Document Document Title
US08783381B2 Formation testing in managed pressure drilling
A method of testing an earth formation can include incrementally opening a choke while drilling into the formation is ceased, thereby reducing pressure in a wellbore, and detecting an influx into the wellbore due to the reducing pressure in the wellbore. Another method of testing an earth formation can include drilling into the formation, with an annulus between a drill string and a wellbore being pressure isolated from atmosphere, then incrementally opening a choke while drilling is ceased, thereby reducing pressure in the wellbore, detecting an influx into the wellbore due to the reducing pressure in the wellbore, and determining approximate formation pore pressure as pressure in the wellbore when the influx is detected. Drilling fluid may or may not flow through the drill string when the influx is detected. A downhole pressure sensor can be used to verify pressure in the wellbore.
US08783380B1 Apparatuses and methods relating to cooling a subterranean drill bit and/or at least one cutting element during use
One aspect of the instant disclosure relates to a subterranean drilling assembly comprising a subterranean drill bit and a sub apparatus coupled to the drill bit. Further, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system configured to cool at least a portion of the drill bit. For example, the sub apparatus may include at least one cooling system comprising a plurality of refrigeration coils or at least one thermoelectric device. In another embodiment a subterranean drill bit may include at least one cooling system positioned at least partially within the subterranean drill bit. Also, a sub apparatus or subterranean drill bit may be configured to cool drilling fluid communicated through at least one bore of a subterranean drill bit and avoiding cooling drilling fluid communicated through at least another bore of the subterranean drill bit. Methods of operating a subterranean drill bit are disclosed.
US08783379B2 Fluid transfer device usable in managed pressure and dual-gradient drilling
A fluid transfer device for use in wellbore drilling includes at least one pressure vessel having a fluid port at a bottom thereof for entry and discharge of a working fluid and a fluid port at a top thereof for entry and discharge of a power fluid. The pressure vessel has no physical barrier between the power fluid and the working fluid. Valves are coupled to the power fluid port for selective introduction of the power fluid into the at least one pressure vessel. Valves are coupled to the working fluid port such that the working fluid is constrained to flow in only one direction.
US08783378B2 Auto hammer
An auto hammer includes a housing having a grip, a head assembly arranged on one end of the housing, a motor mounted within the housing, a switch arranged on the housing for controlling the motor. The head assembly includes a striking device having a receiving cavity which comprises a locking mechanism. When the receiving cavity is retracted into the housing and locked by pressing the locking pin downwardly, with the striking rod being revealed to increase the visibility of the striking rod. During operation, the objects to be processed, such as tenons and bricks, may be impacted by the striking rod in a linear reciprocating manner, so that the function of the tool can be expanded, without being limited to knocking the fastening pieces into the objects to be processed.
US08783366B2 Article of manufacture having a sub-surface friction stir welded channel
A method for routing an electrical conductor through a sub-surface channel in substantially any suitable metallic article of manufacture includes friction stir welding a cap in a groove formed in a surface of the article so as to form the sub-surface channel. An electrical conductor is then routed through the channel. The channel may further include a substantially tubular conduit formed therein with the electrical conductor being routed through the conduit. The friction stir weld zone formed during friction stir welding is generally harder and more wear resistant that the article body.
US08783363B2 Multifunctional key design for metal seal in subsea application
A wellbore sealing assembly can include a sealing ring, an energizing ring, and a multifunctional key for engaging the sealing ring and the energizing ring. The multifunctional key can have a key body, a guide member, and a retainer stud. The key body can be located in an aperture in a sidewall of the sealing ring and the guide member and retainer stud can protrude through the sidewall into a guide slot and recess of the energizing ring. Downward force on the energizing ring can cause the retainer stud to shear away while the guide member travels in the guide slot to prevent rotation of the energizing ring relative to the sealing ring. The guide member can also aid in complete seal retrieval by locking against the bottom of the key-way slot in the energizing ring.
US08783362B2 Bellows type adjustable casing
A subsea assembly for producing fluids from a well having a casing string in the well supported with a hanger on an upper end. Cement is in a portion of an annulus between the casing string and walls of the well, thereby leaving segment of the casing string unsupported in the well. A motion compensating element is coaxially provided in the unsupported segment of the casing string to absorb axial expansion and/or contraction that may occur in the unsupported segment of the casing string.
US08783361B2 Laser assisted blowout preventer and methods of use
There is provided a high power laser assisted blowout preventer and methods of use. In particular, there are provided systems and assemblies for utilizing high power laser energy within a blowout preventer to cut tubulars that are present within the bore of the blowout prevent, reducing the risk that such tubulars will inhibit the ability of the blowout preventer to seal a well.
US08783360B2 Laser assisted riser disconnect and method of use
There is provided a high power laser-riser blowout preventer package and laser module for use with a subsea riser. The laser module and laser-riser package use high power laser energy to quickly cut the riser permitting an offshore drilling rig to quickly, and in a controlled manner disconnect from a blowout preventer.
US08783357B2 Subsea well safing system
A subsea well safing method and apparatus adapted to secure a subsea well in the event of a perceived blowout in a manner to mitigate the environmental damage and the physical damage to the subsea wellhead equipment to promote the ability to reconnect and recover control of the well. The safing assembly is adapted to connect the marine riser to the BOP stack. Pursuant to a safing sequence, the well tubular is secured in the upper and lower safing assemblies and the tubular is then sheared between the locations at which it has been secured. Subsequently, an ejection device is actuated to physically separate the upper safing assembly and connected marine riser from the lower safing assembly that is connected to the BOP stack.
US08783352B2 Maintaining shale stability by pore plugging
Compositions and methods for improving wellbores stability of a hydrocarbon bearing shale formation using nanoparticles to decrease swelling and plug pore throats.
US08783348B2 Secondary flow path module, gravel packing system including the same, and method of assembly thereof
An apparatus for gravel packing includes a sand screen and a secondary flow path module. The module is installed over the sand screen with the sand screen positioned radially inward the secondary flow path module. The secondary flow path module includes a protective cover to which the secondary flow path hardware is attached on an interior of the protective cover.
US08783336B2 Apparatus and method of environmental condition management for electronic equipment
A control system for providing thermal management of electronic equipment housed in a cabinet enclosure. The system can include a plurality of sensors in proximity to the cabinet enclosure for monitoring a temperature, a pressure and a humidity associated with the electronic equipment; and a controller in communication with the sensors for receiving data from the sensors, where the controller adjusts the temperature, the pressure and the humidity associated with the electronic equipment.
US08783335B2 Condenser
A first header tank to which first heat exchange tubes of third and fourth heat exchange paths are connected and a second header tank to which second heat exchange tubes of first and second heat exchange paths are connected are provided at one end of a condenser. The upper end of the first header tank is located above the lower end of the second header tank. The first header tank has a function of separating gas and liquid and storing the liquid. The first heat exchange tubes have projecting portions at their ends located on the side toward the first header tank. A corrosion prevention member having a function of corroding sacrificially for the first heat exchange tubes is disposed in a clearance between the projecting portion of the upper-end first heat exchange tube and the lower end of the second header tank.
US08783334B2 Heat exchanger particularly for thermal generators
The present invention relates to a heat exchanger for transmitting heat from a gaseous primary fluid to a liquid secondary fluid. In particular, the present invention relates to the thermal exchange means proper, the main feature of which is the use of a diverging tube sheet including a plurality of four-lobe cross-section tubes.
US08783332B2 Device and method for positioning at least one of two casting rolls in a continuous casting process for producing a metal strip
A device and method are disclosed for positioning at least one of two casting rolls in a continuous casting process for producing a metal strip. The device and the method allow adjusting or modifying the casting gap between the casting rolls during the ongoing operation, thereby having an influence on the strip thickness and the strip profile of the produced metal strip.
US08783330B2 System for confining lift cords in coverings for architectural openings
A system for incorporation into a retractable covering that includes a flexible lift cord extending from a headrail to a bottom rail. The system includes a flexible protector of a length similar to that of an associated lift cord with the lift cord being operatively connected to the protector. The protector is in turn connected to a fabric extending between the headrail and the bottom rail at predetermined spaced locations so that any loop of protector formable is limited by the spacing between the locations at which the protector is connected to the fabric. The maximum size of a loop so formed in the protector and thus the lift cord associated therewith is insufficient to encapsulate a body part of a child or infant.
US08783329B2 Sun shader apparatus
A sun shading apparatus includes a supporting frame, a shading frame and a shading fabric. The supporting frame includes first and second leg frames, and a supporting bar extended between the first and the second leg frames, while the second leg frame has third and fourth mounting slots. The shading frame includes first and second coupling joints each having a V-shaped cross section, first and second frame members, and a reinforcing frame, wherein the supporting bar is extended between the first and second coupling joints. The first and the second frame member are coupled with the first coupling joint and the second coupling joint respectively, while the reinforcing frame is extended between the first and second frame member and the supporting bar to form a support platform. The shading fabric is detachably mounted on the support platform for shading adverse weather condition.
US08783328B2 Acoustic panel assembly
An acoustic panel assembly may have one or more panels adaptable for reflecting sound waves and a support member to which the one or more panels may be attached. The support member may be extendable and retractable. The one or more panels and the support member may be collapsible into a housing. The one or more panels may be configured in one or more substantially planar portions, one or more substantially curved portions, or a combination thereof.
US08783326B1 Tire changing machine with automated tire bead pressing devices, controls and methods
Tire changing machines with automated positioning and closed loop control of bead pressing devices are described to maintain and control operation of the bead pressing devices during tire mount and de-mount procedures. Methodology is also disclosed.
US08783319B2 Foreign substance removing device and die bonder equipped with the same
The invention has an object to provide a foreign substance removing device that is capable of quickly and efficiently cleaning substrate surfaces regardless of the size thereof and preventing readhesion of once removed foreign substances as well as to provide a die bonder equipped with the same.The foreign substance removing device of the invention includes: a pickup device to which a dicing film carrying dies thereon is fixed; and a collet for picking up a die separated from the dicing film and placing the die on a substrate having an adhesive applied thereon, and operates to remove foreign substances on the substrate in preparation for application of the adhesive onto the substrate. The foreign substance removing device includes a cleaning nozzle integrating an air outlet orifice and an air inlet orifice.
US08783317B1 Method and apparatus for producing polymer solar collectors and heat exchangers
A panel former is provided for producing a panel that is formed from polymer tubing for solar collectors, heat exchangers, and other devices. The panel former can receive the tubing and continuously wrap the tubing around a drum so that support members can be welded to the tubing. After the support members are welded to the tubing, the tubing can be cut along a line substantially parallel to the support members to remove the tubing from the panel former and to form the risers in a panel.
US08783315B2 Pneumatic tire with belt layer, belt reinforcing layer, and pair of folded reinforcing layers
A pneumatic tire to be mounted on a drive wheel, of which a rotating direction is specified including a carcass, a belt layer having at least two belt plies which are embedded with belt cords. Also including a pair of folded reinforcing layers folded to wrap around both ends of the belt layer in a width direction of the tire, a belt reinforcing layer embedded with reinforcing elements extending substantially parallel to the tire equator. The reinforcing cords are embedded in either the inner portion or the outer portion of the pair of the folded reinforcing layers which is spaced away from the belt reinforcing layer farther than the other portion and are inclined forward or backward in the rotating direction of the tire.
US08783314B2 Tire pressure control system having rotary feedthrough
The invention relates to a tire pressure control system for a motor vehicle, comprising a rotary feedthrough (7) having a stator and a rotor for transferring compressed air, fed from a compressed air source on the vehicle side to the rotor (R) designed for supporting a wheel. The rotary feedthrough (7) comprises an annular chamber (25) present between the rotor (R) and the stator (S) that can be sealed off by activatable seals (15, 16). A stator side and a rotor side air channel (8, 17) open into said chamber. The seals (15, 16) that can be activated for the purpose of compressed air transfer are disposed spaced apart in an axial arrangement having the same or approximately the same spacing from the rotary axis of the rotor (R). According to the invention, either the seals (15, 16) are designed for operating facing each other and an annular groove (18) present between the seals (15, 16) and open to the rotor (R) in the radial direction engages a rotor flange (19). The seals (15, 16) act against the opposite outer sides (20, 21) thereof when activated, for the purpose of sealing off the annular chamber. According to an alternative embodiment, the seals are designed to operate facing away from each other and the seals are disposed on a stator flange engaging in an annular groove and, when activated, act for the purpose of sealing the annular chamber against the groove walls of the rotor side annular groove, which are situated opposite one another. The part of the annular groove (18) sealed off by the activated seals (15, 16) in each case forms the annular chamber (25).
US08783313B2 Tire tread with directional pattern
A tread for a tire provided with a pattern comprising a plurality of main grooves formed on each half of the tread on each side of a median plane X-X′, each of these main grooves, of mean width L, opening axially to the outside and extending axially inward as far as a distance from the median plane X-X′ that is comprised between 2.5 and 10% of the width TW of the tread, these main grooves giving this tread a preferred direction of running, this tread further comprising a plurality of additional grooves comprising a first and a second end, the mean direction connecting the first and second ends forming, with the circumferential direction, a small angle A greater than zero degrees and at most equal to 20 degrees, this tread being characterized in that opening onto each main groove is at least one additional groove and in that the axially innermost end of each additional groove comes into contact with the road surface before the axially outermost end of the same additional groove.
US08783312B2 Pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion divided into a crown land region, two middle land regions and two shoulder land regions. The crown land region and middle land regions are each divided into triangular blocks by axial grooves arranged in a zigzag fashion. The shoulder land regions are each divided into shoulder blocks by axial grooves extending at an angle of not less than 70 degrees. The shoulder block is subdivided into an axially inner part and an axially outer part by a secondary groove extending at an angle of not more than 10 degrees. The outer part is provided with sipes extending at an angle of not less than 70 degrees, each angle with respect the circumferential direction.
US08783309B2 Outdoors air conditioner cover
The present invention comprises a cover for wintertime protection of an outdoor air conditioning unit (OACU). The cover provides a rigid top piece to provide protection from falling objects and a semi-permeable side skirt to reduce dirt and debris entering the unit while still allowing moisture to evaporate from the unit and means to attach the cover to the unit. The cover may also be equipped with foam padding for the underside of the rigid top piece which provides for abrasion resistance for the OACU and will also provide for tilting of the cover when an unevenly distributed weight load is applied to the upper surface of the cover; the tilting facilitates runoff of ice and snow from the unit reducing the weight load bearing on the OACU.
US08783306B2 Device for delivering liquids
A device for delivering liquids and in particular beverages, comprising a feed line, which is flow-connected to a dispensing chamber for the liquid and which delivers the liquid to the dispensing chamber, a first discharge line, which is flow-connected to the dispensing chamber and which drains the liquid from the dispensing chamber, and a second discharge line, which is flow-connected to the dispensing chamber and which drains the liquid from the dispensing chamber. A valve body is arranged in the dispensing chamber, the valve body comprising a magnetizable material and being moveable in relation to the dispensing chamber, and the valve body being suited to at least partially closing at least one discharge line, and a magnetic element for moving the valve body being provided outside the dispensing chamber.
US08783302B2 Paint delivery and application apparatus and method
A paint delivery and application apparatus, wherein the apparatus includes a source of paint, a paint applicator, a supply line interconnecting the source of paint and the applicator and at least one pig in the supply line, wherein the paint pushes the pig from adjacent the source of paint to the paint applicator and a source of purging solvent delivering a small volume of purging solvent to the supply line when the pig is adjacent the source of paint adjacent to and upstream of the pig acting as a lubricant, reducing chattering and skipping of the pig and extending the life of the pig. Where the apparatus includes two pigs, purging solvent is delivered between the pigs adjacent the applicator, the pigs are delivered to adjacent the source of paint and a small volume of solvent is then delivered from between the pigs upstream of the pigs.
US08783299B2 Method of and apparatus for continuously producing a twin-wall pipe comprising pipe socket and twin-wall pipe
A twin-wall pipe comprises an internal pipe and an external pipe. The external pipe is corrugated, having elevations and troughs. The twin-wall pipe is further provided with a socket. In a transition portion towards the twin-wall pipe and the socket, provision is made for at least one overflow passage which interconnects the clearance between the external pipe and internal pipe in the vicinity of the transition portion and an adjacent elevation. a≧b refers to the radial height b of the overflow passage relative to its width a in the circumferential direction.
US08783298B2 Breathing hose
A hose formed by a plurality of subunits in tandem arrangement particularly useful for use in a breathing apparatus. Each of the subunits comprises a plurality of repeat subunits in tandem arrangement, each of said subunits comprising: a proximal subunit-to-subunit connector member at a proximal end of each subunit; a distal subunit-to-subunit connector member at a distal end of each subunit; at least one interlocking ring; and at least one gas and/or moisture-permeable member disposed intermediate and connected to the at least one interlocking ring and one or both of the proximal and distal subunit-to-subunit connector members. In other embodiments, the member intermediate the interlocking ring and subunit-to-subunit connector members is a non-rigid member, and more particularly has a frusto-conical shape.
US08783297B2 Robotic system for pipeline rehabilitation
System for pipeline rehabilitation. The system includes repairing a leak in a pipe using a pair of substantially semi-cylindrical parts connected through a compliant joint. When the parts are compressed, the semi-cylindrical parts form a cylinder whose outside diameter is less than the inside diameter of a pipe with a defect thereby allowing the cylinder to be inserted into the pipe at a location of a leak. Once in place, the parts engage the inside surface of the pipe when the compression is released thereby to seal the leak.
US08783295B2 Fluidic device unit structure
A fluidic device unit structure in which a plurality of fluidic devices are integrated and which is effective in reducing a footprint is provided. With a fluidic device unit structure in which a plurality of fluid devices that are connected via channels are integrated in a base member, the base member includes a plurality of mounting surfaces on which the fluidic devices are mounted and inclined channels for connecting the mounting surfaces in the interior of the base member.
US08783291B2 Servo valve
The present invention relates to a two-stage electrohydraulic servo valve with a first stage, which operates as pilot stage and includes a movable nozzle tube, and a second stage which operates as power stage, wherein the nozzle tube of the pilot stage is guided by means of a torsion element and the oil supply of the movable nozzle tube is integrated in the torsion element.
US08783286B2 Piping internals to control gas-liquid flow split
Structures and methods are provided for improving the distribution of fluids between exit flows from a split junction, such as a tee-junction. The improved distribution of fluids can result in a more equal distribution of both gases and liquids between the exits of the junction. The improvement can be provided by using a baffle structure, such as an annular baffle structure, upstream from the desired junction. The baffle structures can improve the distribution of fluids in the exit flows in various manners, such as by reducing the amount of vorticity or “swirl” in the input flow to the junction or by reducing the separation of gases from liquids within a flow.
US08783280B2 Modular hydraulic hammer reduction system for railroad tank cars
A modular hydraulic hammer reduction system for railroad tank cars includes tubular hydraulic hammer reduction devices which include means to connect the tubular devices to flanges other than by welding or being cast together. For example, the tubular devices can be press fit into the flanges, or the tubular devices can be connected to the flanges with snap rings (preferably spiral-lock snap rings), or even more preferably the tubular devices can be press fit into the flanges and the tubular devices can be connected to the flanges with snap rings (preferably spiral-lock snap rings). The advantage of this modular construction is that one can manufacture multiple tubular devices and multiple flanges of each type, and connect the flanges to the tubular devices on an as-needed basis. This is preferable to having many of each type of hydraulic hammer reduction system assembled and ready to be delivered, as the demand for different types of hydraulic hammer reduction systems varies and storing fully assembled devices will take up more space.
US08783278B2 Back pressure valve with inductively heated flap
A back pressure valve for a fuel cell stack assembly is disclosed, wherein the valve includes a solenoid disposed thereon, an energization of the solenoid causing a generation of heat in a valve flap to facilitate a melting of ice that has formed in the valve.
US08783277B2 Actuator and position-detecting method therefor
In an actuator, an electric power supply to a position-detecting detector for an object to be driven can be carried out in a timely manner during a power failure to thereby suppress an electric power consumption in the position-detecting detector, whereby duration time of a power-failure compensation battery can be prolonged, and a variety of detectors can be selected and utilized without limitation in accordance with a use environment and usefulness. During the power failure, a switching means 40 establishes a linking state in which an input shaft 11 of a reduction mechanism 10 and a manual inputting means 30 are linked to each other. When the linking state is detected by a detecting means, an electric power is fed from a battery 80 to a rotation detector by a control section 70, so that the control section 70 can obtain a displacement of the object to be driven, based on a signal output from the rotation detector. In a state in which the input shaft 11 of the reduction mechanism 10 can be manually rotated, the electric power is fed to the rotation detector. Thus, a useless consumption of the electric power of the battery 80 can be suppressed, and it is possible to suitably obtain the displacement of the object to be driven without an interruption even if the power failure happens.
US08783276B2 Covering system
The present invention concerns apparatus and methods for covering and uncovering a desired object. Particular embodiments include a covering system comprising: a cover operably connected to a plurality of translational members translationally positioned along a track; two or more hangers having a vertically extending portion and an outwardly extending portion, the track being operably attached to the outwardly extending portion; means for mounting hangers in a rotatable arrangement to a structure about a vertical axis. A further embodiment of the present invention includes a method for covering and uncovering a desired object, the steps including: mounting each of two or more hangers to a structure in a rotatable arrangement, the two or more hangers having a vertically extending portion and an outwardly extending portion; suspending a track from the outwardly extending portion of the two or more hangers; suspending a cover from the track, the cover being translatable along the track; rotating the two or more hangers between a covering position and a stored position, the covering position being arranged to position the track above an object to be covered, and the stored position being arranged to position the track to a side of the object to be covered.
US08783275B2 Compact folding umbrella with hybrid ribs to resist damage due to inversion
A folding umbrella and particularly one having multiple folds, includes a support frame incorporating a hybrid rib typically located intermediate a main rib and a rear or outermost rib. The hybrid rib is formed of multiple sections composed of first and second materials which respectively provide the desired structural strength to reduce inversions of the umbrella to an acceptable minimum and provide the hybrid rib with the desired resiliency and flexibility to return the hybrid rib to its original, unstressed shape and thereby prevent permanent damage to the hybrid rib as well as adjoining frame elements of the umbrella. The thicknesses of the multiple sections and the relative sizes of the sections also significantly contribute to the capability of the hybrid rib to achieve the desired objectives of a compact, small, folding umbrella of reduced weight, and the ability to prevent permanent damage to the frame due to inversion.
US08783267B2 Hair trimming guide
A hair trimming guide offers four edges; a first curved edge, a second curved edge, a first straight edge, and a second straight edge. These four edges allow a person to easily trim or shape their hair, such as a beard, by following the edges of the hair trimming guide. The curved edges are used when a person wants a curved outline to their beard, such as along the cheeks. If no curved outlines are desired, a user can simply trim with the straight edges. For use with larger or smaller facial areas, the hair trimming guide can be offered in multiple sizes, providing a larger size for larger facial areas and a smaller size for smaller facial areas, especially around the nose and mouth. The hair trimming guide is flat and smooth which enables it to be pressed against a user's face without causing discomfort.
US08783261B2 Apparatus for prevention of snoring and improved breathing
According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device includes an arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of a user's dental arch and having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a dental attachment that includes an anchoring element configured to be outside the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a second arch. The dental device further includes a flexible tension element including a substantially planar surface extending along the longitudinal axis of the flexible tension element, the flexible tension element configured to couple to the second arch proximate to the midline of the second arch and to couple to the anchoring element outside the user's mouth.
US08783259B2 Oral appliance for improved nocturnal breathing
An oral appliance includes a one-piece tray system that fits over the posterior teeth of the user and is custom-made or customized using lining material that conforms to the dentition of the wearer. The device may position the lower jaw in a slightly protruded position with respect to the upper jaw.
US08783256B2 Laryngeal mask airway device
The invention relates to a laryngeal mask airway device (1) for insertion into patient to provide an airway passage to the patient's glottic opening, the device (1) including an airway tube (2), a mask (3) attached to the airway tube (2), the mask (3) including a body (4) having a distal end (5) and a proximal end (6), a peripheral inflatable cuff (7), and an outlet (8), the mask (3) being attached to the airway tube (2) for gaseous communication between the tube (2) and the outlet (8), the device (1) further including a structure to prevent occlusion of the outlet (8) by the patient's anatomy, the structure including a support (11), and a conduit (28a) to allow gas to flow out of the outlet (8), past the support.
US08783255B2 Medical device tube having suction lumen and an associated suctioning system
Various embodiments of a tracheal tube having a suction lumen are provided. For example, the suction lumen may be associated with two spaced apart pressure transducers, whereby a pressure drop between the transducers indicates that the suction lumen is free of blockages and a characteristic lack of pressure drop and/or particular pressure curve is indicative of a blockage. In addition, embodiments may include a tracheal tube with sensors configured to sense a buildup of secretions. The sensors may be located proximate to an opening in the suction lumen. In other embodiments, a blockage-clearing system for a suction lumen may be provided that blows air into the suction lumen to clear blockages. In particular, in certain embodiments, the blockage-clearing system may operate to create its own pressurized air source by utilizing the pressure change created in the suction line by a blockage.
US08783250B2 Methods and systems for transitory ventilation support
This disclosure describes systems and methods for providing a transitory ventilation support breath type during ventilation of a patient. The disclosure describes a novel breath type that provides for a beneficial transition between an assist breath type and an effort-based breath type and/or a breath type that is beneficial for weak patients.
US08783249B2 Inhalation apparatus
An inhaler is instantly activated upon its removal from a cover or cover unit, and by rotating a cartridge component of the inhaler with respect to a mouthpiece portion, so as to create a flow pathway for ambient air and particles. The cartridge component includes a chamber, whose contents typically include dry powders or the like. Upon creation of the flow pathway, the contents of the chamber are instantly accessible for immediate inhalation by a user through the mouthpiece portion.
US08783245B2 Ventilation system for a range hood with exhaust and recirculation options
A ventilation system for a range hood of a kitchen area is provided. More particularly, a kitchen ventilation system is provided that has both exhaust and recirculation options that are provided by internally contained features for directing the flow of air. The system can be installed as a modular unit as part of a new or existing range hood.
US08783242B1 Charcoal grill having re-chargeable charcoal feed for continuous operation
A charcoal grill includes a base for holding charcoal, support legs, and a lid mounted to the base. A metal band, having an opening formed therein, encircles the base. A box is secured to the metal band in registration with the metal band opening. The box includes a top wall and an opening formed in the top wall. The box has an open, ram-receiving back end and an open front end in open communication with the metal band opening. A chimney holds charcoal until it is ready to be used. A user inverts the chimney to charge charcoal into the box through the top wall opening. A ram inserted through the back end of the box slides the charcoal into the base through the metal band opening. In this way, charcoal is added to the apparatus when the lid is closed and before a prior charge of charcoal is consumed.
US08783240B2 Tile saw with free-rolling wheels
A saw system in one embodiment includes a base, a work support surface member supported by the base and including a work piece support surface defining a horizontal work piece support plane, and a plurality of wheels, each of the plurality of wheels engaged with at least one of the base and the work support surface member, wherein none of the plurality of wheels is attached to either the base or the work support surface member.
US08783237B2 Pellet-loading system for sporting rifles or pistols
It comprises a barrel (1), a casing (6) joined to said barrel, with an aperture (7), a pellet-loading element (2) arranged inside the casing (6), with a notch (3) that ends facing the barrel (1) mouth (4) in the open or pellet-loading position, a handle (5) firmly joined to the pellet-loading element that protrudes beyond the casing (6) through the aperture (7) that rotates the pellet-loading element (2) from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, with referred handle (5) resting on a first side (11) of said aperture (7) and a spring pusher (8), characterised in that it comprises a spring (9) between the barrel (1) and pellet-loading element (2), and a partial necking (10) on the first side (11) of the aperture (7) along which necking (10) the handle (5) moves from the open position to closed position and vice versa, during which same time it moves the pellet-loading element (2) away from the mouth (4) by action of the spring (9), each time the handle (5) is at the necking (10).
US08783236B2 Archery bow and archery bow cam
An archery bow and cam apparatus having an anti-rotation cam stop mechanism which permits loosening of the bow string, loosening of a cable, or loosening of the bow string and a cable. The anti-rotation means may comprise an aperture or series of apertures through the cam and a member insertable in the aperture. The member can extend through the cam assembly and contact the limb of the bow to prevent the cam from rotating back to a resting or static position. The invention is particularly suited for a compound bow or compound crossbow having one or more cams, and a combination of a bow string and power cable, such the bow string may be detensioned by increasing the tension on the power cable, and vice versa, upon stopping free rotation of the cam.
US08783234B2 Supercharger mounting to an engine unit of a vehicle
An engine unit includes an engine body, and a supercharging machine having a main body. The main body of the supercharging machine is coupled to the engine body via a component or a member disposed therebetween.
US08783228B2 Operating system for internal combustion engine
A fuel separation device is configured to separate the first fuel from the mixed fuel to have a concentration of the high-octane fuel not more than a prescribed upper limit value. The prescribed upper limit is defined that a consumed amount of the high-octane fuel measured under a condition that the internal combustion engine is operated at an operation mode including a state in which a fuel injection amount from a first fuel injection valve for the first fuel is equal to a lower injection amount limit by using the first fuel and the second fuel separated by the fuel separation device is less than a consumed amount of the high-octane fuel measured under at the above operation mode by using the first fuel and the second fuel having the concentration of the high-octane fuel at 100% and 0%, respectively, by a prescribed amount or more.
US08783220B2 Quarter wave coaxial cavity igniter for combustion engines
An apparatus and method for igniting combustible materials in a combustion chamber of a combustion engine using corona discharge plasma from a quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A tapered quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is adapted to mate with the combustion chamber. The quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator is coupled with an energy shaping means, or waveform generator, that develops the appropriate waveform for triggering radio frequency oscillations in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator. A loop coupling is angularly positioned within the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator to match impedances between the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and the energy shaping means, or waveform generator. Radio frequency oscillations produce a standing wave in the quarter wave coaxial cavity resonator and a corona discharge plasma develops near the center conductor. The corona discharge plasma developed near the center conductor ignites the combustible materials in the combustion chamber of the combustion engine.
US08783218B2 Toroidal combustion chamber with side injection
A toroidal combustion chamber shape with a side injector is disclosed for an opposed-piston engine. Fuel is injected into the toroidal volume from a fuel injector in the cylinder wall. In one embodiment, fuel is injected from each injector a plurality of times with the timing between the injections such that fuel clouds from each injection remain substantially isolated from each other.
US08783217B1 Method for cooling a four stroke marine engine with increased segregated heat removal from its exhaust manifold
A cooling system for a marine engine is provided with various cooling channels and passages which allow the rates of flow of its internal streams of water to be preselected so that heat can be advantageously removed at varying rates for different portions of the engine. In addition, the direction of flow of cooling water through the various passages assists in the removal of heat from different portions of the engine at different rates so that overheating can be avoided in certain areas, such as the exhaust manifold and cylinder head, while overcooling is avoided in other areas, such as the engine block.
US08783216B2 Oil/coolant module with coolant treatment system
An oil/coolant module for a combustion engine, includes an oil filter, an oil/water heat exchanger, a water pump, and a coolant treatment system comprising a water filter and containing treatment additives for a coolant circuit.
US08783215B2 Tar scrubber for energy recovery from gasification operations
A method and apparatus for generating electrical energy from combustion of biomass is provided. The present invention provides both liquid-phase and gas-phase fuel to an internal combustion engine that is designed to run on both types of fuel. Scrubbing syngas generated in an updraft gasifier with a first petrochemical-based liquid fuel reduces the concentration of tars in the syngas stream and also enables absorption of tars from the syngas into the first liquid fuel. After absorption, the tars form a second liquid fuel that is suitable for direct use in the internal combustion engine. As a result, the syngas provided to the engine is substantially free of tars and the volume of liquid fuel available to the engine is increased.
US08783214B2 Oil make-up and replenishment oil filter and method of use
An oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device comprising an oil filter and oil additive replenishment system further comprising: a full-flow oil filter; a by-pass oil filter; an oil additive dispensing system; and an on-vehicle controller to dispense additive as required, track additive consumption and signal the need for a replacement system is described. Also a method of using such oil filter and oil-additive dispensing device to extend the useful life of lubricating oil in a vehicle engine is described.
US08783213B2 Heat exchanger and water heater incorporating the same
A heat exchanger A1 includes: a case 2 surrounding a heat transfer tube 4; and a guide member 5 for guiding heating gas entering the case 2 through an intake vent 21 to a first space region 24A and then to a second space region 24B, the guide member 5, together with a wall portion 20b, defining therebetween a gap 25b in communication with a gap 25a between the wall portion 20b and the heat transfer tube 4 for allowing part of the heating gas having been guided to the first space region 24A to proceed into the second space region 24B through the gaps 25a and 25b. This arrangement performs efficient heat recovery from the heating gas by effectively utilizing the entire heat transfer tube 4 while alleviating a problem that the case 2 is partially heated to elevated temperatures.
US08783212B2 Animal collar with integrated electronics
The present invention provides an improved design for an animal collar with an integrated electronic device where the contact surface/points of the electronic device can be positioned in a way that is physically comfortable for the animal that wears the collar. The design of the electronic device as a whole does not compromise aesthetics while being unobtrusive and effective to receive control signals.
US08783203B1 Two-piece modular boat
A boat comprising a two-piece construction which consequently conserves space during storage and transportation is herein disclosed. The apparatus splits in half to allow the forward half hull to be stored within the aft half hull portion. When joined, the apparatus appears and performs as a conventional small one-piece flat boat. Each half hull portion resembles a conventional shape; however comprises an additional centrally-located bulkhead portion, thereby forming a pair of completely watertight half hulls. Said half hulls are then attached securely via mating features and locking pins to form a rigid boat structure.
US08783200B1 Transformable hull vessel
A system for transforming a vessel hull to adjust to changing water conditions, changing the hull configuration to adapt to rough water, shallow water, a different draft or speed. The system transforms the vessel hull from a first configuration to another configuration by selectively pneumatically raising and lowering a plurality of integral sponsons that form the hull within seconds without removing the vessel from the water, even with the vessel underway. The system accommodates a multiplicity of engine designs, such as an outboard motor, a motor in a recessed position, a airboat motor or twin engines. A plurality of pneumatic cylinders that raise and lower the integral sponsons are controlled by a controller such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Control) located at a helm of the vessel.
US08783197B2 Single seeder with a foldable chassis and at least one distribution head arranged at the rear of the seeder
A single seeder with a foldable chassis composed of a central section arranged transversely with respect to the direction of work and of two lateral sections articulated on the central section, seeder elements being distributed in a regular manner on the chassis, the seeder including burying coulters for the distribution of product extending at the front of a respective seeder element, a distribution head and pipes connected on the distribution head and ending at the burying coulters. The distribution head is arranged at the rear of the seeder, behind the seeder elements, taking into account the direction of advance.
US08783196B2 AC plasma ejection gun, the method for supplying power to it and pulverized coal burner
An AC plasma ejection gun, a method for supplying power to the gun, and a pulverized coal burner are provided. The ejection gun comprising a front electrode and a rear electrode. There is a gap between the electric rear electrode and said front electrode. The ejection gun can work with small current and large power, so that the life of the plasma ejection gun is prolonged.
US08783195B2 Steering funnel for bed material in fluidized bed boiler, fluidized bed boiler and method in fluidized bed boiler
A fluidized bed boiler (1) has a furnace (5) limited by walls (2), a grate (3) and a roof (4). Below the grate (3) in connection with the furnace (5) is arranged a steering funnel (7) in which bed material removed from the furnace (5) is led downwards. Into the steering funnel (7), between its upper and lower edge, are arranged guide plates (14, 15, 19), which are substantially divergent from the surface of the steering funnel (7), for guiding a flow of the bed material inside the steering funnel (7). The guide plates (14, 15, 19) aim to equalize the flow of the material inside the steering funnel (7) for example by preventing the development of a core flow between an inlet (24) and outlet connection (25) of the steering funnel and at the same time to get the bed material to flow on the whole cross-sectional area of the steering funnel (7).
US08783191B2 Drive in aid and vehicle treatment system
The invention provides a drive-in aid for a conveying device provided for transporting a vehicle to be treated in a transport direction through a vehicle treatment system, having a lane running in the transport direction for tires of the vehicle, a base plate movable transversely to the transport direction and two guide elements converging at least partially above the movable base plate in the transport direction, and a corresponding vehicle treatment system. The drive-in aid and vehicle treatment system allow the tires of the vehicle to be treated to be positioned without damage and centrally with respect to the desired lane of the conveying device. The drive-in aid is characterized in that the guide elements are movable to and fro between an approach position, in which they converge in the transport direction and extend into the lane and a drive-through position, in which they define the lane laterally.
US08783190B2 Trolley braking system
A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a cylinder having a closed end and a piston slidably mounted in the interior. A braking cable is secured to the piston and routed through an opening in the closed end of the cylinder to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include a relief valve to release compressed air from the cylinder, so that the braking force may be controlled.
US08783187B2 Firearm projectiles and cartridges and methods of manufacturing the same
Firearm projectiles and methods of manufacturing firearm projectiles from a supply of clad wire. In some embodiments, the clad wire is manufactured as electrical wire, such as copper-clad steel wire. Bullets and shot, as well as methods of forming bullets and shot, from clad wire are disclosed.
US08783183B2 Active body
An active body is provided that includes at least one active mass block made of monobasic or polybasic high-energy materials such as a nitrocellulose mixture, for example, comprising approximately 60 percent nitroglycerin and 40 percent diethylene glycol dinitrate, which is provided with structures both on a surface and on an interior. In addition, the inner structures can be filled with an active mass substance. The ignition is triggered by a pyrotechnical primer composition, which initiates the active body, preferably from the inside.
US08783182B2 Printing press, folder, and methods of operation
Systems and methods for allowing existing rotary printing press units to produce smaller pages at a faster rate of speed without having to replace the press unit. Specifically, the systems and methods relate to retrofitting an existing press unit to produce three pages of material in each full rotation instead of the traditional two pages.
US08783181B2 Detecting an unsecured state of a mandrel
A mandrel position analyzer (108) in an imaging device (100) includes a head stock (144) for a first side of the mandrel; a tail stock (104) for a second side of the mandrel; a first encoder (212) attached to the head stock adapted to measure first signals wherein the first signals are generated by movement of the mandrel; a second encoder (208) attached to the tail stock adapted to measure second signals wherein the second signals are generated by movement of the mandrel; an analyzer (224) which compares measured results of the first signals and results of the second signals; and if the measured results do not match generating an abnormal state of the mandrel signal alarm (260).
US08783180B1 Portable manually operable printing proofer
A manually operable proofing apparatus for performing sample test printings comprises a table for supporting a printable substrate, a carriage supported on the table for reciprocal movement along the printing surface, and a proofer assembly comprising an anilox roller for applying a printing material to the substrate. The carriage and the proofer assembly have matable quick-connect elements for selective attachment and detachment of the proofer assembly to, and from the carriage without fasteners or tools. The quick-connect element of the proofer assembly comprises a pair of bearings, and the quick-connect element of the carriage comprises a bracket defining an open receiving area for mated receipt of the bearing elements of the proofer assembly. The bracket of the carriage has a detent for retaining the bearing elements in an operational disposition supporting the anilox roller adjacent the printing surface when the bearing elements are mated within the receiving area.
US08783178B2 Printing blanket including a non-extensible backing layer and a relief area which may be mounted in a variety of lockup mechanisms
A printing blanket is provided which may include a printable surface ply, a compressible ply, one or more reinforcing fabric plies, and a non-extensible backing layer comprising a polymeric material. The printing blanket has first and seconds ends which are adapted to be inserted into the gap of a printing blanket cylinder, where each of the first and second ends may include a relief area formed by removing or molding a portion of the blanket or by removing or molding a portion of the non-extensible backing layer such that the blanket may be mounted in a wide variety of printing presses using a number of different lock-up mechanisms.
US08783174B2 Screen printing method
The method for screen printing improves accuracy during a plurality of screen printing steps. After a first layer and an alignment mark are printed on a workpiece, the alignment mark is imaged by a camera so that the alignment mark is stored as image data in an image processing device adapted to deliver reference data for subsequent printing, and the image data is used to renew the reference data in the image processing device.
US08783171B2 Juice extractor
A juice extractor is adapted to squeeze juice from oranges and similar kinds of fruits. The juice extractor includes a juice extractor base and a juice squeezing wheel rotatably disposed on the juice extractor base. An arcuate concave surface is formed on an upper portion of the juice extractor base. The juice squeezing wheel has an involute outer surface. A crushing space is defined between the juice squeezing wheel and the concave surface of the juice extractor base for receiving a half-cut fruit. When the juice squeezing wheel rotates, the half-cut fruit in the crushing space is crushed to produce fruit juice. The juice extractor can squeeze juice electrically, is structurally simple and is convenient to be washed.
US08783169B2 System, method and apparatus for processing food products
A food processing system 10 comprising a cooking apparatus 12 and a cooling apparatus 14. The apparatus 12, 14 are similar and are configured for processing sausages which have casings which are fragile and easily ruptured. The apparatus 12 comprises a processing vessel 16 for containing a cooking liquid, a feed chute 18, a guide means in the form of jets 56.1, 56.2 and 56.3, a screw conveyer 22 and a discharge conveyer 24. The sausages are fed into the vessel 16 via feed chute 18. The jets 56.1, 56.2 and 56.3 guide the sausages into optimal positions relative to the screw conveyer 22 which conveys the sausages to the discharge conveyer 24. The jets 56.1, 56.2 and 56.3 also separate the sausages ensuring that the sausages do not “bunch up” when deposited into the vessel 16 and also ensure that the sausages are aligned and travel in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the screw conveyer 22 thereby to reduce impact forces applied to the sausages by the conveyer 22.
US08783168B2 Double-layer grilling device
A double-layer rotatable grilling device has a base with two supporting brackets; a pan component rotatably disposed between the two supporting brackets, which has a lower pan unit with a cooking surface on the top, and a lower handle on one end; an upper pan unit with a cooking surface on the bottom, and an upper handle on one end; and a middle pan unit with two cooking surfaces both on the top and the bottom, and a temperature controller for adjusting the pans units disposed on the middle pan unit, and the knob for adjusting the temperature controller. The temperature controller is a mechanical controller with double-metal pieces, and the temperature is adjusted by rotating the bronze axle; a rotating shaft is disposed between the knob and the temperature controller, the knob can rotate the rotating shaft, and then the bronze axle of the temperature controller can be rotated.
US08783164B2 System, package, apparatus and method for dosing coffee beans
A system for dosing coffee beans, comprising a coffee bean package provided with walls enclosing an inner space for coffee beans, a coffee bean outlet for delivering coffee beans, and a coupling part for coupling and uncoupling the coffee bean package with an apparatus that is provided with a coffee bean grinder, and an at least partly movably arranged coffee bean receiving device for supplying coffee beans from the coffee bean package to the grinder, which coffee bean receiving device is provided with a dosing space for being capable of containing a predetermined dose of coffee beans, wherein the coffee bean package prior to use in itself is closed off such that exposure of the coffee beans to ambient air is prevented, and the coffee bean receiving device is arranged to be guided through the coffee bean outlet into the inner space of the coffee bean package for letting coffee beans from the coffee bean package into the dosing space, and to guide the dosing space through the coffee bean outlet out of the inner space of the coffee bean package for supplying the dose of coffee beans from the dosing space to the grinder.
US08783162B2 Hydraulic driven turning device
A hydraulic driven turning device to be installed to a construction machine has a first body and a second body turning in relation to the first body, and a hydraulic cylinder attached from the first and second bodies to another body. A piston is axially movable via a hydraulic pressure medium, and a spiral part is attached to the piston. The spiral part causes a rotational movement to a counter part equipped with a spiral, whereupon the rotational movement can be transferred to be a turning movement of another body. The piston is arranged to be non-rotating in the cylinder by forming the cross section of the piston and the cylinder to be deviant from a round form, such as having an oval or angular shape, or by adjusting the piston to be eccentric in relation to a bearing axis thereof.
US08783158B2 Delayed blowback firearms with novel mechanisms for control of recoil and muzzle climb
The mechanism comprises a main frame (1) and its extension (1′), which accommodate a barrel (21) with fixed mounting, a mobile bolt (22) and its guiding pin ensemble (66) and main spring (67) moving in the main frame (1), a mobile mass (34) and its assembly of guiding pin (60), push plate (61) and return spring (62), and a mobile mass catch sear (42) and its spring (7). The mobile mass pivots from a first position under the barrel to a downward position in reaction to the backward movement of the mobile bolt. The placement of the mobile mass in front of the chamber directs counteracting forces down on the barrel to prevent muzzle climb during operation.
US08783142B2 Cutting pieces out of a mass of cheese
Disclosed is a method for cutting pieces having a predefined length, i.e. sticks, out of a mass of cheese, in which a cheese bar is first cut into parallel longitudinal strips while being conveyed on a belt conveyer using a longitudinal cutting device. The longitudinal strips are then cut into pieces using a transverse cutting device having a transverse cutting knife, which is conveyed along with the cheese bar during the transverse cutting process.
US08783138B2 High density tool bit holder
Exemplary embodiments are directed to tool bit holders that generally include a tool bit cartridge defined by side walls located opposite and facing away from each other, and at least one end wall that defines a curved, angled or staggered geometry. The exemplary tool bit holders generally include a pivot point located on the side walls of the tool bit cartridge. The tool bit cartridge includes tool bit storage holes in the at least one end wall. The tool bit cartridge generally rotates about the pivot point within a cavity of a device.
US08783135B2 Electro-mechanical drive-unit
An electro-mechanical drive-unit includes an input member, an output member, a drive-unit housing, and a gearing arrangement operatively connected to each of the output and input members. The drive-unit also includes a pump for circulating pressurized fluid and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a rotor connected to the gearing arrangement, a stator fixed relative to the drive-unit housing and having wire windings, and a motor housing configured to retain the rotor and the stator. The drive-unit also includes a fluid cavity between the drive-unit housing and the motor housing configured to receive the pressurized fluid. The drive-unit housing defines a passage in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. The drive-unit also includes a fastener having a head and a shank. The fastener is secured within the passage to facilitate discharging the fluid from under the fastener head onto the wire windings for cooling and/or lubrication thereof.
US08783130B2 Device to control force required to depress accelerator pedal
When an accelerator opening angle has reached an accelerator opening angle threshold value APS1 corresponding to a boundary of a range in which a fuel consumption is relatively deteriorated, a pedal effort of accelerator pedal 2 is increased by a pedal effort increment with respect to a base pedal effort. Even in a case where the accelerator pedal is pushed back to reduce the accelerator opening angle due to an increase in pedal effort when the accelerator opening angle exceeds the accelerator opening angle threshold value APS1, cancellation of pedal effort increment is inhibited to thereby ensure suppression of rattling of accelerator pedal 2 contrary to the driver's intention.
US08783128B2 Steering column manufacturing machine and method of manufacturing a steering column
A steering column assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer jacket, an inner jacket telescopingly disposed within the outer jacket for movement along a longitudinal axis with a cavity defined between the inner and outer jackets. A bushing is radially disposed about the inner jacket within the cavity between the inner and outer jackets. The bushing includes at least one tab engaging the inner jacket to interconnect the bushing to the inner jacket and includes at least one radially projecting pad engaging the outer jacket to frictionally interconnect the bushing to the outer jacket for interlocking the inner and outer jackets.
US08783122B2 Movement sensor and system for establishing a movement profile
A movement sensor for establishing a movement profile of a living being, in particular a human, is characterized in that the movement sensor has an arrangement for automatically changing between various operating modes.
US08783121B2 Liquid collecting system and a method therefor
A blood collecting apparatus includes a cleaning solution piping. The cleaning solution piping feeds into a flow path a heparin solution which is a liquid other than blood to be measured, in order to return the blood present in the flow path to a catheter disposed upstream of a blood inlet of the flow path. Thus, the blood having flowed into the flow path in an amount more than is necessary for blood collection, which corresponds to a portion returned to the upstream catheter of the blood to be measured present in the flow path, can be used in a next blood collection. As a result, the amount of collected blood can be reduced. The liquid to be measured is separated apart by means of a gas, and the flow path is cleaned in a way to leave no impurities in the flow path, thereby preventing impurities from mixing into the liquid to be measured.
US08783119B2 Vane arm testing rig
An example vane arm testing rig includes a base having a first attachment configured to receive a first end of a vane arm when the vane arm is in an engaged position, and a torque member having a second attachment configured to receive an opposing, second end of the vane arm when the vane arm is in the engaged position. The vane arm extends along a longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end. The first and second attachments are configured to rotate relative to each other about the axis. The first and second attachments are configured to move laterally relative to each other.
US08783118B2 Control unit for electric power steering device
A bending load acting on a steering shaft only with a magnetostrictive torque sensor, without separately providing a sensor for detecting the bending moment. A storage unit stores, as an initial characteristic curve formed from initial detection values, a characteristic curve formed from detection values of each of a first detection coil and a second detection coil when only twisting torque is applied to a steering shaft. A bending load detector provided in an ECU detects a bending load amount acting on the steering shaft based on a difference between each detection value of the first and second detection coils and the initial detection value on the initial characteristic curve corresponding to the detection value.
US08783115B2 System and method for measuring cable bending force and cable kink force
A test apparatus includes a first surface configured to apply a linear force in two directions and a first attachment assembly configured to secure a first end of a cable to the first surface. The first attachment assembly is further configured to permit two degrees of rotational freedom. The test apparatus also includes a second surface, opposite the first surface, and a second attachment assembly configured to secure a second end of the cable to the second surface. The apparatus facilitates testing of a bending force and a kink force associated with the cable.
US08783114B2 Occupancy sensor
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, devices, and systems for determining occupancy of a user. One method to determine occupancy of a user includes sensing a change in resistance of a sensor element of an occupancy sensor, correlating the change in resistance to a force transmitted to the occupancy sensor, and determining an occupancy status of a user based on the force transmitted.
US08783112B2 Gas monitoring system implementing pressure detection
A gas monitoring system is disclosed. The gas monitoring system may have a first electrode in fluid communication with a first gas and a second gas, and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode to contain the second gas between the first and second electrodes. The gas monitoring system may also have a pulse generator configured to apply a series of voltage pulses to the first and second electrodes and create a plasma in the second gas. Each voltage pulse in the series of voltage pulses may have an incrementally higher voltage amplitude than a preceding voltage pulse in the series of voltage pulses. The gas monitoring system may further have a detection controller in communication with the pulse generator. The detection controller may be configured to detect breakdown of the second gas during application of one of the series of voltage pulses, and based on a voltage amplitude of the one of the series of voltage pulses, determine a parameter of the first gas.
US08783111B2 Ultrasonic testing probe and ultrasonic testing apparatus
Provided are an ultrasonic testing probe and an ultrasonic testing apparatus capable of reducing the time required for flaw detection while maintaining the flaw-detection capability, irrespective of the shape of the inner surface of a tested object. A first probe (21) and a second probe (22) are provided, in each of which a plurality of oscillators that transmit ultrasonic waves to a tested object (T) and detect the ultrasonic waves reflected from the tested object (T) are arrayed. The first probe (21) is disposed closer to a flaw in the tested object (T) than the second probe (22) is. The first probe (21) generates longitudinal ultrasonic waves that propagate on an inner surface (T5) of the tested object (T) opposite to an outer surface (T2) thereof where the first probe (21) and the second probe (22) are disposed and transverse ultrasonic waves that propagate from the outer surface (T2) toward an inside of the tested object (T). The second probe (22) generates longitudinal ultrasonic waves that propagate on the outer surface (T2) and longitudinal ultrasonic waves that propagate from the outer surface (T2) toward the inside of the tested object (T).
US08783107B2 Resonant inertial microsensor with variable thickness produced by surface engineering
The invention relates to a surface-type MEMS resonant sensor, comprising a resonator (4) with excitation in a plane, which sensor comprises: a first, so-called thick area (2), having a first thickness (E1), forming a seismic mass; and a second, thin area (4), having a second thickness (E2), lower than the first, for detection.
US08783106B1 Micromachined force-balance feedback accelerometer with optical displacement detection
An accelerometer includes a proof mass and a frame that are formed in a handle layer of a silicon-on-an-insulator (SOI). The proof mass is separated from the frame by a back-side trench that defines a boundary of the proof mass. The accelerometer also includes a reflector coupled to a top surface of the proof mass. An optical detector is located above the reflector at the device side. The accelerometer further includes at least one suspension spring. The suspension spring has a handle anchor that extends downwards from the device side to the handle layer to mechanically support upward and downward movement of the proof mass relative to a top surface of the proof mass.
US08783105B2 Yaw-rate sensor and method for operating a yaw-rate sensor
A yaw-rate sensor is described as having a substrate which has a main plane of extension for detecting a yaw rate about a first axis extending parallel to the main plane of extension is provided, the yaw-rate sensor having a first rotation element and a second rotation element, the first rotation element being drivable about a first axis of rotation, the second rotation element being drivable about a second axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation being situated perpendicularly to the main plane of extension, the second axis of rotation being situated perpendicularly to the main plane of extension, the first rotation element and the second rotation element being drivable in opposite directions.
US08783104B2 Vibration gyro element, vibration gyro sensor, electronic device, and method of detecting physical quantity of vibration
A vibration gyro element includes: a base section; a detection arm extending from the base section in a first direction; a joint section disposed at an end portion of the base section; a first drive arm extending from the joint section in a second direction intersecting with the first direction in a plan view; a second drive arm extending from the joint section in a direction opposite to the extending direction of the first drive arm; a first set of drive electrodes provided to the first drive arm; a second set of drive electrodes provided to the second drive arm; and a set of detection electrodes provided to the detection arm, wherein the first drive arm vibrates in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, the second drive arm vibrates in a same direction as the first drive arm.
US08783103B2 Offset detection and compensation for micromachined inertial sensors
Error sources relating to the drive signal applied to the resonator of an inertial sensor, such as in-phase offset errors relating to the drive signal and/or electronic pass-through of the drive signal to accelerometer sense electronics, are detected by modulating the drive signal and sensing accelerometer signals that are induced by the modulated drive signal. Error sources related to aerodynamics of an inertial sensor resonator are detected by modulating the distance between the resonator and the underlying substrate and sensing accelerometer signals that are induced by such modulation. Compensating signals may be provided to substantially cancel errors caused by such error sources.
US08783095B2 Ultrapure water production facility and method of monitoring ultrapure water
An ultrapure water production facility and a method of monitoring ultrapure water include an ultrapure water production system, a first monitoring unit including a resistivity meter, a second monitoring unit including a dissolved gas concentration meter, a TOC meter, a hydrogen peroxide concentration meter, a silica meter, a boron meter, an evaporation residue meter, and a water temperature meter connected in parallel, and a third monitoring unit including a particle meter. The third monitoring unit is provided in parallel with the first monitoring unit and the first monitoring unit and the second monitoring unit are connected in series.
US08783093B2 Device for placing a stopper while simultaneously checking that the stopper is correctly positioned
A device places a plug and simultaneously checks a correct position alignment of the plug with a holding element for fixing a hollow body. The device has at least one first and one second opening and a plug placement mechanism with which the plug is be inserted into the second opening of the hollow body. The device has a measuring head that is traversed by at least one channel. The channel can be fluidically connected to the first opening of the hollow body. The device can further include a pressure sensor which can be fluidically connected to the channel of the measuring head.
US08783092B2 Oil migration system
An apparatus and a system is provided that may be utilized to determine oil migration and oil displacement from a pre-oiled air filter. The present invention may also be utilized to determine if oil is displaced from the air filter onto a portion of the apparatus for visualization to a user. The present invention utilizes a demonstration apparatus having a system for forcing air through the oil subjected air filter thereby attempting to force displacement of the oil from the air filter. The apparatus utilizes a blowing means whereby the oil infused air filter is subject to higher than normal air flow and whereby the apparatus has a deflection portion whereby if oil is displaced from the air filter, it is deflected onto the deflection portion where it would be physically viewable to an observer present in the vicinity of the apparatus.
US08783091B2 Cement testing
Devices and methods for testing cement include: a pressure vessel with a sample container inside an interior working volume of the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel configured to supply a first pressurized fluid to control a pore pressure of a cement sample and to supply a second pressurized fluid to lateral exterior surfaces of the sample container to provide a confining pressure that can be different than the pore pressure.
US08783086B2 Method for producing golf club head
A golf club head has a hollow structure comprising a head main body provided with a opening and a cover covering the opening. The head main body is made of a metal material and provided in the opening with a supporting part for supporting a peripheral edge part of the cover fitted in the opening. The cover is made of a low specific gravity material. A method for producing the golf club head comprises a step of preparing a first workpiece having an opening, which step comprises forming the supporting part through a press working of a sheet metal having a uniform thickness.
US08783075B2 Latch assembly
The present disclosure is directed to a latch assembly that includes a pawl assembly, a lever assembly and a lock assembly. The pawl assembly is actuated from an open position to a closed assembly by the lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a drive lever having a slot and a driven lever having a slot that is open on one end. The lock assembly has an engagement member that moves along the slot of the drive lever between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When in the engaged position, the engagement member is received within the slot of the driven lever. When in the disengaged position, the engagement member is outside of the slot of the driven lever.
US08783072B2 Drum-type washing machine and bearing housing structure thereof
A drum type washing machine is provided. The washing machine may include a tub, a drum, a motor rotating the drum, bearing housings housing bearings to support a rotation shaft, a suspension connected to the bearing housings and a cabinet to mitigate vibration, a bracket coupled to the bearing housings, and a gasket installed between the bracket and the tub. Such an arrangement may allow volumes of the tub and the drum may be increased without increasing the volume of the cabinet.
US08783066B2 Glass molding system and related apparatus and method
A glass molding system and a method of making glass articles using the glass molding system are disclosed. The glass molding system includes an indexing table, a plurality of enclosures arranged along the indexing table, and a plurality of stations defined on the indexing table such that each of the stations is selectively indexable with any one of the enclosures. At least one radiant heater is arranged in at least one of the enclosures. A radiation reflector surface and a radiation emitter body are arranged in the at least one of the enclosures. The radiation emitter body is between the at least one radiant heater and the radiation reflector surface and has a first surface in opposing relation to the at least one radiant heater and a second surface in opposing relation to the radiation reflector surface.
US08783063B2 Glass substrate for magnetic disk and manufacturing method of the same
A glass substrate for a magnetic disk of the invention is a disk-shaped glass substrate for a magnetic disk where the substrate has a main surface and end face and is subjected to chemical reinforcement treatment, and is characterized in that the penetration length in the uppermost-portion stress layer on the main surface is 49.1 μm or less, and that assuming that an angle between the main surface and compressive stress in the stress profile by a Babinet compensator method is θ, a value y of {12·t·ln(tan θ)+(49.1/t)} is the penetration length in the uppermost-portion stress layer or less.
US08783061B2 Apparatus and method for optimizing a natural gas liquefaction train having a nitrogen cooling loop
A natural gas liquefaction train includes a nitrogen cooling loop. A controller is provided for controlling one or more controlled variables by adjusting one or more manipulated variables. The one or more manipulated variables may include a nitrogen flow associated with the nitrogen cooling loop in the natural gas liquefaction train. The controller could adjust the nitrogen flow by adjusting operation of a compressor associated with the nitrogen cooling loop. The one or more controlled variables may include a rundown temperature of liquefied natural gas exiting the nitrogen loop and/or a calorific or heating value of the liquefied natural gas exiting the nitrogen loop. A second controller could control other aspects of the natural gas liquefaction train, such as by controlling a mass flow rate of a feed gas in the natural gas liquefaction train.
US08783059B2 Refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus
A refrigerating air-conditioning apparatus, at least provided with no possibility that a foreign material returns to a compressor from an accumulator at a time of the pipeline-cleaning operation firstly, and provided with a possibility to perform a collecting operation for the foreign material in a short time secondary, is provided.The heat-source side unit includes an accumulator provided with a function to separate and collect the foreign material in an existing pipeline, a collecting container for collecting the foreign material separated by the accumulator, and an oil return pipeline for returning refrigerating machine oil to the compressor via a flow amount adjusting device, installed at a lower portion of the accumulator, and at a time of ordinary cooling or heating operation, the refrigerating machine oil is caused to flow into the oil return pipeline, and at a time of pipeline cleaning and foreign material-collecting operations, the flow amount adjusting device is fully closed.
US08783058B2 Compact rapid chilling device and compact method of rapidly chilling contained liquids
A compact rapid liquid chilling apparatus and method are provided. A liquid is placed in a container having an inherent void volume. The housing includes a container-securing space dimensioned to receive ice and maintain substantially all of the ice atop the container placed therein and in thermal communication with the container without allowing substantially any of the ice to fall below the container. A rotating mechanism disposed in the housing rotates the container placed in the container-securing space. As the ice melts as it chills the rotating container, the resulting water falls freely below the container as substantially all of the unmelted ice remains above the container. A lid preferably closes around the container to form a portion of the container-securing space when closed. The lid preferably includes an ice supply window, and an ice measuring bin preferably is attachable to the window.
US08783055B2 Refrigerator
A refrigerator in which a water tank and a filter, which have conventionally been located in a storage compartment, are installed to a rear surface of a door and are arranged in parallel to a dispenser, which expands a storage space of the storage compartment and shortens a water supply path between the water tank and the dispenser.
US08783050B2 Heat source unit
A time for loading a refrigerant is shortened when a utilization unit of an air conditioner is installed. A heat source unit 1 includes a compressor 100; a heat-source-side heat exchanger 200; a refrigerant regulator 61 storing a refrigerant; an introducing pipe 62 which is a pipe that is branched off from a discharge-side pipe 110 of the compressor 100 and connected to the refrigerant regulator 61, and introduces the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 100 into the refrigerant regulator 61; and a lead-out pipe 63 which is a pipe that is connected from the refrigerant regulator 61 to an intake-side pipe 120 of the compressor 100, and leads out the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant regulator 61 into the intake-side pipe 120.
US08783040B2 Methods and systems relating to fuel delivery in combustion turbine engines
A fuel delivery system for a combustion turbine engine, comprising: a fuel line having a fuel compressor and parallel branches downstream of the fuel compressor: a cold branch that includes an after-cooler; and a hot branch that bypasses the after-cooler; a rapid heating value meter configured to measure the heating value of the fuel from the fuel source and transmit heating value data relating to the measurements; means for controlling the amount of fuel being directed through the cold branch and the amount of fuel being directed through the hot branch; and a fuel-mixing junction at which the cold branch and the hot branch converge; wherein the fuel-mixing junction resides in close proximity to a combustor gas control valve.
US08783039B2 Low shock strength propulsion system
A supersonic nacelle design employing a bypass flow path internal to the nacelle and around the engine is disclosed herein. A set of aerodynamic vanes may be used to shape a supersonic airflow within a bypass around an engine. The vanes may be capable of directing the subsonic airflow around the engine, and then expanding the subsonic airflow into a supersonic exhaust. The vanes may shape the airflow by reducing sonic boom strength, cowl drag, and airframe interference drag.
US08783038B2 Gas turbine combustor
A gas turbine combustor of the present invention comprises a fuel injector for injecting a fuel toward a combustion chamber; a swirler which takes-in compressed air generated in a compressor and swirls the compressed air, in the vicinity of the fuel injector; a tubular guide member for guiding the compressed air taken-in from the swirler, to the combustion chamber; and a heat shield having a cylindrical portion located outward relative to the guide member; wherein the cylindrical portion has a purge hole; and air is introduced through the purge hole and is supplied to a space formed between the guide member and the cylindrical portion.
US08783033B2 Wind- and radiation-energy collector system
A wind-energy and radiation-energy collector system has at least one radiation-energy collector with a radiation-absorbing absorber and a reflector element. The reflector element collects radiation and directs the radiation at the absorber. At least one wind wheel, which is arranged in a direction opposite the receiving direction of the radiation-energy collector and which is supported on the system, is provided. The arrangement of the radiation-energy collector and the wind wheel is movably supported so that the arrangement can be oriented either with the radiation-energy collector facing the sun or with the wind wheel against the prevailing wind direction.
US08783022B2 Retrofit aftertreatment system for treating diesel exhaust
An exhaust aftertreatment system for diesel engines includes a filtration station, a NOx reduction station, a temperature sensor, a pressure data generator, a NOx sensor, a reductant dispenser, and a controller. The filtration station filters particulate material from the exhaust. The NOx reduction station reduces NOx concentration in the exhaust. The temperature sensor generates first data that is representative of a temperature of the exhaust. The pressure data generator generates second data that is indicative of a pressure differential across a control volume that is located at the NOx reduction station. The control volume includes at least one catalyzed substrate. The NOx sensor generates third data that is representative of the NOx concentration in the exhaust. The reductant dispenser dispenses reductant into the exhaust. The controller controls a dosing rate of the reductant dispenser. The controller uses the first, second, and third data to determine the dosing rate.
US08783021B2 Method for operating an internal combustion engine and apparatus for the implementation of the method
A method for operating an internal combustion engine is proposed, in whose exhaust gas zone a particle filter is disposed, which is cyclically loaded with particles and thermally regenerated, as well as an apparatus for the implementation of the method, which prevents thermal overload of the particle filter after turning off the internal combustion engine. A test is made when the internal combustion engine is turned off to determine whether an exothermal reaction takes place. Provided that an exothermal reaction takes place in the particle filter, a butterfly valve is closed, which prevents exhaust gas flow through the particle filter and, if the circumstances arise, a resulting oxygenation ingress in the particle filter.
US08783018B2 Reductant storage sensing system and method
A catalyst supported on a substrate includes a heater embedded in a sub-region of the substrate to heat a local region of the catalyst. The amount of ammonia stored on the catalyst may be determined and controlled through conductivity measurements in the locally heated portion of the system described.
US08783008B2 Gas turbine reheat combustor including a fuel injector for delivering fuel into a gas mixture together with cooling air previously used for convectively cooling the reheat combustor
A reheat combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a fuel/gas mixer for mixing fuel, air and combustion gases produced by a primary combustor and expanded through a high pressure turbine. Fuel injectors inject fuel into the mixer together with spent cooling air previously used for convectively cooling the reheat combustor. The fuel mixture is burnt in an annular reheat combustion chamber prior to expansion through low pressure turbine inlet guide vanes. The fuel/gas mixer and optionally the combustion chamber define cooling paths through which cooling air flows to convectively cool their walls. The fuel injectors are also convectively cooled by the cooling air after it has passed through the fuel/gas mixer cooling paths. The low pressure turbine inlet guide vanes may also define convective cooling paths in series with the combustion chamber cooling paths.
US08783005B1 Mow and row apparatus
In one embodiment of the invention, a mow and row apparatus includes: a lawn mower including a mower deck, a handle, a lawn mower motor, and a lawn mower blade configured for rotation by the lawn mower motor, and wherein the lawn mower further includes at least one expandable and retractable trimmer. In another embodiment of the invention, a method for assembling a mow and row apparatus, includes: providing a lawn mower; attaching a circuitry to the lawn mower; and attaching at least one trimmer to the circuitry.
US08783004B2 Device for filling and compacting pourable products
A device for filling and compacting pourable products is proposed, comprising: —at least one product feed (16) for feeding a pourable product to a container (12) that is to be filled, —at least one ram (14) for compacting the product supplied to the container (10), characterized by means for applying a predetermined force to the ram (14) and for detecting the force acting on the ram.
US08782989B2 Narrow lined modular flooring assemblies
This specification describes a tray substrate for tile flooring that can be used in modular floating tile assemblies. The tray is made of plastic and has vertical tray edges recessed under the surface.
US08782984B2 Concrete fillable wall formwork assembly with interconnectable formwork elements
A formwork assembly is adapted to receive concrete to produce structures such as wall structures. The formwork includes PVC tubular form elements having recessed female engagement portions. The female engagement portions are adapted to receive respective male engagement portions. An octagonal form element has a female engagement portion positioned at each vertex between adjacent sides. A recessed female engagement portion is closed to the interior of the form element but open to the exterior of the form element. Thus, the form element includes a plurality of vertices open to the exterior. The form elements also include male engagement portions at an open side. Wall panels, corner panels, and joint connectors can also include male engagement portions. The male engagement portions and female engagement portions are adapted to mate to form a formwork arrangement having a substantially flat exterior wall. A formwork assembly can additionally include concrete flow apertures and insulation.
US08782978B1 Post footing device
A post footing device facilitates replacement of broken posts. The device includes a tube having an upper end, a lower end, and a perimeter wall extending between the upper end and the lower end. A sleeve has a top end, a bottom end, and a peripheral wall extending between the top end and the bottom end. The sleeve is insertable into the tube and configured for receiving and laterally supporting a post. Each of a plurality of alignment bars extends between the tube and the sleeve wherein the sleeve is held in position within the tube. The alignment bars are spaced around the sleeve such that the alignment bars align the sleeve in the tube. A support is positioned in the sleeve between the top end and the bottom end wherein the support is configured for supporting the post in the sleeve above the bottom end.
US08782977B2 Interior wall cap for use with an exterior wall of a building structure
A wall cap for an interior wall of a building structure, the building structure comprising at least one exterior wall and at least one interior wall and a gap formed between the at least one interior wall and the at least one exterior wall. The wall cap comprises at least one material for abating an undesirable physical property of the gap.
US08782974B1 Easy split door and window frame and mounting bracket
A split jamb for a door, window or vent comprising a support frame and a trim frame brought together and mounted using at least one bracket of the invention. The bracket comprises two connecting L-shaped pieces, one of which receives a hinge or a latch.
US08782973B1 Skylight guard
A skylight guard for preventing people or objects from falling through a skylight of a roof panel on a roof provides a wire mesh screen and a plurality of hooks securable to the roof. Each hook includes a hook base, a hook wall and a hook flange. Each hook is securable to the roof using one or more roof fasteners. Each roof fastener can be disposed through a fastener hole predefined in the hook base, and each fastener may also extend through the roof panel into a supporting purlin positioned underneath the roof panel.
US08782972B2 Solar roofing system
A solar roofing shingle assembly includes an attachment panel configured for attachment to a roof deck and a solar shingle mounted to the attachment panel.
US08782970B2 Portable surface anchor
A portable surface anchor is presented. Such portable surface anchor is able to be transported to various and difficult geographical areas, placed on the surface and able to provide support for vertically elevated objects.
US08782966B2 Base support for wind-driven power generators
Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.
US08782965B2 Universal hub and strut system for a geodesic enclosure
An improved universal hub and strut system for a geodesic enclosure framework is disclosed. The universal hub and strut system disclosed herein allows a geodesic structure to be more quickly assembled and with increased integrity. The geodesic structure is assembled by interconnecting a plurality of universal hubs and struts at each vertex of a geodesic spatial framework. To connect a strut to a universal hub of the present system, a strut-tab on a strut end overlaps a hub-tab of the universal hub, which is secured together via a fastening means through the respective ports. Based on the flexibility of the hub-tabs, the geodesic structure design disclosed herein may depart from the geometric designs associated with traditional geodesic structures. The invention may be applied in any geodesic type dome, structure, or enclosure.
US08782959B2 Powered telescopic seating riser assembly
A riser assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first skin. A second skin is spaced from the first skin. A core is disposed between the first skin and the second skin. A framework is disposed between the first skin and the second skin. A portion of the framework is positioned laterally outside the core.
US08782953B2 Door closing device
A door closing device (10) for an automatic closing of a door leaf (B) coupled with a floor and/or a doorpost (S) so as to swing. The door closing device (10) comprises a fixed unit (12) that is fixed on the floor and/or the doorpost (S), a translating unit (14) and a rotating unit (16) on which the door leaf (B) is fixed. The coupling of the three units (12, 14, 16) and the presence of spring (38) are such that, when the rotating unit (16) rotates in a first sense of rotation, the translating unit (14) is caused to translate in a direction and such that, when the translating unit (14) translates in an opposite direction, the rotating unit (16) is caused to rotate in an opposite sense of rotation.
US08782951B2 Louvre mounting assembly
A sealing member for a louvre mounting assembly is described. The louvre mounting assembly is of the type to allow co-rotation of at least first and second louvre panes between open and closed positions. The sealing member located in an end clip for the first louvre pane of the louvre mounting assembly, wherein the sealing member includes a first sealing region for sealing against a portion of the second louvre pane to seal against movement of liquid into the end clip when the louvre mounting assembly is in a closed position.
US08782945B2 Fishing lure
A fishing lure manufactured from polycarbonate thermoplastic resin, which is lightweight, durable and economical, with high tensile strength but some flex. The lure mimics the appearance and action of an injured needlefish. The front portion is planar but the rear portion is curved, the curve characterized by a transverse bend and a slight twist about the longitudinal axis. The lure is precisely balanced so that, when pulled through the water, the twist causes the lure to roll x times clockwise, winding up the leader, whereupon the bend and the weight of the lure cause the leader to unwind then wind up counter-clockwise, so that the lure rolls counter-clockwise, settling into a reverse roll action of 2× rolls in one direction, then 2× rolls in the opposite direction, repeated indefinitely. This realistic action induces game fish to strike in a reaction bite.
US08782942B1 Forend with sight tunnel
A forend for a firearm that includes a sight tunnel through the forend. The forend may be adapted to actuate a tube magazine of a shotgun to insert a shell from the tube magazine into a receiver of the shotgun. The forend may include an integral heat shield to protect a shooter from heat off of the barrel of the firearm. The forend may include a rail, such as an accessory rail, such as a Picatinny rail, that permits the attachment of an accessory to the top of the forend. The sight tunnel through the forend is below the accessory rail and permits the attachment of a light accessory to light up a front sight and/or a target. The front sight may be viewed through the sight tunnel by an operator of a firearm using the forend.
US08782937B2 Safety index for a firearm
A firearm has a safety index that may be an elongate depression or an elongate convexity formed on a frame of the firearm adjacent a trigger of the firearm, and may further include a plurality of raised dots. The safety index is configured to allow a user of the firearm to move between the safety index and the trigger, as necessary, for instance, as the user goes between non-firing and firing conditions.
US08782932B2 Timeless identification passport
A funerary article for the identification and perpetuation of the memory of a deceased individual in a timeless manner, made of unalterable material, includes: a marked element (1) with a unique code that is assigned to the deceased individual, and on a pair of plates (3, 4) held together by an attachment member, both being marked with the unique code, the second plate including data for identification of the deceased individual in natural language to constitute a device for identification and remembrance. The marked element (1) is available when the Funeral Services take charge of the deceased, whereas the plates (3, 4) are produced following the burial or the cremation and are then to be attached together to definitively form the article for remembrance and identification of the deceased. A kit and a process for the production of this funerary article for identification and remembrance are also described.
US08782931B2 Couplers
A coupler for coupling implements having a first connecting pin and a second connecting pin, to a vehicle, for example, to the arm of an excavator. The coupler has a body component that is connectable to the vehicle, and which includes a forward recess for receiving the first connecting pin. The coupler also includes a movable component which is supported by the body component and which has an aft jaw or recess for receiving the second connecting pin and is movable through a range of travel relative to the body component. The movable component includes a rear locking member which is movable between an extended position in which the rear locking member can prevent the second connecting pin from exiting the aft recess and a retracted position in which the rear locking member can allow the second connecting pin to exit the aft recess.
US08782923B2 Dryer drum vane and vane set
A mixing laundry dryer vane has a general profile which is scooped or “saddle” shaped. The mixing dryer vane has two relatively tall end portions and a reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane may have an upper surface that extends arcuately from one taller end portion to the other taller end portion. The arcuate shape may define along the length of the vane a relatively deep concavity which defines the reduced height central portion. The mixing dryer vane's taller end portions may be configured and positioned to cause “wiping” of clothes off and away from an exhaust duct grill within the dryer. The taller end portions of the vane may have a generally propeller-like twist that directs clothes towards the scooped central portion of the vane. The scooped mixing vane in combination with other non-scooped dryer vanes can reduce or eliminate the tendency of harmonic tumbling of a load.
US08782912B1 Circle making tool
A tool for carpentry that when used with a nail, a pencil, and a tape measure can draw circles and arcs from a radius of 1 inch up to that of the length of the tape measure. It can also easily make circles or arcs with a radius of 2 inches up to 12 inches using pencil guide holes that are staggered down the length of the device at one eighth-inch intervals. The tool has two rare earth magnets that hold the tape measure to the tool during use. The magnets can be used also to hold a nail on the tool for storage purposes. In that way, a nail is always available when a circle is needed. For more convenience, one or more bubble levels can be added to the tool making the tool not only a circle tool but a torpedo level as well.
US08782911B1 Versatile shaver
A versatile shaver has a shaver body with a blade cartridge mounted at one end of the underside and a rotating wheel at the other end. A resilient finger hook and associated pads are located on an upper surface. A user can insert an index finger through the hook and use the shaver in a palm grip to shave the scalp. The shaver body narrows between the blade end and the wheel end thus facilitating a grip between the fingers and thumb for ready shaving of the face.
US08782906B2 Saw assembly with pivot hinge dust port
A saw assembly includes a drive member, a motor, a housing, and a foot. The drive member is configured to be moved in a repeating pattern. The motor is configured to move the drive member in the repeating pattern. The housing defines an interior space in which the motor is positioned. The foot includes (i) a base having an upper surface and a lower work piece contact surface, and (ii) a conduit structure secured to the upper surface of the base. The housing is pivotably mounted to the conduit structure.
US08782899B2 Method for establishing a nail connection and a nail for this purpose
A method for establishing a nail connection between two components and a nail for this purpose are described. The nail 6 is driven through the non-preholed components in the joint area at a high speed such that the nail point completely penetrates both components and a material collar, which extends into an adhesive layer between the two components, is only formed in the to driving direction in the nail-head-side component.
US08782896B2 Method for the manufacture of an ejector nozzle tube
A method for manufacturing an ejector nozzle tube, includes forming an essentially rectangular plate-type blank 1 to have an undulating configuration on two opposite edge areas 2, 3, subsequently bending the blank around an axis 4, which is arranged centrically and parallel to the edge areas 2, 3, with the edge areas 2, 3 being superposed and subsequently joining the edge areas by point connections 6, providing for the formation of ejector nozzles 5 between the point connections.
US08782893B2 Method for manufacturing a honeycomb-structured object
A method for manufacturing a honeycomb-structured object having a plurality of through holes having ends thereof plugged, including a step of pressing a plugging material against one end surface of a honeycomb-structured object 70 having a plurality of through holes 70a by a plate 20 to fill one ends of the through holes 70a with the plugging material; and a step of protruding a part of a portion in the plate 20 opposed to the one end surface of the honeycomb-structured object 70 toward the one end surface to pull the other part of the portion in the plate 20 opposed to the one end surface of the honeycomb-structured object 70 and the one end surface away from each other.
US08782892B2 Heat transfer plate and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a heat transfer plate includes: an insertion process of inserting a heat medium pipe in a concave groove formed in a bottom face of a lid groove open to an obverse of a base member; a lid groove closing process of arranging a lid plate in the lid groove; and a main joining process of moving a main joining rotation tool along butt portions (V1, V2) between sidewalls of the lid groove and side faces of the lid plate, wherein in the main joining process a plastic fluidizing material (Q), where the base member and the lid plate are fluidized due to frictional heat, is made to flow in air gap portions (P1, P2) formed around the heat medium pipe.
US08782891B2 Apparatus for temporarily assembling heat exchanger
A temporary assembly apparatus includes a support member for supporting heat exchange tube blanks having their lengthwise direction positioned laterally, with their widthwise direction positioned vertically. Header supports are arranged respectively at the left and right sides of the support member and movable leftward or rightward. Tube blank correcting members are each in the form of a plate having slits formed in a side edge thereof and arranged from the front rearward at the same spacing as the heat exchange tubes to be produced. Each of the blank correcting members is movable between a correcting position where the corresponding ends of the tube blanks as supported on the support member are fitted into the respective slits and a noncorrecting position where the tube blanks are not fitted into the slits.
US08782890B2 Regenerator for a thermal cycle engine
A regenerator (100), for a thermal cycle engine with external combustion, according to the invention comprises a network of metal fibers wherein a majority of the fibers at least partially encircles the axis of the regenerator. The fibers were part of a fiber bundle which is coiled and sintered thereby obtaining the regenerator.
US08782881B2 Mounting method for mounting a circuit board in a housing and associated mounting tool
A mounting method for a circuit board. The circuit board is formed with pilot holes that are placed onto pilot pins of a tool such that the pilot pins protrude through and beyond the circuit board. Then the tool is displaced toward a circuit board holder of the housing whereupon the pilot pins engage with a form fit in corresponding centering holes of the circuit board holder. After fixing the circuit board in the housing, the tool is withdrawn by detaching the pilot pins from the pilot holes, the circuit board remaining in the circuit board holder. The tool has an upper plate with associated pilot pins and a lower plate with a housing holder for positioning the housing. The circuit board, with the pilot pins engaging the pilot holes, is displaced by moving the upper plate toward the lower plate.
US08782879B2 Workpiece transfer apparatus
A workpiece transfer apparatus includes a nozzle unit and an imaging unit. The nozzle unit includes a tubular body, a suction hole opening at one end of the tubular body and an end face member of a transparent body sealing the other end of the tubular body. The imaging unit captures images of first patterns for positioning that are located on an upper surface of a workpiece. The size and shape of the suction hole fits within an outline of the upper surface of the workpiece. The end face member of the transparent body maintains a negative pressure inside the cylindrical body and permits optical penetration for the imaging unit. The imaging unit captures the image of the first pattern for positioning of the workpiece while the imaging unit views a suctioned surface of the workpiece through the transparent body and the suction hole.
US08782878B2 Fastener automation system
A fastener automation system for assembly of fasteners to a substrate, includes a projection system for projecting an image on a substrate of a predetermined location of a correct fastener to be installed in the substrate and data relating to the correct fastener and the substrate, and a computer operably associated with the projection system storing data regarding the correct fastener and the predetermined location on the substrate where the correct fastener is to be installed. An automated method of installing a fastener in a substrate at a predetermined location includes using a projector system to identify a predetermined location for installation of a correct fastener to the substrate, collecting data regarding the correct fastener installation at the predetermined location and storing the data in a computer, and installing the correct fastener in the substrate at the predetermined location based upon the data.
US08782877B2 Method for producing clutch and brake disks for electromagnetic clutches or electromagnetic brakes having at least one friction surface element
A method for producing clutch and/or brake friction disks for electromagnetic clutches and/or electromagnetic brakes having at least one friction surface element through which the magnetic field flows, wherein at least one circular slot is cut by lathe machining in the friction surface element from a friction contact surface, and wherein at least two webs which connect a pole surface ring to the remaining/other friction surface element are made in the friction surface element from that side which is opposite the friction contact surface such that the slots which are cut from the friction contact surface are interrupted remote from the webs to form continuous air gaps.
US08782875B2 Component mounting apparatus and substrate conveyance method in component mounting apparatus
An object of the invention is to provide a component mounting apparatus which includes a plurality of substrate conveying lanes and which efficiently controls the order of carrying in of substrates, thereby capable of improving productivity, and also is to provide a substrate conveyance method in the component mounting apparatus. In a configuration which includes: component supplying units (20A, 20B) positioned lateral to conveyor lines including conveyors (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D) arranged in parallel; and a substrate distributing unit (M3B) configured to distribute substrates (13) delivered from an upstream apparatus, in the case where a substrate request signal (R) is output for a plurality of conveyors, a new substrate (13) is carried in from the substrate distributing unit (M3B) into conveyors (10A, 10D) which are closest to the component supplying units (20A, 20B) among the conveyors (10A, 10B, 10C, 10D). Therefore, substrates can be preferentially carried into conveyors which are more advantageous in component mounting efficiency.
US08782873B2 Loading apparatus and method for expandable intraluminal medical devices
Methods of loading an expandable intraluminal medical device into a delivery device adapted for delivery of the expandable intraluminal medical device to a point of treatment in a body vessel are described. The expandable intraluminal medical device can be compressed and forced out of a loading apparatus—and into a delivery device—by applying one or both of a rotational force and a substantially translational force to an end of the loading apparatus. Related kits and apparatuses are also described.
US08782871B2 Manufacturing method of laundry machine
A manufacturing method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The manufacturing method of the laundry machine includes a suspension preparing step configured to prepare a suspension unit (40) configured to flexibly support a drum (30), a tub rear securing step configured to secure a tub rear (120) to the suspension unit (40), a drum securing step configured to a shaft (351) or the drum (30) to the suspension unit (40) via an inside of the tub rear (120), a tub front coupling step configured to couple a tub front (100) to the tub rear (120), a tub seating step configured to seat the tub front (100) and the tub rear (120) in a cabinet cabinet base (600)m and a suspension securing step configured to secure the suspension unit to the cabinet base (600).
US08782869B2 Unlocking tool for male connector
A connector of a cable (e.g., a 30-pin connector) can be used to facilitate various security-related and other functionalities. For example, a connector can include security locking mechanisms for engaging or locking the connector to a portable electronic device. A connector can additionally support the transmission of security signals, data signals, power, and/or the like. An unlocking tool can be used to disengage a connector locked to the portable electronic device. More specifically, the unlocking tool can be applied to a connector and cause the locking mechanisms of the connector to release such that the connector can be freely disconnected from a connected portable electronic device.
US08782867B2 Assembly device provided with a visual reference mark and method for the assembly thereof
A device (1; 20; 51) for assembling pre-bored (15) elements (2; 3), the elements together having a reference thickness (18) that may vary up to an actual maximum thickness (40), may include a male element (4; 21; 52) having a shank (6; 22; 54) extending in a thread (11; 27) or swaging grooves (59), an external surface (12; 28; 60) having a height (13; 61) equal to a height (14) of the shank, chosen so as to correspond to at least the actual maximum thickness (40) of the elements to be assembled, wherein the external surface has a visual reference mark (16; 35; 63), located at a distance (17) of a lower limit (9; 34; 57), or extending over a distance (17) from a lower limit up to an upper limit (42A; 42B; 65) toward the head.
US08782860B2 Device for securing a shoelace knot
A fastening device is provided for securing a shoelace knot. The fastening device has a base plate configured to conceal a portion of a knot of a tied shoelace, wherein the base plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The fastening device also has a first clamping assembly arranged on the lower surface of the base plate. The first clamping assembly has an arm moveable between an open position and a closed position. The fastening device also has a second clamping assembly arranged on the lower surface of the base plate. The second clamping assembly has an arm moveable between an open position and a closed position. In addition, the arm of the first clamping assembly and the arm of the second clamping assembly are independently moveable.
US08782855B2 Theft-protection system and device, in particular for open pockets
A system and a device for anti-thief protection, especially for open pockets of trousers, bags and the like, includes a mobile protection strip element (1) to be applied on the pockets hooks (12). The aim is attained by superposing the strip (1) on the pocket (T) and blocking the strip (1) using a plurality of hooks (12) in the form of clips located in the lower part (5) of the strip (1), the strip (1) supported by support elements (G), located in the upper part (2) thereof, which insert or hook in the zone overlying the pocket (T) to be protected.
US08782854B1 Universal handle device
A device for releasably retaining a cord or flexible tube. The device includes a U-shaped yoke and a rotatable handle sized for gripping by the hand of a user. The cord or flexible tube is releasably received by a capture cap and can emanate directly therefrom or be routed to a loop located at the end of the handle in order to alter its orientation.
US08782853B2 Rotating mechanism and electronic device with same
A rotating mechanism for rotatably connecting a first main body with a second main body includes a main gear connected to the first main body, a pair of auxiliary gears connected to the second main body, and a connecting piece. The connecting piece includes a connecting part and a positioning part perpendicularly extending from a middle of the connecting part. The positioning part is located between the pair of auxiliary gears with two opposite ends of the positioning part rotatably connected to the pair of auxiliary gears correspondingly. An end of the connecting part away from the positioning part is connected to the main gear to allow the main gear to contact with the auxiliary gears. The first teeth engage with the second teeth to make the first main body rotate relatively about the second main body.
US08782851B2 Cleaner head
Agitating apparatus for a surface treating appliance includes a rotatable body having at least one substantially continuous row of bristles extending outwardly therefrom, the bristles having a surface resistivity in the range from 1×10−5 to 1×1012 Ω/sq so that static electricity residing on a floor surface to be cleaned is discharged upon contact with the bristles.
US08782848B2 Autonomous surface cleaning robot for dry cleaning
An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
US08782843B2 Floor finish application pad and method
A floor finish application apparatus and method for applying floor finishes to a floor. The floor finish application apparatus can include an applicator pad, which in some embodiments comprises filter material. In some embodiments, the filter material is air filter material, and has certain wet and/or dry friction characteristics, density, thickness, compressive resistance, liquid absorptive capacity, porosity, spreading capability, and/or leveling capability. In some embodiments, the pad has a stepped or otherwise uneven height.
US08782842B1 Hair brush with slideable brush head
A hair brush with a slideable brush head that allows the brush head to be positioned on either end of the elongated handle to thereby providing ease of use by both right handed or left handed users. The elongated handle has different ways thereon to arrest the brush head in any desired position. The brush head may also be removed from the handle, if so desired, so that a brush head of a different circumference but the same inner diameter may be used.
US08782836B2 Restraint apparatus
A restraint device is disclosed for immobilizing an object, such as a child during diapering. The restraint device includes a strap extending through a base at a midsection thereof to prevent the object from rolling in a lateral direction. The device can also include a harness located within a pad of the base to firmly hold the strap in place. The harness can have a stiffness greater than the pad to provide the rigidity necessary to hold the strap in place, while having a hardness less than the support to provide comfort to the object restrained on the device. A cover can surround the base and can include sleeves to enclose a strap and protect the base from outside material such as excrement from a child.
US08782835B2 Seat cushion with integrated seat frame attachment structure
A seat cushion, such as for use in an aircraft passenger seat, including a layer of open cell foam for passenger comfort, a closed cell foam core for flotation and structural support, and support structure positioned on the underside of the seat cushion for directly engaging underlying beams of a seat frame to attach the seat cushion to the seat frame without the need for additional fasteners.
US08782833B2 Inflatable evacuation mattress
An inflatable body includes an elongate chamber delimited by two substantially parallel main walls and defining at least a portion of a base suitable for holding a person laid down thereon, the chamber being extended, integrally, on both sides of the base, beyond a transition area where the main walls are close to each other, by two raised lateral strips extending along at least the base portion, so as to laterally flank the person, wherein the main walls are braced by a plurality of drop stitch links, and at the location of the transition area, the inflatable body has seams bringing the main walls together, thereby causing a fold between the base and each of the raised lateral strips, with the seams being covered by a sealed lining wall.
US08782832B2 System, method, and apparatus for patient positioning table
An approach is provided for patient positioning. A patient is arranged on a table having a positioning assembly coupled thereto, the positioning assembly including a plurality of spatially configurable members. A spatial configuration of at least one of the plurality of spatially configurable members is arranged to support the patient in a multipoint bending position during a medical procedure.
US08782831B2 Baby swaddle
The present disclosure provides a baby swaddle that includes an inner strap adapted to releasably connect around a baby's chest, an outer strap adapted to releasably connect around the inner strap and secure a baby's arms between the inner strap and outer strap, wherein the inner strap is configured to prevent the baby swaddle from moving toward a baby's head.
US08782830B2 Environmentally conditioned bed assembly
According to certain arrangements, a climate controlled bed includes an upper portion comprising a core with a top core surface and a bottom core surface. The core includes at least one passageway extending from the top core surface to the bottom core surface. The upper portion of the bed further includes at least one fluid distribution member positioned above the core, wherein the fluid distribution member is in fluid communication with at least one passageway of the core. The fluid distribution member is configured to at least partially distribute fluid within said fluid distribution member. The upper portion of the bed further comprises at least one comfort layer positioned adjacent to the fluid distribution member.
US08782826B2 System and method for transferring patients
A system for transferring an object from a first surface to a second surface that includes a housing dimensioned to span a distance between the first surface and the second surface, a first elongated roller positioned along a first edge of the housing, and a second elongated roller positioned along a second edge of the housing. A continuous belt is positioned in conveying relation with respect to the first roller and the second roller. A portion of the continuous belt conveys an object while another portion of the continuous belt passes through the housing. The continuous belt does not touch the first or second surface. A support structure having at least one portion positioned within the continuous belt is connected to a first end and a second end of the housing.
US08782823B2 System for stowing a robot in a swimming pool
A system for stowing a swimming pool cleaner robot in a location has a deployment piston connected to the robot and suitable for moving in a pipe of the swimming pool. The system also has a device to generate extra pressure in the pipe during a cleaning stage during which the swimming pool is cleaned by the robot in such a manner as to drive the deployment piston to a first position in the pipe; and a device to generate suction in the pipe during a filtering stage during which the water of the swimming pool is filtered, while the robot is inactive in such a manner as to suck the deployment piston to a second position in the pipe, making it possible for the robot to be stowed in the location.
US08782819B1 Spider web protective inserts for a football helmet or the like
A protective component for use within a protective helmet such as a football helmet that includes one or more spider web-like structures formed from a fine but strong polymeric fiber, preferably artificial spider web silk. The one or more spider web layers are spaced apart one from another as well as from any conventional padding foam lining the hard shell of a helmet. The web layer or layers is/are independently attached to the helmet shell, generally by their edges. The innermost web layer surrounds and conforms to a wearer's head. The spider web elements provide excellent protection to the head of a wearer of the protective helmet. The use of the inventive web layers allows the production of fewer helmet sizes while still resulting in a perfect conformal fit to a wide range of head sizes and/or shapes within a particular helmet size.
US08782818B2 Safety helmet structure and processing method thereof
A safety helmet structure and a processing method thereof. The safety helmet includes a first section, a second section and an extension section defined between the first and second sections. The first section is sprayed with a figure. A decorative section or a figure layers is adhered to the second section. After a periphery of the decorative section or figure layer partially passes over an edge of the second section, the periphery of the decorative section or figure layer enters the extension section. The first and second sections together form a helmet subassembly. The helmet subassembly is placed in a mold and integrally bonded with a buffer material or foam material filler to form a helmet assembly.
US08789208B1 Methods and apparatus for controlling snapshot exports
Methods, apparatus, and computer-accessible storage media for controlling export of snapshots to external networks in service provider environments. Methods are described that may be used to prevent customers of a service provider from downloading snapshots of volumes, such as boot images created by the service provider or provided by third parties, to which the customer does not have the appropriate rights. A request may be received from a user to access one or more snapshots, for example a request to export the snapshot or a request for a listing of snapshots. For each snapshot, the service provider may determine if the user has rights to the snapshot, for example by checking a manifest for the snapshot to see if entries in the snapshot manifest belong to an account other than the customer's. If the user has rights to the snapshot, the request is granted; otherwise, the request is not granted.
US08789207B2 Apparatus, system, and method for network authentication and content distribution
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for network authentication and content distribution. The apparatus includes an authentication module configured to receive redirected network requests over a communications network from a firewall module and configured to present a user license agreement and not require user-identifiable information, and a content distribution module configured to synchronize over the communications network with a client module and transmit content to the client module. The system includes a firewall module connected with a global communications network, a network connected with the firewall module, a computing device configured to couple with the network, and the apparatus. The method includes receiving redirected network requests over a communications network from a firewall module, presenting a user license agreement and not requiring user-identifiable information, and synchronizing over the communications network with a client module and transmitting content to the client module.
US08789201B2 Secure personal content server
A local content server system (LCS) for creating a secure environment for digital content is disclosed, which system comprises: a communications port in communication for connecting the LCS via a network to at least one Secure Electronic Content Distributor (SECD), which SECD is capable of storing a plurality of data sets, is capable of receiving a request to transfer at least one content data set, and is capable of transmitting the at least one content data set in a secured transmission; a rewritable storage medium whereby content received from outside the LCS may be stored and retrieved; a domain processor that imposes rules and procedures for content being transferred between the LCS and devices outside the LCS; and a programmable address module which can be programmed with an identification code uniquely associated with the LCS. The LCS is provided with rules and procedures for accepting and transmitting content data.
US08789198B2 Triggering a private browsing function of a web browser application program
A private browsing function of a web browser application program may be triggered for a browser by a browser or by a URL provider. Upon receipt of the URI by a web browser, the URI is inspected for the presence of a private browsing indicator. When the URI is found to contain a private browsing indicator, operation of the private browsing function for the web browser application program is triggered.
US08789197B1 Method for using a multi-function computer for testing
A system and method facilitate the use of a multi-function computer for an examination. An application implementing the method receives a hash input from a user and, upon successful completion of the examination, displays a hash output. The hash output may be displayed as a visual hash. During the examination, the application or system monitors the multi-function computer to determine whether the user has activated, viewed, or launched any prohibited functions or applications on the multi-function computer. If the user views a prohibited function or application, the examination application does not display the hash output. The system and application implement various security measures to prevent spoofing or duplication of the hash output or tampering with the application.
US08789195B2 Method and system for access control and data protection in digital memories, related digital memory and computer program product therefor
A digital memory such as a memory card for mobile communication equipment, is adapted to be accessed by a plurality of users and have protected data stored therein. The memory is dynamically partitionable in private memory areas for storing data therein and has associated therewith a secrecy tool for securely allocating to the users respective private areas and permitting the users to access the respective private areas via a secure session channel to perform read/write commands in the respective private areas. Typically, the memory/card includes: a card interface controller for managing a physical communication layer between the digital memory and external host equipment, an internal memory having associated therewith a hardware lock to control access to the internal memory, a set of cryptographic modules to manage the secure session channel between the users and the digital memory, and a memory certificate for certifying a public key associated with the digital memory.
US08789194B2 Risk adjusted, multifactor authentication
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, from a device used by a user, a request to access a resource hosted by a computer system; identifying, by the computer system, a level of risk associated with the user requesting access to the resource; adjusting, by the computer system an authentication standard for access to the resource, adjusting based on the identified level of risk; determining values for authentication factors used in authenticating the user's access to the resource; applying weights to the values for the authentication factors; and determining, based on a comparison of the weighted values to the adjusted authentication standard, whether the user is authorized to access the resource.
US08789193B2 Method and apparatus for detecting events pertaining to potential change in vulnerability status
Method and apparatus for Vulnerability Assessment techniques is disclosed. A method comprises detecting an event on a target in real time or at periodic intervals, by at least one of an OS service, an OS command, a hook, and an API. The event comprises a change in status of at least one of a network interface, a server network service, a client network service, and a port. An apparatus comprises a target having at least one of a deployed server network service, and a deployed client network service; and an agent deployed on the target, to detect an event on the target in real time or at periodic intervals. At least one of the agent and the VA server detect the event comprising a change in the status of at least one of a network interface, the server network service, the client network service, and a port.
US08789189B2 System and method for sampling forensic data of unauthorized activities using executability states
A method includes receiving a list of target addresses, locating a first page table entry corresponding to the first page, and determining the first executability state. When the first executability state is non-executable, a first set of one or more target addresses that correspond to the first page, and a second set of one or more target addresses that correspond to one or more pages other than the first page are identified. One or more target addresses are stored in breakpoint registers of the computer system. The first executability state of the first page table entry is set as executable, and the executability states of page table entries that correspond to the second set of target addresses are set as non-executable. When the first address matches one of the target addresses stored in the breakpoint registers, forensic data is recorded.
US08789184B2 Mobile device having self-defense function against virus and network-based attacks and self-defense method using the same
Provided are a mobile device having a self-defense function against virus and network-based attacks and a self-defense method using the same. The mobile device includes a virus checking module, which receives information on files required for virus checking on a basis of input/output (I/O) information created from a file system of an operating system, and determines whether or not the files are infected with a virus using distribution of similarity between data; a malicious packet determination module, which examines information on an Internet protocol (IP) packet created from a network to interrupt a denial-of-service attack (DoS attack); and a control module, which receives the I/O information created from the file system of the operating system, selects the files required for the virus checking, and transmits the selected files to the virus checking module, or receives information on the IP packet created from the network to transmit the received information to the malicious packet determination module, thereby preventing damage caused by the virus in advance, and effectively preventing a denial-of-service attack (DoS attack) caused by wireless network resource depletion and battery consumption that may occur in a wireless environment.
US08789181B2 Flow data for security data loss prevention
There are techniques for detecting and preventing possible security violations in a computer network. The security violation detection may be based on data attached to transactions as they flow through one or more software applications. A transaction that is processed by a sequence of software components that execute on one or more electronic devices may be traced. Data that is associated with the transaction as the transaction flows through the sequence of software components may be accessed. The accessed data may be analyzed to detect a possible security violation. The accessed data may be compared to one or more pre-defined patterns. The transaction may be intercepted upon detection of a possible security violation.
US08789175B2 Device security system
A computer-implemented method may include identifying a security event condition associated with a device. One or more security rules may be identified for execution based on the device and the identified security event condition, wherein the one or more security rules define security related actions to be performed upon occurrence of the security event condition. The security related actions may be initiated by at least one processor on the device to secure the device from unauthorized use.
US08789174B1 Method and apparatus for examining network traffic and automatically detecting anomalous activity to secure a computer
A method and apparatus for examining network traffic and automatically detecting anomalous activity to secure a computer is described. In one embodiment, the method includes examining network traffic that is directed to at least one endpoint computer, accessing profile information associated with the at least one endpoint computer to determine confidence indicia associated with each portion of the network traffic, comparing the confidence indicia with heuristic information to identify anomalous activity for the at least one endpoint computer and communicating indicia of detection as to the anomalous activity to the at least one endpoint computer.
US08789173B2 Protecting against distributed network flood attacks
A network security device performs a three-stage analysis of traffic to identify malicious clients. In one example, a device includes an attack detection module to, during a first stage, monitor network connections to a protected network device, during a second stage, to monitor a plurality of types of transactions for the plurality of network sessions when a parameter for the connections exceeds a connection threshold, and during a third stage, to monitor communications associated with network addresses from which transactions of the at least one of type of transactions originate when a parameter associated with the at least one type of transactions exceeds a transaction-type threshold. The device executes a programmed action with respect to at least one of the network addresses when the transactions of the at least one of the plurality of types of transactions originating from the at least one network address exceeds a client-transaction threshold.
US08789172B2 Methods, media, and systems for detecting attack on a digital processing device
Methods, media, and systems for detecting attack are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: comparing at least part of a document to a static detection model; determining whether attacking code is included in the document based on the comparison of the document to the static detection model; executing at least part of the document; determining whether attacking code is included in the document based on the execution of the at least part of the document; and if attacking code is determined to be included in the document based on at least one of the comparison of the document to the static detection model and the execution of the at least part of the document, reporting the presence of an attack. In some embodiments, the methods include: selecting a data segment in at least one portion of an electronic document; determining whether the arbitrarily selected data segment can be altered without causing the electronic document to result in an error when processed by a corresponding program; in response to determining that the arbitrarily selected data segment can be altered, arbitrarily altering the data segment in the at least one portion of the electronic document to produce an altered electronic document; and determining whether the corresponding program produces an error state when the altered electronic document is processed by the corresponding program.
US08789171B2 Mining user behavior data for IP address space intelligence
The claimed subject matter is directed to mining user behavior data for increasing Internet Protocol (“IP”) space intelligence. Specifically, the claimed subject matter provides a method and system of mining user behavior within an IP address space and the application of the IP address space intelligence derived from the mined user behavior.In one embodiment, the IP address space intelligence is formed and/or increased with information obtained from the mined user behavior data. A system of uniquely-identified users is monitored and their behavior within the IP address space is recorded. Further data is mined from estimated characteristics about the user, including the nature of the IP address the user uses to log into the service, and characterizing the IP address according to a network type.
US08789170B2 Method for enforcing resource access control in computer systems
A method and system for enforcing access control to system resources and assets. Security attributes associated with devices that initiate transactions in the system are automatically generated and forwarded with transaction messages. The security attributes convey access privileges assigned to each initiator. One or more security enforcement mechanisms are implemented in the system to evaluate the security attributes against access policy requirements to access various system assets and resources, such as memory, registers, address ranges, etc. If the privileges identified by the security attributes indicate the access request is permitted, the transaction is allowed to proceed. The security attributes of the initiator scheme provides a modular, consistent secure access enforcement scheme across system designs.
US08789169B2 Microcomputer having a protection function in a register
A control unit controls execution of an instruction according to a decode result of an instruction code. A GRA register stores an access attribute for each of the plurality of general-purpose registers. A mode storage unit stores modes for controlling an operation of a CPU. When the control unit makes a request for access to the general-purpose register, register access allowance determining circuit determines whether the access to the general-purpose register in question is to be allowed or not, depending on the access attribute stored in the GRA register and the mode stored in the mode storage unit. Therefore, the number of the general-purpose registers used corresponding to the mode can be changed, and efficiency of use of the general-purpose registers can be optimized.
US08789165B2 Method for detecting potentially suspicious operation of an electronic device and corresponding electronic device
A method may be for detecting potentially suspicious operation of an electronic device configured to operate in the course of activity sessions. The method may include within the device, a metering, from an initial instant of the number of activity sessions having a duration below a first threshold, and a comparison of this number with a second threshold.
US08789161B2 Device and method for authenticating a transaction with a data processing apparatus
A device or “dongle” (30) is provided for controlling communications between a Subscriber Identity Module (for SIM) (12), such as of the type used in a GSM cellular telephone system, and a computer, such as a WINDOWS® operating system-based PC (10). The SIM (12) can be authenticated by the telephone network, in the same way as for authenticating SIMs of telephone handset users in the network, and can in this way authenticate the user of the PC (10) or the PC (10) itself. Such authentication can, for example, permit the use of the PC (10) for a time-limited session in relation to a particular application, which is released to the PC (10), after the authentication is satisfactorily completed. The application may be released to the PC (10) by a third party after and in response to the satisfactory completion of the authentication process. A charge for the session can be debited to the user by the telecommunications network and then passed on to the third party. The dongle (30) provides additional security for the authentication data stored on the SIM by requiring a PIN to be entered and/or by only being responsive to requests received from the PC (10) which are encrypted using a key, which requests are generated by a special PC interface driver (38).
US08789159B2 System for running potentially malicious code
Systems and methods for creating a secure process on a web server can include creating an application manager process, and creating an application host process, the application host process being created under control of the application manager process. Example methods can also include restricting attributes of the application host process, and assigning a unique logon identifier to the application host process so that the application host process can only communicate with the application manager process.
US08789158B2 Using clock drift, clock slew, and network latency to enhance machine identification
Methods and systems for authenticating a user device employ a database of global network latencies categorized and searchable by location and calendar date-time of day usage, providing network latency by geography and by time. The database is constructed using voluminous daily data collected from a world-wide clientele of users who sign in to a particular website. Accuracy of the latency data and clock skew machine identification is made practical and useful for authentications using a service provider-proprietary, stable reference clock, such as an atomic clock, so that internal clock jitter of a service provider performing authentications does not affect the network latency time and clock skew identification of user devices. Increased authentication confidence results from using the database for correcting network latency times and user device signatures generated from the clock skew identifications and for cross checking the authentication using comparisons of initial registration to current sign in data.
US08789156B2 Data management with a networked mobile device
A tool for establishing a wireless connection from a mobile device to another device in proximity to the mobile device. The mobile device receives requests for data, such as a user profile, medical records, etc. from the device. The mobile device has the ability to register/preapprove the requesting device allowing the device to access the requested data. The mobile device also has the ability to give varying devices different authorization levels. The mobile device has the ability to store the data on another system, and in response to the request, validate the requesting device and the device's authorization level, request the data from the other system through a network, and return the data to the requesting device.
US08789155B2 Pure offline software appliance configuration
One or more online configuration settings are received prior to deployment and execution of a software appliance. Once the configuration settings have been received, the online configuration settings can be utilized to configure a software appliance image prior to executing the image at a host computer. Once the application of the configuration settings to the image has been completed, the image may executed at a host computer.
US08789154B2 Anti-shoulder surfing authentication method
Disclosed is a client device that includes: a user interface to receive a username and a first password associated with a server site visited by a user; a random number generator to generate a random number; and a processor to generate a second password by implementing a function based upon the first password and the random number and to command storage of the random number, the username, and the associated server site. If the user attempts to log onto the server site by inputting their username and the second password, the processor extracts the random number associated with the username and the server site and implements the function based upon the second password and the random number to generate the first password which replaces the second password entered by the user and is submitted to the server site.
US08789152B2 Method for managing authentication procedures for a user
A method and technique for managing authentication procedures for a user having access to several applications within a computing environment includes registering at an authentication manager different applications to which a user shall be given an authentication access by defining at the authentication manager a specific address identification allowing addressing the application specific authentication rules, logging the user to the authentication manager, the user requesting access to an application accessible by the authentication manager, and using the application specific address identification stored at the authentication manager to retrieve the application specific authentication rules for authenticating the user to the requested application.
US08789151B2 Remote device communication platform
Managing via a web portal a remote device from a source device connected to a communication network. A device ID is assigned to the remote device, and a remote management software for remote management of the remote device is not installed on the source device or the remote device. Based on the assigned device ID, a connection is established with the remote device via the communication network. A first instruction is received from a user for authenticating access to the web portal. The user is authenticated in response to the received first instruction. An online status is established for the authenticated user. A second instruction is received from the authenticated user requesting access to the remote device. The device ID of the remote device is validated. The validated device ID is associated with the authenticated user. A connection is established between the remote device and the web portal.
US08789149B2 Method and apparatus for communicating between a user device and a user device locating module to allow a partner service to be provided to a user device
A system and method for communicating between a user device locator module and a user receiving device includes forming a secure connection with the user device locator module. The user receiving device communicates user identifier data and port data to the user device locator module. An authentication module authenticates the user data from the user device locator module and generates an authentication signal. The user device locator module registers the port data at the user device locator module in response to the authentication signal.
US08789147B1 Central account manager
A system and computer-implemented method including receiving a request from a first service provider, at a central account manager, to provide a user account for a user logging into a first service provider, identifying one or more user accounts at one or more service providers other than the first service provider associated with the user maintained at the central account manager, providing the one or more user accounts for display to the user, receiving a selection of a first user account of the one or more user accounts and providing the selected first user account to the first service provider in response to the request.
US08789141B2 Method and apparatus for providing security for an internet protocol service
A method and apparatus for providing security to an endpoint device are disclosed. For example, the method receives a signaling message by the endpoint device. The method processes the signaling message, if the signaling message is received from a device associated with one of one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in an Access Control List (ACL), and discards the signaling message, if the signaling message is received from a device not associated with one of the one or more IP addresses in the ACL.
US08789139B2 Automated test to tell computers and humans apart
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to an automated test to tell computers and humans apart. Building blocks are assembled to generate an image for a test. When the building blocks are configured in at least one orientation, the image includes a line. One or more of the building blocks can be rotated to generate the at least one orientation. The test can be sent to a device. The test is not oriented in the at least one orientation.
US08789137B2 Data processing device
When a data processing device is disconnected from a computer system after mutual authentication has been completed between the computer system and the data processing device, the data processing device cancels an authenticated state, and is not able to transfer data to a device other than a specific computer system. Therefore, even when the data processing device is connected to a device other than the specific computer system after the connection of a cable supporting hot swapping has been changed, the data processing device maintains the confidentiality of data.
US08789136B2 Securing a device based on atypical user behavior
A system and method for securing the mobile device applies the rules to determine if an event associated with an application is a secure event. If the event is a secure event, the system applies the rules to determine if the event is authenticated. If the event is authenticated, the event is authorized and the system updates rule data associated with the event and/or other associated events. Updating the rule data allows other associated events to be authenticated. If the event is not authenticated, the system requests authentication from a user. If the authentication is valid, the event is authorized and the system updates the rule data associated with the event and/or other associated events. If the authentication is not valid, the system secures the mobile device. Authorizing the event enables a user to access the application and/or data associated with the application.
US08789133B2 Location based content filtering and dynamic policy
In one implementation, a social media device receives social interaction data including an identity of neighboring mobile devices that have been within a physical proximity of an object mobile device. The social media device hosts a social network service and provides content to a user associated with the object mobile device according to the identity of more neighboring mobile devices. The user of the object mobile device may opt to receive content only from those users that are identified in the social interaction data. The user of the object mobile device may opt to permit only those users that are identified in the social interaction data to receive content generated by the user of the object mobile device. The user may opt to alter the status policy seen by other users so that only users that are identified in the social interaction data see the user as available or online.
US08789129B2 Television and method for operating the same
In the specification and drawing a television is described and shown with a multimedia player for playing information, a grabber for producing a word from the information and a controller for controlling a computer to search for data related to the word. Moreover, a method for operating the television is also disclosed in the specification and drawing.
US08789128B2 System and method for recording and time-shifting programming in a television distribution system using policies
Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to store a policy specifying at least one rule relating to recording, storage or delivery of broadcast programming to a consumer of such programming, and to record, store or deliver broadcast programming in response to at least one of the rules in the policy. According to another example embodiment, a method and system provide for a subscriber requesting that at least one broadcast television program be saved for the subscriber upstream from the subscriber in a television distribution system, and further that the at least one program offered to the subscriber for saving is determined based on a policy established for the at least program. According to another example embodiment a system provides at least one computing device including a computer program to control the recording or delivery of at least one broadcast television program in accordance with a policy established to control the recording or delivery of the broadcast television program.
US08789127B2 Communication system, transmission apparatus, transmission method, reception apparatus and reception method
An AV system composed of an HD recorder and a display unit uses a communication interface of the HDMI. An HDMI source of the HD recorder transmits image data (image signal) in the form of differential signals to an HDMI sink of the display unit through three TMDS channels. The HDMI source inserts content identification information for the identification of the type of a content of image data to be transmitted into an AVI InfoFrame packet placed in a blanking period. A control section of the display unit controls operation of a display processing section which carries out a process for displaying for the image data based on the content identification information received by the HDMI sink and a display section for displaying an image.
US08789126B1 System, method and device for swapping display configurations between viewing devices
A system, method and device for swapping display configurations between viewing devices. The system allows for swapping channels back and forth between the TV and the media device. A user and devices associated with the user are registered with the system. A swap setup is configured by setting swap configuration information. Swap functionality is provided to the registered devices. A swap initiation signal is received at the registered devices and display configurations are swapped between the registered devices.
US08789125B2 Information processing device, information processing method and program
An information processing device which shares program information specifying a program with other devices connected through a network is disclosed. The device includes: a program information receiving means for receiving the program information the accumulation of which is allocated to the information processing device; a program information storage means for storing the program information; a search request receiving means for receiving a search request which requests program information specifying a program from which a search keyword inputted to another device has been extracted as the feature amount; a determination means for determining whether the program information requested by the search request is stored in the program information storage means; and a transmission means for transmitting program information requested by the search request to another device which has transmitted the search request when that program information requested by the search request is stored in the program information storage means.
US08789121B2 System architecture and method for composing and directing participant experiences
The present invention contemplates a variety of improved methods and systems for providing an experience platform within a CDN, as well as sentio or experience codecs, and experience agents for supporting the experience platform. The experience platform may be provided by a service provider to enable an experience provider to compose and direct a participant experience. The service provider monetizes the experience by charging the experience provider and/or the participants for services. Alternatively, the experience platform may be provided by the CDN, either as an integrated component of the CDN, or a supplemental complimentary aspect. The participant experience can involve one or more experience participants. The experience provider can create an experience with a variety of dimensions and features. As will be appreciated, the following description provides one paradigm for understanding the multi-dimensional experience available to the participants. There are many suitable ways of describing, characterizing and implementing the experience platform contemplated herein.
US08789120B2 Temporal video tagging and distribution
A method and apparatus for temporal tagging of videos in response to identification of locations on the video where persons in a contact list of a user are identified in response to facial recognition. The temporal tags can be retained within the video, or contained separately in a metadata file having fields to indicate time locations in the video and identified persons seen at those locations. Use of the temporal tags allows for automatic distribution of content relevant to the recipient, based on their presence in the video, or of persons in the video of which they are interested.
US08789117B2 Content library
A content library may be provided. First, a video on demand content program may be received. Then, video on demand information corresponding to the video on demand content program may be added to a video on demand information list. The video on demand information corresponding to the video on demand content program may be maintained in the video on demand information list after a rental window for the video on demand content program is over.
US08789112B2 Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.
US08789111B2 Signal processing apparatus, signal processing system including the same, and control method of the same
A signal processing apparatus is provided. The signal processing apparatus includes: a memory unit in which a plurality of channels and Internet addresses corresponding to the channels are stored; a network connecting unit which is connectable to the Internet; and a control unit which controls the network connecting unit to connect to an Internet address corresponding to a channel selected by a user and to receive content provided from the connected Internet address.
US08789110B2 Personalized media channel
A multimedia processing device (MPD) includes a relevance engine that is adapted to track a user's viewing preferences over time and to automatically determine which of the programs available in a given time slot is most probably preferred by that user. The relevance engine can then create a sequential play list, with each entry in the list corresponding to the program the user most likely wants to watch at that time. The user can thus be provided with a personalized multimedia channel (PMC) with the play list providing the program for each time slot. The user may be enabled to “tune” to the PMC like any other channel. When the user “tunes” to the PMC, the MPD will take the appropriate action to display the program selected by the PMC.
US08789099B2 Visual cue for programs in an electronic program guide
An electronic program guide includes a plurality of elements arrayed in a grid of rows and columns, with the rows corresponding to program sources and the columns corresponding to time intervals. Each element corresponds to a program played out from a particular program source during a corresponding time interval. The background of each element changes, such as by way of a color gradient or changing shape, to indicate one of a program beginning or ending. In this way, a viewer can ascertain the length of the program even if the element gets clipped upon updating the electronic program guide.
US08789097B2 Method and system for providing channel information, and computer readable storage medium
A method for providing channel information is illustrated. The method includes: receiving a command for switching channels when a first channel content is displayed on a display unit; determining whether the command indicates a continuous switching mode or a discrete switching mode; displaying the first channel content and descriptive information of a plurality of channels being switched until a second channel among the channels being switched is selected at the continuous switching mode; displaying preview information of the second channel to replace the first channel content and loading the second channel content when the second channel is selected at the continuous switching mode or when the second channel is switched according to the command at the discrete switching mode; displaying the second channel content when loading completed. The data quantity of the preview information is larger than that of the description information.
US08789096B2 Apparatus, systems and methods for transmitting media content events
Systems and methods are operable to transmit at least a portion of a media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives a request from a first media device, wherein the request identifies a media content event of interest; identifies a first media content stream with a concluding portion of the media content event of interest currently transmitting to a second media device; concurrently transmits the concluding portion of the media content event of interest to the first media device; and transmits a second media stream containing an initial portion of the media content event to the first media device.
US08789095B2 Apparatus and method for providing media content
A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving video content at a mobile device, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of an area of attention in an image of the video content based on a desired display resolution, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of a peripheral portion that surrounds the area of attention, and replacing the image with the adjusted image during presentation of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08789093B2 System and method for managing a surveillance system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), and transmit the security video content to the DVR for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television (TV) channel dynamically selected from available wireless TV channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08789092B2 Targeting television ads using keywords
Described herein is a system and method of ad targeting that automatically matches advertisements to media based on the demographic signatures of each. The method and system include calculating a match score between historical buyer demographics and media demographics. Media which is similar to the demographic of the product buyers is targeted for advertising.
US08789091B2 Queue based advertisement scheduling and sales
In accordance with the invention, advertisement identifiers are stored in a queue in memory in the set top box or elsewhere corresponding to individual subscribers of a television service delivery network. The advertisements are retrieved and displayed in the order dictated by the queue as advertisement avails are detected in the particular channel information stream being watched by that subscriber. Accordingly, the subscriber sees the advertisements regardless of what channel or television program is being watched and sees them in the order dictated by the queue. The invention also is applicable to other information streams including Internet advertising, audio/radio advertising and advertising in electronic program guides.
US08789088B2 Method and apparatus for remotely installing and updating different security clients for broadcasting or communication channels
A method for installing different security clients for channels in a terminal in a conditional access system includes: searching one or more channels searchable in the terminal; requesting, for respective searched channels, security clients necessary for receiving pay programs to be transmitted through the searched channels, to a broadcasting station which takes charge of the searched channels; and downloading and installing, for respective searched channels, the requested security clients from the broadcasting station.
US08789086B2 Method and apparatus for content playback using multiple IPTV devices
An apparatus and method for resuming playback of media content from more than one Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) device. The playback of a media asset or media content typically contains an asset ID and a start time. Based on the architecture of a second display device (e.g., a second IPTV device) the IPTV system determines the identity of an account and its associated IPTV devices. When a user pauses an asset, the system sends the asset identification (ID) and the stop time to a server operatively coupled to the system. The next time (within a predefined duration) the user requests the same asset ID, the pause time and the asset ID are returned. Using the pause time and the asset ID, the user can resume playback of the asset.
US08789085B2 Method, system and computer program product for detecting pornographic contents in video sequences
A method for detecting the presence of pornographic contents in a sequence of video frames having associated respective motion vectors, includes identifying groups of motion vectors having similar orientation and the presence, in subsequent frames of the sequence, of motion types defined by affiliated groups of motion vectors having homologous motion characteristics in subsequent frames. Thereafter, detection in these motion types of the occurrence of negative affiliations representative of an inversion in the motion of the respective group of vectors. If the number of such negative affiliations counted at a given interval reaches a given count threshold, identified in the sequence of frames is a periodic motion susceptible of having pornographic content. Repetition of the periodic motions may be verified, the image sequence identified as susceptible to having pornographic contents and/or subjected to an optional verification procedure such as “skin detection” type, and transmission may be blocked.
US08789082B2 Method and apparatus for enabling interactive dynamic movies
A method and apparatus provides immediate audience interaction and participation with a movie while the movie is being shown to the audience, either in a public theater or at home. Theatre patrons are provided the option of responding to prompts on their handheld communication/computing devices to vote on upcoming pre-staged scene selections, thereby enabling majority voting audience participation to control a movie flow.
US08789081B2 Video quality scoring
A network device may be configured to receive video quality data that includes information corresponding to a delivery of video content from a content source to a user device via a network and information corresponding to video presentation conditions corresponding to the user device. The network device may also be configured to determine video quality metrics based on the video quality data. Each of the video quality metrics may correspond to a characteristic of the delivery of the video content from the content source to the user device or the video presentation conditions corresponding to the user device. The network device may also be configured to determine, based on the video quality metrics, a video quality score that corresponds to an estimated user viewing experience corresponding to the video content. The network device may also be configured to communicate the video quality score to an operator of the network.
US08789079B2 Methods and systems for providing demand based services
A system and method may include monitoring content being displayed at a display device to generate monitoring data that includes a program identifier, communicating the monitoring data to a server, the server determining which programs to include in an on-demand lineup based on the monitoring data and generating an on-demand lineup message to identify on-demand programs included in the on-demand lineup, and receiving the on-demand lineup message from the server.
US08789078B2 Method and apparatus for sending stored advertising data from an internet protocol television end user network interface device
A method and system are disclosed for sending stored IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network end user network interface device. The method includes receiving the IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network server at the IPTV end user network interface device; storing the IPTV advertisement data in a memory of the IPTV network end user network interface device; determining at the IPTV network end user network interface device whether an IPTV subscription is active for the IPTV network end user device; and sending the advertisement data from the IPTV network device to a client device for display when the IPTV subscription is not active for the IPTV end user network interface device. The system includes a processor, memory and instruction for performing the method.
US08789077B2 Method and system for facilitating network connectivity and consumption of broadband services
An approach is provided to facilitate network connectivity and consumption of broadband services. A data network connection is established by a set-top box. Sharing of the data network connection by a plurality of user devices is permitted by the set-top box. A credit count is maintained based on the sharing of the data network connection by the plurality of user devices.
US08789076B2 Transportation body for flexible optical disk, optical disk transportation apparatus, and optical disk transportation method
A transportation body 1 for a flexible optical disk 10 has flexibility, and includes a rotation stabilizing board 2 having a disk-shaped form, an optical disk alignment unit 4 installed in the central part of the rotation stabilizing board 2, and a spacer 3 installed on a surface of the rotation stabilizing board 2. A combination of the transportation body 1 and the optical disk 10 can be treated as an equivalent of a conventional optical disk having rigidity, by transporting the flexible optical disk 10 placed on the transportation body 1 and by recording/reproducing information onto/from the flexible optical disk.
US08789073B2 Proxy object creation and use
Embodiments are discussed for methods, systems, and computer readable media for creating a proxy object, comprising calling a second functionality in a proxy class, creating a proxy object by the second functionality, calling a third functionality by the second functionality, calling a fourth functionality by the third functionality, creating a reference object by the fourth functionality, returning the reference object to the third functionality, associating the reference object to the proxy object by the third functionality, and returning the associated proxy object by the second functionality to a first functionality.
US08789072B2 Distributed multi-system management
An apparatus comprises multiple digital information devices arranged on a network and having respective memories, a subset of the respective memories each having a respective memory region assigned to manage a respective subgroup of the multiple digital information devices, the subset and the subgroup each having a cardinality of at least two, and a separate processor coupled to each of the respective memories and configured to manage the multiple digital information devices by exchanging information stored in the respective memory regions among the digital information devices over the network.
US08789071B2 Integrated extension framework
Provided are techniques for extending functionality of an application. A request to create an application object is received. In response to receiving the request, the application object is created, and an extension proxy object is created. The extension proxy object is wrapped around the application object. An invocation of a function of the extension proxy object is received from the application object.
US08789069B2 On-the-fly replacement of physical hardware with emulation
Various aspects are disclosed herein for replacing the hardware backing the memory locations associated with a virtual machine with a backing mechanism. The backing mechanism may have the memory locations appear to contain data convenient to the driver in the virtual machine, typically containing what the hardware would have returned if the hardware had been read from. The data image being returned from the memory locations may travel with the virtual machine even if the virtual machine moves to a different physical machine that does not contain hardware equivalent to the hardware that was recently removed from the virtual machine.
US08789065B2 System and method for input data load adaptive parallel processing
Systems and methods provide an extensible, multi-stage, realtime application program processing load adaptive, manycore data processing architecture shared dynamically among instances of parallelized and pipelined application software programs, according to processing load variations of said programs and their tasks and instances, as well as contractual policies. The invented techniques provide, at the same time, both application software development productivity, through presenting for software a simple, virtual static view of the actually dynamically allocated and assigned processing hardware resources, together with high program runtime performance, through scalable pipelined and parallelized program execution with minimized overhead, as well as high resource efficiency, through adaptively optimized processing resource allocation.
US08789058B2 System and method for supporting batch job management in a distributed transaction system
A system and method can support batch job management in a distributed system using a queue system with a plurality of queues and one or more job management servers. The queue system can represent a life cycle for executing a job by a job execution component, with each queue in the queue system adapted to receive one or more messages that represent a job status in the life cycle for executing the job. The one or more job management servers in the distributed system can direct the job execution component to execute the job, with each job management server monitoring one or more queues in the queue system, and performing at least one operation on the one or more messages in the queue system corresponding to a change of a job status for executing the job.
US08789057B2 System and method for reducing serialization in transactional memory using gang release of blocked threads
Transactional Lock Elision (TLE) may allow multiple threads to concurrently execute critical sections as speculative transactions. Transactions may abort due to various reasons. To avoid starvation, transactions may revert to execution using mutual exclusion when transactional execution fails. Because threads may revert to mutual exclusion in response to the mutual exclusion of other threads, a positive feedback loop may form in times of high congestion, causing a “lemming effect”. To regain the benefits of concurrent transactional execution, the system may allow one or more threads awaiting a given lock to be released from the wait queue and instead attempt transactional execution. A gang release may allow a subset of waiting threads to be released simultaneously. The subset may be chosen dependent on the number of waiting threads, historical abort relationships between threads, analysis of transactions of each thread, sensitivity of each thread to abort, and/or other thread-local or global criteria.
US08789052B2 System and method for controlling processor usage according to user input
A system and method for controlling processor usage according to user related tasks is provided. For periodic tasks, by increasing the period at which the task runs, the average processor usage can be reduced to meet a particular target which can ensure that user input is not affected by the periodic task. As such, the periodic task can be intelligently degraded and altered to compensate for such degradation in order to free up enough processor usage space so as to not adversely affect user input.
US08789049B2 Offloading operations to a replicate virtual machine
A method for detecting malicious code within a first virtual machine comprising creating a snapshot of the first virtual machine and transferring the snapshot to a second machine. A scan operation is run on the snapshot using resources of the second machine. In response to detecting malicious code during the scan operation, action is taken at the first virtual machine to address the detection of the malicious code. Thus, the action in response to detecting the malicious code may include placing the first virtual machine in quarantine.
US08789048B2 Virtual machine placement to improve memory utilization
Virtual machines having a high amount of identical memory pages are grouped under a common hypervisor to enable greater memory savings as the result of transparent page sharing. One method comprises analyzing the software image content of a plurality of virtual machines running on a plurality of hypervisors in a common migration domain, identifying two or more of the virtual machines having greater than a threshold amount of common memory pages, placing the two or more virtual machines under a common hypervisor, and sharing the common memory pages among the two or more virtual machines. Optionally, the identifying of two or more of the virtual machines may include identifying two or more of the virtual machines having the same software image content classifications; thereby, identifying images with a greater affinity for common memory pages.
US08789045B2 Rejuvenation processing device, rejuvenation processing system, computer program, and data processing method
In a rejuvenation processing device (1), at least one host machine (3) is selected as an object to be rejuvenated from among each of the host machines (3). At least one virtual machine (302) is selected from among the virtual machines (302) operating in the host machine (3) which is not selected as an object to be rejuvenated. The operation of the selected virtual machine (302) is stopped, and the virtual machine (302) operating in the host machine (3) selected as the object to be rejuvenated is migrated to the host machine (3) in which the virtual machine (302) operates. The host machine (3) selected as the object to be rejuvenated is rejuvenated. Thereby, it is possible to provide a rejuvenation processing device capable of simultaneously rejuvenating the host machines and the virtual machines necessary to be rejuvenated, while continuously operating the host machines and the virtual machines which are not necessary to be rejuvenated.
US08789036B2 Device software customization
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with device software configuration are described. One example method is executed by a personal electronic device (PED) having a read only memory (ROM) configured with a boot loader, a BASE ROM partition, and a customization file store partition (CFSP). The method includes receiving a customization package and storing it in the CFSP. The method includes invoking a one-time installation process to customize PED software, settings, characteristics, and so on, based on the CFSP contents. The method includes invoking a boot-time installation process to configure a file system filter driver on the PED to control access to CFSP contents based, at least in part, on a file attribute associated with the CFSP content.
US08789034B1 Method for updating operating system without memory reset
A computer system has an OS running on it. The computer system has Virtual Execution Environments (VEEs—containers or Virtual Machines), an old OS (to be replaced), a memory area which has data needed for system restart and restore from the VEE. The VEEs are moved into snapshot and a new OS is loaded into the memory. The new OS launches and receives data needed for restore of the system from the snapshot. Then, the new OS activates the VEEs. Thus, the new OS is reloaded onto the computer system without a physical memory reset.
US08789033B2 Reducing application startup time by optimizing spatial locality of instructions in executables
Provided are techniques for parsing source code file into a plurality of functions; generating a ranking corresponding to each of the plurality of functions based upon an order of occurrence in the source code file; generating a weight score corresponding to each of the plurality of functions based upon a weighing factor and the occurrence of a condition corresponding to each of the plurality of functions; and generating an object code file such that the plurality of functions are ordered in the object code file based upon the corresponding rankings and weight scores such during a startup of execution of the object code file a startup time is minimized with respect to an object code file not generated in accordance with the claimed method.
US08789032B1 Feedback-directed inter-procedural optimization
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for inter-procedural optimization, are disclosed. In one aspect, a first executable program module is generated based on a plurality of source code modules. Profile information is collected for the plurality of source code modules by executing the first executable program module. Inter-procedural analysis for the plurality of source code modules is performed during execution of the first executable program module. The inter-procedural analysis is based on the collected profile information. IPO is performed based on the results from the inter-procedural analysis to generate a plurality of object code modules. A second executable program module is generated based on the plurality of object code modules.
US08789030B2 Memoization from offline analysis
Memoization may be deployed using a configuration file or database that identifies functions to memorize, and in some cases, includes input and result values for those functions. The configuration file or database may be created by profiling target code and offline or otherwise separate analysis of the profiling results. The configuration file may be used by an execution environment to identify which functions to memorize during execution. The offline or separate analysis of the profiling results may enable more sophisticated analysis than could otherwise be performed in parallel with executing the target code, including historical analysis of multiple instances of the target code and sophisticated cost/benefit analysis.
US08789028B2 Memory access monitoring
A computer-implemented method for memory access monitoring, implemented by a managed runtime environment computer system including a controller that monitors application behavior and determines actions to be taken to change a behavior of an application, and a runtime, dynamic compiler that analyzes the application and generates code sequences to access a memory access monitoring (MAM) mechanism, includes determining monitor information of a plurality of fields of a memory block to drive an optimization of the application.
US08789022B2 Self-evolving computing service template translation
Methods and apparatus for automatically generating translation programs for translating computing services templates to service blueprints are disclosed. An example method includes generating a population of translation logic elements from a plurality of verified computing services template translation programs, where each of the verified programs is configured to correctly translate at least one computing services template of a plurality of known templates to a respective service blueprint. The example method further includes identifying a new computing services template and programmatically augmenting the population of translation logic elements. The example method also includes generating one or more additional translation programs based on the augmented population of translation logic elements and validating each of the one or more additional computing services template translation programs. Based on the validating, each of the one or more additional computing services template translation programs is added to the verified translation programs or is discarded.
US08789019B2 Orthogonal experimentation in a computing environment
Various embodiments include at least one of systems, methods, and software to receive input configuring tests within a computing environment to expose users to standard application or website experiences or test experiences. In some embodiments, multiple tests may be configured to run orthogonally within user experiences without affecting the results of one another. Some such embodiments preserve the ability to execute certain tests in a non-orthogonal manner while other tests are allowed to execute orthogonally.
US08789015B2 Integrated application localization
Integrated application localization techniques are described in which support for application localization is provided as an integrated component of a development environment. Localizations for selected languages/locales integrate with application builds in the development environment so that updates are synchronized with project resources for multiple languages. This involves creating and employing localization files corresponding to source content of a project using a designated file format suitable to enable translations. Localization files that are created in the designated format may be exposed in various ways for translation via the system, a developer, a translation service, or other selected translation sources. A single multilingual resource file for an application is then generated to contain resources in multiple languages based on translations made available through the translation sources.
US08789014B2 Managing a working set in an integrated development environment
Files supporting a development activity in an IDE are previewed and are not added to a collection of files in a working set for the development activity. A previewed file is represented by a single preview tab displayed on the user interface. The content of a previewed file can be displayed in a preview display portion of a user interface. The preview tab can be stylistically distinct from a durable tab and can identify the current previewed file. A previewed file can be promoted to a durable file. A promoted previewed file is added to the working set for the development activity.
US08789012B1 System and method for automatically generating computer code to obtain data from devices optionally using a web services interface
A system and method accepts source code including one or more variables or constants, and, for those variables or constants flagged as those that are to be automatically provided to a gateway, generates or provides communication code and a description that allows the values to be sent to a gateway for retrieval using a variety of formats, such as conventional web services formats.
US08789010B2 Managing static data structures of legacy software in dynamic class loader environments
A method for managing static data structures of a legacy data modeling software product in a dynamic class loader environment comprises constructing a bundle-specific registry for each software bundle in the dynamic class loader environment and instructing the legacy data modeling software product to use the bundle-specific registry rather than its default registry when creating in-memory representations of data model classes associated with a particular software bundle. Constructing a bundle-specific registry may include using the bundle's configuration metadata to calculate a dependency graph identifying the other bundles on which the software bundle depends. An initializer may construct the initial set of bundle-specific registries, and a listener may construct bundle-specific registries for new software bundles entering the system.
US08789009B2 EMF model synchronization method and system
Provided are an EMF model synchronization method and system. The system calculates a weight based on a hierarchy for an object identifier in a changed model, when the change of the model occurs in an EMF model which has an XML element path as an attribute. The system accumulates the calculated weight to a sum of weights. When the sum of weights becomes greater than the threshold value, the system simultaneously updates all models which are changed until the sum of weights becomes greater than the threshold value, thereby synchronizing change contents. As a hierarchy of an identifier changed on an XML path becomes higher, the weight is determined to have a larger value.
US08789008B2 Methods for generating device layouts by combining an automated device layout generator with a script
Methods for generating a device layout are provided. First, design rules corresponding to a specific technology are received. A selection of at least one element and a parameter value corresponding to at least one parameter on the selected element are received. A draft device layout corresponding to the selected element is generated by a device generator by referencing the parameter value and the design rules. A script is then executed to modify the draft device layout to generate an updated device layout. The script includes at least one command, and when the script is executed, the at least one command is performed to modify the parameter value of the at least one parameter of the selected element and cause the device generator to delete the old draft device layout and generate a new draft device layout by referencing the modified parameter value and the design rules.
US08789002B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device on the basis of changed design layout data
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device on the basis of changed design layout data. The method decides a functional relationship between layout parameters based on layout data and the electrical characteristic of a plurality of semiconductor elements. Candidates of the values of the layout parameters are extracted from design layout data so as to decrease the difference between a target electrical characteristic and a predicted electrical characteristic. A specific value from the candidate values of the layout parameters is selected and the design layout data is changed based on the specific selected value.
US08788998B2 Non-integer height standard cell library
A standard cell library for designing integrated circuits is provided. In some aspects, the standard cell library includes a plurality of standard cells having a cell height that is a non-integer multiple of a wiring pitch of routing tracks associated with the standard cell library. The standard cell library further includes a plurality of landing pins for connecting to the routing tracks arranged in the plurality of standard cells, wherein each of the plurality of landing pins is extended by half of the wiring pitch in opposite directions orthogonal to an orientation of the routing tracks.
US08788996B2 System and method for configuring semiconductor functional circuits
The present invention systems and methods enable configuration of functional components in integrated circuits. A present invention system and method can flexibly change the operational characteristics of functional components in an integrated circuit die based upon a variety of factors. In one embodiment, manufacturing yields, compatibility characteristics, performance requirements, and system health (e.g., the number of components operating properly) are factored into changes to the operational characteristics of functional components. In one exemplary implementation, the changes to operational characteristics of a functional component are coordinated with changes to other functional components. Workflow scheduling and distribution is also adjusted based upon the changes to the operational characteristics of the functional components. For example, a functional component configuration controller changes the operational characteristics settings and provides an indication to a workflow distribution component. The workflow distribution component changes the workflow schedule based upon the operational characteristics settings (e.g., work flow is diverted to or away from functional components).
US08788995B1 System and method for guiding remedial transformations of a circuit design defined by physical implementation data to reduce needed physical corrections for detected timing violations in the circuit design
A system and method are provided for pessimism reduction of a timing database provided for optimization of a circuit design. Pessimism is reduced through generation of a hybrid graph-based static timing analysis (GBA) and path-based static timing analysis (PBA STA) database. PBA is selectively performed on the most critical GBA identified timing violations with the goal of reducing erroneous pessimism in operational timing characteristics passed on to the physical implementation corrective optimizer module to thereby reduce unnecessary fixing and transformations upon the circuit design to correspondingly reduce design time, temporary storage space, needed processing power for timing closure and to result in a finished operable and tangible circuit device with reduced area, power requirements, and decreased cost.
US08788993B2 Computer system for generating an integrated and unified view of IP-cores for hierarchical analysis of a system on chip (SoC) design
In order to realize some of the advantages described above, there is provided a computer system for verification of an intellectual property (IP) core in a system-on-chip (SoC). The system generates a plurality of verification specific abstracted views of the IP core, each of the plurality of verification specific abstracted views having a plurality of verification specific attributes at an input/output (I/O) interface of each of the abstracted view of the IP-core. A unified abstracted view of the IP-core is generated.
US08788992B2 Circuit design support method, circuit design support apparatus, and computer product
A circuit design support method that is executed by a computer, includes calculating a first performance value of a circuit under design before a layout process, by inputting into a first function model that represents a performance value of the circuit under design before the layout process, the values of parameters among parameters of a second parameter group and corresponding to parameters of a first parameter group; acquiring a second performance value that is of the circuit under design after the layout process and obtained by simulating operation of the circuit under design after the layout process, using the values of the parameters of the second parameter group; and generating based on the calculated first performance value, the acquired second performance value, and the second parameter group, a second function model that represents a difference in the performance value of the circuit under design before and after the layout process.
US08788989B2 Developing a hardware description which performs a function by partial hardening of a software program on a multi-processor system
System and method for developing an ASIC. A software program may be stored which includes program instructions which implement a function. The software program may be executed on a processing system at a desired system speed and may be validated based on the execution. A first hardware description of at least a portion of the processing system may be stored and may specify implementation of at least a portion of the processing system. A second hardware description may be generated that corresponds to a first portion of the first hardware description. The second hardware description may specify a dedicated hardware implementation of a first portion of the software program executing on the processing system. Generation of the second hardware description may be performed one or more times to fully specify the ASIC. An ASIC may be created which implements the function of the software program.
US08788987B2 Rescaling
A novel method for designing an integrated circuit (“IC”) by rescaling an original set of circuits in a design of the IC is disclosed. The original set of circuits to be rescaled includes sequential nodes, combinational nodes, and interconnects. Each sequential node is associated with a phase of a clock. The method generates a rescaled set of circuits that includes multiple replica sets of the circuits. Each replica set of circuits includes sequential nodes, combinational nodes, and interconnects that are identical to nodes and interconnects in the original set of circuits. Each sequential node is associated with a phase of a clock that is at a fraction of the phase of its corresponding sequential element in the original set. The method connects nodes in each replica set of circuits to a logically equivalent node in another replica set. The method replaces the original set of circuits with the rescaled set of circuits.
US08788985B1 Method and apparatus for implementing a processor interface block with an electronic design automation tool
An electric design automation (EDA) tool for generating a design of a system on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) includes a library that includes a processor interface block selectable by a designer to represent a component in the design that is assessable to a processor. The EDA tool also includes a processor interface circuitry generation unit to automatically generate circuitry in the design to support the processor interface block without input from the designer.
US08788983B2 Method for correcting layout pattern and mask thereof
A method for correcting layout pattern and a mask having the corrected layout pattern thereon are provided. In an exemplary method, a first layout pattern including a plurality of first hole patterns can be provided to form an auxiliary pattern in each first hole pattern and to obtain a second layout pattern. The auxiliary pattern can have a dimension smaller than an exposure resolution in a photolithography process. The second layout pattern can then be processed by an optical proximity correction (OPC) to obtain a first modified layout pattern. The first modified layout pattern can include a plurality of modified first hole patterns modified by the OPC. The first modified layout pattern can be simulated to obtain an actual layout pattern such that the actual layout pattern and the first layout pattern have an edge placement error (EPE) within a predetermined range.
US08788977B2 Movement recognition as input mechanism
The detection of relative motion or orientation between a user and a computing device can be used to control aspects of the device. For example, the computing device can include an imaging element and software for locating positions, shapes, separations, and/or other aspects of a user's facial features relative to the device, such that an orientation of the device relative to the user can be determined. A user then can provide input to the device by performing actions such as tilting the device, moving the user's head, making a facial expression, or otherwise altering an orientation of at least one aspect of the user with respect to the device. Such an approach can be used in addition to, or as an alternative to, conventional input devices such as keypads and touch screens.
US08788976B2 Project navigator for a hierarchical display of technological objects, storage medium and engineering system
A project navigator for displaying technological objects hierarchically on a display device, in particular on a computer, is provided. The technological objects are mutually interconnected and model a machine with cascaded synchronous control. The technological objects are selected by a user input facility. For a selected technological object, an associated input and/or output side connection tree for the technological object is then displayed together with further technological objects.
US08788975B1 System and method of displaying geographic entities
A system and method is provided that identifies one geographic entity based on another geographic entity. In one aspect, a user may select one of plurality of relationships that associates one geographic region with one or more other geographic regions. When the user selects one of the geographic regions, the related geographic region(s) are highlighted based on the selected relationship.
US08788973B2 Three-dimensional gesture controlled avatar configuration interface
A method for controlling presentation to a user of a primary user experience of a software application is provided. The method includes displaying a third-person avatar in a 3D virtual scene that defines a user interface for controlling presentation of the primary user experience. The method further includes sensing controlling movements of the user within a physical space in which the user is located and causing display of controlled movements of the third-person avatar within the 3D virtual scene so that the controlled movements visually replicate the controlling movements. The method further includes detecting a predefined interaction of the third-person avatar with a user interface element displayed in the 3D virtual scene, and controlling presentation of the primary user experience in response to detecting the predefined interaction.
US08788965B2 Method and device for displaying data by adjusting the size of controls
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and apparatus for displaying data, which relate to computer technologies. The method includes: determining a location where a scroll box is located; updating a data block displayed on at least one control through moving data blocks according to the location where the scroll box is located; and for each of the at least one control, adjusting the size of the control according to the size of the data block displayed on the control. Through adjusting the size of the control according to the size of the data blocks, the number of the control is adjusted, thus resources can be saved and calculation efforts can be reduced. In addition, since the height of the control is adjusted according to the size of the data block, diversified data services can be supported so as to meet the requirements of practical services.
US08788964B2 Method and system for configuring an idle screen in a portable terminal
A method and system for configuring an idle screen with an extended virtual area and for displaying a variety of contents on the idle screen extended by the virtual area is described. The method includes providing an idle screen that displays at least one content, and providing a virtual area that extends the idle screen and displays contents. The method may further include checking the settings of the virtual area when the virtual area is provided, and providing, if the virtual area is set, the idle screen extended by the virtual area where contents are provided by the extended idle screen.
US08788958B2 Modeling, monitoring, and analysis of computer services
Computer services and other computer entities may be monitored and evaluated by using a model that defines the services and relationships between the services. The model may be used during discovery for finding entities and creating instances of the entities and instances of the relationships between entities. After discovery, data may be collected and stored in a database by monitoring or instrumenting the entity. Analysis of the data may include tracking performance and monitoring the health of a service or other entity. The relationships may be used to graphically display various entities in many useful manners, including graphical representations of the health of various entities.
US08788957B2 Social virtual avatar modification
The techniques disclosed herein integrate a social aspect into avatar modification. Multiple users may access a virtual environment that allows users to modify the user's avatar. The users in the application may be any combination of remote and local players. The users' avatars may be associated with the same application or different applications. The users may interact in the same virtual environment while modifying their respective avatars. Any user in the virtual environment may view modifications that are made to other users' avatars and interact with other users while modifications are made. Thus, the techniques disclosed allow avatar modification to be a multi-player experience.
US08788950B2 Method for providing multiple mouse inputs in a remote desktop session
A computer (host), which is communicating with an interactive whiteboard projector (client) through a remote desktop connection, launches third-party applications supporting multiple mice (i.e. drawing pens) and provides these applications with virtual mouse device and input event signals for each pen device connected on the projector. The applications will behave as if the host system were configured with multiple installed mice, though no added driver or physical connected hardware is present.
US08788946B2 Application agnostic UI integration framework for web based applications
This disclosure describes, generally, methods and systems for implementing application agnostic UI integration. Aspects of the invention relates to a generic architecture and a framework, which leverage the capabilities of a middleware server and application integration concepts, to support launching a User Interface (UI) of any target application from any source application. The source application can invoke, for example, a HTTP get request or fires a HTTP post to the target application, and the same interaction can take place while returning control back from target application to source application. Additionally, the target application can invoke a service hosted on the source application to return the control back to source application.
US08788945B1 Automatic approval
Techniques for automatically approving transactions are described herein. These techniques may include determining whether a user who requested to conduct a transaction is the same user as a user that approves the transaction. If so, then the transaction may be approved. If not, then the approving user may be asked to provide authentication information in order to finish the approval process.
US08788943B2 Unlocking emoticons using feature codes
Provided is a method of making a graphic available to be transmitted over a communication network. Access is granted to a graphic that a sender of a first communication can select for inclusion in the first communication to be transmitted over the communication network. Selection by the sender of a restricted graphic for inclusion in the first communication is prevented. Using a computer operatively connected to the communication network, the content of the first communication entered by the sender is received, and includes the graphic available for selection by the sender. The first communication including the graphic is transmitted over the communication network. A code associated with a product is received, and the product is registered based at least in part on the code. In response to successful registration of the product, the sender is granted access to the restricted graphic, allowing the sender to select the restricted graphic for inclusion in a second communication.
US08788940B2 System for generating and distributing content editing information
A method includes generating a content editing command file devoid of content by editing content. The content editing command file may be used to edit other copies of the same content that was edited to generate the content editing command file. Multiple content editing command files having some variability may be combined to form an aggregated content editing command file.
US08788939B2 Method and device for composing a menu
Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected.
US08788934B2 EXI encoder and computer readable medium
An EXI encoder is based on XML schema defining an XML document that includes a head portion, a body portion which can be repeated X times or more and which contains a variable content, and a tail portion. A reading unit sequentially reads input data corresponding to the variable content as many as the number of times the body portion is repeated. A head portion encoder generates an EXI bit string corresponding to the head portion. A body portion encoder generates an EXI bit string corresponding to the body portion in which the variable is replaced with the input data each time input data is read by the reading unit. A tail portion encoder generates an EXI bit string corresponding to the tail portion. An output unit outputs an EXI stream including the EXI bit strings.
US08788933B2 Time-shifted presentation of media streams
For enabling a time-shifted presentation of at least one received media stream, at least one media fragment is created. The at least one media fragment includes media data from a section of the at least one received media stream and associated media data. The media data is stored to a media data section of a file and the associated meta data is stored to a meta data section of this file. In case of a user request to start a time-shifted presentation, the file may then be parsed for retrieving media data of a respective media fragment for presentation.
US08788931B1 Creating mapping rules from meta data for data transformation utilizing visual editing
A visual editor creates the meta rules for transforming or mapping data between the source meta data and target meta data representation via a wide variety of Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs). A set of transformation rules or scripts is generated by the editor using a transformation rule engine, e.g., XSL, and sent to a standard transformation engine, e.g., XSLT, which accepts an input data file and using the transformation rules generates a transformed output data file. The meta rules are represented in a template and stored in a configuration file. The configuration file can be updated with other rules by the visual editor specifying in the rule file the transformation/mapping language as an element of the rule file. The editor specifies any attributes or parameters on the rule transformation/mapping element. The transformation rule engine reads in a new meta rule generated by the editor. Parameter values are added to complete the rule based on the description from a meta rule configuration file. A locking mechanism in the template is selected to lock the context to the template or portion of the rule definition selected at the time the lock is clicked. The new transformation/rule is saved into the transformation rule file. An editor-mapping engine generates a notification of the creation of a new transformation-mapping rule; updates the meta data rules file; and provides the updated rule file to the transformation engine. Input data to the transformation engine is processed using the updated rule file and the transformed data is provided as an output.
US08788923B2 Methods and apparatus for soft demapping and intercell interference mitigation in flash memories
Methods and apparatus are provided for soft demapping and intercell interference mitigation in flash memories. In one variation, a target cell in a flash memory device capable of storing at least two data levels, s, per cell is read by obtaining a measured read value, r, for at least one target cell in the flash memory; obtaining a value, h, representing data stored for at least one aggressor cell in the flash memory; selecting one or more probability density functions based on a pattern of values stored in at least a portion of the flash memory, wherein the probability density functions comprises pattern-dependent disturbance of one or more aggressor cells on the at least one target cell in the flash memory; evaluating at least one selected probability density function based on the measured read value, r; and computing one or more log likelihood ratios based on a result of the evaluating step.
US08788922B2 Error correction codes for incremental redundancy
A method includes accepting input including at least part of a codeword that has been encoded by an ECC defined by a set of parity check equations. The codeword includes data bits and parity bits. A decoding process is applied to the codeword using the data bits and only a first partial subset of parity bits in the input, and using only a second partial subset of equations. Upon a failure to decode the codeword using the partial subsets, the codeword is re-decoded using the data bits and all parity bits in the input, and using all equations. The set of parity check equations is defined such that any parity bit in the codeword appears in multiple equations, and any parity bit in the first partial subset of the parity bits appears in a plurality of equations in the second partial subset of the equations.
US08788919B2 Convolutional turbo coding method and device for implementing the coding method
A method and apparatus for Convolutional Turbo Coding (CTC), and an apparatus for a turbo encoder are provided. The method for CTC includes the steps of encoding information bits A and B using a constituent encoder, and outputting parity sequences Y1 and W1, interleaving the information bits A and B using a CTC interleaver to obtain information bits C and D, and encoding the interleaved information bits C and D using the constituent encoder to obtain parity sequences Y2 and W2, interleaving the information bits A and B, the parity sequences Y1 and W1 and the parity sequences Y2 and W2, respectively, wherein the bits in at least one of a bit group constituted of the information bits A and B, a bit group constituted of the sequences Y1 and W1, and a bit group constituted of the sequences Y2 and W2 are alternately mapped to bits of constellation points with high reliability and low reliability and puncturing the interleaving result to obtain the encoded bit sequences.
US08788917B2 Systems for high-speed backplane applications using FEC encoding
The present disclosure is directed to systems for achieving speeds up to, and beyond, twice the conventional 10 Gbps limit associated with Backplane Ethernet systems. In one example, the system is a transmitter that includes a FEC encoder configured to generate and append redundant symbols to the input data stream to provide a FEC encoded data stream, a serial-to-parallel module configured to de-serialize the FEC encoded data stream and distribute the FEC encoded data stream over parallel FEC encoded data streams with at least one of the redundant symbols generated by the FEC encoder generated based on data sent over two or more of the parallel FEC encoded data streams, and a line code encoder configured to modulate one of the parallel FEC encoded data streams.
US08788916B2 Architecture and control of reed-solomon error-correction decoding
Systems and methods are provided for implementing various aspects of a Reed-Solomon (RS) error-correction system. A detector can provide a decision-codeword from a channel and can also provide soft-information for the decision-codeword. If the decision-codeword corresponds to an inner code and an RS code is the outer code, a soft-information map can process the soft-information for the decision-codeword to produce soft-information for a RS decision-codeword. A RS decoder can employ the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm (BMA), list decoding, and a Chien search, and can include a pipelined architecture. A threshold-based control circuit can be used to predict whether list decoding will be needed and can suspend the list decoding operation if it predicts that list decoding is not needed.
US08788909B2 Probabilistic error correction in multi-bit-per-cell flash memory
Data that are stored in cells of a multi-bit-per cell memory, according to a systematic or non-systematic ECC, are read and corrected (systematic ECC) or recovered (non-systematic ECC) in accordance with estimated probabilities that one or more of the read bits are erroneous. In one method of the present invention, the estimates are a priori. In another method of the present invention, the estimates are based only on aspects of the read bits that include significances or bit pages of the read bits. In a third method of the present invention, the estimates are based only on values of the read bits. Not all the estimates are equal.
US08788902B2 Method and device for bandwidth self-adapting data ranking protection
The present disclosure discloses a method and a device for bandwidth self-adapting data ranking protection. The method comprises: performing redundancy protection computation on a data block to be transmitted so as to generate a redundant code of the data block, and setting a priority for the redundant code; determining whether bandwidth occupied by a redundant code with a highest priority is greater than current residual bandwidth; if the bandwidth occupied by the redundant code with the highest priority is not greater than the current residual bandwidth, carrying the redundant code with the highest priority in the current residual bandwidth; otherwise, according to a descending order of the priority, searching in residual redundant codes for a redundant code whose data amount is less than or equal to the current residual bandwidth, and carrying a found redundant code in the current residual bandwidth. The present disclosure improves the error tolerance of a system.
US08788896B2 Scan chain lockup latch with data input control responsive to scan enable signal
A scan chain lockup latch comprises at least one latching element and data input control circuitry configured to control application of data to a data input of the latching element responsive to a scan enable signal. The lockup latch is configured for coupling between first and second scan cells of a scan chain. The scan chain may be controllable between a scan shift mode of operation and a functional mode of operation responsive to the scan enable signal. The data input control circuitry may be configured to maintain the data input of the latching element at a constant logic value when the scan chain is in its functional mode of operation such that switching activity in the latching element is suppressed. The scan chain lockup latch and the associated scan chain may be implemented in scan test circuitry of an integrated circuit, for testing additional circuitry of that integrated circuit.
US08788890B2 Devices and methods for bit error rate monitoring of intra-panel data link
Devices and methods for monitoring a bit error rate of an intra-panel data link (e.g., a chip-on-glass (COG) data link) between a timing controller and a display driver circuitry, according to an embodiment. The timing controller may send test data over a data link to the display driver circuitry. The test data may include a known or predictable stream of data. The display driver circuitry may receive the test data via the data link and detect bit errors based at least partly on the test data. An indication of the bit errors may be displayed on an array of pixels of the display or provided to the timing controller via a separate back channel data link.
US08788886B2 Verification of SoC scan dump and memory dump operations
Techniques are disclosed for verifying memory dump operations and scan dump operations. A memory specification is analyzed and parsed to generate a script for performing a memory dump operation. To verify the memory dump operation, first, a set of values are written to one or more memories of a SoC. Next, the script is executed to perform the memory dump operation, and then an output bitstream from the operation is compared to the set of values. The scan dump operation involves taking a snapshot of a model of a SoC in an emulator. A scan dump operation is performed, and an output bitstream from the operation is compared to the snapshot. The memory and scan dump operations are invoked using commands in a first language, and the commands are translated into a second language to perform the operations.
US08788882B2 Customizing code modules of software and programmable hardware for a test instrument
Customizing a test instrument. A plurality of pairs of code modules may be provided. Each pair of code modules may include a first code module having program instructions for execution by a processor of the test instrument and a second code module for implementation on a programmable hardware element of the test instrument. For each pair of code modules, the first code module and the second code module may collectively implement a function in the test instrument. User input may be received specifying modification of a second code module of at least one of the plurality of pairs of code modules. Accordingly, a hardware description may be generated for the programmable hardware element of the test instrument based on the modified second code module.
US08788880B1 Efficient retry mechanism for solid-state memory failures
A data storage subsystem is disclosed that implements a solid-state data buffering scheme. Prior to completion of programming in solid-state storage media, data that is formatted for storage in solid-state media is maintained in one or more buffers. The system is able to retry failed programming operations directly from the buffers, rather than reprocessing the data. The relevant programming pipeline may therefore be preserved by skipping over a failed write operation and reprocessing the data at the end of the current pipeline processing cycle.
US08788878B2 Data migration without interrupting host access
A system includes a source storage device, a target storage device, a host coupled to the source storage device and the target storage device, and a first migration device coupled to the source storage device and the target storage device. The first migration device includes a first virtual storage device. The first migration device is configured to migrate data from the source storage device to the target storage device, and the first virtual storage device is configured to receive write access requests for the data from the host during the data migration and send the access request to the source storage device and target storage device.
US08788875B2 Remote computer diagnostic system and method
The system enables a call center to manage requests from remote computing clients for service. The system provides a number of software tools that allow technicians to perform routine maintenance and correct problems remotely. At the front-end, the system enables requests to be submitted by customers via various mediums, accesses a calendar to determine technician availability, determines the urgency of the request, and schedules an appropriate technician to address the reported problem. The system further includes tools that enable a technician to access a remote computing client to perform a number computer maintenance and diagnostics. Other tools enable the technician to correct problems that are detected through diagnostics. Calls to the call center are recorded and maintained in order to track pending issues and identify potential areas of improvement.
US08788873B2 Server input/output failover device serving highly available virtual devices
A failover input/output device and corresponding method are provided to manage failover events of input/output controller devices that operate in accordance with a computer expansion card standard, such as the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) standard. The failover input/output device connects to redundant first and second virtualized input/output controller devices each comprising multiple virtual network interfaces that are in an active or standby state at any given time, and to a computing device that hosts one or more processes. The failover input/output device broadcasts transactions in accordance with the computer expansion card standard initiated from the computing device to the first and second virtualized input/output controller devices. The failover input/output device receives signals associated with upstream transaction completions in accordance with the computer expansion card standard for both active and standby virtual network interfaces on the first and second virtualized input/output controller devices. The failover input/output device forwards signals associated with upstream transaction completions for active virtual network interfaces on the first and second virtualized input/output controller devices to the computing device.
US08788871B2 Unified, workload-optimized, adaptive RAS for hybrid systems
A method, system, and computer program product for maintaining reliability in a computer system. In an example embodiment, the method includes performing a first data computation by a first set of processors, the first set of processors having a first computer processor architecture. The method continues by performing a second data computation by a second processor coupled to the first set of processors, the second processor having a second computer processor architecture, the first computer processor architecture being different than the second computer processor architecture. Finally, the method includes dynamically allocating computational resources of the first set of processors and the second processor based on at least one metric while the first set of processors and the second processor are in operation such that the accuracy and processing speed of the first data computation and the second data computation are optimized.
US08788865B2 Method and system for redeploying powered devices from a power sourcing equipment with insufficient power capacity to another power sourcing equipment with excess power capacity
Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining power sourcing equipment. A system includes multiple power sourcing equipment that can provide power to one or more powered devices via network connections. One or more of the power sourcing equipment with excess power capacity are determined.
US08788863B2 System and method for restoring and/or continuing execution functionality to various processes based on predefined power classifications while transitioning a computing environment from connected standby state to execution state
One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for assigning power management classifications to a process, transitioning a computing environment into a connected standby state based upon power management classifications assigned to processes, and transitioning the computing environment from the connected standby state to an execution state. That is, power management classifications, such as exempt, throttle, and/or suspend, may be assigned to processes based upon various factors, such as whether a process provides desired functionality and/or whether the process provides functionality relied upon for basic operation of the computing environment. In this way, the computing environment may be transitioned into a low power connected standby state that may continue executing desired functionality, while reducing power consumption by suspending and/or throttling other functionality. Because some functionality may still execute, the computing environment may transition into the execution state in a responsive manner to quickly provide a user with up-to-date information.
US08788861B2 Connected standby sleep state for increased power savings
Power consumption and dissipation during sleep states of processors is reduced using a novel connected standby sleep state. In the connected standby sleep state a dedicated power plane is used to maintain processor context. To conserve power, unnecessary components on the processor are powered down, including all of the clock components, and wakeup sources previously directed to the processor are directed to a platform control hub. The platform control hub sustains certain architectural functions for the processor during connected standby sleep state, and manages the wakeup logic for returning the processor to the preceding sleep state.
US08788860B2 Microarchitecture controller for thin-film thermoelectric cooling
A device having multiple cores executes an algorithm to control Thin-Film Thermoelectric Coolers (TFTEC) that employ the Peltier effect to remove heat from the various cores of the multi-core processor. The algorithms may combine Thread Migration (TM) and Dynamic Voltage/Frequency Scaling (DVFS) to provide Dynamic Thermal Management (DTM) and TFTEC control.
US08788859B2 Thermal sensitivity based clock frequency adjustment for dynamic power control of a processor
A method and system provides dynamic power control based on thermal sensitivity of a processor system. The method and system includes a circuit that reduces the clock frequency for the processor system in response to thermal characteristics satisfying a pre-determined threshold that allows maximal thermal temperature limit utilization without substantially degrading processor performance.
US08788854B2 Microcontroller and control method therefor
A microcontroller includes a first voltage detector that detects whether a power supply voltage is equal to or lower than a first voltage value to generate a first signal, a second voltage detector that detects whether the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than a second voltage value to generate a second signal, the second voltage value being lower than the first voltage value, a real-time clock that includes a memory and a clock counter responsive to a clock signal, and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that receives the first signal. The first voltage detector, the second voltage detector, the real-time clock and the CPU are formed on a single chip. The clock counter receives the second signal. The memory stores a first value according to a second signal, and stores a second value according to a setup of time information to the clock counter.
US08788850B1 Systems and methods for using a security circuit to monitor a voltage of an integrated circuit to counter security threats to the integrated circuit
One embodiment, having a corresponding method, features an integrated circuit comprising: a power supply terminal configured to receive electrical power; a core circuit powered by the electrical power, wherein the core circuit comprises a volatile memory configured to store data; a clock source configured to provide a clock signal at a selected frequency, wherein the selected frequency is one of a plurality of possible frequencies of the clock signal, and a processor configured to operate according to the clock signal; and a security circuit configured to reset the core circuit based on the selected frequency of the to clock signal and a voltage of the power supply terminal, wherein resetting the core circuit clears the data from the volatile memory.
US08788849B2 Method and apparatus for protecting cached streams
A system and method for protecting cached streamed data is disclosed. The method may include the steps of generating an encryption key from the streamed data itself, encrypting the streamed data stored in the storage device and requesting the portion of the streamed data from the content server again when later playback is desired so as to allow the content server to enforce access limitations or takedown policies relating to the streamed data. The method may also include procedures for handling key generation over reliable or unreliable protocols.
US08788848B2 Optical DNA
The claimed subject matter relates to architectures and/or mechanisms that can facilitate issuing, embedding and verification of an optical DNA (o-DNA) signature. A first mechanism is provided for obtaining a set of manufacturing errors inherent in an optical media instance. These errors can be encoded into the o-DNA that can be cryptographically signed with a private key, then embedded into the source optical media instance. A second mechanism is provided that can decrypt the o-DNA with a public key and compare the authenticated errors to the observed errors to ascertain whether the optical media instance is authentic as opposed to a forgery or counterfeit.
US08788847B2 Secure data processing method and associated device
A secure data processing method includes the following steps: padding (E206) a memory area (MAC′) with a pad value (A); writing (E208) a first datum in the memory area (MAC′); in the area, reading (E210) a second datum with at least one part of the first datum as it was written in the memory area (MAC′); and executing an operation (E210) using the second datum.
US08788846B2 Cloud computing system and cloud server managing method thereof
A cloud computing system is disclosed. The cloud computing system includes a management server that manages a plurality of servers and distributes service resources. Each of the servers corresponds to one of a secure server type and a general server type, and the secure server type of server decrypts an encrypted code provided from a client. Accordingly, a secure server can execute a code requiring security. Especially, by classifying a program code as a general code or a secret code, the general server can also perform the partial function of a program.
US08788845B1 Data access security
An execution environment of a computer computes an initial effective permissions set for managed code based on user identity evidence, code evidence and/or a security policy and executes the code with this permissions set. If the managed code requests a data access, the execution environment considers data evidence that indicates the trustworthiness of the requested data. The data evidence can be based on the source of the data, the location of the data, the content of the data itself, or other factors. The execution environment computes a new effective permissions set for the managed code based on the data evidence and the security policy. This new effective permissions set is applied to the managed code while the code accesses the data. The execution environment restores the initial permissions set once the managed code completes the data access.
US08788843B2 Storing user data in a service provider cloud without exposing user-specific secrets to the service provider
Subscriber (user) data is encrypted and stored in a service provider cloud in a manner such that the service provider is unable to decrypt and, as a consequence, to view, access or copy the data. Only the user knows a user-specific secret (e.g., a password) that is the basis of the encryption. The techniques herein enable the user to share his or her data, privately or publicly, without exposing the user-specific secret with anyone or any entity (such as the service provider).
US08788841B2 Representation and verification of data for safe computing environments and systems
Techniques for representation and verification of data are disclosed. The techniques are especially useful for representation and verification of the integrity of data (integrity verification) in safe computing environments and/or systems (e.g., Trusted Computing (TC) systems and/or environments). Multiple independent representative values can be determined independently and possibly in parallel for respective portions of the data. The independent representative values can, for example, be hash values determined at the same time for respective distinct portions of the data. The integrity of the data can be determined based on the multiple hash values by, for example, processing them to determine a single hash value that can serve as an integrity value.
US08788840B2 Secure processor
A secure hardware comprises a secure pipe, a secure DMA, a secure assist and a secure bus, which connects between those blocks. The secure pipe stores a common encryption key in an encryption key table so as not to be able to access from software. The secure DMA comprises a data common key system process function and a hashing process function. The secure assist comprises a common key system process function and an authentication process function, receives an issued command from a program executed by the processor core via a public IF, and performs setting/control of the secure pipe and the secure DMA via the secure bus.
US08788838B1 Embedded authentication systems in an electronic device
This invention is directed to an electronic device with an embedded authentication system for restricting access to device resources. The authentication system may include one or more sensors operative to detect biometric information of a user. The sensors may be positioned in the device such that the sensors may detect appropriate biometric information as the user operates the device, without requiring the user to perform a step for providing the biometric information (e.g., embedding a fingerprint sensor in an input mechanism instead of providing a fingerprint sensor in a separate part of the device housing). In some embodiments, the authentication system may be operative to detect a visual or temporal pattern of inputs to authenticate a user. In response to authenticating, a user may access restricted files, applications (e.g., applications purchased by the user), or settings (e.g., application settings such as contacts or saved game profile).
US08788832B2 Virtual subscriber identity module
A mobile trusted platform (MTP) configured to provide virtual subscriber identify module (vSIM) services is disclosed. In one embodiment, the MTP includes: a device manufacturer-trusted subsystem (TSS-DM) configured to store and provide credentials related to a manufacturer of the MTP; a mobile network operator-trusted subsystem (MNO-TSS) configured to store and provide credentials related to a mobile network operator (MNO); and a device user/owner-trusted subsystem (TSS-DO/TSS-U) configured to store and provide credentials related to user of the MTP. The TSS-MNO includes a vSIM core services unit, configured to store, provide and process credential information relating to the MNO. The TSS-DO/TSS-U includes a vSIM management unit, configured to store, provide and process credential information relating to the user/owner of the MTP. The TSS-DO/TSS-U and the TSS-MNO communicate through a trusted vSIM service.
US08788831B2 More elegant exastore apparatus and method of operation
An apparatus to scale for multiple petabyte backup in redundant locations. Workload is automatically shared among many servers by a characteristic derived from the content itself. Duplicate storage is eliminated by checking for the existence or absence of simple files and appending client identification to files shared among multiple subscribers. Replication depends on simple atomic file operations rather than use of tables or databases. An efficient storage method for much larger quantities of data than conventional services.
US08788827B2 Accelerated verification of digital signatures and public keys
Accelerated computation of combinations of group operations in a finite field is provided by arranging for at least one of the operands to have a relatively small bit length. In a elliptic curve group, verification that a value representative of a point R corresponds the sum of two other points uG and vG is obtained by deriving integers w,z of reduced bit length and so that v=w/z. The verification equality R=uG+vQ may then be computed as −zR+(uz mod n) G+wQ=O with z and w of reduced bit length. This is beneficial in digital signature verification where increased verification can be attained.
US08788824B2 Selective encryption in broker-based messaging systems and methods
An exemplary method includes transmitting, by a software application subsystem, a request to an encryption services subsystem to route a message generated by an originating software application to a recipient software application through a message broker subsystem, acquiring, by the software application subsystem, data representative of a current encryption configuration of the message broker subsystem from the encryption services subsystem in response to the request, and determining, by the software application subsystem, during a run time of the originating software application whether to encrypt the message before the message is transmitted to the message broker subsystem for routing to the recipient software application, the determination based at least in part on the current encryption configuration of the message broker subsystem. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08788820B2 Secure network access
The present invention relates to a system and method for facilitating access to secure network sites, such as sites providing secure financial information. An active software agent is utilized to fetch passwords and user identifiers from a user computing system and to use the passwords and identifiers to extract required information from the secure site. The password sites and identifiers are encrypted and an encryption key is stored at a network mode remote from the user's computer and is fetched in order to enable the passwords and identifiers to be decrypted so that the active agent can use them to obtain the required information.
US08788816B1 Systems and methods for controlling distribution, copying, and viewing of remote data
Systems, methods, software, computer implemented methods, and file formats that allow for the creator of a file to place constraints on a file prior to transmitting it which generally allow the owner to have greater control over the use of their data after it has left their possession. These systems and methods also allow for ongoing control of digital data which allow for a sender to delete files that have been sent, to delete copies, and to generally control data that has left their private machine through the use of multi-layer encryption.
US08788814B2 Secure data transfer using an embedded system
A method and device for securing data transmission via an embedded system that is operationally coupled to a local device and a remote computing system using a network is provided. The method includes, determining if data received from the remote computing system is secured, handshaking with the remote computing system if the data received is from a new connection; decrypting the secured data; and transmitting the decrypted data to the local device. The method also includes, determining if the data received from the local device is from a new connection, handshaking with the remote computing system if the data received is from a new connection; encrypting the data; and transmitting the encrypted data to the remote computing system. A receiving module determines whether input data needs to be encrypted or decrypted; a processing module for encrypting and/or decrypting input data; and an output module for transmitting encrypted and/decrypted data.
US08788812B2 System and method for retrieving certificates associated with senders of digitally signed messages
A system and method for retrieving certificates and/or verifying the revocation status of certificates. In one embodiment, when a user opens a digitally signed message, a certificate that is required to verify the digital signature on the message may be automatically retrieved if it is not stored on the user's computing device (e.g. a mobile device), eliminating the need for users to initiate the task manually. Verification of the digital signature may also be automatically performed by the application after the certificate is retrieved. Verification of the revocation status of a certificate may also be automatically performed if it is determined that the time that has elapsed since the status was last updated exceeds a pre-specified limit.
US08788811B2 Server-side key generation for non-token clients
A method and system for server-side key generation for non-token clients is described.
US08788808B2 Authenticating digitally encoded products without private key sharing
A method and a corresponding system for authenticating software products are proposed. A digital certificate and a corresponding private key required to sign each product are stored on a server computer. Whenever a user needs to sign a product, he/she logs on a client computer and transmits a corresponding request to the server computer. The server computer verifies whether the request has been received from an authorized subject; for example, an address of the client computer and an identifier of the user are compared with a predefined list. If the result of the verification is positive, the product is signed and returned to the client computer. For this purpose, a script called on the server computer includes either an instruction passing the access password to a signing tool as a parameter or an instruction causing the signing tool to import the access password from a registry of the server computer.
US08788806B2 General purpose distributed encrypted file system
A general purpose distributed encrypted file system generates a block key on a client machine. The client machine encrypts a file using the block key. Then, the client encrypts the block key on the first client machine with a public key of a keystore associated with a user and associates the encrypted block key with the encrypted data block as crypto metadata. The client machine caches the encrypted data block and the crypto metadata and sends the encrypted data block and the crypto metadata to a network file system server. When the client machine receives a return code from the network file system server indicating successful writes of the encrypted data block and the crypto metadata, the client machine clears the cached encrypted data block and the crypto metadata.
US08788805B2 Application-level service access to encrypted data streams
Techniques for securely providing cryptographic keys to trusted intermediate nodes or monitoring devices are described so that SSL, TLS, or IPSec communications can be monitored, compressed over a WAN, or otherwise used. In an embodiment, a trusted intermediate node establishes a secure connection to a key server; receiving session identification data for an encrypted session between a client and a content server during negotiation of the encrypted session, and storing a copy of the session identification data; requesting from the key server, over the secure connection, a decryption key associated with the encrypted session; receiving an encrypted message communicated between the client and the content server; forwarding the encrypted message without modification to a destination address in the encrypted message; and decrypting the encrypted message using the decryption key to result in decrypted data and using or storing the decrypted data in a storage unit.
US08788798B2 Fast computer startup
Fast computer startup is provided by, upon receipt of a shutdown command, recording state information representing a target state. In this target state, the computing device may have closed all user sessions, such that no user state information is included in the target state. However, the operating system may still be executing. In response to a command to startup the computer, this target state may be quickly reestablished from the recorded target state information. Portions of a startup sequence may be performed to complete the startup process, including establishing user state. To protect user expectations despite changes in response to a shutdown command, creation and use of the file holding the recorded state information may be conditional on dynamically determined events. Also, user and programmatic interfaces may provide options to override creation or use of the recorded state information.
US08788796B2 Technique for simulating floating-point stack operation involving conversion of certain floating-point register numbers based on a top-of-stack pointer and modulo function
A Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor is capable of emulating operation of a floating-point register stack. The RISC processor may include a floating-point register file containing a plurality of floating-point registers, a decoding section for decoding operation instructions, and a floating-point operation section. The RISC processor may also include a control register for controlling status of floating-point registers, and for controlling the decoding section and the floating-point operation section, to thereby emulate a floating-point register stack using the floating-point register file. The decoding section may include a pointer register for maintaining a stack operation pointer, and for storing a value of the stack operation pointer. The floating-point operation section may also include a pointer operation module for operating the pointer register, for emulating stack operation of the stack pointer of the pointer register, and for modifying and monitoring the stack pointer during emulation of floating-point register stack.
US08788795B2 Programming idiom accelerator to examine pre-fetched instruction streams for multiple processors
A wake-and-go mechanism may be a programming idiom accelerator. As a processor fetches instructions, the programming idiom accelerator may look ahead to determine whether a programming idiom is coming up in the instruction stream. If the programming idiom accelerator recognizes a programming idiom, the programming idiom accelerator may perform an action to accelerate execution of the programming idiom. In the case of a wake-and-go programming idiom, the programming idiom accelerator may record an entry in a wake-and-go array, for example.
US08788794B2 Programmable atomic memory using stored atomic procedures
A processing core in a multi-processing core system is configured to execute a sequence of instructions as a single atomic memory transaction. The processing core validates that the sequence meets a set of one or more atomicity criteria, including that no instruction in the sequence instructs the processing core to access shared memory. After validating the sequence, the processing core executes the sequence as a single atomic memory transaction, such as by locking a source cache line that stores shared memory data, executing the validated sequence of instructions, storing a result of the sequence into the source cache line, and unlocking the source cache line.
US08788789B2 Power filter in data translation look-aside buffer based on an input linear address
A method and an apparatus for power filtering in a Translation Look-aside Buffer (TLB) are described. In the method and apparatus, power consumption reduction is achieved by suppressing physical address (PA) reads from random access memory (RAM) if the previously translated linear address (LA), or virtual address (VA), is the same as the currently requested LA. To provide the correct translation, the output of the TLB is maintained if the previously translated LA and the LA currently requested for translation are the same.
US08788788B2 Logical sector mapping in a flash storage array
A system and method for efficiently performing user storage virtualization for data stored in a storage system including a plurality of solid-state storage devices. A data storage subsystem supports multiple mapping tables. Records within a mapping table are arranged in multiple levels. Each level stores pairs of a key value and a pointer value. The levels are sorted by time. New records are inserted in a created newest (youngest) level. No edits are performed in-place. All levels other than the youngest may be read only. The system may further include an overlay table which identifies those keys within the mapping table that are invalid.
US08788787B2 Systems, methods and architecture for facilitating software access to acceleration technology
Systems and methods allow access between a software application residing within a processor module and an accelerator module having an accelerator address space distinct from the processor address space. Access to the accelerator is provided by mapping the accelerator address space to an associated portion of the processor address space. The association may be made based upon a description of the accelerator address space provided in a pre-determined format. The formatted description is processed to create a software indicator module that is provided to the user application to thereby indicate the associated portion of the processor address space. Access to the associated portion of the processor address space by the software program is redirected to the accelerator address space to thereby allow the application to access the accelerator. A functional interface that allows the software application to issue commands and perform other administrative functions on the accelerator module may also be provided.
US08788782B2 Apparatus and method for memory management and efficient data processing
Multiple memory pools are defined in hardware for operating on data. At least one memory pool has a lower latency that the other memory pools. Hardware components operate directly on data in the lower latency memory pool.
US08788781B2 Descriptor scheduler
Methods, systems and computer program products for providing a sequencer that schedules job descriptors are described. The sequencer can manage the scheduling of the job descriptors for execution based on the availability of their respective segments and channels. For example, the sequencer can check the status of the segments, and identify one or more segments that are in busy or full state, or one or more segments that are in non-busy or empty state. Based on the status check, the sequencer can execute job descriptors out of order, and in particular, give priorities to job descriptors whose associated segments are available over job descriptors whose associated segments are in busy or full state.
US08788778B1 Garbage collection based on the inactivity level of stored data
A data storage system implements garbage collection based on the inactivity level of stored data. In one embodiment, the inactivity level of data stored in regions of a data storage system is taken into account when prioritizing regions for garbage collection. Inactivity level of memory regions can be compared to an inactivity threshold. The threshold can be adjusted during operation of the data storage system. Garbage collection can be delayed until data stored in a particular region is unlikely to be updated. Write amplification associated with garbage collection is reduced, and improved performance is attained.
US08788776B2 Hard disk control method, hard disk control device and computer
A hard disk control method, a hard disk control device and a computer are provided The method includes detecting the current mode in which the system runs; determining the access frequency of the hard disk in the system when detecting the system runs in an idle mode currently; intercepting the hard disk access commands to be sent to the hard disk when the access frequency of the hard disk is lower than a predetermined access frequency threshold to make the hard disk enter into a preset power saving mode, and saving the hard disk access commands into a preset memory.
US08788775B2 Memory access control using redundant and non-redundant encoding
A data processing system 2 including processing circuitry 4 operating in either a first mode or a second mode. Page table data 30 including access control bits 40, 42, is used to control permissions for memory access to memory pages. In the first mode, the access control bits include at least one instance of a redundant encoding. In the second mode, the redundant encoding is removed to provide more efficient use of the access control bit encoding space.
US08788771B2 Remote copy system
Provided is a remote copy system capable of guaranteeing the time ordering of data to be handled by a remote site even when the tasks at the remote site are operated across a plurality of storages or a plurality of volume groups. A consistency group consisting of a secondary journal volume and a replica is associated with a journal group consisting of a primary data volume, a primary journal volume, a secondary journal volume, and a secondary data volume. Upon backing up a secondary data volume and forming a replica, the host system issues a backup time reservation command to a storage apparatus, and the storage apparatus creates a replica by comparing the time stamp added to the journal data and the backup reservation time.
US08788768B2 Maintaining mirror and storage system copies of volumes at multiple remote sites
Provided are a computer program product and system for maintaining mirror and storage system copies of volumes at multiple remote sites. A first server maintains a mirror copy relationship between a first storage system at a first site and a second storage system at a second site. The first server performs a first point-in-time copy operation from the first storage system to a first storage system copy, wherein the data for the first storage system copy is consistent as of the determined point-in-time. The first server transmits a command to a second server to create a point-in-time copy of the second storage system. The second server processes mirror data transferred from the first server as part of the mirror copy relationship to determine when to create a second point-in-time copy. The second server performs the second point-in-time copy operation.
US08788764B2 Access controller for storage devices
Systems, methodologies, components, and other embodiments associated with controlling access to a storage device are described. One example system embodiment comprises an access controller configured to control access requests to the storage device by metering access to data within a first region within the storage device and by allowing unmetered access to data within a second region within the storage device.
US08788757B2 Dynamic inclusive policy in a hybrid cache hierarchy using hit rate
A mechanism is provided for dynamic cache allocation using a cache hit rate. A first cache hit rate is monitored in a first subset utilizing a first allocation policy of N sets of a lower level cache. A second cache hit rate is also monitored in a second subset utilizing a second allocation policy different from the first allocation policy of the N sets of the lower level cache. A periodic comparison of the first cache hit rate to the second cache hit rate is made to identify a third allocation policy for a third subset of the N-sets of the lower level cache. The third allocation policy for the third subset is then periodically adjusted to at least one of the first allocation policy or the second allocation policy based on the comparison of the first cache hit rate to the second cache hit rate.
US08788742B2 Using an attribute of a write request to determine where to cache data in a storage system having multiple caches including non-volatile storage cache in a sequential access storage device
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using an attribute of a write request to determine where to cache data in a storage system having multiple caches including non-volatile storage cache in a sequential access storage device. Received modified tracks are cached in the non-volatile storage device integrated with the sequential access storage device in response to determining to cache the modified tracks. A write request having modified tracks is received. A determination is made as to whether an attribute of the received write request satisfies a condition. The received modified tracks for the write request are cached in the non-volatile storage device in response to determining that the determined attribute does not satisfy the condition. A destage request is added to a request queue for the received write request having the determined attribute not satisfying the condition.
US08788739B2 Hypervisor-based management of local and remote virtual memory pages
A system and method is illustrated for comparing a target memory address and a local memory size using a hypervisor module that resides upon a compute blade, the comparison based upon a unit of digital information for the target memory address and an additional unit of digital information for the local memory size. Additionally, the system and method utilizes swapping of a local virtual memory page with a remote virtual memory page using a swapping module that resides on the hypervisor module, the swapping based upon the comparing of the target memory address and the local memory size. Further, the system and method is implemented to transmit the local virtual memory page to a memory blade using a transmission module that resides upon the compute blade.
US08788738B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Disclosed herein is a device that includes a first terminal operatively supplied with a pulse signal, a second terminal, a set of third terminals operatively supplied with identification information, a storage unit configured to store the identification information in response to the pulse signal, and a control unit configured to electrically disconnect the first terminal from the second terminal until the storage unit stores the identification information and electrically connect the first terminal to the second terminal after the storage unit has stored the identification information. This device may be used as each of semiconductor chips that are stacked with each other.
US08788734B2 Methods and devices for universal serial bus port event extension
Methods and apparatus for implementing a port management protocol which can be used to manage communication between one or more USB devices and a USB host at a distance greater than that allowed by the USB Specifications are provided. In one aspect, a method for prolonging a bus event of a USB device at least until a notification is received that a corresponding bus event has been completed by the USB host is provided; and subsequently exchanging bus traffic between the USB host and USB device upon completion of the bus event by both devices.
US08788732B2 Messaging network for processing data using multiple processor cores
An advanced processor comprises a plurality of multithreaded processor cores each having a data cache and instruction cache. A data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores and configured to pass information among the processor cores. A messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores and a plurality of communication ports. The data switch interconnect is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective data cache, and the messaging network is coupled to each of the processor cores by its respective message station. In one aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the messaging network connects to a high-bandwidth star-topology serial bus such as a PCI express (PCIe) interface capable of supporting multiple high-bandwidth PCIe lanes. Advantages of the invention include the ability to provide high bandwidth communications between computer systems and memory in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
US08788730B2 Method for sending a keycode of a non-keyboard apparatus
A method for sending a keycode of a non-keyboard apparatus is provided and includes the following steps. The non-keyboard apparatus determines the connection status between itself and a computer by the time required for device enumeration. Then, according to a value generated from device enumeration, the non-keyboard apparatus identifies the kind of operating system running on the computer. The non-keyboard apparatus sends to the computer a keycode corresponding to the Num Lock key and/or a keycode corresponding to the Caps Lock key such that a sending time and a feedback time are obtained. A parameter related to the efficiency of the computer is then calculated based.
US08788729B1 Method and apparatus for resolving write and read conflicts between memory modules accessing blocks of a memory
A system includes a memory that stores and outputs data in a first-in-first-out order. A sequence generator generates a sequence of first values, and randomly assigns the first values to blocks of the memory. A first memory module, based on the sequence of first values, accesses a first block of the memory. A conflict module, in response to a write or read conflict existing between the first and second memory modules due to the first memory module accessing the first block, resolves the write or read conflict. The conflict module resolves the write or read conflict by reading a value from the first block, and based on the value, either (i) causing the first memory module to write to a second block of the memory instead of the first block, or (ii) preventing the first memory module from reading from the first block.
US08788724B2 Storage device to provide access to storage resources over a data storage fabric
Provide access to storage resources of a storage device over a data storage fabric. Allow a zone manager of a first switch to assign a zone group to one of a plurality of phys of an expander of the storage device to allow the first switch to access storage resources of the storage device. If status of the phy that is assigned a zone group indicates a disconnection condition with the first switch, then configure the zone group of the expander of the storage device to prevent access to the storage resources of the storage device. If after the disconnection condition, the status of the phy indicates a reconnection condition with a second switch, then allow a zone manager of the second switch to assign a zone group to the phy to allow the second switch to access storage resources of the storage device.
US08788723B1 System and apparatus for controlling use of mass storage devices
Disclosed is a software program, USB monitoring software agent. USB monitoring software agent is a software program that monitors all USB ports of a computer and provides real-time detection of all USB devices connected to a USB port. As a USB device is detected, the device is identified, categorized, catalogued and logged in a secure persistent store, prompted for a challenge policy of use if so configured, prevent the USB device from being used if so configured, transmit information about the detected USB device to a local or remote repository by a selected industry standard telecommunication method.
US08788719B2 Executing a start operator message command
A facility is provided to enable operator message commands from multiple, distinct sources to be provided to a coupling facility of a computing environment for processing. These commands are used, for instance, to perform actions on the coupling facility, and may be received from consoles coupled to the coupling facility, as well as logical partitions or other systems coupled thereto. Responsive to performing the commands, responses are returned to the initiators of the commands.
US08788715B2 Network and interface selection on a computing device capable of establishing connections via multiple network communications media
A system and method for carrying out network and interface selections across multiple media is disclosed. The disclosed system facilitates automated network interface configuration decision-making that spans a set of networks supporting communications via differing media. A set of media specific modules associated with differing communications media acquire network interface status/capabilities information. A rules engine thereafter applies a designated network selection rule(s) to the acquired network interface status/capabilities information, and any other appropriate parameters attributable to either an interface or network, to select one or more networks and interfaces with which to establish/maintain a connection.
US08788709B1 Distributed network address translation control
A distributed network address translation (NAT) system is used to transport data packets between private and public network domains. A packet modifier substitutes public and private network address information in packets that are crossing between public and private domains to and from the end system. A network application server has an address mapping table and communicates with the packet modifier over a control protocol. The network application server generates address mappings which the packet modifier uses for modification of data packets passing through it.
US08788707B1 Assigning a random static IP address in a quarantine network
A method for assigning a random static IP address in a quarantine network is disclosed. An initial IP address is selected from a set of reserved IP addresses. The selected IP address is assigned to a device in a quarantine network. A random static IP address is determined. The uniqueness within the quarantine network of the random static IP address is verified. The random static IP address is assigned to the device if the random static IP address is unique.
US08788700B2 Initiating peer-to-peer tunnels
Client traffic normally passes from a client to an access node, and from the access node through a tunnel to a controller, and then through another tunnel from the controller to the destination access node, and the destination client. When initiated by the controller, the access nodes establish a peer-to-peer tunnel for suitable client traffic, bypassing the “slow” tunnels through the controller with a “fast” peer-to-peer tunnel. Traffic through this “fast” tunnel may be initiated once the tunnel is established, or traffic for the “fast” tunnel may be queued up until traffic has completed passing through the “slow” tunnel. Slow tunnel traffic may be timed out, and queued traffic released after a preset time since the last packet was sent through the slow tunnel. The identity of the last packet sent through the slow tunnel may be retained, and queued traffic released when an acknowledgement for that packet is received.
US08788699B2 Information processing apparatus and document data producing method
A document production apparatus produces document data as well as determines whether or not the size of document data exceeds a threshold value when the document production apparatus receives a document data production request and a document data upload request from the client apparatus. The document production apparatus uploads document data to a cloud platform when the size of document data is less than or equal to the threshold value. The document production apparatus provides a notification to prompt a client apparatus to download document data when the size of document data exceeds the threshold value.
US08788696B2 Media content streaming using stream message fragments
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for media content streaming can include transacting access information associated with a media stream and transacting one or more fragments associated with the media stream to facilitate a delivery of media content associated with the media stream. Access information can include fragment sequencing information to facilitate individual retrieval of fragments associated with the media stream using a uniform resource identifier via a processing device configured to cache content. A fragment can include one or more stream messages. A stream message can include a message header and a corresponding media data sample. The message header can include a message stream identifier, a message type identifier, a timestamp, and a message length value.
US08788691B1 Method and apparatus for a client connection manager
A method and apparatus for a connection manager have been disclosed. By providing for persistent connections with clients, the connection manager allows for servers to communicate with clients, which would otherwise be inaccessible.
US08788687B2 Dynamic medical object information base
A dynamic medical object information base (DMOIB) is used with a communication protocol. A medical object information base (MOIB) may generally define rules of creation and modification of data defined for use in medical products. A dynamic version of the MOIB adapts to changing data classifications. DMOIB is preferably compatible with non-dynamic MOIB systems. DMOIB preferably reduces code space and simplifies management of software projects. DMOIB may allow for an entirely dynamic system using a discovery/negotiation process for determining full features of a device. DMOIB may also allow for generation of a dynamic interface to handle data from devices.
US08788685B1 System and method for testing multi-protocol storage systems
A system and method for testing multi-protocol network access using a synthetic multi-protocol client is provided. The synthetic multi-protocol client implements one or more predefined and/or user defined tests that interleave data access operations directed to a storage system using a plurality of data access protocols.
US08788684B2 Method for secure user plane (SUPL) version negotiation
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for negotiating a version of Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) between a network entity and a SUPL enabled terminal. In a particular implementation, a SUPL initiation message is transmitted from a network entity to a SUPL entity, where the SUPL initiation message identifies a plurality of SUPL versions capable of supporting a desired service. A response is received from the SUPL entity that is based, at least in part, on an ability of the SUPL entity to support at least one of the plurality of versions.
US08788681B1 Method and apparatus for autonomously managing a computer resource using a security certificate
A method and apparatus for autonomously managing a computer resource using a security certificate is described. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying attribute information from secure communications within the computing environment, wherein the attribute information is associated with a trusted relationship and establishing at least one resource parameter for customizing the computer resource based on the attribute information.
US08788680B1 Virtual collaboration session access
Methods are provided that include receiving a request to couple a first client device to a communication session, wherein the request includes user identification information. The method may include determining a number of client devices coupled to the communication session and comparing the number of client devices coupled to the communication session to a maximum number of client devices to determine whether the maximum number of client devices are coupled to the communication session. The method may also include when the maximum number of client devices are coupled to the communication session, determining whether a user associated with the first client device is a preferred user based on at least the user identification information and when the user is the preferred user, coupling the client device associated with the preferred user to the communication session.
US08788679B2 Method for exchanging data
The present invention relates to a method for exchanging data between at least two servers with use of a gateway. Preferably the method is applied to healthcare systems. Each server holds a unique federated identifier, which identifier identifies a single patient (P). Thus, it is possible for the servers to communicate with each other without having to reveal the true identity of patient. By creating one session pseudonym for each pair of providing server (12) holding relevant patient data and a requesting server (10) and by formatting an inbound session identifier related to the requesting server and an outbound session identifier related to the providing server for each session pseudonym the servers may communicate anonymous data with each other. The patient data is transferred from the at least one providing server to the requesting server and all session pseudonyms are replaced, in the requesting server, with the identifier of the requesting server for the patient (P).
US08788675B2 Multi-modal communication using a session specific proxy server
A method and apparatus for multi-modal communication includes a controller (236) operably coupled to at least one multi-modal session proxy server (226). On a per multi-modal session basis, the controller (236) provides the multi-modal session proxy server (226) with a multi-modal proxy identifier (138). The multi-modal proxy identifier (138) is then provided to at least one browser with a per session multi-modal proxy evaluator (220) having a browser proxy identifier (140) wherein the browser proxy identifier (140) is evaluated in view of the multi-modal proxy identifier (138). The multi-modal session proxy server (226) then receives an information request (231) from the browser with per session multi-modal proxy evaluator (220) wherein the requested information is fetched from a content server (240). When the requested information is retrieved, a multi-modal synchronization coordinator (122) notifies the other browser with per session multi-modal proxy evaluator (232), via a multi-modal synchronization interface (234).
US08788674B2 Buffering proxy for telnet access
A single- or multi-protocol buffering proxy accepts communication option negotiation commands from a client before establishing a connection between the client and a host. The proxy negotiates a limited set of options with the client before the connection is established and buffers (accepts and temporarily stores without responding to) other option negotiation commands from the client. The proxy accepts credentials from a user and establishes, or denies the connection based on the credentials. If the connection is established, the proxy buffers option negotiation commands sent by the host. After the proxy logs in to the host on behalf of the user or the user logs in directly, the proxy sends each party's buffered option negotiation commands to the other party, ceases buffering option negotiation commands and enters a “pass-through” mode, in which the proxy passes characters and commands between the parties until the session ends. The proxy uses the credentials to allow or deny subsequent connection requests, without re-prompting for credentials.
US08788671B2 Managing content delivery network service providers by a content broker
A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing network storage provider and CDN service providers are provided. A content broker component obtains client computing device requests for content provided by a content provider. The content broker processes the client computing device requests and determines whether a subsequent request for the resource should be directed to a network storage provider or a CDN service provider as a function of the updated or processed by the content broker.
US08788669B2 Policy and identity based workload provisioning
Techniques for policy and identity-based workload provisioning are presented. Identities for requestors or workloads and identities for workloads are tied to specific policies. The specific policies are evaluated based on a stage of readiness for resources within a resource pool and based on resource identities for the resources within the resource pool. Resources are then dynamically provisioned based on the identity-based policy evaluation to handle workloads from the resource pool.
US08788666B2 System and method of consolidated central user administrative provisioning
In one embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of reducing a quantity of business application programming interface (BAPI) calls in a hardware client-server environment. The method includes configuring a centralized provisioning system on a hardware server with access definitions for systems. The method further includes receiving, by the centralized provisioning system, a provisioning request for a user of a client to access the systems. The method further includes determining a collected BAPI call according to the access definitions. The method further includes providing access to the user according to the collected BAPI call.
US08788665B2 Method and system for optimizing a network by independently scaling control segments and data flow
A server array controller that includes a Data Flow Segment (DFS) and at least one Control Segment (CS). The DFS includes the hardware-optimized portion of the controller, while the CS includes the software-optimized portions. The DFS performs most of the repetitive chores including statistics gathering and per-packet policy enforcement (e.g. packet switching). The DFS also performs tasks such as that of a router, a switch, or a routing switch. The CS determines the translation to be performed on each flow of packets, and thus performs high-level control functions and per-flow policy enforcement. Network address translation (NAT) is performed by the combined operation of the CS and DFS. The CS and DFS may be incorporated into one or more separate blocks. The CS and DFS are independently scalable. Additionally, the functionality of either the DFS or the CS may be separately implemented in software and/or hardware.
US08788664B2 Mapping network addresses to geographical locations
A network address mapping system is described. The network address mapping system can identify a set of Web pages, collects information from the Web pages indicating geographical locations (“geolocations”), and correlate the geolocations with the network addresses from which the identified Web pages are served. The collected information can be weighted based on various factors, such as its relative position in a Web page. The collected information can then be used to identify a geolocation. The network mapping system can deduce geolocations for portions of ranges of network addresses based on the score, and can infer geolocations for other portions based on the deduced geolocations. This mapping can then be stored in a database and provided as a geomapping service. The network address mapping system is able to map network addresses to geographical locations. Thereafter, when a user's client computing device accesses a Web server, the Web server can easily and accurately determine a geographical location by querying the database storing the mapping or a geomapping service.
US08788661B2 Device assisted CDR creation, aggregation, mediation and billing
A method performed by a network system, the method comprising: monitoring traffic over a wireless network between the network system and a device, the traffic being within a service plan associated with the device; obtaining a first accounting of usage of the wireless network associated with a first portion of the traffic, wherein a sponsor sponsors at least a portion of the usage of the wireless network associated with the first portion of the traffic; based on the monitored traffic, obtaining a second accounting of usage of the wireless network associated with a second portion of the traffic not including the first portion of the traffic, the subscriber associated with the wireless device being financially responsible for usage of the wireless network associated with the second portion of the traffic; and providing an accounting record to the sponsor based on the first accounting.
US08788660B2 Query execution and optimization with autonomic error recovery from network failures in a parallel computer system with multiple networks
A database query execution monitor determines if a network error or low performance condition exists and then where possible modifies the query. The query execution monitor then determines an alternate query execution plan to continue execution of the query. The query optimizer can re-optimize the query to use a different network or node. Thus, the query execution monitor allows autonomic error recovery for network failures using an alternate query execution. The alternate query execution could also be determined at the initial optimization time and then this alternate plan used to execute a query in the case of a particular network failure.
US08788659B1 Playlist analytics
Systems and methods can facilitate gathering information generated by network traffic to playlists. Based on analytics and metrics derived from the gathered information and reported, feedback about playlist access patterns can be supplied to interested parties, such as playlist creators/curators. The feedback can enable playlist curators to better tailor playlist content and sequence, potentially reducing a perceived need to skip around inside a playlist and making for a more enjoyable experience for playlist users.
US08788655B2 Systems for accepting and approving applications and methods of operation of same
A managed services platform and method of operation of same are described herein. The platform can include a device management service (DMS) server in which the DMS server can act as a gateway for communications with one or more computing devices, and the computing devices are associated with a first entity. The platform can also include an application service (AS) server in which the AS server is communicatively coupled with the DMS server. When a first computing device contacts the DMS server, the DMS server is operable to provide a bundle to the first computing device. As an example, the bundle contains content that at least includes one or more configuration messages and an application set that contains one or more predefined applications. The content of the bundle can be determined at least in part by the first entity.
US08788654B2 System and method for allocating resources based on events in a network environment
An example method is provided and includes receiving information associated with a network event; predicting network activity associated with the network event; determining a level of network resources that can accommodate the network activity associated with the network event; evaluating currently deployed network resources; and allocating new network resources based on the network activity that was predicted. In more particular embodiments, the new network resources can include a cache configured to receive replicated content from a server. Additionally, the new network resources can include a virtual machine configured to interact with a server to distribute a load associated with the network event. The new network resources can be allocated before the network activity occurs. In other examples, the information associated with the network event is received based on a registration activity executed by a server configured to designate particular events for which it is interested.
US08788645B2 Audience selection and system anchoring of collaboration threads
A social network server provides collaboration networking capability for a network system such as a business system. A user can request to tie a collaboration thread to an anchor in the system. The anchor is a primary topic, which can be selected from topics provided by the system, or entered by the user. The selectable topics are derived from within the system. Whether selected or entered, the topic is associated with the collaboration thread to allow the thread to be managed as a resource in the system. The audience for the collaboration thread is controlled by the user, where topics can be applied as filters to generate an audience. The primary topic directs audience selection, and additional audience selection can be achieved by applying boundary topics. The collaboration thread is presented only to the audience, and the audience can be dynamically altered.
US08788643B2 Site integration management system for operational support service in an internet data center
A method for managing an event by a Management system for an Internet Data Center (IDC). The IDC includes an Information Technology and Network Management System (IT&N) for managing the IDC, and a Building Management System (BMS) for monitoring facilities related to the IDC. The BMS is connected to the IT&N. An occurrence of the event is detected. The IT&N launches a first program that activates variables defining a critical situation impacted by the event. The IT&N starts a second program associated with requirements of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with respect to the activated variables. The second program chooses actions dictated by the requirements of the SLA with respect to the activated variables. The actions are performed by executing internal commands within the IT&N or by the BMS performing the actions after the BMS has received an identification of the actions from the IT&N.
US08788641B1 Small form factor interface module
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for an interface module to interface with an enclosure services processor are described herein. The interface module may include one or more state machines configured to provide an enclosure service operation. Provision of this enclosure service operation may be at least partially unsupervised by a control processor requesting the enclosure service operation. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08788637B2 Systems and methods for downloading boot code associated with base stations
Systems and methods for maintaining base stations are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes at least one base station that is electrically coupled to a server. The base station includes memory and a first boot code that is stored in the memory. The first boot code has a first set of instructions, which is configured to initialize a control module and a network device. The first set of instructions is further configured to instruct the initialized control module and network device to establish a connection between the server and the base station and download a second boot code from the server into the memory of the base station. The second boot code has a second set of instructions, which is different than the first set of instructions.
US08788634B2 Portable device upgrade via a content transfer protocol
Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable MTP framework. In an embodiment, the portable MTP framework includes an MTP communications stack and a portability layer. The portability layer decouples the MTP communications stack from the underlying platform, storage, and transport components, thereby achieving transport protocol, platform, and storage media independence. The portable MTP framework according to embodiments of the present invention includes platform-specific software components, including, for example, communications device drivers (USB, TCP/IP, etc.), a transport controller, a session handler, storage device drivers (USB drive, SD card, Hard disk, etc.), a storage controller, and a platform interface. The portable MTP framework further includes application-specific software components, including, for example, an MTP router, MTP agents, and MTP managers.
US08788631B2 Add-ins dynamically extending display targets and business-logic programming model
A system for extending an enterprise resource planning application is provided. The system employs “Add-ins” that each have a functional behavior that is independent of the client on which it executes and a user interface behavior that is dependent on the characteristics of the display, and other characteristics, of the client (i.e., a display target). When a user attempts to invoke an Add-in via the client runtime, the client runtime determines whether the Add-in is available at the user's computer. If not, the client runtime downloads the appropriate artifact for execution at the user's computer. In this environment, neither the client runtime nor the server-side business logic contains the logic used to implement a particular Add-in behavior on the supported display targets. Instead, this logic is contained within separate artifacts associated with a single Add-in having a particular behavior, each artifact implementing the behavior for a specific display target.
US08788628B1 Pre-fetching data for a distributed filesystem
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates pre-fetching data for a distributed filesystem. During operation, a cloud controller (e.g., a computing device that caches data from the distributed filesystem) that maintains a set of metadata for the distributed filesystem receives a request to access a data block for a file. The cloud controller traverses the metadata to identify a metadata entry that is associated with the block, and then uses this metadata entry to download a cloud file containing the data block from a cloud storage system. While performing these operations, the cloud controller additionally determines that an additional cloud file in the cloud storage system includes data that is likely to be accessed in conjunction with the data block, and proceeds to pre-fetch this additional cloud file from the cloud storage system.
US08788625B2 Displaying application content in synchronously opened window
A computer-implemented method or a computer program product includes identifying a request for a target application and automatically requesting a target application and launching a program to display content associated with the target application. The request for the target application and the launch of the program generally occur nearly simultaneously. The method further includes displaying content associated with the target application with the display program.
US08788624B2 System and method for controlling delivery of media data to target devices
A system, method, and apparatus for controlling the delivery of media data to a plurality of target devices in a target network is disclosed. The system, method, and apparatus allows for control of the delivery of media data from a source device to a plurality of target devices in a target network to be carried out remotely to the target network, but without the need for media data to pass out from or back into the target network via the access network.
US08788619B2 Method and infrastructure for accessing remote applications through a secure firewall
A method, computer program product, and infrastructure for accessing a remote application running on a system A by a system B, each being connected to an open network and located behind a firewall, are provided. The method, computer program product, and infrastructure provide for system A sending a first HTTP request to system B via the open network, blocking the first HTTP request from system A till an application request is available at system B, system B sending an HTTP response to system A via the open network, the HTTP response comprising the application request, system A processing the application request from system B to generate an application response, system A sending a second HTTP request to system B via the open network, the second HTTP request comprising the application response, and blocking the second HTTP request from system A till another application request is available at system B.
US08788615B1 Systems and methods for creating and using electronic content that requires a shared library
Systems and methods that provide electronic content that requires that the playing computing device download a shared library. Created electronic content can be combined into a package that includes logic to download the shared library, a piece of loading content, and the created electronic content. When the package is used on a computing device, the preloader downloads the shared library, the loading content plays while the shared library downloads, and the created electronic content plays after the shared library has finished downloading.
US08788612B1 Cache based enhancement to optimization protocol
A system, apparatus, and method for improving the user experience when accessing web pages containing embedded objects over a network. In one embodiment, information regarding the contents of a locally accessible cache is added to a request directed to a web server. The information is used to control certain aspects of a pre-fetch process that is designed to reduce network latency affects and improve network resource utilization, thereby improving a user's experience. The cache contents information may be provided to an intermediate server via a modification to an existing request-response protocol, with the information being encoded or compressed if desired to reduce data transport requirements. The information is used by the intermediate server to determine whether to request an embedded object referenced in the requested resource or web page, and to determine if a browser having access to the cache will request the object or access the object from the local cache.
US08788603B2 Voice and text group chat display management techniques for wireless mobile terminals
A single content region in a chat history display is used to display entries representative of a plurality of messages corresponding to all chat histories for all of chat threads currently engaged in by a given mobile terminal. Additionally, a buddy list display supports management of chat buddies, a detail view display allows otherwise truncated messages to be displayed, and a text message editor display supports the composition of text messages. Each chat user may designate public display identifiers for purposes of identification to other chat users. Additionally, each user may designate private display identifiers for each of his/her buddies, which private display identifiers may be used to replace the public display identifiers for that user's buddies when displayed on the user's mobile terminal. In this manner, the use of speech and text based group chatting and similar services in wireless communication environments is more readily enabled.
US08788601B2 Rapid notification system
Improved techniques of fulfilling a request to perform a task involve a master computer placing the request in a first queue and a copy of the request in a second queue, the second queue being frequently accessed by a set of worker computers which rapidly scans the second queue for requests to fulfill. If, during the scanning, a worker computer determines that it has a capability to fulfill the request, the worker computer removes the copy of the request from the second queue. Furthermore, if the copy of the request remains in the second queue after a brief time period, it is clear that the set of worker computers is unable to perform the task. In this case, the master computer takes a remedial action such as notifying a client computer which sent the request that the worker computers, as currently configured, are unable to perform the task.
US08788599B2 Message delivery mechanism
When a messaging service network entity, such as an IP server, fails to deliver the message via a primary messaging service, such as an Internet Protocol based messaging service, the user device sends the message directly to the recipient user via a backup messaging service, such as a short message service, SMS. Thus message is delivered and the originating user bear the cost of the use of the backup messaging service.
US08788598B2 System for and method of providing remote access to an email platform
A system for and method of providing remote access to an email platform. The system and method may include receiving, from a user system, authentication data that comprises an authentication code that is associated with a user of the user system via a network, receiving, from the user system, mail mimic message data that indicates at least one mail service operation to be performed by an email system, and outputting, to the email system, one or more command signals that initiate the performance of the mail service operation.
US08788595B2 Methods, systems, and computer program products for instant messaging
Systems, methods and computer program products for monitoring the receipt of instant messages between two or more participants in a messaging environment are described herein. An embodiment of the invention operates by receiving a message from a sender. The message is displayed in a chat client of a recipient. Such message is displayed in an encrypted form to prevent human intelligible display of the message. An indication of selection of the message by the recipient is received. Thereafter, the message is displayed in the chat client in an unencrypted form, and an acknowledgement is sent to the sender. The sender updates a message status identifier by filling the message status identifier with a color or updating an icon or any other visual cue or identifier, uniquely identifying the message recipient, to thereby note the selection of the message by the recipient. In this way, the recipient of a message must select the message in order to view the message in its unencrypted form. When the recipient selects the message with a mouse pointer or any other interaction method, an acknowledgement is sent to the sender, indicating that the message has been viewed by the recipient. This prevents an assumption by the sender that the message has been viewed by the recipient until it is actually viewed in its unencrypted form.
US08788590B2 Collaboration tool
A method for enabling collaboration between individuals to design, construct and maintain a building. The method comprises providing a network based computer system including at least one server and multiple clients. The multiple clients allow respective individuals to interact with the server. The server includes a machine-readable storage, which is encoded with software for execution by a CPU for allowing individuals at the respective clients to create, execute and manage projects associated with at least one of a design phase, construction phase and maintenance phase of the building. Each project comprises one or more events that are related to time. The method also comprises storing in the machine-readable storage events as they occur during execution of each project to create a building project database spanning at least the design phase and the construction phase and optionally the maintenance phase of the building.
US08788589B2 System and method for coordinating simultaneous edits of shared digital data
A system and method for coordinating multiple-user edits of shared digital data. A coordinating device may receive commands to edit shared digital data from multiple independently operated user computers. The coordinating device may determine that two or more of the commands from respective user computers are mutually exclusive, redundant or otherwise conflict. The coordinating device may incorporate one of the multiple commands into a global command queue and may annul the other(s). The coordinating device may transmit the global commands to all user computers to be executed locally for implemented the same shared digital data thereon.
US08788580B2 Event broker for an improved application server platform for telecom-based applications
In accordance with various embodiments, a set of features are described for enabling an application server platform for telecom based applications. A system for providing an application server for telecom-based applications can include an application server that includes an event broker distributed across a cluster. The event broker can provide a distributed publish-subscribe mechanism that is a generic interface to all server nodes in the cluster. The event broker filters events with event attributes by way of matching criteria. Additionally, the event broker is used to dispatch events to specific listeners based on certain criteria.
US08788578B2 Method and apparatus for customized provisioning of on-line application channels
A method for a computer system includes receiving an identifier associated with a client streaming player, determining one or more attributes associated with the identifier from a data structure in response to the identifier, determining available channels from a plurality of channels that are to be made available to the client streaming player in response to the identifier, wherein available channels comprises a first channel, but not the second channel, determining a first graphical identifier associated with the first channel, providing the first graphical identifier to the client streaming player, receiving a user selection of the first graphical identifier indicating a user request to associate the first channel with the computer system, and providing an indicator of a server network address associated with the first channel to the client streaming player.
US08788577B2 Method and system for automated analysis and transformation of web pages
A method and system for modifying web pages, including dynamic web pages, based on automated analysis wherein web pages are transformed based on transformation instructions in nearly real-time, and wherein analysis is performed and transformation instructions based on the analysis are prepared prior to a request for the web page. The system has two primary components, an analyzer which asynchronously and repeatedly analyzes web pages creating and updating transformation instructions relating to the web pages, and a transformer which intercepts traffic to a web server in response to a request for the web page, receives the returned web pages, and transforms them based on stored transformation instructions.
US08788575B2 System, method, and computer program product for media publishing request processing
A system, method, and computer program product for publishing transcoded media content in response to publishing service requests from end users. A user request for media content, is processed intelligently, either by directing the processing of the request to one of a set of transcoding servers so as to effectively balance the load among the servers, or by directing the processing of the request to an appropriate alternative means for satisfying the request. Transcoding tasks can be prioritized. Moreover, the current load on any particular transcoding server can be monitored in conjunction with determination of the load to be created by a transcoding task, in order to facilitate server selection. Transcoding can be performed on-demand or in a batch mode. Alternatively, a request can be satisfied by distributing media content that has already been transcoded and is resident in cache memory in anticipation of such requests.
US08788573B2 Method and apparatus for efficiently expanding a P2P network
One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for efficiently expanding a P2P network includes receiving a search request message from a requesting node and sending a response message to the requesting node on behalf of a node that has the requested data, where the response message originates at an intermediate node. The intermediate node may respond on behalf of the “responding” node, for example, in cases where the responding node is too far away from the requesting node to receive the search request message.
US08788572B1 Caching proxy server for a peer-to-peer photosharing system
A caching proxy server for a hybrid peer-to-peer (P2P) photosharing system is provided. In general, the proxy server includes cache storing a number of previously requested digital images, a metadata database storing metadata including a number of keywords associated with each of the digital images stored in the cache, and a metadata usage table storing a number of “hits” for each of the keywords. When the used storage space in the cache reaches a predetermined limit, the proxy server examines the metadata usage table to determine a popularity of each of the keywords and removes digital images tagged with one or more of the least popular keywords until the used storage space in the cache decreases to a desirable level. As such, the proxy server ensures that digital images tagged with the most popular keywords remain in the proxy cache and are therefore available for subsequent requests.
US08788569B2 Server computer system running versions of an application simultaneously
A server computer system comprising: means for permitting a first and a second version of a component or application to run on the server computer system simultaneously; means for identifying one of the versions as currently applicable and the other as not currently applicable; and means for connecting a requesting client to the currently applicable version in response to a request by the client to access the component or application.
US08788568B2 System and method for implementing concentrated access of business operations support system
The disclosure discloses a system for implementing concentrated access to a Business Operations Support System (BOSS), including: a plurality of HLR subsystems and at least one BOSS subsystem. Correspondingly, the disclosure further discloses a method for implementing concentrated access to a BOSS, including: an HLR subsystem is specified for performing concentrated access to each BOSS subsystem; the BOSS subsystem sends a business processing request to the specified HLR subsystem; the specified HLR subsystem forwards the business processing request to a corresponding HLR subsystem; and the corresponding HLR subsystem feeds the business processing information back to the BOSS subsystem by the specified HLR subsystem. By the system and method, the BOSS system can access to the distributed HLR system only from one concentrated access point without the cross-regional access to the distributed HLR system, so that the network construction cost is reduced.
US08788567B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an information acquiring unit for acquiring, from external apparatuses connected via a network, processing information about a processing to be executed by each of the external apparatuses and/or about a result of a processing executed thereby and information about a function that each of the external apparatuses can execute in cooperation with the information processing apparatus; an information display unit for displaying the processing information of each of the external apparatuses and program information about program contents and displaying, on the basis of the information about the function of each of the external apparatuses, functions that can be executed by each of the external apparatuses with respect to the one or more program contents; and a function execution unit for causing the external apparatus to execute a selected function with respect to a selected program content.
US08788557B2 Bi-phasic applications of real and imaginary separation, and reintegration in the time domain
A signal is decomposed into different components using a transform, with the components then being separately presented to a person in a manner that produces a different cognitive experience than would have resulted from either (a) presentation of the original signal, or (b) presentation of a fully synthesized (inverse transformed) signal.
US08788554B2 Sub-band adaptive FIR-filtering
A method for designing a set of sub-band FIR filters, where each FIR filter has a number of filter coefficients and is connected to an adjustable delay line. The method includes dividing an input signal into a number of sub-band signals, where a spectrum of the input signal comprises spectra of the sub-band signals; providing a respective goal sub-band signal for each sub-band dependent on a goal signal; filtering and delaying each sub-band signal using a corresponding FIR filter and delay line to provide filtered signals; providing error signals for each sub-band dependent on the filtered signals and the corresponding goal signals; adapting the filter coefficients of each sub-band FIR filter such that the respective filtered signal approximately matches a corresponding goal sub-band signal; and changing a respective delay of the delay line for each sub-band to reduce or increase a first quality criterion.
US08788553B1 Method and circuit for providing digital frequency synthesis
An integrated circuit for providing digital frequency synthesis is disclosed. For example, the integrated circuit comprises a phase detector for receiving a reference clock signal and an oscillator clock signal, wherein the phase detector outputs an error signal. The integrated circuit further comprises a synthesizer control block, coupled to the phase detector, for receiving the error signal to generate a delay select signal, wherein the synthesizer control block comprises an integral adjustment filter and a proportional adjustment filter.
US08788552B2 Deterministic random number generator for cryptography and digital watermarking
A deterministic random number generator includes a number series generator adapted to generate an infinite Pi series, a summation generator adapted to generate a partial sum of said infinite Pi series, a computer adapted to compute a finite sequence from said partial sum of infinite Pi series, a shuffler adapted to shuffle said computed finite sequence to obtain a shuffled sequence, a masker adapted to mask said shuffled sequence to obtain a masked sequence, a non-linear function processor adapted to process said masked sequence to obtain a non-linear processed sequence, and a linear feedback shift register adapted to receive and shift bits of said non-linear processed sequence in a pre-determined manner to obtain a deterministic random number and a method for generating a deterministic random number for cryptography and watermarking.
US08788549B2 Zero overhead block floating point implementation in CPU's
A system for computing a block floating point scaling factor by detecting a dynamic range of an input signal in a central processing unit without additional overhead cycles is provided. The system includes a dynamic range monitoring unit that detects the dynamic range of the input signal by snooping outgoing write data and incoming memory read data of the input signal. The dynamic range monitoring unit includes a running maximum count unit that stores a least value of a count of leading zeros and leading ones, and a running minimum count that stores a least value of the count of trailing zeros. The dynamic range is detected based on the least value of the count of leading zeros and leading ones and the count of trailing zeros. The system further includes a scaling factor computation module that computes the block floating point (BFP) scaling factor based on the dynamic range.
US08788543B2 Scalable, concurrent resizing of hash tables
A system, method and computer program product for resizing a hash table while supporting hash table scalability and concurrency. The hash table has one or more hash buckets each containing one or more items that are chained together in a linked list. Each item in the hash table is processed to determine if the item requires relocation from a first bucket associated with a first table size to second bucket associated with a second table size. If the item requires relocation, it is linked to the second bucket without moving or copying the item in memory. The item is unlinked from the first bucket after waiting until there is no current hash table reader whose search of the hash table could be affected by the unlinking, again without moving or copying the item in memory.
US08788539B2 Method and apparatus for storing node
The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for storing node, pertaining to the field of the Internet communications. The method includes: receiving a write operation request and a node from a client; storing the node in a memory and setting the update time of the node as the time of receiving the node; and relocating one or more nodes from the memory to a file according to the update time of each of the nodes in the memory. The apparatus includes: a receiving module, a storage module, and a relocating module. The present invention can reduce the frequency of loading and relocating nodes to and from a memory, and improve performance of a server.
US08788537B2 Computer readable medium storing information processing program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method
A computer readable medium stores a program causing a computer to execute a process including receiving an instruction for deleting an information group from a first memory; extracting, from the first memory, information regarding information groups having a parent-child relationship with a target information group to be deleted in accordance with the received instruction; extracting a user identification code associated with the target information group from a second memory; storing an identification code of the target information group, the information regarding the information groups, and the extracted user identification code in association with one another in a third memory; deleting the target information group from the first memory; and changing the structure information stored in the first memory to structure information obtained after the target information group has been deleted from the first memory, by changing the child information group as a child of the parent information group.
US08788535B2 Communication network system and service provider
In order to help system users organize the user data and communications, a service provider system organizes the user data according to a specific system data architecture using W4 technology to facilitate organization of user communications, content, and data. The system provides a data structure that organizes data using the human metaphor and provides a user interface to access and manipulate the data using a human metaphor. As a result, users may intuitively interact with, manipulate, and create data without having to learn specific rules and steps based on of file-size, format, and directory structures, among others. In addition, the service provider system provides a single, intuitive to manipulate interface to manage all user communications.
US08788531B2 Client integrated artwork/file repository system
Systems and methods for controlling file access. A data structure is provided which includes a set of files (artwork for a promotional products ordering system in some embodiments) and a set of user accounts. Each file and each account has associated arbitrary classifiers associated therewith. When account classifier(s) match file classifier(s), the corresponding users (salespersons in some embodiments) may access the files. The matching files may be listed for the users. The arbitrary classifiers can be nominal key:value pairs. A system is provided which includes a network, computers, and memory which contains such a data structure. The system may include a Web based file access interface. A method is provided in which arbitrary classifiers are associated with files and users. Users with classifiers which match a file classifier are allowed access to the corresponding file. An administrator may upload files to a shared repository in the memory.
US08788527B1 Object-level database performance management
A method and system are provided for object-level database monitoring and tuning in a performance management system. Performance data for a plurality of database objects in a database server computer system are collected and stored. A performance problem in the database server computer system is detected. A problematic database object is identified using the performance data for the plurality of database objects, wherein the problematic database object is related to the performance problem. The problematic database object is tuned to improve performance of the database server computer system.
US08788521B2 Information processing device, information processing method, program for information processing device, and recording medium
A first word is acquired (S1), a plurality of relevant words associated with the acquired first word and containing a character string of the first word are generated (S3, S4), search results using the generated relevant words as search keywords are acquired (S5, S6), and search result information 40 is generated so as to display a search result 42 on a screen of a displaying means in accordance with each of the relevant words (S7, S8).
US08788520B2 Gathering device attributes from multiple devices to exploit the common or complimentary features on those devices
An embodiment of the invention provides a system including an interface for receiving a device identifier, a user identifier, and a request for a resource from a mobile device. A database connected to the interface includes attributes of mobile devices and user profiles. The user profiles include user identifiers and lists, wherein each of the lists include at least one mobile device used by each user to access resources. The database is queried with the device identifier to identify attributes of the mobile device. A profile of a user is generated or updated based on the user identifier and the identified attributes of the mobile device. A processor connected to the database sends a recommendation to the mobile device based on the profile of the user, the attributes of the mobile device, and the resource requested. The recommendation includes a recommended mobile device or a recommended combination of mobile devices.
US08788513B2 Computer method and system providing access to data of a target system
A computer system and method provides access to Web (global computer network) services data of a target system. The target system exposes data through multiple web services. An application interface is adapted to interface with the target system re-using existing (predefined) web services among applications for the target system. The application interface queries the exposed data. A mapping member maps between application interface query of exposed data and syntax of objects useable in a subject application. The mapping member enables the subject application to access data of object instances generated in response to the query.
US08788512B2 Generating data feed specific parser circuits
Generating a data feed specific parser circuit is provided. An input of a number of bytes of feed data associated with a particular data feed that the data feed specific parser circuit is to process is received. A feed format specification file that describes a data format of the particular data feed is parsed to generate an internal data structure of the feed format specification file. A minimum number of parallel pipeline stages in the data feed specific parser circuit to process the number of bytes of feed data associated with the particular data is determined based on the generated internal data structure of the feed format specification file. Then, a description of the data feed specific parser circuit with the determined number of parallel pipeline stages is generated.
US08788510B2 System, method, and computer program product for runtime invocation of an appropriate version of program instructions in an on-demand database
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for runtime invocation of an appropriate version of program instructions in an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for providing such runtime invocation can enable embodiments to ensure that new versions of developed applications will operate in the same application environment of a previous version. The ability of embodiments to provide such runtime invocation may lead to an improved application migration development/runtime framework, etc.
US08788507B1 Watermarking of structured results and watermark generation
A way of generating a watermark for a structured result, such as a search result or a machine translation. A hash function is used to generate a bit sequence for each of a plurality of structured results. A ranking score is generated for each resulting bit sequence. The ranking score can be based on the detectability of the bit sequence compared to a randomly-generated bit sequence and the quality of each of the structured results. A structured result is selected as the watermarked structured result based upon the ranking score.
US08788505B2 Systems and methods for a cache-sensitive index using partial keys
Systems and methods are disclosed for a cache-sensitive index that uses fixed-size partial keys. The index may include a node comprising a child group pointer, a number of partial keys and a similar number of full-key pointers. The node may also include a record count. The nodes are organized into groups. The groups may contain a number of nodes one greater than the number of partial keys in a node and the nodes in a group may be stored contiguously in memory. The child group pointer and the number of partial keys may fit within a cache line. A method is disclosed for traversing the index, for bulk-loading the index, and for live deletion of records from the index.
US08788503B1 Content identification
Systems, computer program products, and methods can identify a training set of content, and generate one or more clusters from the training set of content, where each of the one or more clusters represent similar features of the training set of content. The one or more clusters can be used to generate a classifier. New content is identified and the classifier is used to associate at least one label with the new content.
US08788498B2 Labeling data samples using objective questions
Described is a technology for obtaining labeled sample data. Labeling guidelines are converted into binary yes/no questions regarding data samples. The questions and data samples are provided to judges who then answer the questions for each sample. The answers are input to a label assignment algorithm that associates a label with each sample based upon the answers. If the guidelines are modified and previous answers to the binary questions are maintained, at least some of the previous answers may be used in re-labeling the samples in view of the modification.
US08788496B2 Visual organization of information via associated geospatial data
In a method of organizing information, a plurality of diverse data items is accessed. The diverse data items are related to a physical location. The diverse data items that are accessed comprise at least a non-visual data item and a visual imagery data item, and include geospatial data associated with the individual accessed data items. The diverse data items are parsed by data type and stored in a data store such that the diverse data items are accessible by one or more of the geospatial data associated with the individual data items. Diverse data items related to the physical location are processed to produce an integrated image displayable via a web viewer. The processing occurs in response to receiving a request regarding the physical location. The integrated image comprises an integration of at least two of the stored diverse data items.
US08788490B1 Link based locale identification for domains and domain content
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for link based locale identification for domains and domain content. In one aspect, a computer-implemented method includes identifying a plurality of domains including a first domain and one or more other domains, the other domains including one or more resources that link to the first domain. The method further includes detecting one or more indicators in the resources that link to the first domain, the indicators collectively identifying a number of locales. The method further includes determining one or more link based locale scores for the first domain using the indicators in the resources that link to the first domain. The method further includes storing the link based locale scores.
US08788488B2 Ranking search results based on recency
A computer-implemented method is provided for ranking files from an Internet search. In one embodiment, the method comprises assigning a score to each file based on at least one of the following factors: recency, editorial popularity, clickthru popularity, favorites metadata, or favorites collaborative filtering. The file may be organized based on the assigned scores to provide users with more accurate search results.
US08788487B2 Querying features based on user actions in online systems
Online systems, for example, social networking systems store features describing relations between entities represented in the online system. The information describing the features is represented as a graph. The online system maintains a cumulative feature graph and an incremental feature graph. Feature values based on recent user actions are stored in the incremental graph and feature values based on previous actions are stored in the cumulative graph. Periodically, the information stored in the incremental feature graph is merged with the information stored in the cumulative feature graph. The incremental graph is marked as inactive during the merge and information based on new user actions is stored in an active incremental feature graph. If a request for feature information is received, the feature information obtained from the cumulative feature graph, inactive incremental feature graph and the active incremental feature graph are combined to determine the feature information.
US08788485B2 Method and system for remote binding of meta-content to a uniform resource identifier
A method and system for remote binding of meta-content to a uniform resource indicator are provided. The method includes providing a script to a web browser application in response to the web browser, application accessing the uniform resource identifier of a content provider system and requesting an asset therefrom. The script is generated by a remote server system and is provided to the web browser application by routing the web browser application from the content provider system to the remote server system. The method also includes receiving a call from the web browser application at the remote server system via the script. The call includes the uniform resource identifier of the content provider system. Using the uniform resource identifier, the remote server system queries a data source to determine whether meta-content for the asset is available. Upon determining the meta-content is available for the asset, the method includes returning the meta-content to the web browser application for interpretation.
US08788479B2 Method and system to update user activities from the world wide web to subscribed social media web sites after approval
Disclosed is a system and method to search the World Wide Web for latest user activities and information and update the user activities and information to user subscribed social media websites with user's approval. User subscribes their personal information and interests to the present invention. Present invention crawls and formats the information available in the World Wide Web for the provided user information and interests. The formatted information is notified to the user for approval. The user reviews the information, accepts or rejects the information. The user can edit the information to change the content. The approved information is updated to user subscribed social media websites.
US08788474B2 Inode event notification for cluster file systems
A mechanism for inode event notification for cluster file systems is disclosed. A method of the invention includes implementing a lock scheme for a cache manager associated with an inode of a cluster file system, wherein the lock scheme includes a null lock (NL) used as a reference count for a lock value block (LVB) and an exclusive (EX) lock used for setting up inode event notifications, and associating a first global counter and a second global counter with the cache manager for the inode, wherein the first global counter is configured to track one or more processes that have the inode open in read-only mode and the second global counter is configured to track processes that have the inode open in read-write mode.
US08788472B2 Conditional commit for data in a database
A database comprises a database interface and a database updater. The database interface enables a reading of a first set of information from the database. The database updater updates a second set of information in the database based at least in part on one or more conditions. The one or more conditions limit changes allowable to the first set of information from the database that occurred after the reading of the first set of information from the database.
US08788470B2 Allocating and managing random identifiers using a shared index set across products
Provided are techniques for selecting row identifiers from an initial index structure storing rows of randomized indexes. The row identifiers are randomized. Groups are formed with the randomized row identifiers so that each group has a predetermined number of row identifiers. At least one group is selected from the groups. Indexes are retrieved from the initial index structure that correspond to the row identifiers in the selected at least one group. The retrieved indexes are encoded by adding product information to form new identifiers.
US08788469B2 Systems and methods for organizing and validating data in documents
The invention relates to information exchange when a design organization sends a design document to a manufacturer. The design documents may have errors and, once detected, the errors may not be corrected by the design organization. The documents may be resent with a small number of changes or perhaps no changes at all, but may have errors that have been seen before. The documents may have many items that are not important to the receiving organization. A dictionary is used to validate and correct the documents. Changes in the dictionary may require changes in the information used by the manufacturer. The invention provides a system and method for use with a computer that aids in the validation and correction of the information contained in the document, in that it detect changes in the document when resent so that the changes are validated or corrected, filters the document so that only relevant information is processed, detects changes in the dictionary so that only changes are processed, and filters the dictionary so that only relevant information in the dictionary is processed. In addition, the invention provides means to initialize the information that are in use and assumed to be valid to avoid the validation and correction of the information.
US08788468B2 Data depulication using short term history
Exemplary system, and computer program product embodiments for data deduplication using short term history in a computing environment are provided. In one embodiment, by way of example only, a hash value is calculated on data chunks for a read operation. The calculated hash value is stored in a storage media. The calculated hash value is looked up in the storage media to verify if a current write operation was previously written and/or read. Additional system and computer program product embodiments are disclosed and provide related advantages.
US08788465B2 Notification of configuration updates in a cluster system
A second node receives a message from a first node in a cluster environment. The message includes a unique identifier of a shared data storage device including a cluster configuration database that defines membership of nodes in a cluster. In response to receiving the message, the second node attempts to find the shared data storage device. In response to finding the shared data storage device, the second node locates and reads the cluster configuration database on the shared data storage device. The second node then assimilates a cluster configuration update indicated by the cluster configuration database.
US08788461B2 Creating validated database snapshots for provisioning virtual databases
Virtual databases are provisioned using point-in-time copies of a source database. Transaction logs received from the source database are applied to a point-in-time copy of the source database to create recovery milestones comprising database blocks that can be used to provision virtual databases. The recovery milestones are created in advance of receiving a request to provision a virtual database. Each recovery milestone is validated to determine that a consistent database snapshot can be created using the recovery milestone. If a problem is identified that prevents creation of a consistent database snapshot, the problem is fixed before creating the next recovery milestone. In response to receiving a request to provision a virtual database corresponding to a point in time, a recovery milestone is identified and transaction logs applied to the recovery milestone to create a database snapshot corresponding to the requested point in time.
US08788460B2 Exploring attached and unattached content databases
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for searching for and extracting data from databases of content management applications. User input is received to connect to a database or database snapshot of an application, and a connection is established. When the database is not part of a current live instance of the application, an emulation is performed such that the database is treated like it is attached to the current live instance of the application. The user is able to browse and/or search for content, including documents, in the database or database snapshot without having to explore individual site collection structure and user interfaces of individual sites. A site collection user interface (UI), a site selector UI, and/or a list selector UI, for example, provide data entry fields for entering search requirements. Unattached databases can be managed using commands, such as using an object model or command line.
US08788454B2 Work optimization
A work optimization module identifies a tag associated with a first task, where the first task is associated with a first user. The work optimization module compares the tag to a plurality of tags associated with a plurality of entries in a database, where each entry in the database corresponds to a task and comprises one or more tags describing the task. If the tag matches one of the plurality of tags, the work optimization module detects a duplication of the first task and a second task corresponding to one of the plurality of entries in the database, wherein the second task is associated with a second user.
US08788453B2 Data aggregation module supporting dynamic query responsive aggregation during the servicing of database query requests provided by one or more client machines
Improved method of and apparatus for aggregating data elements in multidimensional databases (MDDB). In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is realized in the form of a high-performance stand-alone (i.e. external) aggregation server which can be plugged-into conventional MOLAP systems to achieve significant improvements in system performance. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the stand-alone aggregation server contains a scalable MDDB and a high-performance aggregation engine that are integrated into the modular architecture of the aggregation server. The stand-alone aggregation server of the present invention can uniformly distribute data elements among a plurality of processors, for balanced loading and processing, and therefore is highly scalable.
US08788452B2 Computer assisted benchmarking system and method using induction based artificial intelligence
A system and method are provided for the collection of business performance data and the identification of patterns or rules from such data that are key predictors of future business performance. The performance data are preferably collected using one or several questionnaires containing a plurality of questions that probe into specific performance areas of companies. The questionnaires are used to collect responses applicable to a plurality of companies and the responses applicable to each company are stored in a database as separate company profiles to define the knowledge-base from which a rule induction engine may identify the key discriminators of business performance.
US08788448B2 Occupancy pattern detection, estimation and prediction
Systems and methods are described for predicting and/or detecting occupancy of an enclosure, such as a dwelling or other building, which can be used for a number of applications. An a priori stochastic model of occupancy patterns based on information of the enclosure and/or the expected occupants of the enclosure is used to pre-seed an occupancy prediction engine. Along with data from an occupancy sensor, the occupancy prediction engine predicts future occupancy of the enclosure. Various systems and methods for detecting occupancy of an enclosure, such as a dwelling, are also described.
US08788446B2 Fuzzy inference methods, and apparatuses, systems and apparatus using such inference apparatus
A health monitoring system for complex networked apparatus includes a number of neuro-fuzzy inference apparatuses feeding inference results into a data fusion hierarchy. At each level in the hierarchy, fuzzy inference is applied to generate a desired output signal by processing selected input signals in accordance with a knowledge base defining fuzzy membership functions and fuzzy inference rules defined in advance. The knowledge base includes alternative definitions of membership functions and/or inference rules. The apparatus selects which definition to use according to environmental or other conditions, and predetermined selection criteria.
US08788445B2 System and method for quantifying and detecting non-normative behavior
A system and method is disclosed for monitoring human interactions, including transactions and communications, profiling the subject and objects in those interactions, and comparing subject profiles to profiles of subjects with known characteristics to determine whether the test subject is normal or abnormal subjects. The behavior data can be collected electronically in a virtual environment, such as a website, through video surveillance, card access, phone records, purchase histories, or any other consistent identified record of behavior. The invention has application in detecting various types of unusual and malicious activity, including spam, viruses, terrorism, identity theft, and money laundering, to name but a few applications.
US08788444B2 Data analysis method and system
The present invention relates to the analysis of data to identify relationships between the input data and one or more conditions. One method of analyzing such data is by the use of neural networks which are non-linear statistical data modelling tools, the structure of which may be changed based on information that is passed through the network during a training phase. A known problem that affects neural networks is the issue of overtraining which arises in overcomplex or overspecified systems when the capacity of the network significantly exceeds the needed parameters. The present invention provides a method of analyzing data using a neural network with a constrained architecture that mitigates the problems associated with the prior art.
US08788443B2 Automated observational decision tree classifier
Various embodiments of systems and methods for automatic classification of objects in a computer system are described herein. A class decision is received, where the class decision is a classification of an object from a number of objects to a class from a number of classes. The class decision is classification of the object by a role model. An exploration tree is expanded based on the class decision. A decision tree is constructed based on the exploration tree. Objects are classified based on said decision tree.
US08788436B2 Utilization of features extracted from structured documents to improve search relevance
Features automatically extracted from semi-structured web pages are utilized by a search engine to rank documents that include semi-structured web pages. These features include, but are not limited to, a number of reviews, a number of positive reviews, and/or a number of negative reviews from a web page that includes user reviews. These features also include a number of views of a video that is viewable by way of a semi-structured web page. The features also include a number of subscribers to broadcasts of an individual from a social networking web page and a number of contacts of an individual listed on a social networking web page.
US08788433B2 Invoice amount calculation method, invoice amount calculation device, and printer invoicing system
A manufacturer server 110 that calculates an invoice amount for an inkjet printer has a billing status acquisition unit 342 that acquires billing status information including actual print volume PV, which is the amount of ink used for actual printing not including maintenance during a specific period L1; an actual print volume calculation unit 343 that determines if actual print volume PV is less than or equal to a specific volume V1; and an invoice amount calculation unit 344 that calculates an invoice amount. When actual print volume PV is less than or equal to the specific volume V1, a first invoice amount, which is a fixed amount, is calculated as the invoice amount, and when actual print volume PV exceeds the specific volume V1, a second invoice amount is calculated based on the actual print volume PV as the invoice amount.
US08788427B2 Limiting data exposure in authenticated multi-system transactions
The limiting of data exposure in authenticated multi-system transactions is disclosed. A client system authenticates and requests secured data and unsecured data with an initial system. The initial system transmits to an external system a token request that corresponds to the request for the secured data. A token is generated and passed to the initial system, which relays the same to the client system. The client system uses the token to access the secured data on the external system, while also retrieving the unsecured data on the initial system. The initial system thus does not have access to the secured data, while the request therefor is known.
US08788425B1 Method and system for accessing content on demand
A method and system for accessing content on demand are described. In one embodiment, upon receiving a user request to access an instance of content (e.g., information that is independent of a particular physical medium), the identity of the user is authenticated. The request conveys a unique identifier of the instance of content and a key for activating the content corresponding thereto according to an instance of ownership stored therewith. The instance of ownership corresponding to the user in that instance of content is ascertained. Upon associating the instance of ownership corresponding to the user in the instance of content, the instance of content is activated to allow the user to access the instance of content according to the corresponding instance of ownership. Where access is demanded in excess of the instance of ownership, a transaction is initiated with which the instance of ownership can be upgraded.
US08788424B2 Method of setting transmission shift points in real-time based upon an engine performance curve
The present invention provides a method for setting a shift point for shifting a transmission for a powered vehicle between a first gear ratio and a second gear ratio. The method includes determining input power data points based on real-time input torque data. The input torque data includes a maximum input torque. The method also includes calculating a gear step value based on the first gear ratio and second gear ratio. The method further includes determining a first power value and computing a second power value based on the gear step value. The first power value and second power value are compared to one another and adjustments are incrementally made in the first power value speed until the difference between first and second power values meets a threshold. The shift point is therefore based on the result of comparing the first power value and the second power value and the corresponding speed associated with the first power value.
US08788421B2 Systems and methods for processing electronic payments using a global payment directory
A computer system for use with a memory device for facilitating electronic payments to a payee from an account associated with a payor is provided. Payor profile information is stored in the memory device, which payor profile information is associated with the payor. A token identifier is created which is associated with the payor profile information. The token identifier is transmitted to a payee, for retransmittal of the token identifier by the payee to the computer system during a subsequent transaction between the payor and the payee.
US08788419B2 Method and system for mitigating risk of fraud in internet banking
A method and system are provided for mitigating the risk of fraud in Internet banking. In an embodiment comprising an end user seeking access to the Internet banking site of a financial institution, the end user having already satisfied a first authentication requirement (such as providing a valid user ID and password), the end user is required to satisfy a second authentication test when a measure of improbability associated with the login exceeds a threshold. The measure of improbability, in an embodiment, is based on the improbability of a combination of session statistics such as IP address, browser ID, hour of day, and time since the user's last valid login.
US08788416B1 Advance payment notice to financial institutions
A method for transmitting information with a financial institution. The method includes receiving a request from the financial institution for the information associated with scheduled future payment related to an established destination account and including a capital amount scheduled to be transferred to the financial institution, where the established destination account is associated with credit extended by the financial institution, performing, using a central processing unit (CPU), a search for the information on an intermediary data repository not controlled by the financial institution and based on the request, obtaining a portion of the information from the intermediary data repository based on the search, extracting, using the CPU, the portion of the information from the intermediary data repository to obtain a result, and transmitting the result to the financial institution to notify the financial institution of the scheduled future payment to the financial institution to be credited to the established destination account.
US08788414B2 Transfer account systems, computer program products, and computer-implemented methods to prioritize payments from preselected bank account
A financial institution computer maintains one or more lists of account identifiers for accounts enrolled in a prioritized payment program and receives an automatic deposit associated with an account identifier for a first account enrolled in the prioritized payment program. The prioritized payment program includes pre-authorization of certain payment requests by select creditors. The financial institution computer generates prioritized payments from the first account to select creditors, responsive to one or more unfilled pre-authorized payment requests by the select creditors and then generates a sweep payment from the first account to an associated second account at a second financial institution, responsive to the incoming automatic deposit. A value for the sweep payment is a value of the automatic deposit minus a value of the one or more prioritized payments. The second account can be, for example, a demand deposit account or a prepaid card account.
US08788413B2 System and method for managing related accounts
The present application relates to a system and method for managing a plurality of accounts. A plurality of accounts is provided, with each account being associated with a customer. Account activity information associated with at least one action regarding one of the plurality of accounts is received at a first predetermined frequency. The received account activity information is analyzed, and at least one term of another account amongst the plurality of accounts is modified based upon a result of the analysis at a second predetermined frequency.
US08788411B2 RFID payment system
A method for making a payment using a RFID system includes associating a first RFID identifier with a payer account in a database. A purchase type and an associated spending gate definition are received for the first RFID identifier over the network. The spending gate definition is associated with at least one of a plurality of funding sources of the payer account. The purchase type and associated spending gate definition are associated with the first RFID identifier in the database. A payment request is received for a purchase using the first RFID identifier over the network. It is determined that that the payment request includes the purchase type in the database. A payment is made using the at least one funding source of the payer account according to the spending gate definition associated with the purchase type.
US08788408B2 Item-specific money transfer methods and systems
The invention provides various systems and methods for implementing item-specific money transfers. The method includes receiving identification of an item, determining a vendor and a price of the item, and receiving, from a receiver, a money transfer request for an amount of the price of the item. The money transfer request identifies a sender. The method further includes sending the money transfer request to the sender, receiving, from the sender, authorization for a money transfer in an amount of the price of the item. The authorization includes an indication that funds from the money transfer are restricted for use only for the item.
US08788404B1 Structured finance securities option pricing architecture and process
A method and system for valuing structured-finance securities, such as, but not limited to, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS).
US08788403B1 Method and system for managing exchange traded funds using an intraday indicative value
A computer implemented method, system, and software for calculating and using an intraday indicative value of a leveraged Bullish or Bearish exchange traded fund (“ETF”) for arbitrage purposes, includes calculating an intraday current value of all the equity securities in the ETF (applicable only to Bullish ETFs), calculating mark to market gains or losses of at least one derivative product, and retrieving an accumulated loss or gain of the at least one derivative product and other cash equivalent amounts. The intraday indicative value of the ETF is determined by combining the calculated intraday current value of all the equity securities (applicable only to Bullish ETFs), the accumulated loss or gain, the mark to market gains of the at least one derivative product and other cash equivalent amounts. The determined intraday value of the ETF is used, by a party, for arbitrage purposes.
US08788398B2 Method and apparatus for automated trading of equity securities using a real time data analysis
A system and method for buying and selling securities based on volatility and liquidity rather than other fundamentals is demonstrated. The method involves: providing at least one decision model to buy and sell a security; inputting real-time data into the decision model; and automatically generating an order and executing transactions to buy and sell the security based in response to the decision model. The method continues in buying and selling the security based in response to decision model until the method is stopped.
US08788396B2 Intraday risk management data cloud computing system capable of controlling execution of orders
In at least one embodiment, a method and system associated with financial articles of trade may include comparing relevant portions of data pertaining to an attempted transaction, wherein the transaction may pertain to one in which an entity is financially liable but unaware. At least one embodiment includes monitoring market transaction activity data to determine when a trading entity has exceeded an aggregated limit, such as one or more trading sub-limits corresponding to one or more custodial prime brokers facilitating trading for the trading entity. At least one embodiment includes a pre-trade gateway to determine if an order violates a pre-trade risk based on information collected by a front-end analyzer. Possible actions include, but are not limited to, placing a null order, terminating a connection associated with the order, modifying the order so as not to violate a pre-trade risk check, and/or notifications to one or more entities.
US08788395B2 Trading of illiquid goods, services, instruments or commodities
Traders are notified of a computed tradeable price for an object of commerce. The computed tradeable price is calculated by a computer in conformance to a standard published to traders in a market for the object of commerce. The standard specifies rules for calculating the tradeable price based on orders received or trades executed in the market. Based at least in part on the computed tradeable price, trades are executed or negotiated, or negotiating offers are exchanged among the traders.
US08788391B2 Numerical modelling apparatus
A numerical modeling apparatus and method of performing numerical modeling are described. An input unit may receive information relating to set of assets. processor unit may provide Risk Relation Matrix V having elements that represent relationship of risk related to respective pair of the assets. The Risk Relation Matrix V may be decomposed into eigenvectors and eigenvalues according to V=E·Λ·E′, where E is set of eigenvectors of the risk matrix V in columns, Λ is the corresponding diagonal eigenvalue matrix, and E′ is the transpose of E. Components of risk vectors may be derived in terms of unit independent risks by the corresponding row of the matrix product E·Λ1/2 relating to respective assets. An output unit may output the risk vector components of the risk vectors as risk vector dataset.
US08788390B2 Estimating values of assets
A body of information elements is maintained including facts, assumptions, and relationships, at least one element being generated from the others using the relationships and representative of an estimate of a value of, or a market size of a product or service associated with, an asset. The relationships each define how a resulting fact or assumption can be generated from at least one source fact or assumption. The way in which the at least one source fact or assumption can be generated from another source fact or assumption is defined in each of multiple instances by one of the relationships. The body of information is exposed through a publicly accessible communication medium on a non-discriminatory basis. On the communication medium, users are enabled to engage in moderated collective discussion concerning the information elements. Users are enabled to participate financially in contracts having values that are tied to the estimated value of the asset.
US08788388B2 Using commercial share of wallet to rate business prospects
Commercial size of spending wallet (“CSoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“CSoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. A modeling approach utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. Research analysts can use CSoW/CSoSW to provide a comprehensive and robust indication of the business prospects of a rated company.
US08788384B2 Compensation based on entity groups
Various implementations for providing compensation based at least in part on a number of entity groups are described. A relationship network associated with an entity includes a plurality of network entities. The relationship network is determined, and a number of entity groups within the relationship network are counted. The entity groups have a predetermined number of network entities. An entity is caused to be provided with compensation that is based at least in part on the number of entity groups in the relationship network.
US08788381B2 System and method for creating and trading a digital derivative investment instrument
An investment instrument is disclosed that allows investors to take risk positions relative to the occurrence or non-occurrence of a contingent binary event. The contingent binary event will have one of two possible outcomes. In a digital derivatives contract, a long investor agrees to pay a short investor a contract amount in return for the short investor agreeing to pay the long investor one of two different settlement amounts depending on the outcome as the contingent binary event. Typically, one settlement amount will be zero and the other will be an amount greater than the derivatives contract price.
US08788378B2 Billing modifier module for integrated emergency medical transportation database system
An integrated medical database system for the emergency medical transportation business. The system includes a dispatch and demographic module, a clinical module, an administration module and a billing module. Each module may communicate data with one or more of the other modules to form a system incorporating data sharing, thus achieving an end-to-end automation of emergency medical care accounting. Internal consistency checks are performed by the system to ensure that proper treatments are performed according to a chosen diagnosis. The system includes a billing modifier module operating on data from the dispatch and demographic module. In one embodiment, the billing modifier module applies Geographic Practice Cost Index (GPCI) and Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) billing modifiers based on modifiable computerized rules so as to provide a more accurate charge to the payer. The results of the billing modifier module are forwarded to the billing module.
US08788377B2 System and method for providing recovery for victims of check fraud
A method for a consumer or business to protect against loss associated with specified forms of check fraud. Upon purchasing checks, a consumer or business can subscribe to a check fraud protection program, for an additional fee. A consumer or business may purchase Check Fraud Protection for an additional fee independent of purchasing checks. The subscription will enable the consumer or business to obtain reimbursement from the service provider for the consumer's losses due to specified causes. The consumer or business reciprocally assigns any right of recovery from the consumer's or business's bank or financial institution to the service provider, which can then seek reimbursement from the bank, or financial institution and institute proceedings against the fraud perpetrator. Protection may be obtained for forged signatures, forged endorsements and altered check. A symbol to indicate such protection is also disclosed.
US08788374B2 Method and system for account parallel processing
A method for account parallel processing used by an account processing center to process a request for account operation is disclosed. The method comprises: (1) categorizing accounts as high parallel occurrence accounts and common accounts; (2) when receiving the request from the client for processing operation of an account, firstly determining whether the account is a high parallel occurrence account; and if the account is a high parallel occurrence account, continuing to a step (3), otherwise, conducting a step (4); (3) if the account is locked, queuing a current operation to wait until implementation of the current operation; and (4) further determining, by the account processing center, whether the account is locked and outputting an error message when the account is locked, otherwise implementing the current operation. Such method provides more high quality services to the high parallel occurrence accounts. As for the common accounts, when there is a high volume of parallel transactions on the common accounts, the volume of parallel processing can be effectively controlled by outputting an error message to prevent comment accounts from causing damage the system.
US08788372B2 Method and system for classifying retail products and services using characteristic-based grouping structures
A method of and system for classifying retail products and services is disclosed. The method includes determining a grouping of characteristic values in a computerized system, wherein the grouping of characteristic values includes a subset of a plurality of predetermined values for a characteristic. The method also includes associating the grouping of characteristic values with a grouping of at least one of retail products and services. The system includes means for determining a grouping of characteristic values, wherein the grouping of characteristic values includes a subset of a plurality of predetermined values for a characteristic. The system also includes means for associating the grouping of characteristic values with a grouping of at least one of retail products and services.
US08788371B2 Personalized search widgets for customized user interface
A set of personalized search widgets for providing a customized user interface are provided. Among the personalized search widgets include a related searches menu to depict related search terms according to popularity and type. A query builder for explicitly including or excluding particular terms from the query may be provided. The search widgets may further include a history of past searches received from a user, a selection of categories to be searched, and one or more category suggestions. Some widgets associated with sellers allow a user to filter results according to a trusted seller status of the seller or the identity of the seller, and provide to the user a tag cloud including feedback about the seller. The results of a search may be presented in a spreadsheet style format.
US08788370B2 Web service architecture for product version retrieval
Various techniques for providing product versioning as a Web Service are disclosed. One method involves receiving a Web Service signature requesting access to a product model. In response to receipt of that Web Service signature, a product model that includes several versions of a product is accessed, and the current version of the product is selected from the product model. The product model can include future versions of he product that are not yet effective; such versions will not be selected as the current model prior to becoming effective. Information representing the current version can then be returned to the request in a second Web Service signature. A single object broker can respond to Web Service signatures requesting access to the product model from various different sales channels.
US08788368B2 Methods, systems, and products for electronic purchases
An electronic shopping cart may reference multiple items from different merchants. Any merchant may inspect the electronic shopping cart and make counteroffers to a purchaser. If the purchaser approves one of the counteroffers, then an item in the electronic shopping cart is replaced with a substitute item offered by a different merchant.
US08788362B2 Systems and methods for automated mass media commerce
Systems and methods for implementing point of advertising purchasing include using mass media publications configured for or containing service, product or vendor transmittable signals, such as from radio frequency identification tags. In a preferred arrangement, a consumer perceiving an advertisement of the mass media publication may activate a reader in a portable communications device, such as a smart mobile or cellular phone, to receive information from the radio frequency signal associated with the advertisement to identify a vendor, product or service associated with the radio frequency identification. The smart mobile phone or communications device of the consumer may communicate with a system of a vendor across a network to order a product or product information from a system of the vendor over the network by using the information from the radio frequency identification.
US08788360B2 Systems and methods for automated mass media commerce
Systems and methods for implementing point of advertising purchasing include using mass media publications configured for or containing service, product or vendor transmittable signals, such as from radio frequency identification tags. In a preferred arrangement, a consumer perceiving an advertisement of the mass media publication may activate a reader in a portable communications device, such as a smart mobile or cellular phone, to receive information from the radio frequency signal associated with the advertisement to identify a vendor, product or service associated with the radio frequency identification. The smart mobile phone or communications device of the consumer may communicate with a system of a vendor across a network to order a product or product information from a system of the vendor over the network by using the information from the radio frequency identification.
US08788359B2 Vending machine information
A method is described for displaying vending machine product data using a display of a mobile communication device. This has the advantage of using the superior display of the mobile communication device and increasing the functionality available to the end user, without needing to invest in expense display equipment at the vending machine itself). The mobile communication device can also be used to order one or more products from the vending machine.
US08788357B2 System and method for productizing human capital labor employment positions/jobs
A method includes configuring a human-capital-management (HCM) master taxonomy and a HCM language library. The HCM master taxonomy includes a plurality of levels that range from more general to more specific, each level of the plurality of levels comprising a plurality of nodes. The plurality of levels include a job-species level and a job-family level, the job-species level including a level of greatest specificity in the plurality of levels, the job-family level including a level of specificity immediately above the job-species level. In addition, the method includes transforming human-capital information via the HCM language library. Further, the method includes classifying the transformed human-capital information into a job-family node selected from the plurality of nodes at the job-family level.
US08788356B2 System and method for effectively providing software to client devices in an electronic network
A system and method for effectively supporting software distribution in an electronic network includes a software server and a network of client devices. The software server stores software items received from a software provider. The software items include various types of trial software that is provided to device users for temporary evaluation and potential purchase. A recommendation engine of the software server creates recommendation lists to identify optimal candidates from among the stored software items for performing an automatic and transparent software download procedures. The recommendation engine creates the recommendation lists by analyzing selectable software-ranking criteria related to device users of the client devices. The software server then downloads the optimal candidates from the stored software items to respective target devices during the software download procedures.
US08788355B2 Medium and system for searching commercial messages
An information processing apparatus includes a detecting unit for detecting a commercial message contained in a broadcast television program, a feature quantity calculating unit for calculating a feature quantity of the detected commercial message, a recording unit for recording incidental information relating to the commercial message and the feature quantity of the commercial message, a searching unit for searching for a commercial message satisfying an identification condition, from among commercial messages detected, the identification condition identifying the commercial message and containing a period within which the commercial message has been broadcast and a communication unit for receiving a transmitted transmission request requesting transmission of the feature quantity and the incidental information of the broadcast commercial message satisfying the identification condition, and for transmitting the feature quantity and the incidental information of all commercial messages satisfying the identification condition obtained as a result of the search.
US08788352B2 Gift-registry apparatus and method
A method is disclosed for administering a gift registry. Within the method, a computer system may associate or link a gift registry to a computing device in the possession of a customer. A point-of-sale system forming part of the computer system may then initiate a transaction comprising the purchase of an item by the customer. The computer system may identify a link between the computing device and the transaction, determine that the item is listed within the gift registry, and receive confirmation that the item was purchased for the gift registry. Accordingly, the computer system may modify the gift registry to reflect the purchase of the item.
US08788351B2 Point of sale tax reporting and automatic collection system with tax register
A point of sale tax reporting system including a smart tax register located at a retailer location. The retailer smart register processes consumer transactions and calculates the amount of sales tax due the retailer by the consumer for each transaction. After the sales tax is paid to the retailer by the consumer, the register either immediately or periodically forwards the amount of the transaction and the amount of sales tax collected by the retailer to a computer and memory located at a remote location, such as a state government taxing authority.
US08788350B2 Handling payment receipts with a receipt store
A receipt store may be provided as a service. Electronic payment receipts generated in any type of transaction may be delivered to the receipt store. A customer may subscribe to a particular receipt store, to be used as a repository for that customer's receipts. The customer may carry a device that is used to communicate payment information (such as a credit card number) to a device reader when purchases are made. The device may also identify the customer's receipt store. A commercial establishment that accepts the customer's payment may generate an electronic receipt, and may deliver it to the receipt store specified by the customer's device. The establishment may also deliver the receipt to the customer's device, and the customer's device may send the receipt along to the receipt store.
US08788348B2 Combination game controller and point of sale input device
An apparatus generally directed to a combination tablet computer and game controller. The tablet computer provides a plurality of sides, in which each of the sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the tablet computer. The computer game controller provides side structures adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer. The computer game controller further preferably providing input module apertures and a camera. Preferably, each input module aperture selectively accepts either a game control module or a removable keyboard module. The input module apertures are preferably adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer, and the camera communicates with each the electronic game controller and the tablet computer, the camera selectively captures either still or video images. The electronic game controller further provides an integrated transaction card input feature.
US08788347B2 Reminder calendaring based on receipt data
A computer-implemented method is disclosed for calendaring reminders. Within the method, one or more point-of-sale transactions may be conducted. The transactions may involve a computer system and a customer possessing a mobile computing device. The computer system may store receipt data documenting the transactions. The computer system may also search the receipt data in an effort to locate one or more products having predictable purchase periodicity. When such products are identified, one or more appropriate reminders for subsequent purchases of the one or more products may be scheduled.
US08788345B2 Method and apparatus for advertising bidding
Methods, articles, and systems for determining a bidding strategy for on-line query answer set or contextual advertisement positions for marketing options is described herein.
US08788344B2 System and method to analyze calls to advertised telephone numbers
A system and method for analyzing information associated with voice calls placed during a telephone number advertising campaign is described. The system receives information characterizing voice calls to advertiser telephone numbers and information from advertisers such as information about the outcome of the voice call (e.g., conversion information). The system correlates the voice call information with the advertiser information and generates reports based on the correlated information. The system can perform or enable the performance of other actions based on the correlated information. For example, the system may modify an ongoing advertising campaign based on an analysis of the correlated information.
US08788343B2 Price determination and inventory allocation based on spot and futures markets in future site channels for online advertising
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates establishing a true market value for an online advertisement. An interface component can receive data related to at least one of a spot market or a future market. A dynamic pricing component can dynamically establish an ad price for an ad unit based on the spot market and the future market, the ad price reflects a market value of the ad unit in accordance with the spot market and the future market.