure arranged in the workshop, each station being fitted with computer terminals for displaying and tracking the tasks to be performed on the engine in the corresponding station. |
| US08776355B2 |
Method and device for fixing a faucet to a mounting
The invention relates to a method and device for fixing a faucet to a mounting (1), such as a worktop or a sinktop. A fixing collar (2) is fastened to the top surface of a mounting by turning from above one or more set screws (3) extending from the fixing collar (2) over a distance below a bottom surface of the worktop. Turning of the screw is used for raising a clamping claw (4), which is in engagement with the threading of said set screw and which is steered by means of a guide (5) extending downward from the fixing collar and used for disallowing a rotation of the clamping claw (4) along with the set screw (3). The bottom end of a faucet body (10) or its extension is fastened around the fixing collar (2) by expanding the fixing collar (2) by an actuation means, such as a screw (8). |
| US08776352B2 |
Tissue prosthesis processing technology
A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen. |
| US08776351B2 |
Split-ring gland pipe coupling with corrugated armor
A pipe coupling for coupling adjacent ends of a pair of pipes includes a sleeve, a split-ring gland positioned around one of the ends of the sleeve, and at least one annular gasket positioned within the split-ring gland and configured to be compressed by the split-ring gland for sealing one pipe end to the sleeve. The split-ring gland includes two partially circular gland members with spaced ends defining a gap. The pipe coupling includes an armor positioned to span the gap between the spaced ends to provide a generally closed annular periphery about the gasket. The armor includes a corrugated portion having a plurality of corrugations engaging the split-ring gland and the gasket during compression of the gasket. The armor is cold formed to improve structural strength and durability. |
| US08776349B2 |
Method for assembling synchronizer and jig for assembling synchronizer
A method for assembling a synchronizer by using a jig, the synchronizer including a synchronizer hub, at least one of recesses formed radially at an external circumference of the synchronizer hub, a synchronizer key disposed in the recess, a synchronizer sleeve enclosing the exterior circumference of the synchronizer hub and axially movably engaged to the synchronizer hub, and a spring disposed between the synchronizer hub and the synchronizer key, may include locating the synchronizer key and the spring in the recess of the synchronizer hub, engaging the jig to the synchronizer hub by inserting a rear portion of the jig in the recess axially, engaging the synchronizer sleeve to the synchronizer hub, and removing the jig from the synchronizer hub. |
| US08776345B2 |
Tire mounting apparatus
A tire mounting apparatus is constructed from a first working mechanism and a second working mechanism that are separate from each other. The first working mechanism is provided with a tire holding device for holding a tire and with a temporary tightening device for temporarily tightening nuts onto hub bolts to which the tire is mounted. The second working mechanism is provided with a final tightening device means for finally tightening the temporarily tightened nuts. The final tightening device includes two nut runners and an interval adjuster for adjusting an interval between the two nut runners. |
| US08776344B2 |
Steam reformer tube assembly and method of assembling or retrofitting same
A steam reformer tube assembly includes a reformer tube including a wall defining an interior space for receiving fluid delivered into the reformer tube, a plug at least partially positioned in an opening in the interior space such that a gap is defined between the plug and the wall of the reformer tube, and a sealing member positioned in the gap to either limit or prevent the passage of fluid toward the opening in the interior space of the reformer tube and along the gap that is defined between the exterior surface of the plug and the interior wall of the reformer tube. A method of assembling a steam reformer tube assembly is also provided. |
| US08776341B2 |
Method of repairing diamond rock bit
Hardfacing is applied on gage surfaces of bit blades, the leading and trailing edges of bit blades, and on carbide inserts. The gage surfaces contains natural diamonds, synthetic diamonds, thermally stable polycrystalline (TSP) diamonds and carbide inserts, and the hardfacing is applied over at least a portion of them. As primary cutters on the bit blades are worn down during drilling, the gage surfaces of the bit blades are also worn down. A hardfacing is applied to the worn gage surfaces of the bit blades, thereby allowing the drill bit to drill deeper and longer without requiring replacement. |
| US08776331B2 |
Mechanical closure part
A mechanical closure part includes a support part and a plurality of closure elements extending away from the support part via stems and provided with head parts (2) on their free ends. The closure elements are subdivided on the support part into groups (4) which form a fictitious annular arrangement in the form of a multi-cornered element having corners equipped with a closure element. A group of closure elements (6) is formed within the respective groups (4) with their head parts (2), in the non-actuated state of the closure, adjoining each other in an adjacent manner. |
| US08776328B2 |
Rebar clip for joining different size bars
A rebar clip is provided for joining a larger diameter rebar to a smaller diameter rebar transverse to the larger diameter rebar. In a first embodiment the clip includes diameter reducing tabs extending into upper arches of the clip for engagement with smaller diameter bars crossed on top of larger diameter bars. In a second embodiment the clip includes diameter reducing tabs extending into lower arches of the clip so that the clip may hold larger diameter bars on top of smaller diameter bars. A guide track for a clip applying gun is provided which allows for use with either version of clips and with clips of the same nominal diameter for joining equal size bars. |
| US08776326B2 |
Panel connection snap assembly
A connection assembly incorporating a striker of elongated configuration including a base platform and an elongated pin segment projecting away from one side of the base platform. A housing holding the striker includes a plurality of internal snap arms normally extending in inwardly angled relation. The elongated pin segment extends along an axial passageway such that the distal ball head and at least a portion of the striker shaft project outwardly away from the housing with the internal snap arms behind the base platform. A striker catch engages the distal ball head upon insertion into the striker catch. |
| US08776324B2 |
Attaching structure for an attachable arrangement
An attaching structure for use in an attachable arrangement including at least one elongate strap and configured to be removably attached to at least a portion of a body of a user. The attaching structure includes: a frame having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured for attachment of at least one strap of the attachable arrangement; and an adjustment mechanism is operational engagement with the frame, wherein at least a portion of the adjustment mechanism is configured to contact at least one strap of the attachable arrangement and permit adjustable movement thereof; and wherein the second end of the frame is elongated and configured to permit the user to grasp the second end of the frame and move it relative to the body of the user. |
| US08776322B2 |
Tie wrap for bundling objects
A twist tie device having an elongated piece of shape-retaining deformable material. A cover covers the shape-retaining deformable material along the length of the elongated piece. The cover has a bond between the elongated piece and the cover. The bond between the cover and the elongated piece is along the entire interior surface of the cover. An outer cover may be bonded to the cover. The outer cover may have a gripping surface and a non-gripping surface. The gripping surface will provide more grip for the twist tie device when it is wrapped around itself and the gripping surface will provide more grip when it is wrapped around objects. A nongripping surface being generally smoother than the gripping surface is suitable for containing indicia. |
| US08776320B2 |
Handle assembly for a domestic appliance
A handle assembly for mounting to a door of an appliance includes a main body member having first and second end portions separated by an intermediate portion. Each of the first and second end portions includes a cavity adapted to receive an end insert formed of soft material. Each of the end inserts includes an attachment member. The handle is mounted to a front face of the door through interengagment of the attachment members and base members provided on the door without scratching the surface of the door. |
| US08776318B2 |
Slide-tilt mechanism
A slide/tilt mechanism is provided to include a base plate; a slide plate which is slid between a closed position and an open position with respect to the base plate; a guide plate which supports the slide plate to make the slide plate movable; a tilt mechanism which tilts the slide plate with respect to the base plate by inclining the guide plate with respect to the base plate; an elastic member which actuates the slide plate in a slide direction and a tilt direction; and a tilt restriction member which engages the tilt mechanism to restrict the inclination of the guide plate when the slide plate is slid from the closed position to the open position, and disengages the tilt mechanism to permit the inclination of the guide plate when the slide plate reaches the open position. |
| US08776315B2 |
Door damping mechanism
A damping device that includes an arm having a longitudinally extending slot and a cylinder cut-out defined therein, and a damping assembly secured in the cylinder cut-out. The damping assembly includes a cylinder housing with a chamber having a piston and fluid disposed therein. The piston includes a rod with a head on a distal end thereof that extends outside the cylinder housing and into the slot. The damping assembly includes a biasing member extending between the cylinder housing and the head. |
| US08776314B2 |
Roller
The invention relates to a roller (1), preferably comprising two wheels (2) and a locking device, an activating part (10) being able to act on the locking device for releasing or locking in a position that corresponds to a directional lock and/or in a position that corresponds to a total lock, and the activating part (10) being movable by a drive, a linear movement of a transmission part (7) that is generated by the drive being transmitted via spring force to the activating part (10) in order to move the activating part, and the activating part (10), in any case in a position corresponding to the total lock or in any case in a position corresponding to the direction lock, being in addition movable relative to the stationary transmission part, against a spring supported on the transmission part, into a release position by means of an actuating handle (11) that is movable independently of the drive and preferably by hand so as to override the total lock or the directional lock. In order to provide a roller that is formed in an advantageous manner with regard to an emergency release, it is proposed that a geometric axis of rotation (d) of the actuating handle (11) is disposed on the same side as the activating part (10) with respect to the axis of rotation (D) of the wheel (2), the activating part being disposed offset, in a vertical section, with respect to an axis of rotation (D) of the wheel (2). |
| US08776310B2 |
Cleaner-head for a vacuum cleaner
A cleaner head for a vacuum cleaner has a dirty-air inlet provided in a main suction chamber of the cleaner head, an outlet duct extending from the main suction chamber for connection to a suction source, and a rotating brush bar housed inside the main suction chamber for agitating a floor surface contacted through the dirty-air inlet. The brush bar is driven by an air-cooled motor housed inside a hollow section of the brush bar, the motor having an air intake and an air exhaust fluidly connected to one another to form an air cooling path through the inside of the motor. The air intake is connected to a clean air inlet on the cleaner head and the air exhaust is fluidly connected to the outlet duct by an exhaust duct which bypasses the main suction chamber. |
| US08776303B2 |
Articulating vacuum hose
A debris collection system is disclosed comprising a vehicle and an articulating vacuum hose. The articulating vacuum hose includes a vacuum hose assembly and an articulating arm. The articulating arm is configured to support the vacuum hose assembly which is comprised of a vacuum hose, support bands and support cables. The articulating arm includes a first arm extension and a second arm extension. The first arm extension is mounted to the vehicle and rotatable with respect to the vehicle about two perpendicular pivot axes. The second arm extension is pivotally connected to the first arm extension and is rotatable with respect to the first arm extension about a third pivot axis. The first and second arm extensions can be moved to a folded position wherein both extensions are parallel to each other and to an exterior surface of the vehicle. |
| US08776301B2 |
Lint and fuzz balls remover
A lint and fuzz ball removing device is disclosed comprising at least one blade attached to an easily grasped and maneuvered body allowing for the quick removal and or detangling of lint, hair and pill balls. The blade surface is entirely covered with particle removing hooks or finger-like projections, including a plurality of flat surfaces, and edges of the blade, allowing for the quick and easy removal of lint, hair, fuzz and pill balls of any shape and size, across broad surfaces or hard to reach areas of clothing and fabric. |
| US08776300B2 |
Cleaning cloth
A cleaning cloth constructed of an upper sheet and lower sheet that are joined together for form an interior cavity into which additional cleaning cloths, cleaning materials, abrasive materials, scented materials, etc. can be placed. The cleaning cloth includes strips that can be used to connect the cleaning cloth to a mop head or other surface. |
| US08776299B2 |
Toothbrush head
A toothbrush head that includes a main body portion and a generally cylindrical connection member extending downwardly and defining an axis. The connection member includes bottom, outer and inner surfaces and a central opening. The connection member also includes a first lower protrusion that includes first and second inclined surfaces extending inwardly from the inner surface, a first slot defined in the bottom surface and the inner surface, a first lower notch defined in the inner surface, and a first opening defined in the inner surface above the first lower protrusion. |
| US08776298B2 |
Cleaning section of an electric oral hygiene device
A cleaning section of an oral hygiene device is disclosed. The cleaning section includes a cleaning element carrier mounted for oscillatory rotation around a carrier rotation axis; a gear unit arranged for being coupled to a drive shaft of a handle of the oral hygiene device, which drive shaft defines a drive shaft rotation axis in an attached state, and the gear unit further having an actuation element for transferring motion from the drive shaft to the cleaning element carrier during operation. The carrier rotation axis is parallel to the drive shaft rotation axis and is disposed at a distance to the drive shaft rotation axis. |
| US08776297B2 |
Laundry treating apparatus and method
A laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub provided in the cabinet, a drum rotatably provided in the tub for receiving laundry, a gasket provided between the cabinet and the tub, a plurality of spray nozzles provided at a lower part of the gasket for spraying wash water upward into the drum, and a pump for pumping wash water to the spray nozzles. |
| US08776295B2 |
Multi-needle quilting tape guide apparatus and method
A multi-needle quilting machine (20) is provided with a tape or ribbon guide (30) that is operated by a method by which a narrow strip (32) is fed against a facing layer (11a) of a wide multi-layered material (24) as it is fed into the quilting machine. In the quilting machine (20), series of chain stitches are sewn, at least one of which joins the tape (32) and layers of the multi-layered material (24) together with the same thread in a quilting process, thereby applying the tape (32) to the quilted product in a single quilting operation without the need for a post-quilting tape application step. The tape may form a decorative strip or have unsewn sections that serve as handles for a mattress when the quilted product is formed into a mattress cover. |
| US08776287B1 |
Bottom bed sheet with cell phone pockets
A bottom bed sheet for a mattress is provided wherein the sheet has cell phone pockets formed therein. The bottom bed sheet may be positioned with respect to the mattress whereby a cell phone pocket is positioned at the upper right side of the sheet or positioned at the upper left side of the sheet. |
| US08776275B2 |
Protective shoulder pads with release mechanism
This invention concerns protective shoulder pads (2) having a release mechanism (7). The shoulder pads (2) protect an individual wearing the protective shoulder pads (2) against impact to the superior, anterior, posterior and/or lateral regions of the shoulder and upper arm. Release mechanism (7) allows the protective shoulder pads (2) to be more safely and easily removed from the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads (2) while the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads (2) is maintained in the supine position, thus decreasing the risk of further injuring the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads (2). |
| US08776266B1 |
Hunting garment and saftey harness system
A hunting garment system including a safety harness which restrains a hunter while perched on a tree stand, an outer member, and an inner member. Both the inner member and the outer member include detachable sleeves and a detachable hood allowing the hunter to select a particular weather-conforming configuration. The safety harness is designed to be safely anchored onto a tree and is worn alone, beneath the outer member, beneath the inner member, beneath an outer vest, beneath an inner vest, or in combination with an assembly of the outer member over the inner member. |
| US08776265B2 |
Infant swaddling system and method
A swaddling system and method for use when swaddling the upper and lower torso of an infant separately. The system is equipped with fasteners that allow the upper and lower torso portions to be secured separately, and to allow for the changing of diapers without unwrapping the upper torso. In addition, the system allows for the partial swaddling of an infant while in a car or stroller seat. |
| US08776263B1 |
Welding mask system
A face plate has a major chamber positionable in front of a face of a welder. A visor housing has a forward opening. A minor chamber is provided within the visor housing. A forward assembly is fixedly positioned within the minor chamber adjacent to the forward opening. The forward assembly has a glass ultraviolet filter centrally. The forward assembly has a heat resistant transparent plate outwardly. The forward assembly has a fixed polarized filter lens inwardly. A rearward assembly is fixedly positioned within the major chamber adjacent to the visor housing. The rearward assembly includes a rotatable polarized filter lens. A drive assembly is adapted to rotate the rotatable polarized filter lens with respect to the fixed polarized filter lens. |
| US08782811B2 |
Cleaning station for atomic force microscope
A cleaning station for thoroughly cleaning the AFM component surfaces that are exposed to fluid during imaging of a sample supported in a fluid medium is disclosed. The cleaning station is designed to selectively expose the AFM component surfaces to cleansing agents, such as soap/detergent and water, plasma cleaning, etc., and cleaning tools, such as brushes, while protecting fluid sensitive components from exposure to the cleansing agents. The preferred embodiments are particularly beneficial for scanners in which the fluid sensitive components (actuator, sensor, connector, etc.) are integrated in the same device to which the cantilever holder is attached. |
| US08782810B2 |
Scanning probe microscope having support stage incorporating a kinematic flexure arrangement
A scanning probe microscope (SPM) has a piezoelectric actuator-based tube scanner to which a probe is attached and which is moveable in three planes by the application of a voltage to the piezoelectric tube. A set of flexures flex with the displacement of the tube and strain gauges attached to the flexures measure the flex of the flexures to provide feedback as to the displacement of the tube during the scanning of an object. The strain gauges and flexures form a kinematic sensing frame or arrangement in which a single constraint is provided for each degree of freedom and in which the constraints are at least substantially orthogonal to one another. |
| US08782808B2 |
Methods and apparatus for secure document printing
A secure document printing system is provided. A policy server is used to define access rules for a document, and select individual users and/or groups that will have access to the document. The policy server stores the access rules along with a document decryption key. The policy server's name and address are packed in the document, and then encrypted and sent to a print server which stores it for later access. A recipient is notified that the document resides on a particular print server. The print server retrieves the specified document, contacts the policy server named in the document, and requests the document decryption key and access rules for the user, print server, and document from the policy server which replies with the related decryption key and access rules. The print server decrypts the document and prints the document based on the access rules. |
| US08782807B2 |
System and method for authenticating code executing on computer system
A code authentication architecture is used to sign code by adding one or more digital signatures to it. The digital signatures identify what authority signed the code, what the code contains, what type of program the code is, or other identifying information. When the signed code is later executed on a computer system, its identity is obtained by accessing encrypted information of the code stored on disk. The architecture then determines whether the identity satisfies at least one requirement imposed on the code for some purpose. If the code has been altered from when it was signed or it fails to satisfy a requirement imposed, the code will not have a valid identity. In addition to verifying the identity of the code, the architecture also validates executing code immediately responsible for managing the code and additional executing code in a chain of hosts responsible for managing one another. |
| US08782806B2 |
Content usage managing apparatus, content usage managing method and program
There is provided a content usage managing apparatus including a memory unit to store the first relation between a POP and one or more contents included in the POP and the second relation between the POPs linked via a content in a package which includes two or more POPs, a selection unit to select the first content out of contents included in the first POP of the package, a specifying unit to specify the first webpage including the first content, and an examination unit to examine whether the first POP and one or more contents included in the first POP satisfy the first relation and to examine whether the first POP and the second POP linked to the first POP via the second content satisfy the second relation on at least any one of the first webpage or one or more webpages linked to the first webpage. |
| US08782805B2 |
Method and system for detecting when an outgoing communication contains certain content
A method and system for detecting whether an outgoing communication contains confidential information or other target information is provided. The detection system is provided with a collection of documents that contain confidential information, referred to as “confidential documents.” When the detection system is provided with an outgoing communication, it compares the content of the outgoing communication to the content of the confidential documents. If the outgoing communication contains confidential information, then the detection system may prevent the outgoing communication from being sent outside the organization. The detection system detects confidential information based on the similarity between the content of an outgoing communication and the content of confidential documents that are known to contain confidential information. |
| US08782802B2 |
Method and system for providing a REL token
The embodiments relate to a method for providing at least one REL (Rights Expression Language) token, the REL-token or tokens being provided in a message by a MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) protocol. |
| US08782801B2 |
Securing stored content for trusted hosts and safe computing environments
Techniques for protecting content to ensure its use in a trusted environment are disclosed. A trusted security component provided for a device can verify the internal integrity of the stored content and the host before it allows the content to come in contact with the host. As a counter part, a trusted security component provided for the host can verify and attest to the integrity of the host and/or specific host computing environment that can be provided for the content stored in the device. The trusted security component provided for a device effectively verify the host integrity based on the information attested to by the trusted security component provided for the host. If the trusted security component trusts the host, it allows the trusted host to provide a trusted host computing environment trusted to be safe for the content stored in the device. |
| US08782794B2 |
Detecting secure or encrypted tunneling in a computer network
A computer assisted method for detecting encrypted tunneling or proxy avoidance is presented. The method may include electronically receiving information from a proxy server, extracting information regarding a CONNECT function of Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP) from the electronically received information, determining at least one destination to which the extracted information regarding the CONNECT function of HTTP corresponds and attempting to negotiate a standard HTTPS session with each of the at least one destination. Further, the computer assisted method may further include, for each of the at least one destination, determining whether the destination is hosting an encrypted tunneling or proxy avoidance application, wherein such a determining may be based on characteristics of an Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate associated with the destination or a response received from the destination over a TCP/IP connection. |
| US08782792B1 |
Systems and methods for detecting malware on mobile platforms
A computer-implemented method for detecting malware on mobile platforms may include (1) identifying an application on a mobile computing platform subject to a malware evaluation, (2) transmitting the application to a security server, (3) providing emulation information to the security server, the emulation information relating to emulating the mobile computing platform, (4) receiving a result of the malware evaluation as performed by the security server, the malware evaluation including the security server using the emulation information to execute the application within an emulation of the mobile computing platform, and (5) performing a security action based on the result of the malware evaluation. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08782785B2 |
System, method and computer program product for rendering data of an on-demand database service safe
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for rendering data of an on-demand database service safe. These mechanisms and methods for rendering on-demand database service data safe can enable embodiments to alleviate any security risk that would otherwise be posed by such data. The ability of embodiments to provide such additional safety may lead to improved security in the context of an on-demand database service. |
| US08782782B1 |
Computer system with risk-based assessment and protection against harmful user activity
A computer system is protected against harmful activity of a privileged user. A risk agent is deployed which is communicatively coupled to a risk engine, the risk engine being operative in response to queries to perform model-based risk assessments of activities and to provide responses conveying risk assessment results. The risk agent monitors computer system activity of the privileged user to detect initiation of a sensitive operation, and formulates and sends a query to the risk engine requesting risk assessment. The risk agent takes an appropriate control action based on a risk assessment result in a response to a query. The control action may be one of allowing the sensitive operation to proceed; preventing the sensitive operation from proceeding; issuing a notification that the sensitive computer operation is proceeding; and obtaining further confirmation as a condition to allowing the sensitive operation to proceed. By this method, security of the computer system is enhanced, especially against inadvertent or intentional harmful activity of a privileged user. |
| US08782781B2 |
System for reclassification of electronic messages in a spam filtering system
A method for indicating probability of spam for email comprises tracking network traffic characteristics for the email, and comparing the tracked characteristics for the email to characteristics for email from trusted or known spam sources. |
| US08782780B2 |
Hierarchical organization of data associated with events
Methods, data structures, systems and computer program products are provided for organizing security data. A triggering security event is hierarchically related to at least one additional security event based on a possible relationship between the triggering security event and the at least one additional security event in a computer database environment. |
| US08782777B2 |
Use of synthetic context-based objects to secure data stores
A processor-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product secures data stores. A non-contextual data object is associated with a context object to define a synthetic context-based object. The synthetic context-based object is associated with at least one specific data store in a data structure, where the specific data store contains data that is associated with data contained in the non-contextual data object and the context object. An ambiguous request is received from a user for data related to an ambiguous subject-matter. The context of the ambiguous request from the user is determined and associated with the synthetic context-based object that is associated with said a specific data store, where that specific data store contains data related to the context of a now contextual request from the user. The user is then provided access to the specific data store while blocking access to other data stores in the data structure. |
| US08782774B1 |
Secure session capability using public-key cryptography without access to the private key
A server establishes a secure session with a client device where a private key used in the handshake when establishing the secure session is stored in a different server. During the handshake procedure, the server receives a premaster secret that has been encrypted using a public key bound with a domain for which the client device is attempting to establish a secure session with. The server transmits the encrypted premaster secret to another server for decryption. The server receives the decrypted premaster secret and continues with the handshake procedure including generating a master secret from the decrypted premaster secret and generating one or more session keys that are used in the secure session for encrypting and decrypting communication between the client device and the server. |
| US08782772B2 |
Multi-session secure tunnel
A method of communicating data over a network is provided. A secure tunnel may be implemented through the network between two computers. Performance limitations of the secure tunnel with a single session can be alleviated by establishing multiple sessions for the tunnel. |
| US08782771B2 |
Real-time industrial firewall
Providing for employing a real time firewall to secure components of an automation control network from unauthorized communication to or from such components is disclosed herein. A monitoring component can inspect at least a portion of an instance of communication directed toward or originating from a component of the automation control network. Such inspection can, e.g., be a deep packet inspection based on information received from a communication request and/or response protocol. A filtering component can selectively admit or deny propagation of the instance of communication based on the inspection and a predetermined security criterion. In such a manner, the subject innovation can provide for limited access to network components from office network machines and for securing components of an automation control network from influence by unauthorized entities. |
| US08782770B1 |
Systems and methods for managing security during a divestiture
Methods and systems for managing security during a divestiture may involve, for example, differentiating divested assets and employees from non-divested assets and employees and identifying non-divested assets which divested employees are permitted to access. In addition, divested employee access to the non-divested assets which divested employees are not permitted to access is locked down, and a separation firewall is deployed between divested networks and non-divested networks. |
| US08782767B2 |
Upgradable security module
The aim of the present invention is to provide a security module capable of supporting the different functions of the latest and the previous generations, by avoiding any possible attack due to this adaptability. This aim is attained by a security module comprising first communication means to a host device, first storage means and first decryption means, characterized in that it includes a state module and second communication means and physical activation or deactivation means of said second means, such activation or deactivation being managed by the state module. |
| US08782762B2 |
Building data security in a networked computing environment
In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for providing a multi-tenant/customer partition group separator and securer in a shared cloud infrastructure (e.g., as an extension to DB2®, Label-Based Access Control (LBAC), and/or an independent tool). Among other things, embodiments of the present invention provide cloud administrators with an easy to use customizable, configurable security constraint builder/tool with a built-in multi-tenant/customer enabled security model. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention enable cloud administrators to set up, configure, and manage tenants/customers and their private shards with their own security constraints. The output of this tool greatly eases the time to create an invisible (e.g., software) wall of separation for multiple tenants/customers in a shared cloud infrastructure. |
| US08782761B1 |
Generating authentication challenges based on preferences of a user's contacts
Generating user authentication challenges based in part on preferences of one or more contacts of a user includes receiving an authentication request from a user. One or more contacts of the user associated with the authentication request are determined. One or more preferences of the close contact or contacts are determined. An authentication challenge based on the one or more preferences of one or more of the user's contacts is generated. The authentication request is allowed or denied based on the completion on the authentication challenge. |
| US08782759B2 |
Identification and access control of users in a disconnected mode environment
The present invention provides identification and access control for an end user mobile device in a disconnected mode environment, which refers generally to the situation where, in a mobile environment, a mobile device is disconnected from or otherwise unable to connect to a wireless network. The inventive method provides the mobile device with a “long term” token, which is obtained from an identity provider coupled to the network. The token may be valid for a given time period. During that time period, the mobile device can enter a disconnected mode but still obtain a mobile device-aided function (e.g., access to a resource) by presenting for authentication the long term token. Upon a given occurrence (e.g., loss of or theft of the mobile device) the long term token is canceled to restrict unauthorized further use of the mobile device in disconnected mode. |
| US08782755B2 |
Systems and methods for selecting an authentication virtual server from a plurality of virtual servers
The present invention provides a system and method for dynamically selecting an authentication virtual server from a plurality of authentication virtual servers. A traffic management virtual server may determine from a request received from a client to access content of a server that the client has not been authenticated. The traffic management virtual server can identify a policy for selecting an authentication virtual server to provide authentication of the client. Responsive to the identification, the traffic management virtual server can select, via the policy, an authentication virtual server of the plurality of authentication virtual servers to authenticate the client. Responsive to the request, the traffic management virtual server may transmit a response to the client The response includes an instruction to redirect to the selected authentication virtual server. |
| US08782748B2 |
Online service access controls using scale out directory features
Embodiments provide application and/or resource access control features of an online computing environment, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method provides access control features for an online application environment based in part on the use of a number of directory service instances isolated from direct customer access and deployed in a defined datacenter architecture. In one embodiment, a computing environment uses web-based access control features and a number of directory service instances having organizational units and corresponding mappings to maintain a support infrastructure as part of providing features of online application services to customers. Other embodiments are included and available. |
| US08782745B2 |
Detection of unauthorized wireless access points
A public wireless network has authorized wireless access points through which users connect to the network. A system for detecting the unauthorized access points comprises a monitoring client simulating a user and detecting available access points. The system further comprises an authentication server that maintains a configuration file with an identifier associated with each authorized access point. The system is adapted to compare the identity of any available access point(s) to those maintained by the authentication server to detect unauthorized access points. |
| US08782744B1 |
Managing API authorization
Multiple variants of an API can coexist through API management by using metadata in a pre-processing and post-processing system to weed out requests to which a client does not have permission and return parameters that do not belong with the API request variant. Metadata is added to request objects such that an instance of a request object may be examined to determine a request handler to properly inspect the request object and recommend further processing or rejection of the instance. Metadata may also be added to a response object created as a result of processing the request object such that a response handler may be identified to ensure the fields match the proper response to the request object. The API may be dynamically managed at the point of request and also at the point of return rather than a statically coded whitelist checked multiple times within the code itself. |
| US08782742B2 |
Communication apparatus, authentication apparatus, communication method and authentication method
A communication apparatus transmits an authentication frame to an authentication apparatus and receives a response frame for response to the authentication frame from the authentication apparatus so that an authentication process is performed for the communication apparatus by the authentication apparatus. In the communication apparatus, a transmitting section transmits an authentication frame to the authentication apparatus using a multicast address as a transmission destination address, and if a reception determining section determines that the response frame is not received from the authentication apparatus, a transmission destination address changing section changes the transmission destination address from the multicast address to a broadcast address, and the transmitting section transmits the authentication frame that has the transmission destination address changed to the broadcast address to the authentication apparatus. |
| US08782733B2 |
Method and system for updating an interaction document
User interactions with an interactive media program are defined by an interaction document, such as a SMIL document, that may be downloaded by a user before playing or viewing of the associated media program. In the case of live events that are recorded by the user for later viewing, the interactions that may have taken place during the original scheduled broadcast of the event may no longer be valid. In this case, a method and apparatus is provided to allow the user downloading an interaction document for a media program to receive updated versions of the interaction document that can be used when viewing a recording of the media program. In one exemplary embodiment, the media playback system sends a request for an interaction document to an interaction document server responsive to the recording of the interactive media program. The interaction document server may send the updated interaction document to the media playback system responsive to the request if one is available. |
| US08782732B2 |
Method for signalling time-slicing parameters in the service information
A terrestrial digital video broadcasting (DVB-T) network is used to transmit IP datagrams to receiving devices using multiprotocol encapsulation (MPE). MPE datagram sections and, if forward error correction (FEC) is used, MPE-FEC datagram sections are transmitted in time-sliced bursts. Time slicing parameters specifying a minimum time between bursts and bit rate output of a receiving device time slicing buffer can be used to help improve power saving and improve quality of service. |
| US08782729B2 |
Hybrid all digital fiber to CATV cable system and method
Producing advanced HFC CATV cable systems while easing the burden of backward compatibility. The system improves CATV data carrying capacity by moving RF QAM modulators from the cable head end to various individually or group addressed optical fiber nodes supplying neighborhood CATV cables, and sending data from the cable head IP backbone to the nodes over optical fiber as IP data packets. For high backward compatibility, the system digitizes legacy RF waveforms, or demodulates legacy QAM waveforms to QAM symbols, also transmits these over the optical fiber as IP data packets, and then reconstitutes back to original waveforms as needed. The system is thus able to easily handle legacy NTSC, FM, QPSK waveforms and do partial (QAM symbol level) compression of legacy QAM waveforms to and from multiple nodes without requiring additional optical fiber wavelengths. The system may use non-standard upstream/downstream CATV frequency splits, filter bank receivers, and FPGA/DSP/ASIC methods. |
| US08782721B1 |
Closed captions for live streams
Systems and methods of processing closed captions for live streams are disclosed. For example, a media server may receive closed captioning data associated with a live video stream, where the closed captioning data is represented in a first format. The media server may convert the closed captioning data from the first format to a platform-independent format and convert the closed captioning data from the platform-independent format to a second format. The media server may transmit the closed captioning data in the second format to a destination device. |
| US08782719B2 |
Infrastructure for interactive television applications
Methods and apparatuses for selectively displaying a video program are disclosed. A system for selectively displaying a video program in accordance with the present invention comprises a transmission station, including a server for attaching information to the video program, a plurality of satellites receiving at least an uplink signal which includes the information and the video program from the transmission station and producing a downlink signal based on the uplink signal, an antenna, the antenna receiving the downlink signal, and at least one receiver, coupled to the antenna, for receiving the downlink signal and interpreting the information in the downlink signal, wherein the at least one receiver selectively displays the video program based on at least the interpreted information. |
| US08782718B2 |
Mobile terminal, television receiver, and communication system including the mobile terminal and the television receiver
According to one embodiment, a communication system includes a transmitter and a switch. The transmitter transmits, to a television receiver, an address used to access a server on a network used by a mobile terminal. The switch automatically switches, after the address is transmitted, the display of the mobile terminal to an operation display that displays an operation element suitable for the operation state of the television receiver. |
| US08782714B2 |
Entertainment system with network of docking stations
An entertainment system comprising a media server networked with a plurality of docking stations is presented. The media server and docking stations can be networked together into a looped daisy-chained network to provide for content distribution to docked media players. The looped daisy-chained network retains connectivity or continuity when media players are undocked or when a connection is broken. In preferred embodiments, the entertainment system can be deployed within an aircraft as an in-flight entertainment system. |
| US08782713B2 |
Systems and methods for encoding multimedia content
An interactive video/multimedia application (IVM application) may specify one or more media assets for playback. The IVM application may define the rendering, composition, and interactivity of one or more the assets, such as video. Video multimedia application data (IVMA data may) be used to define the behavior of the IVM application. The IVMA data may be embodied as a standalone file in a text or binary, compressed format. Alternatively, the IVMA data may be embedded within other media content. A video asset used in the IVM application may include embedded, content-aware metadata that is tightly coupled to the asset. The IVM application may reference the content-aware metadata embedded within the asset to define the rendering and composition of application display elements and user-interactivity features. The interactive video/multimedia application (defined by the video and multimedia application data) may be presented to a viewer in a player application. |
| US08782711B2 |
Satellite television network and near real-time method for downloading and verifying a subscriber remote record request
Near real time downloading and verifying of a subscriber's remote record request is provided to control a DVR using the existing satellite network. The insertion of the programming request into the continuous broadcast stream enables near real time processing of the request by a subscriber IRD to accommodate same day and even last minute remote programming requests. The use of a back channel to verify the request provides the subscriber with assurance that the request has been processed successfully and flexibility to change services on the fly. |
| US08782708B2 |
Differentiated PSIP table update interval technology
An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT. |
| US08782705B2 |
Information descriptor and extended information descriptor data structures for digital television signals
According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories. |
| US08782704B2 |
Program guide interface systems and methods
Exemplary program guide interface systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a mobile device presenting a program guide interface by way of a touch screen, detecting a pinch gesture provided in relation to the program guide interface, and presenting, in response to the pinch gesture, a plurality of graphical objects representative of a plurality of media programming channel groups. Corresponding methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed. |
| US08782697B2 |
System and method for providing improved channel mapping
Improved channel mapping is provided wherein both virtual channel information associated with the currently-tuned channel, as well as physical channel information associated with this same channel is added to a television system's channel map. User inconvenience associated with errors in the virtual channel information may be mitigated since the television system's channel map will contain, not only the standard virtual channel information provided by broadcast stations in their broadcast signals, but also the corresponding physical channel information for the broadcast station in question. In other embodiments, multiple channel maps may be maintained and be user-selectable. |
| US08782696B2 |
Providing advertising
The present disclosure includes a system and methods for providing advertising. In some implementations, a method includes associating a plurality of ad spaces of at least two different types as a unit. The unit is offered to one or more advertisers for purchase. |
| US08782692B2 |
Method and apparatus for recommending media programs
A method, system, and computer program product provide the ability to recommend, to a first viewer, alternative programming during playback of a first media program. The first media program is played. A second media program of potential interest to the user is identified. During an advertising break, an interface is presented to the user that identifies the second media program. An indication of interest in the second media program is received from the user. If the indication indicates that the user is interested in the second media program, a reference to the second media program is saved as a viewer recommendation for later playback. If not interested, additional input may be received from the user indicating why the user is not interested. |
| US08782691B1 |
Time shifted targeted advertisements based upon user profiles
Methods and systems for time shifting advertising to provide enhanced advertisement targeting are presented. An exemplary method of time shifting advertising of a video service comprises generating a private profile based upon a private play history of a receiver and receiving one or more predetermined advertisements, each of the one or more advertisements including meta data. The profile can be generated by a profiler within a receiver unit. The predetermined advertisements are selected and stored based upon the meta data and the private profile. A program is received and a targeted advertisement is selected from the subset of the predetermined advertisements based upon the meta data and the private profile and played with the program. Management of the advertisements (e.g. selecting and storing predetermined advertisements and selecting targeted advertisements) can be facilitated by an advertisement controller within the receiver. |
| US08782687B2 |
Multi-platform digital television
A multi-platform television comprises at least one television signal interface to receive premium television services from at least two different television service providers. The television further comprises a programmable conditional access system to enable conditional access to the premium television services received by the at least one television signal interface from the at least two different service providers. |
| US08782685B1 |
Method for generating a favorite channel list and related device thereof
A method for generating a favorite channel list, where a device for generating the favorite channel list includes a receiver and a processor, is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal of a first channel of a television signal by the receiver; clearing channels stored in the favorite channel list by the processor before the receiver receives the television signal according to the television signal; and adding the first channel to the favorite channel list by the processor when the signal of the first channel is switched from a first program to an advertisement. |
| US08782684B2 |
Method and device for collecting audience information
Various embodiments provide a method for collecting audience information of a group of users in an audience measurement. The method may include each user dividing its private information into a private portion and a predetermined number of exchange portions; each user transmitting each of its exchange portions to a respective user of the predetermined number of users selected from the group of users; each user aggregating its private portion and exchange portions received from other users of the group of users, thereby producing randomized information; and aggregating the randomized information of the group of users, thereby producing aggregated private information for the group of users. |
| US08782682B2 |
Detecting periodic activity patterns
A method of detecting periodic activity patterns associated with the viewing of audio video content is described. The method includes: recording activity data in an activity log; suppressing the activity log one or more times to suppress non-relevant activity data thereby producing one or more sets of suppressed activity data; passing the one or more sets of suppressed activity data through a signal processing function to convert the one or more sets of suppressed activity data to one or more frequency responses; and analyzing the one or more frequency responses to detect the periodic activity patterns. Related apparatus and methods are also described. |
| US08782677B2 |
Disc device
A disc device which takes out a disc stored in a magazine and conveys the disc to any disc drive, in which the magazine comprises a tray which stores a plurality of discs, and a case which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and which stores the tray. The case has an opening at front face into which the tray can be inserted into or taken out therefrom. The tray has an outer shape being substantially rectangular in planar view. The tray is provided with cut portions formed at corner portions positioned on the back side of the case being cut off. The disc device further comprises a picker which holds the tray and draws out the tray from the case. The picker rotates the tray when the cut portion passes through the opening. |
| US08782676B2 |
System and method for communication between portal applications and portlet containers
This disclosure provides various embodiments for providing a communication layer between a portal application and a separate and independent portlet container. In one embodiment, a computer program product comprising computer readable instructions is operable when executed to expose an application programming interfaces (APIs) associated with methods permitting a portal application to invoke a portlet via the portlet container, where the portlet is run inside the portlet container. The computer program product exposes one or more service provider interfaces (SPIs) providing services implemented and used by the portlet container to obtain information about the portlet to be invoked. The computer program product further exposes an interface providing methods facilitating communications between the portal application and the portlet container during runtime of the portal application. The portal application running in combination with the portlet container implements the API, SPI, and interface during the portal application's runtime to allow for portal execution. |
| US08782672B2 |
Control apparatus, control method, and recording medium
A control apparatus, a control method and a computer program are provided that are capable of shortening the developmental process and reducing the developmental load by enabling control that flexibly handles various required specifications and improving the reusability of programs. Functions implemented in an application layer and a platform layer are implemented by constructing a function framework which is an aggregate of components that implement detailed functions related with attributes such as a function or a role. The attribute information may be provided in a plurality of pieces, and when a function framework is constructed, a function framework conforming to various specifications can be constructed according to the selection of the attribute information. |
| US08782668B1 |
Event processing using existing computer event capture modules
Embodiments disclosed herein provide systems and methods for processing events using existing computer event capture modules. In a particular embodiment, a method provides a primary event module communicating with an operating system to detect application events generated by user input and processing the application events to determine if a primary event has occurred. The method further provides a secondary event module communicating with the primary event module to obtain an indication of the application events detected by the primary event module and processing the application events to determine if a secondary event has occurred. |
| US08782666B2 |
Methods and platforms for highly available execution of component software
A method for executing component-based software includes creating a first relation between a first identifier identifying a first software component and an interface for a first container created for the first component, starting a second component defined as a substitution component for the first component when a replacement condition is met, creating a second relation between a second identifier identifying the second component and an interface for a second container created for the second component when starting the second component, changing the first identifier to the second identifier in the first relation and the second identifier to the first identifier in the second relation when starting the second component, using the first component to process requests to the first component received prior to completion of starting the second component, and using the second component to execute requests to the first component newly received after completion of starting the second component. |
| US08782660B2 |
Computing system and job allocation method
A computing system includes a plurality of computing apparatuses, a job allocation information storage unit, a position information storage unit, and a job allocation unit. The job allocation information storage stores job allocation information indicating job allocation status of each of the plurality of computing apparatuses. The job allocation status is one of in an active state and in an inactive state. The position information storage unit stores position information indicating relative positions of the plurality of computing apparatuses. The job allocation unit refers to the job allocation information and the position information, selects a candidate inactive computing apparatus on the basis of a distance between each pair of an inactive computing apparatus and an active computing apparatus, and allocates a job to the candidate inactive computing apparatus. |
| US08782649B2 |
Real-time scheduling of task sets and determination of task sets based on verified weight, cache hit radio of the tasks and available processing cores
A central processing unit (CPU) and a real-time scheduling method applicable in the CPU are disclosed. The CPU may determine a first task set and a second task set from among assigned tasks, schedule the determined first task set in a single core to enable the task to be processed, and schedule the determined second task set in a multi-core to enable the task to be processed. |
| US08782648B2 |
Information processing system and related method thereof
An information processing system includes a first electronic device, a second electronic device and a processing module. The first electronic device processes a first task. The second electronic device processes a second task. The processing module, controls, without utilizing an operating system, the second electronic device to process the second task for a first specific time period during which the first electronic device does not process the first task which was being processed before the first specific time period. |
| US08782645B2 |
Automatic load balancing for heterogeneous cores
A system and method for efficient automatic scheduling of the execution of work units between multiple heterogeneous processor cores. A processing node includes a first processor core with a general-purpose micro-architecture and a second processor core with a single instruction multiple data micro-architecture. A computer program comprises one or more compute kernels, or function calls. A compiler computes pre-runtime information of the given function call. A runtime scheduler produces one or more work units by matching each of the one or more kernels with an associated record of data. The scheduler assigns work units either to the first or to the second processor core based at least in part on the computed pre-runtime information. In addition, the scheduler is able to change an original assignment for a waiting work unit based on dynamic runtime behavior of other work units corresponding to a same kernel as the waiting work unit. |
| US08782641B2 |
Tuning of work to meet performance goal
Techniques are provided for tuning work. In response to identifying a trigger for a work, automatic tuning is invoked. The trigger indicates that a performance goal for the work has been missed. The work is analyzed. A tuning operation is selected for the work based on a tuning history. The selected tuning operation is implemented for the work. |
| US08782640B2 |
Virtual image overloading for solution deployment
At least one master overloaded virtual image is deployed, by a virtual image configuration device, to a hypervisor cloud that includes a group of servers, each of the group of servers configured based upon a hypervisor platform to support at least one virtual machine. A service solution is instantiated as a group of virtual machines associated with at least one of the group of servers, based upon at least one master overloaded virtual image, where the service solution includes a platform agnostic pattern independent of the hypervisor platform. Startup is initiated for each of the instantiated group of virtual machines. |
| US08782635B2 |
Reconfiguration of computer system to allow application installation
A method and apparatus for installing an application on a computer are disclosed. Following receipt of a request to install an application, a software state, comprising the new application and several of the applications installed on the computer, is derived. Then, the method determines whether the software state can be implemented on the computer. If the software state cannot be implemented on the computer, then the method derives another software state. This is repeated until the derived software state can be implemented on the computer system, or until determining that no software state exists which can be implemented on the computer system. |
| US08782629B2 |
Associating program execution sequences with performance counter events
Software performance may be improved by collecting and correlating performance counter events and program execution state information. On each successive callback of performance counter data, a statistical exponential moving average association matrix may be updated until particular performance counter events and program execution states may be correlated. |
| US08782628B2 |
Partitioning operator flow graphs
Techniques for partitioning an operator flow graph are provided. The techniques include receiving source code for a stream processing application, wherein the source code comprises an operator flow graph, wherein the operator flow graph comprises a plurality of operators, receiving profiling data associated with the plurality of operators and one or more processing requirements of the operators, defining a candidate partition as a coalescing of one or more of the operators into one or more sets of processing elements (PEs), using the profiling data to create one or more candidate partitions of the processing elements, using the one or more candidate partitions to choose a desired partitioning of the operator flow graph, and compiling the source code into an executable code based on the desired partitioning. |
| US08782626B2 |
Search suggestions for static code analysis
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for heuristically generated suggestions in static code analysis. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for heuristically suggesting an asset transition in a code analysis tool can include receiving from an end user a request to select an asset of a computer program subject to static code analysis by a code analysis tool and selecting in response and contemporaneously to the request, an asset from amongst many assets during static code analysis of a computer program in a code analysis tool. The method further can include determining a set of assets amongst the many assets historically selected by other users of the code analysis tool during static code analysis subsequent to a selection of the contemporaneously selected asset. Finally, the method can include displaying to the end user a suggestion of a next asset for selection that had been frequently selected by the other users of the code analysis tool during static code analysis of the assets of the computer program subsequent to a selection of the contemporaneously selected asset. |
| US08782623B2 |
Profiler for executing computer program
A technique for comprehensively acquiring calling-context information at a low cost. Call site IDs are held for each thread as a call history and used as context information. At the time of calling a method, the call history existing in a current frame is shifted left, and stacked in a new frame, with the call site ID of the call site put in the lower bits. At the time of returning from the method, the value of the original call history is returned by returning the frame. At the time of performing a virtual call, call history information is recorded into a call position profile table used to identify a method to be inlined at the time of performing JIT compiling, in addition to determined jump destination information and the number of calls. |
| US08782621B2 |
Dynamic arrays and overlays with bounds policies
Systems and methods are provided for writing code to access data arrays. One aspect provides a method of accessing a memory array. Data is provided within a one-dimensional array of allocated memory. A dimensional dynamic overlay is declared from within a block of statements, and the declaration initializes various attributes within an array attribute storage object. The data is accessed from within the block of statements as a dimensional indexed array using the array attribute storage object. Another aspect provides a method of creating and accessing a dimensional dynamic array. A dimensional dynamic array is declared from within a block of statements, and memory storage for the array is dynamically allocated. A dynamic overlay storage object is also provided and its attributes are initialized from the dynamic array declaration. The data is accessed as a dimensional indexed array from within the block of statements using the array attribute storage object. |
| US08782620B2 |
Processing reified generics in object-based programming environments
A system processes a reified generic. The system includes a memory device to store programming code in a first language, the programming code including a definition and an invocation of an interface method. The system also includes a processor to translate the programming code from the first language to a second language, generate a definition of a general dispatch method, generate definitions of special dispatch methods, each of the special dispatch methods corresponding to each primitive return type of the interface method, and generate an invocation of either the general dispatch method or one of the special dispatch methods based on a return type of the interface method. |
| US08782617B2 |
Apparatus and method for translating open vector graphic application program interface
Provided are an apparatus and method for OpenVG API translation, a mobile terminal comprising the translation apparatus, and a record medium storing the translation program. The apparatus comprises a data parsing unit, an OpenVG API script creating unit, and a raster image data output unit. The data parsing unit parses SVG format data depending on a data attribute. The OpenVG API script creating unit extracts an OpenVG API format syntax and creates an OpenVG API script. The raster image data output unit creates and outputs raster image data associated with the created OpenVG API script. |
| US08782615B2 |
System, method, and computer program product for simulating at least one of a virtual environment and a debugging environment to prevent unwanted code from executing
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for simulating at least one of a virtual environment and a debugging environment to prevent unwanted code from executing. In use, at least one of a virtual environment and a debugging environment is simulated. Additionally, unwanted code is prevented from executing as a result of the simulation. |
| US08782612B2 |
Failsafe mechanism for dynamic instrumentation of software using callbacks
A failsafe mechanism for installing and removing temporary instrumentation during a runtime of an application. Initially, an application is configured with a baseline set of instrumented components such as methods. Additional instrumentation is then deployed in the application, such as to diagnose a performance problem. The failsafe mechanism ensures that the additional instrumentation is automatically removed, even when there is an interruption in a communication link to the application, a computing device failure, a software failure, or some other type of failure, which renders it impossible to manually roll back the instrumentation from a remote user interface. The failsafe mechanism can be provided using callbacks between the computing devices which detect when a connection is unexpectedly lost or closed. Termination of one callback can cascade to one or more other callbacks. The instrumentation rollback can involve reloading un-instrumented byte code of the application. |
| US08782608B2 |
System and method of identifying and tracking software pattern metrics
This disclosure relates to software patterns, and more particularly, to the tracking of software pattern metrics. A system or method may query a software environment to determine the type of use of, and identify, at least one software pattern. The system or method may also collect at least one software pattern metric, and determine the impact of the at least one software pattern within an environment. The system or method may also store software pattern information and recall software pattern information. |
| US08782607B2 |
Contract failure behavior with escalation policy
An error handling system is described herein that provides a facility for controlling the behavior of software when the software violates a contract condition. The system provides configurable runtime behavior that takes place when a contract fails. The error handling system provides an event that a hosting application or other software code can register to handle and that the system invokes upon detecting a contract failure. The application's response to the event determines how the system handles the failure. If the event is unhandled, the system triggers an escalation policy that allows an administrator or application to specify how the system handles contract failures. Thus, the error handling system provides increased control over the handling of contract failures within software code. |
| US08782605B2 |
Methods and systems for presenting different versions of an application
Methods and systems for presenting different versions of an application are described. In one example, a selection of a version of application code is received. Such a selection may include a simultaneous selection of all versions. Information about the selected version is retrieved. A description of features contained within the selected version is presented and then a version summary for each listed feature is displayed, together with the description of features, to indicate the versions of the application code that contain the respective feature. |
| US08782603B2 |
Standardized configuration checklists for software development
Implementations of the present disclosure include methods for generating a configuration checklist template. In some implementations, methods include retrieving one or more source code files, each of the one or more source code files corresponding to a software product, scanning the one or more source code files to generate one or more configuration check building blocks, receiving first user input, processing the one or more configuration check building blocks and the first user input to generate one or more check definitions, receiving second user input, processing the one or more check definitions and the second user input to generate the configuration checklist template, electronically storing the configuration checklist template, and transmitting the configuration checklist template to one or more computing devices associated with a customer entity over a network. |
| US08782600B2 |
System and method for executing temporary processing agents
A method and system for managing temporary processing agents. Second executable code is selectively loaded into an empty routine which converts the empty routine to a populated routine in a first space. A super agent includes first agent code that includes first executable code, third agent code that includes third executable code and is located contiguous to the first agent code within a contiguous space within the super agent, and the empty routine consisting of non-executable code in the first space within the super agent external to the contiguous space. |
| US08782599B2 |
Multi-mode editor for configuring process control blocks including both logical functions and arithmetic computations
A multi-editing mode LOGIC BLOCK object editor is disclosed for creating and modifying LOGIC BLOCK objects that are incorporated into control strategies for process control systems (both distributed and discrete). The editor includes an RPN text editing mode wherein logic incorporated into a LOGIC BLOCK is represented by a list of text instructions. The editor also includes a graphical function block diagram editing mode wherein LOGIC BLOCK logic is defined via instruction shapes dragged/dropped from a pallet and connected via GUI line connection actions by a user. The editor supports automated transitioning between the text and graphics modes wherein conversion of text-to-graphics and graphics-to-text is performed without user intervention. Furthermore, synchronization procedures are performed when LOGIC BLOCK objects are opened in the editor and when transitioning between editing modes to track and/or maintain synchronous status between graphical and text representations of LOGIC BLOCK logic. |
| US08782594B2 |
Method for structuring a function plan into function plan sections
A method is disclosed for structuring a function plan into function plan sections. The function plan includes function modules. Individual function modules are connected to at least one other function module of at least one function module connection. If the function plan exceeds the predefined area of the function plan section, a first determination of the arising function module external connections in an assignment of the individual function modules to the individual function plan sections occurs for each function plan variant, and the individual function modules are assigned to the function plan sections according to the function plan variant having the least possible number of function module external connections. |
| US08782589B1 |
Soft pin insertion during physical design
A netlist for an integrated circuit design is constrained by virtual or “soft” pins to control or stabilize the placement of logic such as an architectural logic path. One soft pin is inserted at a fixed location proximate an input net of the path and is interconnected with the input net, and another is inserted at a fixed location proximate the output net and is interconnected with the output net. Cell placement is then optimized while maintaining the virtual pins at their fixed locations. More than two virtual pins may be inserted to bound a cluster of logic. The virtual pins may lie along the input/output nets. Pseudo-net weights are assigned to pseudo-nets formed between a cell and the virtual pins, and the pseudo-net weight can be increased for each placement iteration. |
| US08782588B2 |
Multiple level spine routing
A computer implemented method for routing a net includes generating, using one or more computer systems, a first wire associated with the net in accordance with data associated with the net including a multitude of pins and partitioning, using the one or more computer systems, the multitude of pins into at least a first group of pins in accordance with a first cost function. The method further includes connecting, using the one or more computer systems, a second wire associated with the first group of pins to the first wire, and connecting, using the one or more computer systems, a third wire from a pin of the first group of pins to the second wire. |
| US08782587B2 |
Systems and methods for generating a higher level description of a circuit design based on connectivity strengths
Provided are systems and methods for generating a higher level description of a circuit design comprising a plurality of interface instances. One or more buckets for each source instance with respect to each destination instance included in the circuit design are generated, and then the one or more buckets are sorted based on a number of bucket entries in each bucket. One or more interface instances are generated based on the sorted buckets. The higher level description of the circuit design is generated based on the one or more interface instances. |
| US08782586B2 |
Method, system, and program product for routing an integrated circuit to be manufactured by doubled patterning
Disclosed are a method, apparatus, and program product for routing an electronic design using double patterning that is correct by construction. The layout that has been routed will by construction be designed to allow successful manufacturing with double patterning, since the router will not allow a routing configuration in the layout that cannot be successfully manufactured with double patterning. |
| US08782578B2 |
Generating interface adjustment signals in a device-to-device interconnection system
Described are a system and method to control interface timing and/or voltage operations of signals transmitted between devices. A processor may be coupled through one or more bus interfaces of a bus to one or more corresponding interface timing and/or voltage comparison circuits and corresponding interface timing and/or voltage adjustment circuits. |
| US08782577B2 |
Method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for providing in situ, customizable information in designing electronic circuits with electrical awareness
Disclosed are a method, system, and computer program product for providing customizable information in designing electronic circuits with electrical awareness. The method or the system displays a portion of a physical design of an electronic circuit in a first display area. The method or the system receives or identifies a user's or a system's manipulation of the portion of the physical design of the electronic circuit. The method or the system then determines and displays an in situ response to the manipulation in the first display area. The method or the system may further display, in the first display area or in another display area, result(s) relating to the physical data of a component, electrical parasitic(s) associated with the physical data, electrical characteristic(s) associated with the physical data or the electrical characteristic(s), or other element(s) of the physical design that is impacted by the manipulation. |
| US08782574B2 |
System for simplifying layout processing
A system and method for integrated circuit design are disclosed to enhance manufacturability of circuit layouts by applying layout processing to handle imperfections such as jogs in integrated circuit design layouts. The layout processing may be applied to jogs in the original integrated circuit design layout or jogs created post-design by process biases, as well as design rule check and Boolean processes or process compensation. |
| US08782570B1 |
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for implementing a physical electronic circuit design with multiple-patterning techniques
Various embodiments identify some constraints for multiple mask designs of multi-patterning lithography processes for manufacturing an electronic design and colors multiple routing tracks in a layer of the electronic design with certain colors. These embodiments color fixed object(s) in the design with one or more of these certain colors based on coloring of the multiple routing tracks. Some embodiments further color movable object(s) based on results of coloring the fixed object(s) or coloring routing track(s). Some embodiments route the physical design with coloring of fixed object(s), coloring of movable object(s), or routing connectivity. Multiple-patterning conflicts may be detected based on the coloring of fixed object(s), coloring of movable object(s), or routing connectivity. Some embodiments route with search-and-repair strategy(ies) to improve or resolve conflict(s). Some embodiments color objects upon their creation, and the layout is thus multiple-patterning design rule clean as constructed. |
| US08782567B2 |
Gesture recognizer system architecture
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for a gesture recognizer system architecture. A recognizer engine is provided, which receives user motion data and provides that data to a plurality of filters. A filter corresponds to a gesture, that may then be tuned by an application receiving information from the gesture recognizer so that the specific parameters of the gesture—such as an arm acceleration for a throwing gesture—may be set on a per-application level, or multiple times within a single application. Each filter may output to an application using it a confidence level that the corresponding gesture occurred, as well as further details about the user motion data. |
| US08782566B2 |
Using gestures to schedule and manage meetings
Techniques and configurations for an apparatus are provided for creating and managing meetings using gestures. Movements of a user's hand in a three-dimensional space are detected. The hand movements in the three-dimensional space are interpreted to identify a gesture intended by the user to set up or manage a meeting among a plurality of persons. An electronic command is generated from the detected gesture to set up or manage the meeting. |
| US08782557B2 |
Ordered multiple selection user interface
Techniques and mechanisms providing a visual indication of ordinal ranks of objects in an ordered list. When an object is selected for the ordered list, an ordinal rank for the object within the ordered list is determined and a visual indication of the ordinal rank is rendered to a user interface. |
| US08782554B2 |
Context menu dependency on many objects of different type
A computer implemented method is represented for providing to a user a context menu with entries representing relationships. The relationships are applicable to relate objects selected from a set of objects. The method comprises following method operations: receiving a first identification of a first selected object from the set of objects, receiving a second identification of a second selected object from the set of objects, identifying object types of the selected objects in a plurality of object types, determining one or more relationship types of which one or more relationships are applicable to the selected objects by using the identified object types, and generating for the context menu an entry representing a relationship of the one or more relationship types, wherein the relationship is selectable by the user to be created between the selected objects. |
| US08782552B2 |
Active overlay system and method for accessing and manipulating imaging displays
The present invention is directed in general to imaging technologies and more particularly to medical imaging and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) having an image display wherein system features and functions are provided to a user via active overlays located over displayed images. A system and method are provided to imbed an ability to interact with an image by activating traditional annotations that are displayed in conjunction with an image in a PACS. Users are able to access program functionalities in an improved, quicker, accurate and more intuitive means. More specifically, the present invention relates to providing the capability to customize multiple context menus, and flatten the command hierarchy of an imaging system. The present invention also provides the ability to “overload” current text and graphic annotations that are already displayed within an image of interest. |
| US08782551B1 |
Adjusting margins in book page images
A user interface (e.g., a browser window) includes a display area for displaying an image (e.g., a book page image). The image can be rescaled based on the dimensions of the display area and other factors. In some implementations, margins in book page images are adjusted to create additional or less display area. |
| US08782549B2 |
Incremental feature-based gesture-keyboard decoding
In one example, a method includes outputting, at a presence-sensitive display operatively coupled to a computing device, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receiving an indication of a gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include determining, in response to the indication, a candidate word based at least in part on the group of keys. The method may further include determining a group of alignment points traversed by the gesture and respective cost values for each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include comparing the respective cost values for at least each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys to determine a combination of keys having a combined cost value and outputting the candidate word that is based on the respective cost values. |
| US08782547B2 |
Configurable building control system display
A system and method for displaying information on a display of a building control system. In one illustrative embodiment, a display controller is provided that includes a configuration mechanism for configuring the information that is to be displayed on the display. The configuration mechanism may include one or more user definable object description reference strings that include tokens that identify which device and/or object information to display on the display. |
| US08782546B2 |
System, method and graphical user interface for controlling a game
A method in an electronic device includes renders a graphical user interface on the display screen being implemented on a gaming system, presenting one or more selectable graphical objects on the graphical user interface; detecting a selection of one or more of the selectable graphical objects; detecting a selection of an option associated with the selected graphical object; detecting a substantially continuous selection of areas along a path on the graphical user interface, detecting a swipe motion over the graphical user interface; and executing an action corresponding to the selected option in one or more areas along the path on the graphical user interface. The gaming system comprises a farming game, the selectable graphical objects of the graphical user interface comprise different spatial regions of a farming environment in which crops are grown, and the options associated with the selected graphical object comprise farming tools. |
| US08782544B2 |
Display control apparatus, display control method, and storage medium
A display control apparatus specifies a position on a display screen that is specified by the user according to an instruction from the user, and displays information on the display screen that is set by the specified first position and second position and indicates data to be displayed from among a plurality of items of data on the display screen. When the user further specifies a third position, the display control apparatus determines whether an instruction from the user for specifying the third position is a specified instruction that differs from an instruction for specifying the second position. When it is determined that the instruction is the specified instruction, the display control apparatus displays data, from among the plurality of items of data, that corresponds to the information displayed on the display screen. |
| US08782542B2 |
Display and management of a service composition candidate inventory
An apparatus, system, and method to facilitate the display and management of composition candidates in a service-oriented architecture (SOA). In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a user request to view one or more composition candidates from a composition candidate inventory in a SOA service model, and displaying the composition candidate inventory to the user in a user interface. |
| US08782538B1 |
Displaying a suggested query completion within a web browser window
Systems and methods for displaying a suggested query completion in a web browser window while providing for display a first webpage within a webpage display region of the web browser window are provided. A method includes, receiving an initiation of a query within an input box in a control region of the web browser window. The method also includes providing for display a dropdown region within the web browser window in response to the initiation of the query. The dropdown region includes suggested completions to the initiation of the query. At least one of the suggested completions is associated with a second webpage. The method also includes providing for display a webpage preview of the second webpage within the dropdown region. |
| US08782522B2 |
Video display device and menu screen display method
According to one embodiment, a video display device includes a menu screen display module. The menu screen display module displays a menu screen. The menu screen includes at least two hierarchical levels. A higher hierarchical level includes a first group formed by arranging select elements representing classifications of various functions related to video image displaying. A lower hierarchical level includes a second group formed by arranging select elements representing the functions. Upon receipt of a signal from a direct key to which one of the classifications represented by the select elements of the higher hierarchical level is assigned, the menu screen display module displays the menu screen in a state in which one of the select elements is selected. Here, the one of the select elements represents the one of the classifications to which the direct key is assigned, and the operation device includes the direct key. |
| US08782519B1 |
Systems and methods for archiving and displaying lengthy documents based on content priority levels
A computer-implemented method for archiving and displaying lengthy documents based on content priority levels may include (1) identifying a document that is to be archived, (2) identifying at least one section of content within the document, (3) identifying a priority level associated with the section of content within the document that prioritizes access to the section of content relative to at least one other section of content within the document, (4) archiving the document based at least in part on the priority level associated with the section of content, and (5) providing prioritized access to content within the archived document in accordance with the priority level associated with the section of content in order to allow a user to access a portion of the archived document without having to access the entire archived document. Various additional methods, systems, and encoded computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08782517B2 |
Document management system and document management method which enables a document operation using a short cut template
A client device network-connected to a document management server managing a document stored in a storage and keeping at least one document managing rule, firstly edits a template which includes information for an operation performed to a document, information for a name of a menu to be registered in the device, and an identifier of a document managing rule. Then, a document managing rule specified by the identifier which is included in the edited template is obtained from the server. Then, a determination is made as to whether or not an operation which is included in the edited template is pursuant to the obtained document managing rule. Finally, a name of a menu instructing to perform the operation in the client device is registered, if it is determined that the operation included in the edited template is pursuant to the obtained document managing rule, and is not registered otherwise. |
| US08782514B1 |
Parallel XML parsing using meta-DFAs
XML parsing (PXP) can be improved using multicore CPUs, enhancing its suitability for scientific data. One approach is to divide the XML document into equal-sized chunks, and parse each chunk in parallel. XML parsing is inherently potentially dependent on all preceding characters. The skeleton, an outline of the document generated during a fast preparse, is used to guide full parallel parsing. The preparse is a sequential phase that limits scalability, and this phase can also be parallelized using a meta-DFA mechanism. For each state q of the original preparser the meta-DFA incorporates a complete copy of the preparser state machine as a sub-DFA which starts in state q running multiple instances of the preparser simultaneously when parsing a chunk, with each possible preparser state at the beginning of a chunk represented by an instance. By pursuing all possibilities simultaneously, the meta-DFA allows each chunk to be preparsed independently in parallel. |
| US08782511B2 |
Spreadsheet control program, spreadsheet control apparatus and spreadsheet control method
Lines drawn on a touch screen with an inputting window opened are recognized as ruled lines which are parallel with a row or column of a spreadsheet, and a square formed by the ruled lines is set to a cell in the spreadsheet when the square is formed. Consequently, it is possible to create the spreadsheet when a user of a computer simply draws a line with a fingertip or the like over the touch screen, and furthermore, it is also possible to input a value to the cell by specifying the square part drawn with the lines to carry out an operation for inputting data. Thus, there is provided a spreadsheet creating interface which makes the most of a visibility and an operability of the touch screen. |
| US08782504B2 |
Trend-analysis scheme for reliably reading data values from memory
In one embodiment, a scheme for reliably reading data values, such as rapidly-changing counter values, from a memory location. Instead of performing a single read operation, a set of N consecutive read operations is performed to obtain a set of N samples. Since, for counter values and the like, the frequency of occurrence of out-of-sequence values is relatively low, it is expected that a majority of the N samples will be in sequence. Of these N samples, the largest subset of monotonically-increasing values is selected. The median value of this subset of monotonically non-decreasing values is returned as a reliable result of the read operation. |
| US08782503B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and drive apparatus including the same
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit capable of detecting an abnormality that can cause a malfunction in signal transmission via an isolation element and of issuing a stop signal to the target to be controlled. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a transmission circuit generating and outputting a transmission signal reflecting transmission data supplied from outside, a reception circuit reproducing the transmission data based on a reception signal, an isolation element isolating the transmission circuit from the reception circuit and transmitting the transmission signal as the reception signal, an abnormality detection part detecting an abnormality that can cause a malfunction in signal transmission via the isolation element, and a control part outputting a stop signal if the abnormality detection part detects the abnormality, regardless of the transmission data supplied to the transmission circuit from outside. |
| US08782502B2 |
Soft decoding of CRC component codes
Methods and devices are disclosed for encoding and decoding convolutional codes in a communication system. In various embodiments of the disclosure, a codeword comprises message data and parity data. A convolutional codeword is generated by multiplying the message data and the parity data with a convolutional polynomial. The convolutional codeword may be decoded by a convolutional code decoder that uses the convolutional polynomial and a maximum likelihood divisor to obtain a maximum likelihood message from the convolutional codeword. |
| US08782498B2 |
Reed-Solomon erasure decoding with error detection for retransmission
By utilizing Reed-Solomon erasure decoding algorithms and techniques, the system is able to perform error detection for the case where the number of bytes received in error exceeds a correcting capability of a decoder. The error detection can be used, for example, to determine whether a codeword is decodable, and whether the retransmission of data is necessary. The retransmission can be accomplished by assembling a message that is sent to another modem requesting retransmission of one or more portions of data, such as one or more codewords. |
| US08782497B2 |
Efficient re-read operations in analog memory cell arrays
A method for data storage includes storing data, which is encoded with an Error Correction Code (ECC), in a group of analog memory cells by writing respective first storage values to the memory cells in the group. After storing the data, respective second storage values are read from the memory cells in the group, and the read second storage values are processed so as to decode the ECC. Responsively to a failure in decoding the ECC, one or more of the second storage values that potentially caused the failure are identified as suspect storage values. Respective third storage values are re-read from a subset of the memory cells that includes the memory cells holding the suspect storage values. The ECC is re-decoded using the third storage values so as to reconstruct the stored data. |
| US08782495B2 |
Non-volatile memory and methods with asymmetric soft read points around hard read points
A non-volatile memory has its cells' thresholds programmed within any one of a first set of voltage bands partitioned by a first set of reference thresholds across a threshold window. The cells are read at a higher resolution relative to a second set of reference thresholds so as to provide additional soft bits for error correction. The reference thresholds of the second set are set up to be non-uniformly distributed on the threshold window so as to provide higher resolution at designated regions. At the same time they are conducive to be read in groups for soft bits to be read bit-by-bit systematically with a simple algorithm and read circuit and using a minimum of data latches. This is accomplished by relaxing the requirement that the first set of reference threshold is a subset of the second set and that the resulting soft bits are symmetrically distributed about the hard bits. |
| US08782494B2 |
Reproducing data utilizing a zero information gain function
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving a zero information gain (ZIG) encoded data slice and a subset of encoded data slices of a set of encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module generating a set of ZIG encoded data slices using a ZIG function and corresponding ones of the subset of encoded data slices, wherein the set of ZIG encoded data slices represents additional components of recovery information of a first encoded data slice. The method continues with the DS processing module recreating the first encoded data slice from the ZIG encoded data slice and the set of ZIG encoded data slices. The method continues with the DS processing module decoding the subset of encoded data slices and the first encoded data slice using a dispersed storage error coding function to reproduce data. |
| US08782492B2 |
Updating data stored in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module receiving a modified data object, wherein the modified data object is a modified version of a data object and the data object is divided into a plurality of data segments and stored in the DSN. The method continues with the DS processing module mapping portions of the modified data object to the plurality of data segments that includes creating a middle data segment of a second plurality of data segments based on a corresponding middle data segment of the plurality of data segments when a portion of the portions corresponds to middle data of the modified data object. The method continues with the DS processing module encoding the middle data segment using a dispersed storage error coding function to produce an encoded data segment and overwriting the corresponding middle data segment with the encoded data segment in the DSN. |
| US08782489B2 |
Method and system for providing Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoding and decoding
An approach is provided for encoding a source signal based on a structured parity check matrix of a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code. The LDPC code is represented by stored information reflecting a tabular format of rows and columns, wherein each row represents occurrences of one values within a respective column of the parity check matrix, and wherein the columns of the parity check matrix are derived according to an operation based on the respective rows of the stored information. Blocks of information bits of the source signal are encoded based on the LDPC code to generate an encoded signal. Row indices of 1's in a column index of the parity check matrix are given at a respective row according to the stored information. The LDPC code is of a structure that facilitates use of a plurality of parallel engines for decoding the encoded signal. |
| US08782488B2 |
Systems and methods for back step data decoding
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for data processing. For example, data processing systems are disclosed that include: a data decoder circuit, a decoder log, a mis-correction detection circuit, and a controller circuit. |
| US08782486B2 |
Systems and methods for multi-matrix data processing
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing. As one example, a data processing system is discussed that includes a data decoder circuit and a matrix select control circuit. The data decoder circuit is operable to apply a data decode algorithm to a decoder input using a selected parity check matrix to yield a decoder output. The matrix select control circuit operable to select one of a first parity check matrix and a second parity check matrix as the selected parity check matrix. |
| US08782483B2 |
Method and device for retransmission
Embodiments related to retransmission in a communication system are described and depicted. In one embodiment, a retransmission entity repeats a transmission of a data transfer unit by the device after a predetermined number of other transmitted data transfer units has been transmitted. The retransmission entity may also determine whether a measure for a time period since the first transmission of the data transfer unit by the device has exceeded a predetermined threshold and to provide a final transmission of the data transfer unit based on the determining that the measure for the time period has exceeded the predetermined threshold. |
| US08782480B2 |
On-chip functional debugger and a method of providing on-chip functional debugging
An on-chip functional debugger includes one or more functional blocks each providing one or more functional outputs. A hierarchical selection tree is formed by one or more selectors having the output of one of the selectors as a final output and individual selector inputs coupled either to a functional output from the functional blocks or to an output of another selector. A selection signal coupled to the select input of each of the selectors to enable a selected one of its output. An output node coupled to the final output. A method of providing on-chip functional debugging is also provided. A desired functional output from one or more available functional outputs is selected and then the selected functional output is coupled to an output node. |
| US08782478B2 |
Non-volatile memory (NVM) with imminent error prediction
A non-volatile memory system includes a memory array and a memory controller. The memory controller is configured to perform a first array integrity read operation of the array until an error is detected. The controller is also configured to determine that the error is not error correction code (ECC) correctable. A first word line voltage associated with the error is characterized as being a first threshold voltage. The controller is further configured to perform a second array integrity read operation of the array. The second array integrity read operation includes reading the array with a word line read voltage that is offset from the first threshold voltage and is based on a predetermined width offset reference value. Finally, the controller is configured to check a check sum value resulting from the second array integrity read operation to determine when an imminent failure in the memory array is indicated. |
| US08782474B2 |
Advanced converters for memory cell sensing and methods
A counter configuration operates in cooperation with a delay configuration such that the counter configuration counts an input interval based on a given clock speed and a given clock interval while the delay configuration provides an enhanced data output that is greater than what would otherwise be provided by the given clock speed. The counter configuration counts responsive to a selected edge in the clock interval. An apparatus in the form of a correction arrangement and an associated method are configured to monitor at least the delay configuration output for detecting a particular time relationship between an endpoint of the input interval and a nearest occurrence of the selected clock edge in the given clock signal that is indicative of at least a potential error in the enhanced data output and determining if the potential error is an actual error for subsequent use in correcting the enhanced data output. |
| US08782469B2 |
Request processing system provided with multi-core processor
One processor core of a plurality of processor cores that are included in a multi-core processor that processes a request from an external device detects a prescribed event, specifies a sub resource that is assigned to the one processor core based on the resource management information that indicates a sub resource of a plurality of sub resources that are included in a physical resource and a processor core that is assigned to the sub resource, and executes a reboot based on the specified sub resource. |
| US08782467B2 |
Systems and methods for creating a near optimal maintenance plan
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining a lowest total cost maintenance plan. The method comprises receiving a sequence of maintenance actions in an order of a waiting time for each maintenance action, wherein one of the maintenance actions is likely to repair the failure mode. Each maintenance action has an associated cost equal to a waiting time cost, an execution time cost and a material cost, wherein the waiting time of each maintenance action is the time required to requisition and receive material required to perform the maintenance action. The method also constructs a maintenance plan comprising a primary requisition and a secondary requisition by assigning each of the sequence of maintenance actions to one of the primary and secondary requisition. |
| US08782464B2 |
Method and system for using a standby server to improve redundancy in a dual-node data storage system
A standby server, a first main server, and a second main server to control shared input/output (I/O) adapters in a storage system are provided. The standby server is in communication with the first main server and the second main server, and the storage system is configured to operate as a dual node active system. The standby server is activated in response to receiving a communication from the first main server of a fail mode of the second main server. Systems and physical computer storage media are also provided. |
| US08782462B2 |
Rack system
A rack system is provided. The rack system includes a first rack apparatus and a second rack apparatus. The first rack apparatus includes multiple first rack internal devices and a first Integrated Management Module (IMM). The first IMM manages the first rack internal devices via a network. The second rack apparatus includes multiple second rack internal devices and a second IMM. The second IMM manages the second rack internal devices via the network. The first IMM and the second IMM are connected via the network and implement a synchronous configuration process. When the second IMM goes abnormal, the first IMM manages the first rack internal devices and the second rack internal devices via the network at the same time. |
| US08782461B2 |
Method and system of live error recovery
A method and system of error recovery of a device attached to a platform without requiring a system reset. In one embodiment of the invention, a platform detects an error(s) of an attached device and shuts down the communication link with the attached device. The platform corrects the error(s) and automatically re-trains the communication link with the attached device. In this way, no reset of the platform is required to correct the detected error(s) in one embodiment of the invention. |
| US08782460B2 |
Apparatus and method for delayed synchronous data reception
An apparatus that compensates for misalignment on a synchronous data bus. The apparatus includes a resistor network and a synchronous receiver disposed within a receiving device. The resistor network is configured to provide a ratio signal that indicates an amount to delay a data bit signal associated with a data group, where the data bit signal is transmitted by a transmitting device along with a data strobe signal. The synchronous receiver receives the data bit and the data strobe signals, and includes a delay-locked loop (DLL). The DLL is coupled to the ratio signal, and is configured generate a delayed data bit signal, where the DLL adds the amount of delay to the data bit signal to generate the delayed data bit signal, and where the delayed bit signal is delayed relative to the data strobe signal by the amount, thus allowing for proper reception of the data bit signal. |
| US08782452B2 |
Method and system for power-efficient and non-signal-degrading voltage regulation in memory subsystems
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a memory subsystem comprising a memory controller, multiple memory modules interconnected with the memory controller by one or more communications media, each memory module comprising a substrate to which multiple memory chips are mounted and electronically connected to the communications media, and a power-supply signal routed to two or more voltage regulators within the memory subsystem from a system power supply, the voltage regulators outputting two or more internal power signals, each power signal providing a different, regulated voltage, which are routed to each of the memory chips. Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to a memory module comprising a substrate to which multiple memory chips are mounted and two or more voltage regulators mounted to, or fabricated within, the substrate. |
| US08782450B2 |
Power capping system and method
A system, and a corresponding method, for temporarily capping power consumption includes a mechanism for determining total power consumption by a number of components, a mechanism for disconnecting and reconnecting power to one or more of the components, and a mechanism for determining when to disconnect and reconnect power to the components. |
| US08782449B2 |
Power supply system with a plurality of power supply units capable of powering a plurality of load units depending on the type and operation state of each load unit
A power supply system includes a plurality of power supply units that each includes an output terminal connected each other in parallel to other output terminals each included in other power supply units and connected to a plurality of load units, a power supply section that inputs an input voltage and outputs a first output voltage from the output terminal to the plurality of load units, and a shut-off control section that shuts off the output of the first output voltage from the output terminal based on an inputted stand-by signal, and a management control unit that inputs a configuration information representing a configuration of each of the plurality of load units in which the first voltage is inputted, and outputs the stand-by signal to any of the plurality of power supply units based on the configuration information. |
| US08782444B2 |
Circuit protection system and method for a circuit utilizing chip type power supply
The present disclosure provides a circuit protection system and a circuit protection method for an electronic system. The circuit protection system includes a main chip, a power chip powering the main chip, a basic input/output system (BIOS) and a control unit. The control unit detects the potential of a PW_OK signal output from the power chip to the main chip, and gets the current state of the electronic system through the BIOS, thereby determining whether the current state of the main chip corresponds to a predetermined state for the main chip which defined in the current state of the electronic system. If not, the control unit outputs a signal to disable the main chip. The present disclosure disables the main chip instantly when the voltage provided thereto is excessive or insufficient, thereby avoiding the damage caused by excessive or insufficient voltage. |
| US08782443B2 |
Resource-based adaptive server loading
Resource-based adaptive server loading is described. In embodiments, a current load level can be determined for a resource that is utilized by an adaptive server system to process computer-executable instructions that are a dynamic computational demand on the adaptive server system. The current load level is compared with a target load level for the resource to establish a resource load level comparison. The adaptive server system can then be reconfigured, based on the resource load level comparison, to change the current load level on the resource for resource overload protection. |
| US08782440B2 |
Extending the number of applications for accessing protected content in a media using media key blocks
Embodiments of the invention relate to digital content protection for recordable media using encryption and decryption based on device keys in the media. The invention increases the number of extended applications supported the media key blocks and facilitates the assignment of the applications to the media key blocks. One aspect of the invention concerns a method that comprises assigning a first media key block in a protected area of the media for extended applications accessing protected content, processing the first media key block with a first device key set to generate a first media key, and for each extended application, creating a second media key block in a protected area of the media. The second media key block is processed to generate a second media key. A content-accessing device processes the first and second media keys in order to access protected content. |
| US08782439B2 |
Securing a data segment for storage
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module encrypting a data segment utilizing an encryption key to produce an encrypted data segment and performing a deterministic function on the encrypted data to produce a transformed representation of the encrypted data. The method continues with the DS processing module masking the encryption key utilizing the transformed representation of the encrypted data to produce a masked key, partitioning the masked key into a plurality masked key partitions, partitioning the encrypted data segment into a plurality of encrypted data segment partitions, and combining the plurality of masked key partitions with the plurality of encrypted data segment partitions to produce a plurality of combined partitions. For a combined partition of the plurality of combined partitions, the method continues with the DS processing module encoding the combined partition using a dispersed storage error coding function to produce a set of encoded data slices. |
| US08782438B2 |
Secure storage and replay of media programs using a hard-paired receiver and storage device
A method and apparatus for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving a data stream comprising the program material encrypted according to a first (CW) encryption key, decrypting the program material; re-encrypting the program material according to a second encryption key, and storing the re-encrypted material in a media storage device. The program material is played back by retrieving the re-encrypted material from the media storage device and decrypting the re-encrypted program material. In one embodiment, the media storage device also stores the second encryption key which has been further encrypted by a key that is unique to the device used to receive the program material. |
| US08782437B2 |
Content protection using block reordering
An apparatus and method for protecting a content item such as a digitally encoded movie, an electronic programming guide, or the like, by reordering blocks of the content item prior to transmitting it to a receiving device. The receiving device constructs a block reordering structure which is used to access the reordered content item, to facilitate retrieval of a desired block from the original content item. The reordering may be done responsive to an identifier value of the receiving device, such as a serial number. |
| US08782436B2 |
Method and system for transformation of logical data objects for storage
A method and system for encrypting a plaintext logical data object for storage in a storage device operable with at least one storage protocol, creating, reading, writing, optimization and restoring thereof. Encrypting the plaintext logical data object comprises creating in the storage device an encrypted logical data object comprising a header and one or more allocated encrypted sections with predefined size; encrypting one or more sequentially obtained chunks of plaintext data corresponding to the plaintext logical data object thus giving rise to the encrypted data chunks; and sequentially accommodating the processed data chunks into said encrypted sections in accordance with an order said chunks received, wherein said encrypted sections serve as atomic elements of encryption/decryption operations during input/output transactions on the logical data object. |
| US08782433B2 |
Data security
This document discloses data security systems and methods of securing data. A cache memory can be connected between a decryption engine and a central processing unit (“CPU”) to increase security of encrypted data that is stored in a datastore. The decryption engine can retrieve the encrypted data from the datastore, decrypt the data, and store the decrypted data in the cache. In turn, the decrypted data can be accessed by the CPU. The data can be encrypted with a secret key, so that decryption can be performed with the secret key. The key can be varied based on a memory address associated with the data. The key can be protected by restricting direct access to the decryption engine by the CPU. |
| US08782432B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in related art has a problem that security on confidential information stored is insufficient. A semiconductor device of the present invention has a unique code which is unique to a device and generates unique code corresponding information from the unique code. The semiconductor device has a memory region in which specific information obtained by encrypting confidential information is stored in a region associated with the unique code corresponding information. The specific information read from the memory region is encrypted with the unique code corresponding information to generate the confidential information. |
| US08782430B2 |
Secure external buffer for hard disk drive system on a chip
A system securely buffers hard disk drive data using a host side eXlusive OR (XOR) encryption engine. A host communicates with an encryption interface interposed between the host and a client. Communicatively coupled to the encryption interface is an external buffer for the collection and processing of data. A host side XOR encryption engine, using a random seed, encrypts data originating from the host and places it on the external buffer. Once collected at the buffer and ready for transmittal to the client, the encrypted data is retrieved by the encryption interface and decrypted using the same random seed. The clear data is then encrypted once again using a robust encryption means such as Advance Encryption Standard (AES) encryption by a client side device for conveyance to the client. |
| US08782426B2 |
Security for a personal communication device
Security is provided to a communication device configured to accept a physical key device. A public mode of operation is activated for the communication device when the physical key is not accepted by the personal communication device. The public mode of operation allows access to a first set of functions of the communication device, where the public mode of operation prohibits access to a second set of functions of the communication device. A personal mode of operation is activated for the communication device when the key is accepted by the personal communication device, where the personal mode of operation allows access to the first set of functions and the second set of functions of the communication device. A private mode may also be activated upon authentication of a user of the device, where the private mode allows access to a third set of functions. |
| US08782424B2 |
System and method for sharing data
A system and method for sharing data is provided. A request is received from a mobile device to transfer a set of data to a recipient. The set of data is stored by a server and controlled by a user of the mobile device. The request is authenticated, and the data is encrypted. The set of data is transmitted to a recipient specified by the user via the mobile device. |
| US08782419B2 |
Device and method for a backup of rights objects
A common backup format of a backup rights object according to embodiments of the present invention has the following features: License information that is not critical for cryptographic security of the rights object is kept in “plain text” with a well defined syntax in a first data container, license information that is critical for cryptographic security of the rights object is stored in cryptographically protected form that is specific for the originating device to which the rights object is bound to in a second data container, and the rights object is cryptographically signed by the originating device such that it may not be manipulated. The signature is stored in a third data container. |
| US08782418B2 |
Entertainment device
An entertainment device comprises communication means operable to receive media data from a media data source, storage means operable to store the received media data, in which the storage means limits the duration of access to the media data which was received from the media data source. |
| US08782416B2 |
Family dwelling restricted communication system
A network comprising an authentication network limited to a family dwelling; a content source; and a content receiver. Wherein the content source is configured to transmit encrypted content to the content receiver, and the content receiver can decode the encrypted content only when both the content source and the content receiver are physically connect to the authentication network. |
| US08782411B2 |
System and method of extending oauth server(s) with third party authentication/authorization
In accordance with various embodiments, systems and methods that provide for authorization of access to protected resources. Such a system can include a plurality of applications, executing on one or more application servers. The system can also include an authorization server which is operable to interface with one or more remote and/or non-co-located third party authentication servers. Each application can (a) receive a request for authorization to access a controlled resource; (b) redirect the request for authorization to a configurable authentication endpoint identifying a third party authentication server; (c) receive authorization information from the third party authorization server; and (d) issue an authorization code for access to the protected resource. |
| US08782406B2 |
Secure digital communications
There is disclosed a method in a communications system for enabling authentication of a sender device and a receiver device in the communication system, wherein the sender device is associated with a self-generated first identity and a first master device, the receiver device is associated with a self-generated second identity and a second master device and wherein the authentication is enabled by utilizing the first master device and the second master device for the sender device and the receiver device to verify the identities of each other. In one embodiment, both the sender device and the receiver device are also associated with a third device ant the third device is used in addition to the master devices for verifying said identities. There is also disclosed a method In a sender device, a method in a receiver device, a method in a third device, a sender device, a receiver device, a third device, and a computer program product for the same. |
| US08782403B1 |
Method and apparatus for securing confidential data for a user in a computer
Method and apparatus for securing confidential data related to a user in a computer is described. In one example, rules are obtained that provide a representation of the confidential data. A storage system in the computer is searched using the rules to detect a file having at least a portion of the confidential data. The file is encrypted the in-place within the storage system using symmetric encryption based on a secret associated with the user. |
| US08782401B2 |
Enhanced privacy ID based platform attestation
As opposed to utilizing a manufacturer provisioned EK Certificate for AIK processes, embodiments of the invention utilize EPID based data. EPID mitigates the privacy issues of common RSA PKI security implementations where every individual is uniquely identified by their private keys. Instead, EPID provides the capability of remote attestation but only identifies the client computing system as having a component (such as a chipset) from a particular technology generation. EPID is a group signature scheme, where one group's public key corresponds to multiple private keys, and private keys generate a group signature which is verified by the group public key. EPID provides the security property of being anonymous and unlinkable—given two signatures, one cannot determine whether the signatures are generated from one or two private keys. EPID also provides the security property of being unforgeable—without a private key, one cannot create a valid signature. |
| US08782398B2 |
Secure user presence detection and authentication
This disclosure relates generally to a system and method for authenticating an electronic device may comprise a server configured to transmit an encrypted object, the encrypted object having an image file format, to the electronic device, the encrypted object being encrypted based on a certificate, the electronic device operatively coupled to the server and comprising a processor registered with the server to create a secured communication link between the processor and the server, wherein the certificate corresponds to the processor, the processor having a cryptographic engine configured to decrypt the encrypted object to result in a decrypted graphic, and a user interface operatively coupled to the processor. The user interface may be configured to display the decrypted graphic and receive a user input responsive to the decrypted graphic. The server may authenticate the electronic device based, at least in part, on the user input. |
| US08782390B2 |
Control unit for fluidic systems
Diverse requirements of fluidic applications for very different communication environments are satisfied with a control unit for fluidic systems, which can be configured in an extremely flexible manner. A universal computing module is used as a unitary stock item, which includes a programmable logic module, a clock generator, a volatile fast working memory, and a persistent memory, and which is constructed with few peripheral components on a circuit board. The unitary computing module is equipped with all of the required hardware components for the respective application by configuration file, including the functionality for the respective communication environment. Moreover, a dynamic configuration by identification of communication modules connected to the circuit board is also possible. Similarly, reconfiguration in adaptation to a varied environment can be effected. |
| US08782389B2 |
Storage device and method for updating a shadow master boot record
A storage device and method for updating a shadow master boot record (MBR) are provided. In one embodiment, a storage device is provided having a memory with a first storage area and a second storage area. The storage device receives updated sectors of the shadow MBR from a host device and writes the updated sectors in the second storage area. The storage device determines a highest written sector in the first storage area that is occupied by the shadow MBR. The storage device copies the non-updated sectors of the shadow MBR from the first storage area to the second storage area, wherein only the non-updated sectors up to the highest written sector are copied. Accordingly, any non-updated sectors above the highest written sector are not copied from the first storage area to the second storage area. The storage device then designates the second storage area as storing a current version of the shadow MBR. |
| US08782388B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method, and computer-readable storage medium that encrypt data in a blob based on a hash value
An information processing apparatus includes a main memory unit storing while on-power; an auxiliary storage unit functionable even off-power; a control unit performing hibernation of generating operating-state data indicating a state when the power is lost, storing the data in the auxiliary storage unit, and, when restored, reading the data from the auxiliary storage unit; and a security chip that including a configuration register, encrypts data, and storing the data in the auxiliary storage unit. The control unit includes: a first registration unit performing, when the data is generated, calculation based thereon to obtain a calculated value; a second registration unit performing, when the data is read from the auxiliary storage unit at the hibernation, calculation based on the data to obtain a calculated value to write it into the configuration register; and a verification unit performing verification at boot-up from the hibernation based on the value written. |
| US08782386B2 |
Detecting state loss on a device
This document describes techniques for detecting state loss on a device. These techniques permit a computer connected to a device to forgo, in many cases, reinitializing the device when returning to a normal-power mode. |
| US08782384B2 |
Branch history with polymorphic indirect branch information
A system and method for efficient improvement of branch prediction in a microprocessor with negligible impact on die-area, power consumption, and clock cycle period. It is determined if a program counter (PC) register contains a polymorphic indirect unconditional branch (PIUB) instruction. One determination may be searching a table with a portion or all of a PC of past PIUB instructions. If a hit occurs in this table, the global shift register (GSR) is updated by shifting a portion of the branch target address into the GSR, rather than updating the GSR with a taken/not-taken prediction bit. The stored value in the GSR is input into a hashing function along with the PC in order to index prediction tables such as a pattern history table (PHT), a branch target buffer (BTB), an indirect target array, or other. The updated value due to the PIUB instruction improves the accuracy of the prediction tables. |
| US08782380B2 |
Fine-grained privilege escalation
A processor and a method for privilege escalation in a processor are provided. The method may comprise fetching an instruction from a fetch address, where the instruction requires the processor to be in supervisor mode for execution, and determining whether the fetch address is within a predetermined address range. The instruction is filtered through an instruction mask and then it is determined whether the instruction, after being filtered through the mask, equals the value in an instruction value compare register. The processor privilege is raised to supervisor mode for execution of the instruction in response to the fetch address being within the predetermined address range and the filtered instruction equaling the value in the instruction value compare register, wherein the processor privilege is raised to supervisor mode without use of an interrupt. The processor privilege returns to its previous level after execution of the instruction. |
| US08782377B2 |
Processor to execute shift right merge instructions
Method, apparatus, and program means for performing bitstream buffer manipulation with a SIMD merge instruction. The method of one embodiment comprises determining whether any unprocessed data bits for a partial variable length symbol exist in a first data block is made. A shift merge operation is performed to merge the unprocessed data bits from the first data block with a second data block. A merged data block is formed. A merged variable length symbol comprised of the unprocessed data bits and a plurality of data bits from the second data block is extracted from the merged data block. |
| US08782376B2 |
Vector instruction execution to load vector data in registers of plural vector units using offset addressing logic
A processor including: a first and at least a second data processing channel with enable logic for selectively enabling the second channel; logic for generating first and second storage addresses having a variable offset therebetween based on the same one or more address operands of the same storage access instruction; and circuitry for transferring data between the first address and a register of the first data processing channel and between the second address and a corresponding register of the second channel based on a same one or more register specifier operands of the access instruction. The first data processing channel performs an operation using one or more registers of the first data processing channel, and on condition of being enabled the second channel performs the same operation using a corresponding one or more of its own registers based on the same one or more operands of the data processing instruction. |
| US08782372B2 |
Method, system and program product for storing downloadable content on a plurality of enterprise storage system (ESS) cells
The present invention takes advantage of unused storage space within the ESS cells to provide for the efficient and cost effective storage of downloadable content. Specifically, the system of the present invention generally includes a download grid manager that communicates with the ESS cells. Content to be replicated to the ESS cells, and characteristics corresponding thereto, are received on the download grid manager from a content owner (or the like). Based on the characteristics, a storage policy, and storage information previously received from the ESS cells, the download grid manager will replicate the downloadable content to unused storage space within the ESS cells. |
| US08782371B2 |
Systems and methods for memory management for rasterization
Methods for managing a single memory pool comprising frame buffer memory and display list memory are presented. The single memory pool can comprise sub-pools including: a super-block pool comprising a plurality of super-block objects; a node pool comprising a plurality of node objects; and a block-pool comprising a plurality of blocks. The method may comprise: receiving a memory allocation request directed to at least one of the sub-pools; allocating an object local to the sub-pool identified in the memory request, if local sub-pool objects are available to satisfy the memory request; allocating an object from super-block pool, if the memory request is directed to the node-pool or block-pool and there are no available local objects in the respective sub-pools to satisfy the memory request; and applying at least one of a plurality of memory freeing strategies, if the sub-pools lack available free objects. |
| US08782369B2 |
Apparatus to manage efficient data migration between tiers
A data storage system having a slow tier and a fast tier maintains hot data on the fast tier by migrating data from the slow tier to reserve space on the fast tier as data becomes hot over time. The system maintains a reserve space table and performs a mass migration of data from the fast tier to the slow tier. Data migration is frequently unidirectional with data migrating from the slow to the fast tier, reducing overhead during normal operation. |
| US08782368B2 |
Storing chunks in containers
Chunks are stored in a container of a data store, where the chunks are produced by dividing input data as part of a deduplication process. In response to determining that the size of the container has reached a predefined size threshold, at least one of the chunks in the container is moved to another container. |
| US08782366B2 |
Executing host data transfer operations during setup of copy services operations
Host input/output (I/O) operations are performed via a file stored in a non-volatile storage coupled to a storage controller while data structures are being generated in the storage controller to copy data from source logical volumes to target logical volumes. The source logical volumes and the target logical volumes are logical representations of physical storage maintained in a plurality of direct access storage devices. The contents of the file are transferred from the non-volatile storage to one or more of the plurality of direct access storage devices, after the data structures have been generated, wherein the host I/O operations are performed via the file while the contents of the file are being transferred to the one or more of the plurality of direct access storage devices. The host I/O operations to the plurality of direct access storage devices are resumed, in response to transferring entire contents of the file to the one or more of the plurality of direct access storage devices. |
| US08782362B2 |
Cyclic point-in-time-copy architecture with data deduplication
A method for performing a write to a volume x in a cyclic point-in-time-copy architecture is described. In one embodiment, such a method includes determining whether the volume x has a child volume. The method then determines whether the target bit maps (TBMs) of both the volume x and the child volume are set. If the TBMs are set, the method finds a higher source (HS) volume from which to copy the desired data to the child volume. Once the HS volume is found, the method determines whether the HS volume and the child volume are the same volume. If the HS volume and the child volume are not the same volume, the method copies the data from the HS volume to the child volume. The method then performs the write to the volume x. A corresponding computer program product is also described. |
| US08782360B2 |
Preserving an existing volume map in re-initializing a data storage volume
A method, system and computer-program product for re-initializing a storage volume with an previously created volume map being preserved to allow access to previously stored data sets. The invention includes creating a new volume map in an unused volume area where the new volume map has pointers to new data sets. One of the new data sets contains the previously created volume map that points to previously created data sets. Each volume map is referenced by a volume label and includes a VTOC and an optional VTOC index. The pointers in the VTOC are data set control block (DSCB) records. |
| US08782355B1 |
Method and apparatus to prevent FIFO overflow and underflow by adjusting one of a write rate and a read rate
An apparatus and method for preventing FIFO overflow and underflow are disclosed. The apparatus includes a memory block, a write address control configured to generate a write address for writing data to the memory block at a write rate, a read address control configured to generate a read address for reading data out of the memory block at a read rate, and a management controller configured to adjust one of the write rate and the read rate to track the other rate based on a difference between the write address and the read address, for example by dynamically adjusting the read rate to the write rate. A direction in which the difference changes may also be detected. The memory block may be configured as a dual-port memory block. An audio apparatus including a digital audio input and output and a buffer is also disclosed. |
| US08782347B2 |
Controllably exiting an unknown state of a cache coherency directory
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a read request from a first caching agent and if a directory entry associated with the request is in an unknown state, an invalidating snoop message is sent to at least one other caching agent to invalidate information in a cache location of the other caching agent corresponding to the location of the read request, to enable setting of the directory entry into a known state. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08782344B2 |
Systems and methods for managing cache admission
A cache layer leverages a logical address space and storage metadata of a storage layer (e.g., storage layer) to cache data of a backing store. The cache layer maintains access metadata to track data characteristics of logical identifiers in the logical address space, including accesses pertaining to data that is not in the cache. The access metadata may be separate and distinct from the storage metadata maintained by the storage layer. The cache layer determines whether to admit data into the cache using the access metadata. Data may be admitted into the cache when the data satisfies cache admission criteria, which may include an access threshold and/or a sequentiality metric. Time-ordered history of the access metadata is used to identify important/useful blocks in the logical address space of the backing store that would be beneficial to cache. |
| US08782343B2 |
System and method for optimizing data remanence over hybrid disk clusters using various storage technologies
A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The programming instructions are operable to optimize data remanence over hybrid disk clusters using various storage technologies, determine one or more data storage technologies accessible by a file system, and determine secure delete rules for each of the one or more storage technologies accessible by the file system. The secure delete rules include a number of overwrites required for data to be securely deleted from each of the one or more storage technologies. The programming instructions are further operable to provide the secure delete rules to the file system upon a request for deletion of data for each of the one or more storage technologies a specific amount of times germane to secure delete data from the one or more storage technologies. |
| US08782341B1 |
Embedded advisory framework for storage configuration management
An improved technique involves consulting a predictive model to optimize a configuration of a data storage system. A customer at a data storage system requests a configuration optimization from a customer support center by sending values of input parameters to the customer support center. Such input parameters represent a current state of the data storage system, e.g., initial configuration. The customer support center then receives configuration parameters in response to inputting the input parameters into a predictive model running on a host computer. The customer uses the configuration parameters to define the configuration state in which the data storage system runs. |
| US08782331B2 |
Semiconductor storage device with volatile and nonvolatile memories to allocate blocks to a memory and release allocated blocks
A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory area configured in a volatile semiconductor memory, second and third memory areas configured in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, and a controller which executes following processing. The controller executes a first processing for storing a plurality of data by the first unit in the first memory area, a second processing for storing data outputted from the first memory area by a first management unit in the second memory area, and a third processing for storing data outputted from the first memory area by a second management unit in the third memory area. |
| US08782330B2 |
Flash boot and recovery area protection to meet GMR requirements
A system and method for protecting boot and recovery area of a flash memory in order to meet GMR requirements in radio system is disclosed. When the Core Engine Modem is installed in the factory test equipment, LOCK signal on the PoP module is logic high. At this time, the flash will be unlocked, and the boot and recovery code is written. The boot and recovery sectors will then be locked and the user area of the flash is left unlocked. When installed in the GLS DICE-T, LOCK signal on the PoP module is logic low. At this time, the flash device will ignore block lock commands, which prevent the unlocking of the protected sectors. The write enable signal from the GVA can now be utilized to enable writing to the user area of the flash despite of protecting boot and recovery areas. |
| US08782326B2 |
Memory device and system including a memory device electronically connectable to a host circuit
A memory includes a nonvolatile memory cell array, and a memory control circuit which carries out writing of data to and reading of data from the memory cell array in access units of N bits where N is an integer equal to 2 or greater. The memory cell array includes a rewritable area in which both writing of data and reading of data are permissible, and a read-only area in which writing of data is prohibited and reading of data is permissible. The rewritable area is configured so that the N bits constituting one access unit contain both actual data and an error detection code. The read-only area is divided between an actual data area in which the N bits constituting one access unit contain actual data, and an error detection code area in which the N bits constituting one access unit contain error detection codes. |
| US08782318B2 |
Increasing Input Output Hubs in constrained link based multi-processor systems
Methods and apparatus relating to increase Input Output Hubs in constrained link based multi-processor systems are described. In one embodiment, a first input output hub (IOH) and a second IOH are coupled a link interconnect and a plurality of processors, coupled to the first and second IOHs include pre-allocated resources for a single IOH. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. |
| US08782313B2 |
Method and apparatus for enterprise brokering of user-controlled availability
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling an availability of a user in an enterprise environment. If an enterprise user requests to change an availability status on one or more media, a determination is made as to whether to grant the request based on one or more predefined criteria associated with the enterprise. For example, the predefined criteria may comprise resource needs or one or more policies of the enterprise. The predefined criteria may be expressed as one or more rules in a rule base. |
| US08782308B2 |
Connector interface system for data acquisition
A data acquisition system includes a receptacle and a data acquisition device. The receptacle has a housing, sensor inputs to receive data signals from sensors coupled to an object, and a rib to block insertion of a standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug and facilitate insertion of a modified USB plug having a slot that mates with the rib. The data acquisition device includes circuitry to receive, store and process data, a USB plug having pins operatively coupled to the circuitry, a first subset of pins configured to receive data signals from the receptacle and a second subset of pins configured to support standard USB communication with USB-compliant devices, and a slot formed in the USB plug such that the slot facilitates interconnection of the USB plug both with standard USB-compliant devices and with the receptacle, the slot mating with the rib to facilitate interconnection. |
| US08782307B1 |
Systems and methods for dynamic buffer allocation
A first network device including a first port to provide first data traffic to a first storage area network, a second port to provide second data traffic to a local area network, and memory shared between the first port and the second port to temporarily store the first data traffic in N first buffers and the second data traffic in M second buffers. A queue control module allocates a first memory space of the N first buffers to the first port and a second memory space of the M second buffers to the second port. An adjustment module adjusts a first amount of the first memory space and a second amount of the second memory space in response to a congestion event caused by a first data traffic. Up to all of the first memory space and the second memory space is allocated to the N first buffers. |
| US08782305B2 |
Methods and systems for data transmission
Example methods and systems for transmitting data are presented. In one example, a plurality of streams of video data are received from at least one data source into at least one buffer of a router via multicast, each of the plurality of streams of video data representing a same video program and having a unique data rate relative to at least some other streams of the plurality of streams. A request is received from a device to transmit video data to the device. In response to the request, video data from one of the plurality of streams of video data is transmitted from the at least one buffer of the router to the device via a point-to-point connection at the data rate corresponding to the one of the plurality of streams of video data. |
| US08782303B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method
An information processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute a process including acquiring control information of a first application program of which execution result is displayed, extracting a dependency relationship between the first application program and a second application program on a basis of the control information, and determining whether an access request for a device from the second application program is granted on a basis of the dependency relationship. |
| US08782297B2 |
Intelligent building automation node
Apparatuses and methods for use in connection with a Building Automation System (BAS) are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an intelligent power node comprising a JAVA-enabled device and serial communication cable that provide a seamless open protocol and aggregation point to broadcast internet protocol communications. In another embodiment, the present invention enables energy monitoring and control of individual ports and outlets. In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a method of configuring and operating fieldbus devices. |
| US08782292B2 |
Methods and structure for performing a rebuild of a logical volume with a serial attached SCSI expander
Methods and structure are provided for performing a rebuild using a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) expander. The SAS expander includes an SMP target operable to receive, from a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) controller, a Serial Management Protocol (SMP) command for initiating a rebuild of a RAID volume at the SAS expander. The SAS expander also includes a control unit operable to initiate a rebuild of the RAID volume based on the received SMP command from the controller, and a Serial SCSI Protocol (SSP) initiator operable to generate SSP commands for performing the RAID rebuild based upon input from the control unit. |
| US08782291B2 |
Notebook having secondary processor coupled by a multiplexer to a content source or disk drive
In some embodiments, a notebook including a content source (e.g., a DVD or other display data source), mass storage device (e.g., hard disk drive), auxiliary display subsystem (including an auxiliary processor), PC chipset, a multiplexer between the content source, auxiliary processor, and PC chipset, and another multiplexer between the mass storage device, auxiliary processor and PC chipset, and methods implemented thereby. The auxiliary display subsystem can be operable (without communicating with the notebook's CPU) when the notebook is in a low-power state. |
| US08782286B2 |
Optimizing state sharing between firewalls on multi-homed networks
In one embodiment, a security device monitors for outgoing re-transmission messages indicating that an endpoint located in a multi-homed network transmitted an unanswered initial connection request. Responsive to identifying one of the outgoing re-transmission messages, the security device identifies destination address information included in the identified re-transmission message. The security device then causes another security device associated with a different link of the same multi-homed network to update its internal state table according to the identified destination address information. As a result, a response to the outgoing re-transmission can be forwarded to the multi-homed network regardless of which security device receives the response. |
| US08782278B2 |
Address redirection for nodes with multiple internet protocol addresses in a wireless network
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate obtaining an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a node with multiple IP addresses using address redirection in a wireless communication environment. A wireless communication component can retrieve a previously registered IP address corresponding to the node from an Authentication, Accounting, and Authorization/Home Subscriber Server (AAA/HSS). Further, a reverse query of a Domain Name Server (DNS) and a forward query of the DNS can be performed. The reverse query can be constructed based upon the previously registered IP address of the node and can resolve a name (e.g., string, . . . ). Further, the forward query can be formed based upon the name and can return a differing IP address of the node. |
| US08782277B2 |
System and method for time-sensitive URI mapping
A system, method, and computer program for supporting legacy URIs. A method includes receiving a request for a uniform resource identifier and initializing the request with at least an expiration identifier. The expiration identifier is one of a date, NOW, and NEVER. The method also include determining a redirection type based on a current date. If the current date is less than the expiration identifier or equal to NEVER, then use a meta tag redirect; and if the current date is greater than or equal to said expiration identifier or equal to NOW, then use a status code redirect. The method also includes mapping the URI to a redirect-URI. Corresponding systems and computer-readable instructions are also discussed. |
| US08782276B2 |
Method and system for selecting a delivery method for media on demand
Computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and systems are disclosed. A computer implemented method includes receiving device a first connection speed of a data connection to a host including a media content delivery method based on the first connection speed and user preference information. The method requesting delivery of the media content from the host using the media content delivery method. The computer implemented method includes determining, during delivery of the media content to the receiving device, a second connection speed of the data connection. The method of delivery is determining, during delivery of the media content to the receiving device, whether to modify the media content delivery method based on the second connection speed and the user preference information. |
| US08782275B2 |
Content server media stream management
Mechanisms are provided to manage media stream transmissions at a content server. A content server detects that a user on a device such as a mobile device has stopped playing a live media stream. The content server maintains information associating the user with the media stream and time information. When the content server detects that a user wishes to resume playing a media stream, the user can continue viewing the media stream from where stoppage occurred. In many instances, the content server stores many hours of live media stream data and allows a user to select a particular starting point. |
| US08782271B1 |
Video mixing using video speech detection
A method for video conferencing includes receiving, at one or more computers from at least some remote clients from a plurality of remote clients, information representing a plurality of media frames. The method also includes receiving, at the one or more computers from at least some of the plurality of remote clients, a plurality of video-based speech activity signals each associated with a respective media frame from the plurality of media frames. The method further includes selecting, at the one or more computers, at least some media frames from the plurality of media frames based on the video-based speech activity signals, decoding the selected media frames, generating a mixed media stream by combining the decoded media frames, transmitting, from the one or more computers to at least some remote clients from the plurality of remote clients, the mixed media stream. |
| US08782270B2 |
Method and system for streaming live teleconferencing feeds to mobile client devices
There is provided a system and method for streaming a live teleconference feed to a mobile client device. There is provided a method comprising receiving a live video feed from a video splitter concurrently outputting to a display device, converting the live video feed into an intermediate video stream, determining playback capabilities of the client device, transcoding the intermediate video stream into a final video stream based on the playback capabilities of the client device, and streaming the final video stream to the client device for output to a display of the client device. The live video feed may comprise a live video feed from a conventional teleconferencing system. In this manner, conventionally closed systems, such as teleconferencing systems, may be augmented to support live video streaming and collaboration with various remote client devices. |
| US08782269B2 |
Auto-discovery of home and out-of-franchise networks
A mobile device includes a mobile network module to present media content using a public network and a home network module to present media content from a home network. The mobile device uses the mobile network module to receive a media streaming session via a broadband cellular connection and detects a local wireless connection to a device in a home network. The mobile device uses the home network module to initiate, via the local wireless connection, a home media session with the device in the home network and matches content of the home media session with content of the media streaming session. The mobile device presents, to a user and using the home network module, the matched content of the home media session and disables the media streaming session. |