| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08820440B2 |
Drill bit steering assembly
In one aspect of the present invention, a steering assembly for downhole directional drilling comprises an outer bit comprising a bore and an outer cutting area and in inner bit comprising an inner cutting area and connected to a shaft that is disposed within the bore. At least one biasing mechanism is disposed around the shaft. At least one fluid channel is disposed within the outer bit and redirects fluid to the at least one biasing mechanism causing the at least one biasing mechanism to push the shaft and alter an axis of the inner bit with respect to an axis of the outer bit. |
| US08820438B2 |
Method for cleaning oil from drill cuttings
This application relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning drill cuttings recovered from a wellbore. Specifically, the apparatus includes an effective system for handling and washing drill cuttings at a well site to remove hydrocarbon contaminants. The system successively washes hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings in organic solvent and water to remove and recover the hydrocarbon contaminates, and produce cleaned drill cuttings that may enable disposal of clean drill cuttings without further treatment. |
| US08820436B2 |
Coring tool and method
A method for operating a coring tool includes moving a handling piston of a coring tool from a first position to a second position with respect to the coring tool where the handling piston moving through a coring bit to the second position. The method also includes measuring the distance of the movement of the handling piston between the first position and the second position to determine a core length, comparing the measured distance with a predetermined threshold, and operating a coring bit of the coring tool to obtain a core sample in response to determining that the measured distance is less than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08820434B2 |
Apparatus for advancing a wellbore using high power laser energy
Delivering high power laser energy to form a borehole deep into the earth using laser energy. Down hole laser tools, laser systems and laser delivery techniques for advancement, workover and completion activities. A laser bottom hole assembly (LBHA) for the delivery of high power laser energy to the surfaces of a borehole, which assembly may have laser optics, a fluid path for debris removal and a mechanical means to remove earth. |
| US08820432B2 |
Pneumatic impulse wrench with operation control means
A pneumatic impulse wrench for tightening screw joints includes a housing with a pressure air inlet passage, an exhaust air outlet passage, a rotation motor, a hydraulic impulse generator, and is connected to a stationary programmable control unit. The impulse wrench also includes a torque indicating mechanism connected to the control unit for feeding back electric signals responsive to the output torque of the wrench, an electromagnetically activated inlet valve arranged in the air inlet passage, and an electromagnetically activated exhaust valve which controls the exhaust air flow from the motor. The exhaust valve is a proportional valve activated by a linearly operated electromagnetic actuator and arranged to continuously adapt the exhaust air flow and, hence, the motor power to the characteristics of the actual screw joint being tightened in response to feed back signals from the torque indicating mechanism and in accordance with a programmed tightening strategy. |
| US08820424B2 |
Fire fighting nozzle
A fire fighting nozzle includes a nozzle body with an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending from the inlet to the outlet. A stem is located in the passageway about which fluid flows when fluid is flowing through the passageway. And, a projecting body projects outwardly from the nozzle body away from the stem, which at least partially fills the space beyond the nozzle outlet where water exits the nozzle assembly. |
| US08820415B2 |
System for enabling selective opening of ports
A system and method for selectively enabling fluid communication between two volumes includes a tubular having a port housing with at least one port and a member disposed with the tubular and movable between a closed position in which the port is closed and an open position in which the port is open. The system further includes a lock element positively engaged with both the member and the tubular for maintaining the member in the closed position. Further, an actuator is in keyed engagement with the lock element for biasing the lock element for enabling the member to move relative to the tubular to the open position for opening the port. |
| US08820414B2 |
Flow control device and flow control method
The present invention relates to a method of improving flow stability for a multiphase fluid flowing through a tubular element (1), comprising arranging a flow control device (2) along a flow path (F) through the tubular element (1), the flow control device (2) comprising a housing (4), an inlet (10) arranged on an upstream side of the control device (2), an outlet (23, 13) arranged on a downstream side of the control device (2), and a movable body (9) provided within the housing (4) along an internal flow path (11) through the control device (2) from the inlet (10) to the outlet (23, 13), the body (9) being arranged such that changes in velocity and/or properties and/or composition of the fluid flowing along the internal flow path (11) result in changes to the forces acting on the body (9) as a result of the Bernoulli principle, thereby adjusting the flow of fluid through the control device (2). |
| US08820411B2 |
Deepwater blow out throttling apparatus and method
A deepwater blow out throttling apparatus and method. The apparatus is sized to reach an equilibrium between the force of the oil flow against the equipment that constitute the apparatus during its assembly and the forces available from the ROV and the drill ship and connexion pipe to hold the pieces in position for assembly. This solution is applicable to all wells and requires sizing the diffusion transition spool and the throttling valves such that the forces of the flow of the free discharging oil can be overcome by the forces available from the ROV and drill ship. Downward loading from the drill ship during the throttling is applied as throttling generates forces and vibration that can exceed the physical strength of the riser piping and connections. Slow closing of the throttling device must be assured to avoid shocking (or water hammering) the oil well installation. |
| US08820410B2 |
Control system for blowout preventer stack
A modular control system consisting of multiple, remotely retrievable functional modules for controlling a blowout preventer stack. The various functional modules can be located on the lower marine riser package and blowout preventer stack positioned near the equipment with which they are associated, wherein this distribution of modules nearly eliminates the complex interface connection between the lower marine riser package and blowout preventer stack. Each of the functional modules is capable of being installed, retrieved or replaced with a single remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployment from a vessel. The functional modules can be used to operate as a complete control system for a blowout preventer stack or can be used selectively individually or in various combinations to accommodate multiple control applications or upgrades of other control systems. |
| US08820409B2 |
System for protecting against undersea oil spills
The system includes a containment housing with an open bottom which is configured to fit over an undersea oil well pipe which is spilling oil, the housing being lockable to a platform or ring surrounding the oil well pipe or positionable on the sea floor. A pipe is positioned internal of the housing into which the oil well pipe can be fitted, the vertical pipe being directed to or connectable to an evacuation pipe which extends to the surface of the sea, through which the oil from the well moves by means of an evacuation pump. The oil is pumped at a rate approximately at least as great as the rate of the oil spill. An infusion line and associated pump is connected to the chamber for pumping mud and/or cement and/or concrete into the chamber to stop and seal the spill and to ensure the housing remains positioned over the oil spill well pipe. |
| US08820404B2 |
Water well pumping and control system
A well watchman pumping and control system that is capable of operating in a wide range of ambient conditions. The system automatically maintains water level in a water storage vessel, while protecting the pump and generator from operating in conditions outside preset operating parameters to prevent premature failure and reduce repair. By operating to pump water only when preset operating conditions exist, e.g. low water level, ambient temperature, etc., the system reduces labor, fuel, and maintenance operating costs to the owner, improves well pumping reliability and production, reduces generator fuel consumption, reduces emissions, and conserves ground water. |
| US08820402B2 |
Downhole shock absorber with guided crushable nose
A shock absorbing system has a nose assembly that is formed to inwardly collapse on impact and is guided by a sleeve that can slide with the nose as the nose collapses or can extend for a portion of the length of the nose while being held fixed. In the latter instance the nose can have a leading end that has a biasing member in a resilient material so that on impact some of the shock is taken up by compression of the biasing member with subsequent extension of the biasing member retracting the resilient covering so that it is less likely to bind in the surrounding tubular. The leading end of the sleeve or the resilient material encasing the biasing member also soften the blow to a closed ball when the tool is dropped so that the ball surface is less likely to mar. |
| US08820398B2 |
Down hole tool with adjustable fluid viscosity
A down hole tool includes a tool body, a fluid cavity, a magnetorheological fluid disposed in the fluid cavity, and an electrical control unit in communication with the MR fluid. The electrical control unit is configured to adjust a viscosity of the MR fluid by varying a magnetic field. |
| US08820395B2 |
Cooling systems and heat exchangers for cooling computer components
Computer systems having heat exchangers for cooling computer components are disclosed herein. The computer systems include a computer cabinet having an air inlet, an air outlet spaced apart from the air inlet, and a plurality of computer module compartments positioned between the air inlet and the air outlet. The air inlet, the air outlet, and the computer module compartments define an air flow path through the computer cabinet. The computer systems also include a heat exchanger positioned between two adjacent computer module compartments. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange elements canted relative to the air flow path. |
| US08820390B2 |
Methods and composition for boride distribution in metal matrix composite
A method for controlling a boride distribution in a metal matrix compost includes controlling a distribution of the boride particles are controlled during a solidification of a molten composite material. The controlling of the redistribution of the boride particles includes applying a heat to the composite material to form a molten composite material. The method includes, holding, by a mold (120, 715), the molten composite material. The method also includes focusing, by a reinforcement particle unit (100, 700), a location of the boride particles during a cooling of the molten composite material. The reinforcement particle unit could include a directed solidification unit (100). The reinforcement particle unit could also include centrifugal casting system (700). The arm includes a center mounting point (725). |
| US08820387B2 |
Winding device for covering wall openings or windows
The invention relates to a winding device and to a method for covering wall openings or windows. The winding device comprises a covering element that can be rolled up, a deflecting element that has a wave-like design, or is simply formed by a bottom hemline, or a bottom woven fabric edge and/or longitudinal edge, and at least on raising and lowering unit. In addition, the covering element is provided with an upper longitudinal edge, which is preferably arranged in parallel to the deflecting element. The lower longitudinal edge is either connected to the deflecting element, or is formed by the same, so that as a result of a rotation of the deflecting element, or of the lower woven fabric edge and/or longitudinal edge, about a horizontal axis, the covering element can be rolled up or down. The raising and lowering unit comprises at least one cord, wherein at least one free end of the cord is connected to the raising and lowering unit. The cord is arranged such that it encloses the covering element, so that the deflecting element, or the lower longitudinal edge, is guided in the bend of the cord. The at least one cord can be guided in two opposite directions of movement that are relative to one another. |
| US08820385B2 |
Control device for cordless blind with willful stop
Disclosed is a control device for a cordless blind with willful stop at any positions according to user needs during switching operation. The control device primarily comprises a force-return mechanism, a shaft connector, and a braking buffer mechanism which are all installed inside a same housing. The force-return mechanism has a flat spring bevel gear and an elastic element. One end of the shaft connector is a transmission bevel gear meshed with the flat spring bevel gear. The braking buffer mechanism includes a friction ring and an impeding spring where the friction ring is immovably fixed inside the housing with a wear-proof annular inwall. The impeding spring is tightly plugged into the friction ring with an extrusion to prevent the rotation of the transmission bevel gear. Specifically, the shaft connector has a trigger to change the friction between the impeding spring and the friction ring. |
| US08820380B2 |
Differential speed shafted machines and uses therefor, including discontinuous and continuous side by side bonding
An apparatus having independently rotating shafts for producing discontinuous and continuous side by side bonding using independently rotating bonding units. |
| US08820375B2 |
Method and apparatus for improved tread splicing
A tread for use in a tire retread process includes a first side and a second, flat side. A plurality of lugs is formed on a first side of the tread and arranged along in a periodically repeating tread pattern. A set of marks is formed in at least one outer lug and defines a finite linear distance along the tread within which the tread is adapted to be cut into the length of tread, such that when the length of tread is deposited around the casing of the tire and the ends of the length of tread are placed in abutting relationship one relative to the other along a seam, the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous. The set of marks is predetermined in advance of retreading to be located in positions where at least some of the performance and processing characteristics of the tread may be improved. |
| US08820373B2 |
Tire having ribs, circumferential grooves and sipe pairs
Tire having a tread pattern with superior performance characteristics. The tread pattern includes ribs and circumferential grooves which are at least one of tapered and/or generally V-shaped. The walls of each circumferential groove have a wavy and/or sinusoidal contour extending in a generally circumferential direction. |
| US08820371B2 |
Motorcycle tire for running on rough terrain
A motorcycle tire for running on rough terrain comprises a tread portion having a developed tread width and provided with a plurality of tread blocks. The tread blocks include a plurality of crown blocks defined as having a ground contacting top surface whose centroid is located within a crown region defined as having a developed width of ⅓ of the developed tread width and centered on the tire equator. The crown blocks include a plurality of central crown blocks whose axial distance from the tire equatorial plane to the centroid is not more than 2% of the developed tread width, and a plurality of off-center crown blocks whose axial distance from the tire equatorial plane to the centroid is more than 2% and not more than 6% of the developed tread width. |
| US08820368B2 |
Wallet composed of steel fabric
A smart card with an RFID tag is held in a wallet comprising a back layer and at least one front layer stitched to the back layer around part of a perimeter thereof to define at least one pocket in the wallet dimensioned to hold and completely surround the smart card. Both of the layers are composed of a stainless steel fabric capable of blocking RF radiation. |
| US08820366B2 |
Filler element for filling containers with a liquid fill material, and filling machine
The invention relates to a filling element of a filling machine for filling cans, bottles, or similar containers (2) with a liquid fill material, having at least one dispensing opening (8) for directing the liquid fill material into each container through a container opening (2.1) forming an opening edge, having at least one container contact surface (14) for the opening edge at a tulip (13, 13a, 13b) displaceable on a filling element housing (6) between a raised starting position and a lowered position, and having means for moving the tulip between the starting position and the lowered position and for pressing the tulip against the opening edge of each container with a contact pressure. |
| US08820364B2 |
Flexible hose with smooth inner and/or outer wall
Flexible hose a corrugated wall of which an outer surface comprises a multitude of consecutive protrusions (1) and grooves (2) and of which an inner surface comprises a multitude of internal protrusions (4) and grooves (3), a multitude of barriers for closing off each of the multitude of internal and/or external grooves (2), each of the multitude of barriers comprising a first closing leg (10, 12) of a first profile part and a second closing leg (11, 13) of a second profile part, the second closing leg being directed to the first closing leg, the first and second closing legs having a complementary shape provided to form a substantially smooth inner and/or outer surface. |
| US08820362B2 |
Protection of water conduits against frost
A water-transporting line includes an integrated heater system for protection against frost and the appropriate connection, attachment and control elements. A self-heating water conduit segment is provided that has an integrated heating device, which device encloses the outer surface of the water conduit segment. The various segments may be connected mechanically and electrically using corresponding connecting elements. |
| US08820359B2 |
Seamless fluid storage and transport module
A fluid storage and transport module includes complex plumbing features such as fluid reservoirs, filters, heat exchangers, three-dimensionally routed tubing, valves, mixing chambers, and exit apertures formed in and on a monolithic common bulk material using an additive rapid prototyping process of depositing multiple layers of rapid prototyping materials without welds, adhesives or compression fittings, being made by a method that minimizes leaks, maximizes packing density of the functional components, and increases the plumbing robustness to leaks. |
| US08820356B2 |
Multi-way reversing valve
A multi-way reversing valve includes a valve housing having a valve seat part in which a plurality of fluid in/out ports are formed; a valve member adapted to be rotated; and an actuator adapted to rotationally actuate the valve member. A fluid inlet port and/or a fluid outlet port is/are formed in the valve housing. A passage adapted to selectively place the fluid inlet port or the fluid outlet port in communication with the plurality of fluid in/out ports is formed within the valve member. Flow paths are reversed by rotating the valve member to selectively place the fluid inlet port or the fluid outlet port in communication with one of the plurality of in/out ports via the passage. The rotational axis line of the valve member is laterally eccentric relative to the rotational axis line of an output shaft of the actuator by a predetermined distance. |
| US08820354B2 |
Liquid flow rate control valve
A liquid flow rate control valve is provided in which since a distributor (38) is rotated relative to a sleeve (37) by a first drive source (46) only through a predetermined angle, the total area of overlapping sections of a first opening (37a) of the sleeve (37) and the second opening (38c) of the distributor (38) changes, and a rotor (42) having a third opening (42c 42d) is rotated by a second drive source (47), it is possible to carry out PWM control of the liquid input from an input port (61e) and output it from an output port (61f). In this process, one end in an axis (L) direction of the rotor (42) disposed on an inside in a radial direction is coaxially connected to the second drive source (47), and one end in the axis (L) direction of the distributor (38) disposed on an outside in a radial direction is connected to the first drive source (46) via a gear train (66, 73, 70), and therefore, it is possible to individually rotate the distributor (38) and the rotor (42) while achieving a compact size by arranging the first and second drive sources (46, 47) in a concentrated manner at one end in the axis (L) direction of a liquid flow rate control valve (23). |
| US08820347B2 |
Passive overpressure and underpressure protection for a cryogen vessel
In a magnet system for MRI imaging comprising a superconducting magnet mounted within a cryogen vessel, apparatus is provided for controlling egress of cryogen gas from the cryogen vessel. The apparatus comprises a controlled valve linking the interior of the cryogen vessel to a gas exit path; and a controller arranged to control the valve. The valve is arranged such that a gas pressure in the cryogen vessel exceeding a gas pressure in the gas exit path acts on the valve to open the valve and allow venting of cryogen gas. The valve is also arranged such that a gas pressure in the cryogen vessel inferior to a gas pressure in the gas exit path acts on the valve to urge it closed, so restricting flow of gas into the cryogen vessel. |
| US08820344B2 |
Turbojet engine nacelle
The invention relates to a turbojet engine nacelle (1) comprising: an outer structure including an annular lip defining an air inlet and a cowl (9) extending as a continuation of the annular lip, and an inner fixed structure (19) extending as a continuation of the air inlet and including a region equipped with at least one piece of equipment requiring maintenance or monitoring. The aforementioned outer structure can move in relation to the inner structure between an operating position in which the cowl (9) covers the region equipped with the equipment and a maintenance position in which the cowl (9) reveals said region so as to allow access to the equipment from outside. In addition, the outer structure is equipped with at least one reinforcing beam (10) designed to transmit loads between the annular lip (7) and the cowl (9), said beam (10) extending in the radial plane (P) of the air inlet from the outer structure towards the inner structure and comprising guide means (17) capable of co-operating with complementary guide means (23) belonging to the inner structure. The guide means (17) of the beam (10) and the complementary guide means (23) of the inner structure are offset with respect to the radial plane (P) in which the beam (10) extends. |
| US08820343B2 |
Coupling actuating element of valve to connection element of actuator
The mechanical coupling of an actuating element of a valve to a connection element of an actuator is accomplished with the actuating element able to be displaced along a z-axis for the purpose of adjusting the valve and the connection element, at a corresponding orientation of the actuator, can likewise be displaced along the z-axis relative to the valve by the actuator. The device has (a) a first coupling element which can be coupled to the actuating element so that a certain freedom of movement is provided between the first coupling element and the actuating element along the z-axis, (b) a second coupling element which can be coupled to the connecting element, (c) a connecting element which links the two coupling elements to each other in a movable manner, and (d) a clamping device which is arranged on the first coupling element and/or on the second coupling element and which is embodied such that, upon an actuation of the clamping element the two coupling elements are braced against each other, and an actuating element coupled to the first coupling element is clamped without play to the two coupling elements along the z axis. |
| US08820332B2 |
Cosmetic nail covering
Method and apparatus for cosmetically disguising an unattractive finger or toe nail area of a negatively affected hand or foot digit by using a temporary, cosmetically appealing covering, by providing a cosmetic nail covering that will simulate the appearance of a nearby normal nail when a suitably sized and shaped cosmetic nail covering is applied to cover the nail area of the affected digit, and both the cosmetic nail covering and the nearby normal nails of the hand or foot are coated by a user with identical user-supplied nail polish. The covering is made from adhesive tape suitable for wrapping around a digit, and a pad sized and shaped to resemble a normal nail for the affected digit when the pad is adhered to the tape. The tape should enable forming a coating that is as smooth, level, and uniformly colored as natural nails when coated by conventional polish. |
| US08820331B2 |
Smoking device incorporating a breakable capsule, breakable capsule and process for manufacturing said capsule
A smoking device includes a recipient or able to receive burning (i.e., burnable) products, preferably tobacco, and a filter element connected to the recipient, wherein the filter includes at least one breakable capsule, the capsule having a initial crush strength from 0.5 to 2.5 kp, and keeping a crush strength from 0.5 to 2.5 kp and a deformation of less than two third of its diameter prior to rupture after having been submitted to a smoking test. The invention is also relating to the capsule suitable for being incorporated in a smoking device, and to the process of manufacture of the capsule. |
| US08820330B2 |
Electronic vaporizer that simulates smoking with power control
The claimed subject matter provides a control component that regulates output of an electronic vaporizer used to simulate smoking. The control component manages power to a heating element. A power detect component collects a parameter of the heating element to determine actual power output thereof. The control component dynamically adjusts the power source based on the actual power output. |
| US08820329B2 |
Hands free hookah mouth tip
The present invention generally relates to mouth pieces for hookahs. Specifically, this invention relates to a mouth tip for a hookah that is constructed in a manner to allow for the hands free operation of the hookah. Embodiments of the present invention include a mouth tip or mouth piece for a hookah that comprises an oral attachment means configured to allow retention of the mouth piece in the mouth of a user without requiring the use of the hands of the user. |
| US08820328B2 |
Defibration of tobacco material
The invention relates to a method of producing cut tobacco material, whereby a tobacco initial material is heated and placed under pressure and once heated and placed under pressure, the material is fed through a shearing gap and expanded and defibrated. It further relates to a device for producing cut tobacco material with a pressure chamber, which has a tobacco material inlet at the low-pressure end and a tobacco material outlet at the pressure end and a conveyor system for conveying the tobacco material from the inlet to the outlet, and the tobacco material outlet has a gap through which the material passes and expands, and the gap has walls which can be moved towards one another. It further relates to a smoking article containing such a cut, defibrated tobacco material product and the use of a plug screw feeder-extruder with a shearing gap outlet for defibrating tobacco material. |
| US08820323B2 |
Methods to administer formulations of aminoglycoside and fosfomycin combination for treatment of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) and ventilator associated tracheal (VAT) bronchitis
The present invention is antibiotic compositions, ventilator-based systems and methods relating to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and ventilator-associated tracheal (VAT) bronchitis. Antibiotic combinations of fosfomycin and an aminoglycoside, preferably amikacin, are administered via an inline nebulizer within the airway of the ventilator. Humidified conditions create an improved aerosol mist to treat VAP and VAT. |
| US08820319B2 |
Guide device for tracheal intubation
A guide adapted for facilitating insertion of a medical device into the trachea of a patient is disclosed. The guide includes an integral curved-shaped member having at least a first leg at one end of the guide. The curved-shaped member essentially includes an outside curved side defining a concave groove. A first angle is defined on the first leg configured and dimensioned to allow for at least the first leg to pass through the mouth and into the trachea of the patient. Insertion of the guide into the trachea allows for elevation of the tongue and surrounding soft tissue of the patient thereby forming an air space that allows for passage of a medical device. |
| US08820318B2 |
Drug dispenser
One aspect provides a drug dispenser device comprising a housing; extending from the housing, an outlet for insertion into a body cavity of a patient; provided to the housing and moveable with respect thereto, a drug discharge device having a longitudinal axis and comprising a container for storing a drug formulation to be dispensed, a discharge mechanism and a discharge channel from the container for discharge of the drug formulation to the outlet; connecting to the container, a container collar connected to the discharge device; connecting to the container collar and moveable with respect thereto along the longitudinal axis of the drug discharge device; connecting to the container collar and moveable with respect thereto along the longitudinal axis of the drug discharge device, a transfer element including an actuating portion; provided to the housing, at least one finger operable member moveable to apply an actuating force to the actuating portion of the transfer element to move the transfer element from an initial position along the longitudinal axis in a first direction; provided to the container collar, a pre-load mechanism to prevent transfer of the actuating force to the container collar to move the drug discharge device along the longitudinal axis in the first direction to actuate the discharge mechanism until a pre-determined threshold force is overcome; and connecting the container collar with the transfer element, a biasing return mechanism acting to bias the transfer element along the longitudinal axis in a second direction to return the transfer element to its initial position. |
| US08820317B2 |
Turbo-inhaler
The invention relates to a turbo-inhaler, comprising an active-liquid container (1) holding a liquid having an active ingredient dissolved therein, a nebulizer (2), by means of which liquid can be converted into an aerosol and introduced into a blade housing (3), in which a bounding dome (4) is suspended, the concave side (41) of which is directed at the nebulizer, an exhaust air duct (5), which is connected to the blade housing in the area of the convex side (42) of the bounding dome, and a supply-air guide (6), by means of which supply air can be introduced between the blade housing and the active ingredient, wherein at least one guide blade (7) is placed on the convex side of the bounding dome and spirally extends thereon. |
| US08820316B2 |
Drug delivery apparatus
A drug delivery apparatus comprising: a drug delivery device for selectively delivering drug-laden air or air not laden with the drug; a sensor for monitoring the breathing pattern of a patient; a controller arranged to control the drug delivery device to deliver drug-laden air in pulses which begin when the patient is monitored by the sensor to begin inhalation, the pulses having a duration which is adjusted by the controller on the basis of the monitored breathing pattern of the patient; a feedback indicator which indicates to a patient whether the monitored breathing pattern is effective for inhaling drug-laden air or not a dose calculator which calculates the dose delivered to the patient; and an indicator which indicates to the patient when a desired dose has been delivered, whereby the apparatus is configured to deliver the full amount of the desired dose in at least 80% of treatments. |
| US08820315B2 |
Solar heating system with overheating protection
A simple solar heating system incorporates a heat dissipater into a heat exchange circuit for bypassing solar collectors when either the temperature or the pressure in the heat exchange circuit exceeds preset limits. In the absence of electric controllers, fluid in the heat exchange circuit is caused to bypass the solar collectors using a valve which is controlled by either the temperature or pressure of the fluid. A solar photovoltaic panel energizes a circulating pump for increasing the rate of pumping as more solar energy is available at the PV panel and decreasing the rate as solar energy decreases. |
| US08820312B2 |
Oxygen transport reactor-based oven
The oxygen transport reactor-based oven is an oven for heating articles, such as bread, using oxygen transport reactor-based combustion in order to recycle carbon dioxide, rather than releasing the carbon dioxide into the environment. The oven includes an upper furnace chamber having a plurality of oxygen transport reactors disposed therein. A mixture of fuel and gaseous carbon dioxide is delivered to the interior of each oxygen transport reactor. Pressurized air is then delivered to the upper furnace chamber, so that oxygen from the pressurized air is driven through an ion transport membrane of each oxygen transport reactor to combust with the fuel. This combustion produces carbon dioxide, water vapor and heat. The generated heat is used to heat the articles to be heated, which are received within a heating chamber positioned beneath the upper furnace chamber. |
| US08820299B2 |
Fuel injection control system for internal combustion engine
An object of the invention is to detect, in a fuel injection control system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a low pressure fuel pump and a high pressure fuel pump, a failure in the fuel injection system including the high pressure fuel pump with high accuracy. To achieve the object, in the fuel injection control system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a low pressure fuel pump and a high pressure fuel pump according to the invention, when a discharge failure in the high pressure fuel pump is detected, the discharge pressure of the low pressure fuel pump is increased. Then, it is determined whether a discharge failure in the high pressure fuel pump occurs or not. If occurs, it is concluded that the fuel injection system including the high pressure fuel pump is in failure. |
| US08820297B2 |
Control device for internal combustion engine
A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing portion changing a phase of opening and closing of each of an intake valve and an exhaust valve into a target phase; an EGR valve adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation amount recirculated from an exhaust side to an intake side; a supercharging efficiency control portion controlling a supercharging efficiency of a supercharger; a throttle valve adjusting an intake air amount; and the internal combustion engine feedback-controls at least two of the EGR valve, the supercharging efficiency control portion, and the throttle valve, and feedforward-controls the variable valve timing portion. |
| US08820296B2 |
Control device for engine
An ECU 1 is provided for an engine 50 provided with an exhaust VVT 57 which is capable of varying opening and closing timings of an exhaust valve 55A of plural exhaust valves 55 provided for a combustion chamber 58 with respect to opening and closing timings of an exhaust valve 55B of plural exhaust valves 55. The ECU 1 is provided with a control unit performing the phase control for making the opening timing of the exhaust valve 55A identical to the opening timing of the exhaust valve 55B when the engine 50 accelerates. Specifically, the control unit performs the advance control for making the phase of the exhaust valve 55A identical to the phase of the exhaust valve 55B. |
| US08820295B2 |
Single actuator fuel injector for dual fuels
Fuel injectors are disclosed that are capable of simultaneously delivering liquid and gaseous fuels to the combustion chamber of a compression ignition engine. For example, fuel injectors are disclosed that can deliver liquid diesel fuel, as a pilot liquid, along with a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas or other available fuels that are gases at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The fuels are delivered to the needle control valve cavity sequentially via separate passageways. The delivery of the pressurized liquid fuel is actuated by the single actuator that is provided for each fuel injector. The actuator may be of a solenoid type or of a piezoelectric type or other suitable actuator as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. A liquid fuel check valve, in combination with the actuator, controls the delivery of the pilot liquid fuel to the needle control valve cavity. |
| US08820291B2 |
Connecting rod with offset cap holes for internal combustion engine
A connecting rod including a connecting rod body and a cap attached to the connecting rod body by a plurality of bolts. The connecting rod body includes a shank having a centerline. Two of the bolts are positioned at a first distance from the centerline and two of the bolts are positioned at a second distance from the centerline that is greater than the first distance. The plurality of bolts may be disposed symmetrically about a centroid of a planar face of the connecting rod. |
| US08820288B2 |
Steel piston for internal combustion engines
A semifinished product blank, suitable for the production of a steel piston (1) for internal combustion engines having cylinder crankcases made of light metal alloys. Such a steel piston (1) has at least one upper piston part (4) which has a combustion recess (2) and an annular wall (3), and a lower piston part (4′) which has a piston skirt (5) and a connecting rod bearing (6). The semifinished product blank is made of an austenitic steel, that is stabilized with Ni, Mn and N and that has a thermal expansion coefficient in a range of 16 to 21×10−6 K−1. Also disclosed is a steel piston, which at least has a piston skirt (5) made of an austenitic steel that is stabilzed with Ni, Mn, N. The piston skirt (5) has a thermal expansion coefficient in a range of 16 to 21×10−6 K−1. |
| US08820284B2 |
Variable valve gear for internal combustion engine
A variable valve gear for an internal combustion engine that is capable of being disposed in a small compact manner and also capable of reducing the generation of a knocking sound. In a variable valve gear, a camshaft is supported by supporting walls of a cylinder head, and camshaft holders formed separately from the supporting walls, two exhaust rocker arms are disposed adjacent to each other, and a connecting pin is movably inserted into pin holes provided in the exhaust rocker arms by an actuator through a pushrod to connect or disconnect the exhaust rocker arms to or from each other. In the variable valve gear, the pushrod is slidably supported in a rod insertion hole of the camshaft holder with the connecting pin being disposed between the pair of camshaft holders and has an axis that is offset toward the camshaft with respect to an axis of the pushrod. |
| US08820283B2 |
Internal combustion engine
A camshaft may have an inner shaft and an outer shaft, each rotatable relative to the other. An adjusting device may include a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The outer shaft may be mounted in a stationary counter bearing adjacent to the adjusting device and the adjusting device may have a first phase adjuster and a second phase adjuster. The counter bearing may be designed as a slide bearing and oil supply to the phase adjusters may take place via the slide bearing. The slide bearing may have a first, second and third oil channel. The first oil channel may act on the first phase adjuster with corresponding oil flows, the second oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a first oil flow, and the third oil channel may act on the second phase adjuster with a second oil flow. |
| US08820282B2 |
Pressure accumulator arrangement for a camshaft adjusting system
A pressure accumulator arrangement in a camshaft for a camshaft adjusting system of an internal combustion engine, having at least one pressure accumulator and at least one control valve, characterized in that the pressure accumulator and control valve are connected to form a structural unit. |
| US08820278B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotary body, a driven-side rotary body, a fluid pressure chamber partitioned into a retard angle chamber and an advance angle chamber by a partitioning portion provided in at least one of the driving-side rotary body and the driven-side rotary body, a fluid control mechanism for controlling feeding of working fluid from a working fluid pump for feeding the working fluid to the fluid pressure chamber and controlling also discharging of the working fluid from the fluid pressure chamber, a first lock mechanism capable of restraining a relative rotational phase to a first predetermined phase between a most retarded angle phase and a most advanced angle phase, and a second lock mechanism capable of restraining the relative rotational phase to a second predetermined phase different from the first predetermined phase. |
| US08820274B2 |
Four-stroke engine and outboard motor
A four-stroke engine includes a cylinder head, a cylinder body connected to the cylinder head, and a fuel injection valve. The cylinder head defines a combustion chamber, an intake port that communicates with the combustion chamber, and an exhaust port that communicates with the combustion chamber. The fuel injection valve is held by the cylinder head on a side extending from the exhaust port to the cylinder body. The fuel injection valve is arranged so as to supply a fuel mist directly to the combustion chamber by jetting the fuel mist toward the combustion chamber. |
| US08820271B2 |
Method for controlling the flow of a cooling liquid
A method for controlling flow of a cooling liquid in a combustion engine, including a casing and a water pump. A material temperature estimate, corresponding to the hottest point in the casing, is carried out from a stored power calculation calculated by a restored power integral corresponding to power restored to the cooling liquid if the cooling liquid were set in motion. |
| US08820269B2 |
Method and system for operating a compression ignition engine on alcohol containing primary fuels
Method of operating a compression ignition engine on ether containing fuel obtained by on board conversion of an alcohol containing primary fuel, and a system for use in the method. The alcohol containing primary fuel is heated within a dehydration reactor by indirect heat exchange with ether containing fuel prepared in the dehydration reactor by dehydrating the alcohol containing primary fuel. The ether containing fuel is cooled prior to withdrawal from the reactor as a result of the indirect heat exchange with the alcohol containing primary fuel. |
| US08820261B2 |
Method for detecting anomalies on a submarine object
A method for detecting anomalies on a submarine object, in particular in the submarine region on a hull of a moored warcraft, which method carries out very reliable sensing of the submarine object by way of an unmanned small submarine vehicle that is equipped with simple sensor equipment, such as an acoustic sensor for measuring distances and a barometric cell for determining depth, and which method obtains a profile of the submarine object by navigating the small submarine vehicle with a constant transversal distance to the submarine object, in which profile an anomaly present on the submarine object becomes is apparent from the profile line. |
| US08820259B2 |
Pendular system for transporting a civil engineering structure in an aquatic medium
A method for transporting a civil engineering structure including a mast in an aquatic medium is presented. In an embodiment, the method includes fastening the civil engineering structure to at least one flotation unit, moving the civil engineering structure and the connected flotation unit in the aquatic medium as far as a desired position. The civil engineering structure may be fastened to the flotation unit in a region situated above the center of equilibrium of the civil engineering structure connected to the flotation unit. The connection may be configured to uncouple the rotational movements of the flotation unit and of the civil engineering structure about at least one axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mast of the civil engineering structure. |
| US08820258B2 |
Chain connector
A chain connector for holding a chain (14) that moors a vessel to the sea floor under perhaps 2000 tons tension, which can be quickly disconnected in an emergency by applying a moderate disconnecting force such as 50 tons. The chain is hold by ratchets (24, 26) that are mounted on arms (34, 36). The arms have upper ends (35) that am pivotally mounted on a housing (38) and have free lower ends (44), with the lower ends being held by cams (50) on locking dogs (52) that have locking dog lower ends (51) pivotally mounted on the housing and free upper ends (60). A hydraulic actuator (70) has pins (58) that engage the upper ends of the locking dogs to prevent the arms and dogs from pivoting apart until the looking dog upper ends (60) are raised. |
| US08820256B2 |
Frictional resistance reducing device of ship
A gas room is arranged in a hull to cross a longitudinal frame and extend in a width direction. A scattering member is arranged in the gas room to cross the longitudinal frame and extend in the width direction. Air blown into the gas room from an air supply pipe hits the scattering member to scatter in the width direction, and is blown from an air blowing hole formed in a bottom of the gas room into water. Because the gas room crosses the longitudinal frame and extends in the width direction, an air bubble flow with a wide width forms in the width direction by the single gas room. Therefore, the number of gas rooms for air bubble flow which covers the whole width of a ship bottom is reduced, and the number of air supply pipes which are provided to every gas room is reduced. |
| US08820251B2 |
Soil tilling and planting implement
A mount for carrying a plurality of field-conditioning implements selected from trash whipping implements, rolling baskets and coulters for connection to a planter is disclosed. A height and force adjustable mounting system is also disclosed for use with a planter that enables the force of such an implement on the soil to be modulated as desired. |
| US08820248B2 |
Continuously variable dynamic brake for a locomotive
This disclosure is directed to a traction motor drive system. The traction motor drive system may include a field winding subsystem comprising a field winding associated with a traction motor. The traction motor drive system may also include an armature subsystem arranged in parallel with the field winding subsystem. The armature subsystem may include an armature having first and second armature terminals and a grid resistor selectively electrically coupled in series with the armature. The armature subsystem may also include an armature chopper arranged in parallel with the grid resistor and electrically coupled in series with the armature. The armature chopper may be configured, when the grid resistor is electrically coupled to the armature, to conditionally conduct current to the armature. |
| US08820244B2 |
Activation unit for munitions-free decoy target
An arc-based active body activation unit is provided. To this end, ignition of the active mass or flare is effected by means of arcing. The arc can be used immediately and is low-maintenance. For that purpose, electrode pairs are disposed around the ejector tube, at least one of which pairs serves the ignition of the arc(s). For that purpose, the electrode pairs are electronically connected via connecting lines to at least one control unit. |
| US08820243B2 |
Integrated electric match initiator module with isolated lift and burst function for a pyrotechnic device
An electric match assembly for initiating a pyrotechnic device, the electric match assembly comprising an element for connection to a leader carrying the signal; a first electric match component for connection to the lift charge of the pyrotechnic device, the first electric match component connected to the element such that when the element is connected to the leader and the first electric match component is connected to the lift charge, the signal in the leader is applied to the lift charge; a second electric match component for connection to the time fuse connected to the burst charge of the pyrotechnic device, the second electric match component connected to the element such that when the element is connected to the leader and the second electric match component is connected to the time fuse, the signal in the leader is applied to the time fuse of the burst charge. |
| US08820232B2 |
Screen printing device and screen printing method
Prior to a mark imaging process executed for the purpose of detecting a position of recognition marks for positioning the substrate and the mask, an optical axis calibration processing process of detecting a horizontal relative position between imaging optical axes, and a surface correction data creation processing process of detecting a local positional deviation of the imaging optical axes, which is caused by the travel of the imaging unit, are executed. Before starting production, a production pre-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision is executed by using a verification substrate and a verification mask, and after starting the production, a production post-start precision evaluation process for evaluating a substrate positioning precision after starting the production is executed by using a commercial production substrate and a commercial production mask. |
| US08820231B2 |
Roll-to-roll printing apparatus
Disclosed is a roll-to-roll printing apparatus, which includes n support rollers arranged in an n-gonal shape (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 3), a looped pattern mask having a plurality of pattern sections passing through inner and outer surfaces thereof and disposed so as to interconnect the support rollers, a driver that rotates the pattern mask, a transfer unit having an unwinder and a rewinder of a printing target and a backup roller that is disposed between two of the support rollers adjacent to each other and outside the pattern mask and that supports the printing target transferred from the unwinder to the rewinder, a printing unit disposed inside the pattern mask and discharging ink toward the printing target supported on the backup roller, and a tension adjusting unit adjusting tension of the pattern mask. |
| US08820228B2 |
Tool for use in marking a golf ball
A tool for use in marking a golf ball includes a body having a curved portion configured to receive a golf ball and extend along a portion of an outer surface of the golf ball. The body includes at least one track extending along the curved portion. Each track includes an aperture adapted to receive a writing instrument to permit marking of the golf ball through the aperture. |
| US08820227B2 |
Strapping machine for tying packages, in particular metal strips wound into coils
A strapping machine for securing at least one strap around a package has a binding head engageable against the package, a cincher, and a welder for connecting ends of the tightened strap. The welder has at least one upper advanceable welding electrode in an electrode housing and a counter electrode temporarily interacting therewith. A slide plate movable toward the package, forms the counter electrode, engages underneath overlapping ends of the strapping and directly on the package, and has a projecting tongue spaced from the welding electrode and a plate end part connected to a positioning mechanism. |
| US08820225B2 |
Apparatus and method for sensing and controlling the concentration of pulp in a concentrated pulp stream
A juice processing apparatus includes a concentrator for generating at least one concentrated pulp stream, and a pulp pasteurizer coupled downstream from the concentrator. A flow restrictor is coupled in the at least one concentrated pulp stream for generating a pressure drop therein. The pressure drop is indicative of a concentration of pulp in the at least one concentrated pulp stream. At least one pressure sensor is associated with the flow restrictor for sensing the pressure drop. A controller is for controlling the concentrator based upon the sensed pressure drop. |
| US08820222B2 |
Cooking pan with strainer
Described herein is a cooking assembly, generally comprising two major components, these components being a cooking pan and an insert 24 having a perforated portion which would retain the desired food component within the pan, and allow the fluid component to be removed through the perforations. |
| US08820220B2 |
Pressure vessel
A pressure vessel includes a pot-like receptacle and a lid for placing thereon, the two being detachably locked together and including a circumferential sealing ring made of elastically yielding material which is located in the region of a circular edge of the lid and a circular edge of the pot for the purpose of sealing the interior against a drop in pressure. Sealing lips of the sealing ring come into close contact with the edge of the lid and the edge of the receptacle, in which case, for producing an automatic pressure-control mechanism, the sealing ring is formed over at least one portion of its circumference in such a way that it is deformed, under a pressure inside the vessel which exceeds a given value (response pressure), so as to form a venting gap between the receptacle and the lid. |
| US08820219B2 |
Food preparation system
An automated food preparation system is described. It allows precise, automated control of the food preparation process, and has the ability to perform an automated cleanup. It comprises at least one manipulator to process and move ingredients, a control system, an autonomously accessible ingredient storage system, and at least one cooking receptacle. |
| US08820207B2 |
Braiding mechanism and methods of use
A tubular braid and mechanisms for forming the braid are described. The mechanism for braiding includes a disc, a mandrel, a plurality of catch mechanisms, and a plurality of actuators. The disc defines a plane and a circumferential edge. The mandrel extends from a center of the disc and is adapted to hold a plurality of filaments extending radially from the mandrel toward the circumferential edge of the disc. The plurality of catch mechanisms are positioned circumferentially around the edge of the disc and are adapted to engage a filament. The plurality of actuators are configured to move relative to one another and are adapted to move the plurality of catch mechanisms in a substantially radial direction relative to the circumferential edge of the disc. |
| US08820206B2 |
Bullet projectile and case feeding device
The present invention relates to a bullet-projectile and case feeding device, characterized in that it comprises a drum (1) internally provided with at least two compartments: a concentric inner compartment (6), and another outer compartment (7), wherein the compartments (6, 7) are suitable for housing cases or bullets-projectiles. The bottom of the drum (1) has an inclination of essentially 45° to 70°, the compartments are provided with: first housings (8) and second housings (9) forming positioning means for positioning the bullets-projectiles and cases, and one inner tube (3) and one outer tube (4) per compartment for feeding the assembly press, said bullets-projectiles and cases being moved in a disorderly manner when the drum rotates (1) and accessing said inner tube (3) and outer tube (4). The device is used in a feeding method for feeding bullets and cases to an assembly press and in a case annealing method. |
| US08820201B2 |
Tear-away packaging for engraving
Engraving an article of manufacture by receiving the article of manufacture contained in packaging having a removable portion which covers a targeted engraving area of the article contained therein, removing the removable portion of the packaging to expose the targeted engraving area of the article of manufacture for engraving the exposed targeted engraving area of the article of manufacture. |
| US08820198B2 |
Autofeed screwdriving tool
A screwdriver for collated screws in which a tip of the screw projects forwardly of the tool prior to initiation of the screwdriving sequence and, preferably, a forwardly directed socket carried on a retractable nose portion engages the head of the screw to be driven and urges the screw forwardly into a workpiece such that the pinching of the screw between the nose portion and the workpiece initiates retraction of the nose portion preferably leading to engagement of the screw by a rotating driver shaft. |
| US08820188B2 |
Park-position mechanism for engine
A park-position mechanism includes a selector mechanism that includes a cam mounted on a selector hub shaft, a park gear mounted on a main shaft and corresponding in position to the cam, a park arm arranged between the cam and the park gear. The park arm has a holed base fit over a stud that rotates and supports the park arm in a crankshaft case. A torsion spring is arranged between the park arm and the crankshaft case with ends attached to the park arm and the crankshaft case respectively. The park arm has a driven section and an engaging section respectively extending from opposite sides of the holed base. The engaging section forms a projection. The driven section forms a hole in which a guide rod is received in an axially movable manner. The guide rod is engaged with the earn and is thus selectively driven by the cam to cause engagement of the projection of the engaging section with the park gear. A resilient member is arranged between the hole and the guide rod. The resilient member and the guide rod function to absorb a driving force induced by the earn to eliminate direct application of the force on the driven section thereby protecting the park arm from being damaged by excessive amount of force acting thereon and enhancing operation smooth of switching to the PARK position. |
| US08820187B2 |
Shifting device
A shifting device comprises a selector lever movable relative to a fixed part and selector lever lock for preventing the lever from being moved when in a locking position (P) in which a vehicle transmission is blocked. The lock comprises a slider coupled with lever configured to slide through the fixed part from the locking position (P) to an unlocking position (R, N, D) in which vehicle transmission is unblocked. The slider may comprise one or more stop such that the slider can only be displaced through the fixed part or otherwise allowed to be rotated about an axis for changing into any of the unlocking positions (R, N, D). |
| US08820184B2 |
Manual transmission for vehicles
A manual transmission for vehicles minimizes rotational inertia and improves rattle as a consequence of preventing unnecessary idling of a first speed gear and a reverse speed gear by maintaining a first input gear to be a free gear state at all shift-speeds except a first forward speed and a reverse speed. |
| US08820182B2 |
Apparatus for the wireless remote monitoring of storage tank roofs
This invention relates to the remote monitoring of the floating roofs of large storage tanks, including tanks used for storing liquid petroleum products or other chemicals. The invention is used to monitor the position and flexure of the roof and other conditions such as vibration; the presence of vapors or liquids from water, hydrocarbons, or other chemicals; the presence of snow; or the presence of intruders. The invention can be connected to a monitoring system using wired or wireless means and can be used for routine status monitoring or for notifying plant operators in the event of alarm conditions. The invention can be completely self-contained and is suitable for encapsulation and use in harsh environments. |
| US08820181B2 |
Grain sampler and method of sampling grain flow
A sampler improves sampling and moisture measurements by reducing the introduction of fines, providing a more representative grain sample, and improving the ability to make consistent moisture measurements. The sampler has a body positioned to receive grain from a grain flow path. A primary auger positioned within the body has a shaft and a fin configured to lift and propel a portion of the grain up to and through a sampling opening. A sensor assembly operatively connected to the body and in communication with the sampling opening is configured to receive the portion of grain indicate the moisture content of the portion of grain. |
| US08820180B2 |
Monolithic magneto-strictive load transducer
A load sensor is provided comprising a magnetostrictive material and a wire. The magnetostrictive material may comprise an aperture, a first face, a second face, a thickness, and a first dado. The wire is disposed at least partially in the first dado, wherein the first dado at least partially transverses at least one of the first face and the second face, wherein the wire at least partially transverses the first face and the second face. The load sensor may also comprise a magnetostrictive material comprising an aperture, a first face, a second face, a thickness, and a first channel, and a wire disposed at least partially in the first channel, wherein the first channel at least partially transverses at least one of the first face and the second face, wherein the wire at least partially transverses the first face and the second face. |
| US08820179B2 |
Pressing force input device
An operation body is oscillatably supported by a fulcrum member. One side of the operation body is in contact with a projection of an actuator of a pressing force sensor, and a preload is applied to another side of the operation body by a compression coil spring as a preloading elastic member. By the preload, a detection output of the pressing force sensor is set at a neutral point. An operating force by which the one side of the operation body is pressed and an operating force by which the other side of the operation body is pressed can be distinctly detected with the single pressing force sensor. |
| US08820175B1 |
Sensor for two-phase flow measurements
The sensor for two-phase flow measurements is installed between two sections of pipe, providing an accurate measurement of radial temperature gradient in a two-phase flow. The sensor includes a heated tube having axially opposed first and second open ends. An annular sensor mount is secured about the first end thereof. First and second annular flanges are mounted to the heated tube for fluid-tight connection with the pair of pipe sections such that a two-phase fluid flowing through the pair of pipe sections continuously flows through the heated tube and a circular opening defined by the annular sensor mount. A central temperature sensor is suspended centrally within the circular opening for measuring a central temperature of the two-phase fluid. At least one peripheral temperature sensor is mounted on the annular sensor mount adjacent an inner annular wall thereof for measuring the peripheral temperature of the two-phase fluid. |
| US08820174B2 |
Dual threshold sensor for detecting relative movement
A sensor detects relative mechanical movement between two components. The sensor has two arms, and is to be mounted on one of the two components. Each of the arms has pins received in an opening in two fuse portions. The arms are pivotal within a fuse bracket. The two fuse portions include a thin portion to allow each to fracture. The fuse portions are designed to be distinct such that a distinct amount of relative movement between the first and second arms is allowed before each of the fuse portions fracture. |
| US08820173B2 |
Contact sensors and methods for making same
Disclosed herein are novel contact sensors. The contact sensors disclosed herein include a conductive composite material formed of a polymer and a conductive filler. In one particular aspect, the composite materials can include less than about 10 wt % conductive filler. Thus, the composite material of the contact sensors can have physical characteristics essentially identical to the polymer, while being electrically conductive with the electrical resistance proportional to the load on the sensor. The sensors can provide real time dynamic contact information for joint members under conditions expected during use. |
| US08820172B2 |
Flight unit control system, flight control device including such a system, and use of such a system
A flight unit control system having at least one instrumented fastening bolt connecting an aircraft carrier structure and a load path, the instrumented bolt having at least one measurement area for detecting that the load path is under load and including a fastener for locking the instrumented bolt in a position relative to the aircraft carrier structure and load path and wherein the measurement area has two cavities and at least one strain gauge and wherein the fastener includes a plate which is positioned at a threaded end of the instrumented bolt which bears against one of the aircraft carrier structure and the load path and which extends perpendicularly to an axis of the bolt and a nut which is placed at the threaded end of the instrumented bolt to immobilize the instrumented bolt relative to the aircraft structure or the load path. |
| US08820171B2 |
Method to monitor safe operation of an ultracapacitor
A container of an electrochemical double-layer capacitor for holding electrodes and electrolyte includes a housing having a cavity and a cap portion coupled to the housing forming a fluid-tight reservoir with the cavity. The container also includes a plurality of terminals incorporated into one or more of the housing or the cap portion, where the plurality of terminals adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrodes, and a pressure-compliant membrane incorporated into one of the housing or the cap portion. A pressure monitoring system that monitors the pressure inside the container includes a displacement measuring device adapted to measure a deflection of the pressure-compliant membrane. |
| US08820169B2 |
Compensation of stress effects on pressure sensor components
Pressure sensors having components with reduced variations due to stresses caused by various layers and components that are included in the manufacturing process. In one example, a first stress in a first direction causes a variation in a component. A second stress in a second direction is applied, thereby reducing the variation in the component. The first and second stresses may be caused by a polysilicon layer, while the component may be a resistor in a Wheatstone bridge. |
| US08820168B2 |
Device for reducing pressure pulses in pressure sensors
A device for damping pressure pulses, in particular in a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor includes a housing. A damping insert, on whose peripheral surface runs a damping channel, is located in the pressure channel of the housing. |
| US08820167B2 |
Vibration sensor
A sensor includes a housing adapted to be secured to a component within a system to be monitored by the sensor, an optical fiber, and a membrane spring assembly. The optical fiber includes a sensing portion containing a fiber Bragg grating that is able to undergo expansion and contraction resulting from movement of the optical fiber at a second location relative to a first location. The membrane spring assembly includes a membrane disc, wherein movement of a central portion thereof causes corresponding displacement of the optical fiber at the second location to cause expansion and contraction of the sensing portion of the optical fiber containing the fiber Bragg grating, which expansion and contraction effects a change in a light wavelength reflected by the fiber Bragg grating. The light wavelength reflected by the fiber Bragg grating can be used to measure movement of the central portion of the membrane disc. |
| US08820164B2 |
Retroreflector for ultrasonic inspection
A system for ultrasonic inspection of a structure includes a transducer located at a first surface of the structure to transmit an ultrasonic signal from the transducer through the first surface to a second surface of the structure located substantially opposite the first surface. A plurality of retroreflector elements are located at the second surface to reflect the ultrasonic signal back toward the transducer. A method of ultrasonic inspection of a structure includes transmitting an ultrasonic signal from a transducer located at a first surface of the structure toward a second surface of the structure located substantially opposite the first surface. The ultrasonic signal is reflected back toward the transducer via a plurality of retroreflector elements disposed at the second surface. |
| US08820163B2 |
Nondestructive inspection apparatus and nondestructive inspection method using guided wave
A nondestructive inspection apparatus includes a pair of guided wave sensors disposed on an outer surface of a piping and a guided wave inspection device connected to the pair of guided wave sensors which, outputs a transmitting signal for propagating a guided wave to the guided wave sensors, and obtains a receiving signal by receiving a propagated signal by the guided wave sensors. An inspection-result storage device stores the guided wave as a digitized signal of the received wave and an inspection-result diagnostic device performs arithmetic processing of judging whether or not a signal associated with a defect exists. |
| US08820162B2 |
Pressed workpiece inspection apparatus
Provided is a pressed workpiece inspection apparatus. A main body of a finger mounted on a palletizer robot that transports a finished workpiece W to a palette includes the following components: two vacuum cups configured to attract the finished workpiece W, a vibrating mechanism configured to vibrate the finished workpiece W, a vibration detection sensor configured to detect a vibrational state of the finished workpiece W caused by the vibrating mechanism, a data logger configured to store and retain a detected signal from the vibration detection sensor, a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the detected signal stored and retained in the data logger to an analyzer, and a rechargeable battery configured to drive the vibration detection sensor, the data logger, and the transmitter. The analyzer determines whether or not the finished workpiece W is non-defective, based on the detected signal from the transmitter. |
| US08820149B2 |
Method for oscillation measurement on rotor blades or wind power installations
Method for spectral evaluation of oscillation signals which have been obtained on a rotor blade of a wind power installation with an accelerations sensor. In doing so, instead of the otherwise conventional Fourier transform calculation, the spectral power density is computed. In the evaluation, also signal portions are considered which are not detected in the Fourier transform because they do not go back to oscillations which have been excited in the rotor blade. |
| US08820146B2 |
Cleanliness inspection apparatus and cleanliness inspection method for object to be inspected
An ultrasonic generator tank includes an ultrasonic generator contains a first liquid in which ultrasonic waves propagate. A particle extraction vessel contains a high-purity second liquid, such as ultrapure water, and an object to be inspected. A power unit is turned on to oscillate the ultrasonic generator. The particle extraction vessel, which contains the second liquid and the to-be-inspected object, is inserted into the first liquid from above the surface thereof after the lapse of a first time since the start of oscillation of the ultrasonic generator. As the particle extraction vessel is inserted into the first liquid, the ultrasonic generator continues to produce ultrasonic waves. The quantity of particles contained in the second liquid is measured after the lapse of a second time. |
| US08820141B2 |
Gas detection device
Device for detecting a gas having an excitation device for exciting the gas by an electromagnetic wave having a wavelength corresponding approximately to that of the gas; and a detection device for detecting the excitation of the gas, the detection device having a waveguide connected to the excitation device, a part of which forms a movable element designed to be in contact with the gas and capable of being set into vibration by the impact of the excited gas molecules; and a measurement sensor, for measuring the vibration of the element, the measurement sensor and the element forming the detection device. |
| US08820140B2 |
System for analyzing a gas mixture including at least one chromatography column
A system for analyzing a gas mixture, including at least one chromatography column, a mechanism injecting the mixture into the column, and a mechanism detecting compound(s) forming the gas mixture, the detection mechanism including at least one detector of nanosensor type of an outlet of the column and a detector of nanosensor type in the column, capable of detecting passage of the compounds. It is then possible to determine the velocity of each of the compounds within the system. |
| US08820135B2 |
Auto calibration / validation of oxygen sensor in breathing apparatus
A method for operating an oxygen sensor arrangement senses the oxygen in a breathing loop of a breathing apparatus. The sensor arrangement includes a primary oxygen sensor to measure the oxygen in the breathing loop, a secondary oxygen sensor to measure the oxygen in the breathing loop, and a control arrangement to obtain measures from the oxygen sensor. A test channel arrangement provides a first gas having a first fraction of oxygen from a first gas supply to the primary oxygen sensor at a position adjacent to the primary oxygen sensor. A test valve arrangement opens and closes the flow of the first gas through the test channel arrangement. The control arrangement actuates the first test valve arrangement to provide an amount of the first gas to the primary oxygen sensor via the test channel arrangement and obtain measures from the primary and secondary oxygen sensors. |
| US08820131B2 |
Shot peening apparatus
To correspond to a shape of a shot-peening worked portion and to prevent a situation where shot media scatter around the worked portion. To achieve this object, a shot peening apparatus for hitting shot media B against a welded part W and for applying a compressive stress to the welded part includes a kinetic-energy applying unit 26 that applies kinetic energy to the shot media B by an oscillator 26b, and a surrounding unit that surrounds both a worked portion U including the welded part W and surroundings of the oscillator 26b, and that confines the shot media B within the surrounded region while changing a state to correspond to a shape of the worked portion U. |
| US08820128B2 |
Anti-picking device for lock and key thereof
An anti-picking device for a lock includes a casing, a rotating body, a key guiding seat and a linking member. The casing has a compartment. The rotating body is rotatably received in the compartment and has an actuated member adapted to rotate the rotating body relatively to the casing and an insertion hole axially connecting two end faces of the rotating body. The key guiding seat is received in the compartment and has an arc guiding groove and a receiving hole. The arc guiding groove communicates with the receiving hole, and the receiving hole penetrates through the key guiding seat in the axial direction. The linking member is received in the receiving hole of the key guiding seat and has an engaging part at a first end, while a second end of the linking member extends out of the receiving hole. |
| US08820125B1 |
Padlock assembly
A padlock assembly includes two padlock halves fastened with at least one fastener, and a cylinder lock assembled with the padlock halves. A shackle has legs that are receivable in the padlock halves and lockable with the cylinder lock. The padlock halves are interlocked with the shackle such that even if the at least one fastener is removed, if the shackle is in a locked position with the cylinder lock, the two padlock halves cannot be separated from each other. |
| US08820122B2 |
Titania-doped quartz glass and making method
A titania-doped quartz glass suited as an EUV lithographic member is prepared by feeding a silicon-providing reactant gas and a titanium-providing reactant gas through a burner along with hydrogen and oxygen, subjecting the reactant gases to oxidation or flame hydrolysis to form synthetic silica-titania fine particles, depositing the particles on a rotating target, and concurrently melting and vitrifying the deposited particles to grow an ingot of titania-doped quartz glass. The target is retracted such that the growth front of the ingot may be spaced a distance of at least 250 mm from the burner tip. |
| US08820117B2 |
Attachable ornament with functional features
An attachable ornament for use with short haired, short furred, or hairless animals. In one embodiment, the ornament includes an ornamental portion, a strip of first material having a first side attached to said ornamental portion and a second side having a fur safe adhesive coating thereon. It also includes a strip of second material substantially covering and removably adhered to the adhesive coating, wherein said second strip of material is removable without substantially degrading the effective tackiness of the fur safe adhesive coating. In another embodiment, the ornament includes an ornamental portion having a receptacle having a lip for for slidably receiving an insertable adhesive tab. In either embodiment the ornamental portion may optionally include various functional means such as dispenser of therapeutic scent, powder or ointment, or a portion that changes color when a pet is exposed to too much ultraviolet light. |
| US08820114B2 |
Cooling of heat intensive systems
Disclosed herein is a cooling system that utilizes a supersonic cooling cycle. The cooling system includes accelerating a compressible working fluid, and may not require the use of a conventional mechanical pump. The cooling system accelerates the fluid to a velocity equal to or greater than the speed of sound in the compressible fluid selected to be used in the system. A phase change of the fluid due at least in part to a pressure differential cools a working fluid that may be utilized to transfer heat from a heat intensive system. |
| US08820110B2 |
Ice and water system in refrigerator with stirring fan in ice chamber
A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment which includes an ice chamber. The ice chamber includes an ice maker which includes a first heat exchanger for producing ice. The ice chamber further includes an ice container, a second heat exchanger, an air moving apparatus, and an enclosed loop passageway. The ice container is for storing ice produced by the ice maker and includes an exterior surface. The second heat exchanger is for controlling temperature at the ice container. The passageway forms an air flow path such that air travels in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger. The air moving apparatus is positioned to move air through the passageway. |
| US08820108B2 |
Refrigerator including ice maker
A refrigerator including an ice maker is disclosed. The refrigerator includes an ice maker comprising: an ice making tray rotatably provided therein; a driving unit connected with the ice making tray, to rotate the ice making tray selectively; and a cooling member provided in the ice making tray, contactable with water supplied to the ice making tray. |
| US08820105B2 |
Medium voltage power controller
A medium voltage power controller box is mounted on a chiller unit with the other components of the chiller system. The power controller box can be positioned on the chiller system unit to permit the power controller box to be close coupled to the motor, and specifically to the main motor lead exit hub without the need for any power conduit connections between the power controller box and the motor. In addition, the power controller box also does not require any control interface and receives controls from a control panel. A short conduit connection between the control panel and the power controller box is used to provide the necessary connections between the control panel and the power controller box. |
| US08820104B2 |
Temperature regulation system with active jetting type refrigerant supply and regulation
This invention is characterized by an air conditioning system that jets actively a refrigerant into an evaporator in an active jetting manner so as to enhance the diffusibility and uniformity thereof. |
| US08820100B2 |
Apparatus, method, and system for automatically turning off an actuator in a refrigeration device upon detection of an unwanted condition
An apparatus, method, and system for automatically turning off an electrically powered actuator in a refrigeration mechanism upon detection of an unwanted condition. In one aspect of the invention, the electrically powered actuator can be the motor of an ice maker/dispenser. The detection can be accomplished by sensing the presence of an object along or near an ice dispensing pathway from the ice maker/dispenser. The unwanted condition could be the presence of the object for more than a preset time period. This would allow to distinguish between an unwanted object such as silverware or clogged ice versus a wanted object such as flowing ice cubes, crushed ice, or shaved ice. |
| US08820095B2 |
Vortex-based temperature control system and method
A vortex-based temperature control system comprises a test chamber configured to receive a test article therein, a sensor disposed within the test chamber for detecting a temperature within the test chamber, a first vortex tube coupled to the test chamber for providing a heating airflow to the test chamber, and a second vortex tube coupled to the test chamber for providing a cooling airflow to the test chamber. The system also comprises a temperature controller coupled to the sensor and configured to control an airflow delivered to the first and second vortex tubes to obtain a desired temperature setting within the test chamber. |
| US08820087B2 |
Method and system for controlling fuel to a dual stage nozzle
A method and system for controlling delivery of fuel to a dual stage nozzle in the combustor of a gas turbine. A liquid fuel is conveyed from a single stage fuel supply through a plurality of primary fuel supply lines to a first nozzle stage including a plurality of primary nozzles. A predetermined operating condition of the gas turbine is identified and a signal is produced in response to the identified operating condition. The signal effects actuation of valves located on secondary fuel supply lines extending from each of the primary fuel supply lines to supply fuel to respective secondary nozzles. |
| US08820083B2 |
Thermodynamic cycle with compressor recuperation, and associated systems and methods
Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power infrastructure network. |
| US08820081B2 |
Method for operating a power plant
A method for operating a hybrid power plant comprising fuel-operated heating and solar energy heating of carrier fluids, wherein a first portion of total power provided by the power plant is based on fuel-operated heating of carrier fluids and a second portion of the total power is based on solar energy heating of carrier fluids, the heat absorbed by a solar energy heated carrier fluid is transferred to a carrier fluid circuit of a fuel-operated part of the power plant. When a sudden increase or reduction of the total power provided by the power plant is required as compared to a basic state, the second portion is first increased or reduced over a short time period in order to provide a positive or negative reserve power. Subsequently, the first portion is slowly increased or reduced and the second portion based on solar energy heating is correspondingly reduced or increased again. |
| US08820077B2 |
Saturated steam thermodynamic cycle for a turbine and an associated installation
A saturated steam or weakly superheated steam thermodynamic cycle in an electricity generating plant includes at least a nuclear energy source and a turbine having at least a high-pressure module, a medium-pressure module and a low-pressure module. The steam flows successively through the high-pressure, medium-pressure and low-pressure modules. The steam undergoes a first drying and/or superheating cycle between the high-pressure and medium-pressure modules and also a second cycle comprising at least a drying and/or a superheating process between the medium-pressure module and the low-pressure module. |
| US08820076B2 |
Solar heat collecting apparatus and solar power generation system
According to one embodiment, a solar heat collecting apparatus comprises a first heat exchanging unit and a second heat exchanging unit. The first heat exchanging unit includes a first pipe through which a heat medium flows and a first heat receiving face which receives heat of sunlight reflected by a plurality of reflecting units. The first heat exchanging unit heats the heat medium flowing through the first pipe by using heat of the first heat receiving face. A second heat exchanging unit includes a second pipe through which the heat medium heated by the first heat exchanging unit flows, a second heat receiving face which receives heat of the sunlight reflected by a plurality of reflecting units, and a nozzle provided to the second pipe to discharge the heat medium flowing through the second pipe toward a back face of the second heat receiving face. |
| US08820074B2 |
System and method to generate environment-friendly power by tapping solar energy
The system and method to generate electricity from solar energy by multi-tired solar lenses powering a steam-turbine. An insulated container mounted with convex-lenses emits steam to impact turbine blades. Over the greater solar catchment's area in the space around, larger convex lenses gather solar energy and focus beam to smaller convex lenses mounted on the container. There are various levels of lens placement acting as energy amplifiers to super-heat water inside the container. The steam passes through a directed jet nozzle, releasing to impact the turbine blades. A generator coupled to turbine shaft produces electricity. The steam, upon utilization and condensation is recycled, while still hot, to the container. On a small scale, it can be used as a supplementary power source to solar panels. Larger turbines can be placed anywhere, including offshore platforms, to tap large catchments area using multi-layered hierarchy of convex lenses. |
| US08820073B2 |
Compressor
A compressor comprises an impeller wheel mounted within a housing defining an inlet and an outlet. The wheel has a plurality of vanes and is rotatable about an axis. The housing has an inner wall defining a surface located in close proximity to radially outer edges of the impeller vanes which sweep across said surface as the impeller wheel rotates about its axis. The inlet comprises a tubular wall extending away from the impeller wheel in an upstream direction. An enclosed chamber is defined between said inner wall and an outer wall and in communication with at least one opening in said in said inner wall. The outer wall is penetrated by at least one ventilation aperture that is designed to be connected via a conduit to a location upstream of the inlet and downstream of an air filter. |
| US08820067B2 |
Variable displacement hydraulic machine, in particular for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a variable displacement hydraulic machine, in particular for a motor vehicle, said hydraulic machine comprising a rotating cylinder (10) including a series of axial pistons (12) connected to a first plate (14) axially located on one side of said cylinder within a substantially transverse plane, the slope of which can be controlled, so as to form a first controllable displacement for said machine, wherein said machine is characterized in that the cylinder (10) further comprises a second series of axial pistons (22) connected to a second plate (24), the slope of which is also controllable, said plate being axially located, relative to the first plate (14), on the other side of said cylinder so as to form a second controllable displacement for said machine. |
| US08820050B2 |
Method for minimizing ammonia slip from SCR catalysts
Embodiments for reducing ammonia slip are provided. In one example, a method for reduction of ammonia emissions from an engine exhaust gas aftertreatment device with an SCR catalyst comprises determining a concentration of NOx and/or ammonia in the exhaust gas aftertreatment device, comparing a determined value of NOx and/or ammonia concentration with a nominal value for NOx and ammonia, respectively, and if an actual or shortly forecasted ammonia concentration is above the respective nominal value, triggering engine conditions with higher exhaust NOx concentration. In this way, ammonia slip may be reduced without degrading fuel economy. |
| US08820046B2 |
Methods and systems for mitigating distortion of gas turbine shaft
Methods and systems for mitigating distortion of a shaft of a gas turbine engine are provided. One method comprises at least one step of applying intermittent rotary power to a shaft of a gas turbine engine. The step of applying intermittent power to the shaft is performed during a period where conditions of temperature differential in the engine exist capable of distorting the shaft. The methods and systems shorten the time needed to start a gas turbine engine in such a way that bowing of a shaft is not a significant problem. |
| US08820043B2 |
Method for heatless manufacture of horseshoes
A method for cold manufacturing horseshoes utilizes a laser cutter, a hydraulic press, and a sanding belt to cut horseshoes from a sheet of material without heating up the sheet of material. Information, including dimensions of the horseshoe as well as position and size of a plurality of nail holes, is fed into a control computer for the laser cutter. The laser cutter cuts an outline of the horseshoe from the sheet of material, as directed by the control computer. The laser cutter also creates nail outlines, providing a guide for the second step involving the hydraulic press. Once the nail outlines are created an appropriately sized punch is selected for the hydraulic press. The hydraulic press uses the punch to bore through the outlines, creating beveled nail holes. The horseshoe is then moved to a sanding belt, where a rear surface and edge of the horseshoe is sanded smooth. |
| US08820042B1 |
Landscape rake
A landscape rake for raking a landscape environment in both a forward and backward motion to move debris is provided. The landscape rake comprises a rake head having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, and a second end. A rake handle is releasably secured to the top surface of the rake head approximately equidistant between the first end and the second end. At least one track is formed in the bottom surface of the rake head. At least one tine system is receivable within the at least one track with a plurality of tines secured to the at least one tine system. A securing mechanism releasably secures the at least one tine system within the at least one track wherein the landscape rake allows raking of a landscape environment in both a forward and backward motion. |
| US08820040B2 |
Compression rolls on baler pick up
A baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density. |
| US08820039B2 |
Cornhead crop loss detection
A cornhead row unit including first and second longitudinally extending stripper plates mounted on a frame and having opposed stripping edges which define a gap between them. The frame further includes an adjusting arrangement operatively connecting the frame and at least one of the first and second stripper plates to selectably and transversely move at least one of the first stripper plate and second stripper plate with respect to the other stripper plate to vary the width of the gap. A loss detection device is operatively connected to the frame for permitting measurement of corn kernels lost as a result of drawing corn stalks through the gap to separate corn ears from the stalks. |
| US08820037B2 |
Thermoforming packaging machine and a method for filling packaging troughs with products
A thermoforming packaging machine according to the disclosure comprises a forming station for producing packaging troughs in a bottom foil, and a filler for filling the packaging troughs with products. The filler is arranged at a transition region for conveying the packaging troughs from a first transport plane to a second transport plane. A corresponding method for filling packaging troughs with products is also provided. |
| US08820033B2 |
Steel and wood composite structure with metal jacket wood studs and rods
A composite member provides support to a structure. A wooden core of the composite member has a perimeter and a length. The wooden core provides support to the structure. A metal jacket is tightly wrapped to an optimum circumferential pre-stress around the entire perimeter of the wooden core of the composite member and spans the entire length. The metal jacket provides also support to the structure. Furthermore, the interaction between the wooden core and the metal jacket provide a combination of strength that surpasses the sum of individual strengths. |
| US08820026B2 |
Clip for perimeter trim
A single piece sheet metal clip including a trim engaging part and a mounting part extending or extendable from the trim engaging part at a right angle, the trim engaging part having a limited height when the clip is tilted from a vertical portion and a height greater than the limited height when upright whereby the trim engaging part may be inserted between opposed channels on a rear side of a trim strip and upper and lower edges are trapped in a respective channel when rotated from the tilted position to an upright position, the trim engaging part having an integral element resiliently deflected in a channel when the clip is turned upright, said resilient element releasably locking the clip against a reversal of said movement and thereby maintaining the trim engaging part trapped in said channels. |
| US08820024B1 |
Wall building system and method
The wall building system and method uses a block for building walls and other structures. The block is formed with an external face member and an internal face member connected by an inner core, which has an outer surface formed with a concave profile. The block is fabricated in one piece to enhance strength and stability. Each face is provided with a continuous groove therearound. The continuous grooves are adapted to receive locking elements therein to interlock the blocks. Utilizing a locking element eliminates the need for binding compounds, such as mortar, thereby greatly reducing labor and material costs. |
| US08820014B2 |
Panel of a floor system
The invention concerns a panel of a flooring system, in particular a laminate floor, with a first side edge, and with a second side edge which is arranged opposite the first edge, wherein the side edges can be locked with corresponding side edges of further panels, wherein the side edges can be brought into engagement with each other, wherein the first side edge is fitted with at least one locking lip, and with an elasticity groove adjacent to the locking lip, wherein the second side edge is fitted with a locking element and wherein the locking element in the locked state is in engagement with the locking lip. To be able to set the elasticity of the locking lip more satisfactorily, it is provided that the elasticity groove is at least partly filled with at least one filling compound. |
| US08820010B2 |
Jalousie window with daylighting and shading shelf
A window assembly defines a transom opening above a movably deployable reflective shelf that is positionable to reflect sunlight into the building through the transom, and also can be closed over the transom for protection and/or privacy. The reflective shelf may be associated with a mechanically operated a jalousie window. A plurality of shading shelves may be located on the window below the reflecting shelf and similarly operable to open and close. |
| US08820009B2 |
Method of building elevated water storage tanks
A liquid storage tank has a tower section. A tank shell above the tower section encompasses a tank volume that has a capacity of at least 100,000 U.S. gallons. A reinforced ringbeam at the top of the tower section surrounds an internal area that withstands the downward force of the liquid. The ringbeam has at least one supporting face that resists downward forces. A dome sits on the supporting face and essentially covers the internal area. The dome is made of a series of laterally adjacent dome where each dome segment has an inner end that is positioned above an outer end. |
| US08820001B1 |
Roof valley rain water diverter
A roof valley water diverter is provided herein for changing direction of rain water flowing through a roof valley. The diverter includes at least first and second side plates joined together to form a trough extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to channel a flow of rain water therethrough. A deflector plate, having opposing first and second faces, is secured to at least the first and second side plates such that the first face intersects the longitudinal axis. At least one gap is defined between the first face and at least one of the first and second side plates. Advantageously, the diverter of the subject invention allows for re-direction of flow of rain water from a roof valley. |
| US08819998B2 |
Sliding door module for a motor vehicle door
A door module for a sliding door of a vehicle is disclosed. The door module includes two closing modules. When in a first installation position, the first closing module does not protrude beyond a first outer edge of the door module. When in a first functional position, the first closing module protrudes beyond the first outer edge of the door module. While the second closing module is in a second installation position, it does not protrude beyond a second outer edge of the door module; however, when in a second functional position, the second closing module protrudes beyond the second outer edge of the door module and the first and second outer edges are spatially separated from each other. Finally, at least an actuating rod, comprised of plastic, transmits an actuating force from the first closing module to the second closing module. |
| US08819997B2 |
Fastening device
A fastening device is provided for attaching an exterior trim strip (1) to a carrying structure. In order to simplify attachment of the exterior trim strip to the carrying structure, the fastening device has latching or clipping-connection elements (21-24), which are latched or clipped to an interior trim strip (33) for fastening the exterior trim strip (1) on the interior trim strip (33). |
| US08819996B2 |
Door protection device
A door protection device pivoting about an axis and being applied against a wall when in the open position includes a portion added on to outside surface of the door and a portion added on to the wall, so that, in the open position of the door, the portions nest together, the two portions of the device being aligned along the same axis of direction perpendicular to the pivoting axis of the door. |
| US08819993B1 |
Covering of building's opening
A window includes a frame, a rail module, and two sashes. The rail module includes a first rail, a second rail, and a pulley assembly. The first rail is fixed to the frame, and the second rail is able to turn. The second rail is turned to connect to the first rail so that the pulley assembly can slide in both the first and the second rails. The first sash is pivoted on the frame, and the second sash is hinged with the first sash and connected to the pulley assembly. The pulley assembly is moved to the second rail from the first rail to make the sashes fold up. After the second sash arrives at the second rail, one may turn the folded sashes totally off the window and attach them to a wall besides the window. |
| US08819992B2 |
Monitoring apparatus and pivoting door
Monitoring apparatus for monitoring a movement element pivoted between open and closed states of an opening to be closed, the apparatus having a sensor for detecting an object and for monitoring a spatial angle originating at or near the rotation axis. The sensor is fitted at or near the rotation axis and includes a transmitter and receiver for transmitting and receiving radiation within the spatial angle. The sensor emits detection signals generated by the receiver when radiation is detected. The monitoring apparatus includes an evaluation unit that evaluates the detection signals depending on the angular position of the detected radiation in the spatial angle and determines whether an object has been detected and/or the position of the detected object. The evaluation unit draws a distinction between the movement element and an object depending on the current angular position of the movement element. |
| US08819991B2 |
Method for seed devitalization
The invention provides a method for devitalizing plant seed, the method comprising the steps of hydrating a viable whole plant seed and freezing the hydrated whole plant seed. The invention further provides a collection of devitalized whole plant seed wherein the integrity of genomic DNA and protein within the devitalized plant seed is preserved. |
| US08819989B2 |
Moisturizing agent with nutrients
The present invention relates to a gelatinous moisturizing substrate for controllably delivering water and oxygen to the root zone of growing plants with micro nutrients, auxins, preservatives and surfactants added comprising a mixture, by percent weight, 97.6% water, 2.0% carboxy methol cellulose, 0.15% aluminum sulfate, 0.04% sodium benzoate, 0.04% potassium sorbate, 0.0167% zinc sulfate (22.23% zinc), 0.07% acetic acid (99%.0 pure) and 0.005% sodium sesquacarbonate. The composition maintains substrates viscosity. As a result, the moisturizing agent releases water, oxygen and the added nutrients, preservatives and surfactant into the root zone of the growing plant at a controlled rate. |
| US08819988B2 |
Method and system for organic cultivating and environmental control of container grown plants
A method and system is provided whereby the environment of the container grown plant is controlled to replicate a natural environment. Since container grown plants are not in direct contact with the soil in the earth, a container grown plant can develop its own local electrical field and static charge that can hinder the development of the plant. A plant media grounding device is provided in which copper prongs fit into a housing that is connected to a power cord. The prongs are inserted at the plant's base in the growing media. The power cord is plugged into an outlet. The plant then becomes grounded to the earth ground of the building's power distribution system. In a further embodiment, the plant media grounding device may further include a variety of sensors in order to monitor the progress of the plant and the plant's environment. |
| US08819986B2 |
Stem guides and replaceable cartridges
The invention relates to a method for adjusting the buoyancy of a fishing bobber. The method includes providing a buoyant member and a stem guide configured to receive the buoyant member, mounting the buoyant member to the stem guide and cutting the buoyant member. The buoyant member is made of a material capable of being severed by a cutting device and having first length, a lower end, and an upper end. The stem guide receives the buoyant member and a fishing line with fishing tackle. The buoyant member is cut such that the buoyant member has a second length shorter than the first length. The buoyant member is cut to a second length such that the buoyancy of the buoyant member when cut to a second length is enough to oppose the tendency of the stem guide and fishing tackle to submerse the buoyant member such that a top surface of the cut buoyant member is adjacent to the surface of the water when the stem guide, buoyant member, fishing line and any fishing tackle are placed in the water. |
| US08819985B1 |
Sight level for firearm
Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a level indicator for a firearm that is configured to be repositioned from a home position, generally above the barrel of the firearm, to an extended position, generally above and to the side of the barrel of the firearm. Several different mounting apparatuses are also disclosed, as well as variations of adjustment mechanisms. |
| US08819984B2 |
Firearm stabilization apparatus
The present disclosure provides a firearm stabilization apparatus having (1) a main body further having a stopped dado which forms a depression on a front surface of the main body; a first magnet positioned within the depression; a slot along a edge of the main body; and a second magnet positioned within the slot; and (2) a firearm further with a third magnet. |
| US08819981B2 |
Under-fold firearm stock assembly
An under-fold firearm stock assembly includes an elongated main body having a longitudinal channel and a firing mechanism opening. A stock and butt stock are positioned along the back of the main body, and a pivot assembly transitions the stock between an open and closed position. |
| US08819978B2 |
Reset assist mechanism
A reset apparatus for use in a firearm, comprising: a compression spring; a biasing member has a first end and a distal end wherein the compression spring is attached proximate to the first end of the biasing member; a notch disposed on the biasing member for cooperation with a trigger bar, wherein the trigger bar comprises a longitudinal axis defined by a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is mechanically cooperated with a firearm trigger; and wherein the compression spring communicates a force through the biasing member and onto the trigger bar in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the trigger bar. |
| US08819976B1 |
Tubular magazine firearm with sheet metal receiver
A novel firearm is lightweight, compact, and the method of manufacture is easy. A single or dual tubular magazine positioned below the barrel of a firearm includes the novel use of an inverted U-shaped stamped sheet metal receiver with a cavity for housing a loading and ejection port. The present invention advances the art of firearm manufacture by disclosing a tubular magazine and stamped sheet metal receiver that encloses the major parts of a firearm. The firearm is simple to manufacture, lightweight, approximately 25 to approximately 27 inches in length, and affords an ammunition capacity that is at least twice the capacity of a comparable firearm, such as the Remington® 870 shotgun. |
| US08819975B2 |
Rifle and kit for making same
A rifle kit comprises a rifle receiver structure having a central passage configured for having a substantially as-manufactured breech bolt of a pistol mounted therein and has one or more shoulder stock mounting portions configured for having a shoulder stock structure engaged therewith. A substantially as-manufactured breech bolt of the kit is configured by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) thereof for being mounted on a pistol receiver body configured by the OEM. The rifle barrel is mountable within the central passage of the rifle receiver structure. A chamber end portion of the rifle barrel is configured for engaging a mating portion of the substantially as-manufactured breech bolt. A shoulder stock structure of the kit includes a receiver structure engaging portion configured for allowing the shoulder stock structure to be mounted on the rifle receiver structure exclusively through engagement with the one or more stock mounting portions of the rifle receiver structure. |
| US08819974B2 |
Photo framing template and mounting bracket assembly
This invention relates to the general field of photo mounting, and more specifically toward a template and mounting assembly that can be used to effectively mount a photograph. The template has a basic design of a hard surface bordered by four open sections, which can be universally applied to a variety of different sizes and configurations of photographs. The mounting assembly includes four brackets that form the underlying frame of the mounted photograph. |
| US08819973B2 |
Front loading frame on rail display system
A front loading frame on rail display system includes a support rail assembly secured to a wall and a display frame assembly secured to the support rail. The rail assembly includes a wall rail secured to the wall with a top rail secured thereto and receiving an apron crown molding. The frame assembly includes a frame unit formed by top and side frame members and closed by a back panel. The frame members have notched glass clips which are aligned in a plane. Display materials are front loaded into the frame unit, and a glass pane is slid into the clips. Fasteners extending from the side frame members are received in rotary lock members positioned in the top rail. The lock members are rotated to lock positions to engage heads of the fasteners to removably secure the frame assembly to the rail assembly. |
| US08819968B1 |
Modular solar powered illuminated alphanumeric identification system
A modular solar powered illuminated alphanumeric identification system which incorporates solar power or other alternative power sources to illuminate light emitting diodes. The invention includes a plurality of self-powered aligned modules which is secured to a suitable surface in order to provide for visual alphanumeric identification either nonelectronically or electronically during hours of daylight and during the hours of darkness, respectively. The self-powered modules include a plurality of photovoltaic cells which charges one or more battery packs for the subsequent illumination of arrangements of alphanumerically arranged light emitting diodes during periods of darkness. |
| US08819966B2 |
Machine attachment based speed control system
The present disclosure provides a machine configured so that its ground speed is at least in part dependent on the measured force that is applied to an attachment attached thereto. The present disclosure also provides an attachment for a machine that is configured to provide feedback to the machine it is configured to be attached to, wherein the feedback is representative of the force applied to the attachment. The present disclosure also provides a method of automatically controlling the ground speed of a machine based on feedback measured in an attachment attached to the machine. |
| US08819965B2 |
Article of footwear with suspended stud assembly
An article of footwear with a suspended stud assembly attached to a sole is disclosed. The suspended stud assembly includes a base portion attached to the sole of a shoe. A set of suspension arms connect a plurality of studs to the base portion. This arrangement allows the studs to move independently of the sole and of each other to provide greater traction capabilities to the article of footwear. |
| US08819962B2 |
Methods, apparatuses and systems for conditioning skin
Methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed for conditioning a foot surface by contacting a foot surface with an article designed to contact foot surfaces for the purpose of abrading, moisturizing and otherwise conditioning a foot surface. |
| US08819957B1 |
Portable air heating system
A portable air heating system provides a stream of heated air. The heating system generally has an air transfer assembly for providing a flow of air through the system, a fuel burner assembly having one or more burners for providing heat by combustion, and a heat transfer housing for safely transferring the heat produced by the fuel burner assembly to the air flowing through the transfer assembly. The burner assembly has burners with inlets having generally horizontal axes that are disposed from one or more heat transfer tubes mounted in the heat transfer housing. The burner assembly and the heat transfer assembly are positioned outside the area being heated so that the exhaust gases are completely isolated from the air heated by the system, thereby virtually eliminating the likelihood of asphyxiation by the exhaust gases from the burner. |
| US08819950B1 |
Releasable tip for a chalk line reel set
A chalk line apparatus having a line and spool and a releasable end. The releasable end comprises a hook member having a rod member, a releasable member pivotally attached to the rod member and a spring positioned to bias the releasing member against the hook member. The releasing member has an attachment location for the line. Additionally, the spring is sized and shaped to allow rotation of the releasing member about the rod member and relative to the hook member upon a force exerted at the attachment location from the line. |
| US08819949B2 |
Line marking assembly
A line marking assembly for applying a marking a straight line with a marking powder onto a surface is disclosed. The line marking assembly comprises two chambers configured to mount one on each side of a level. Each chamber contains a cord wound on a spool, marking powder and a tensioning assembly that exerts a constant and continuous pull on the cord. The cords from each of the chambers may be combined with a coupler. Moving the coupler back and forth between the chambers coats the cords with marking powder. Placing the assembly onto a surface and snapping the cord marks a straight line on the surface. |
| US08819945B2 |
Utility knife with detachable guard
In a utility knife, having a handle, a blade, and a guard that prevents the user's fingers from being lacerated or abraded, a flexible strap with a stud that snap-fits into a socket in the guard is used to secure the guard to the handle. The stud fits into a recess in the handle to limit or prevent longitudinal movement of the guard relative to the knife handle. |
| US08819943B2 |
Safety scalpel
A scalpel enabling both safe blade engagement or disengagement and safe passing among personnel during surgical procedures. The blade arm assembly of the scalpel is positionable in three positions, including a retracted position, an operational extended position and a fully extended position for engagement and disengagement of the blade. |
| US08819940B2 |
Method for manufacturing a linear actuator
A method for manufacturing a linear actuator includes inserting a portion of a thrust member of the actuator into a casting portion of a molding apparatus. The casting portion includes a model screw member having a threaded portion. A molding material can be added into the cast portion to overmold a nut to the thrust member. Thus, the nut will include a threaded portion on an internal circumference mateable with the threaded portion of the model screw member. The overmolded nut and thrust tube member may be coupled to a screw shaft of the actuator, such that the threaded portion of the nut mates with a threaded portion of the screw shaft. |
| US08819937B2 |
Auxiliary power unit inlet duct screen assembly
An example inlet duct screen assembly includes a grid portion having a plurality of apertures and a frame portion circumscribing the grid portion. The grid portion and the frame portion are formed from a single sheet of material. An example method of making an auxiliary power unit inlet duct screen includes machining apertures in a sheet of material to establish a grid portion of an inlet duct screen. |
| US08819933B2 |
Method for forming a current distribution structure
A method for forming an electrical structure. The electrical structure comprises an interconnect structure and a substrate. The substrate comprises an electrically conductive pad and a plurality of wire traces electrically connected to the electrically conductive pad. The electrically conductive pad is electrically and mechanically connected to the interconnect structure. The plurality of wire traces comprises a first wire trace, a second wire trace, a third wire trace, and a fourth wire trace. The first wire trace and second wire trace are each electrically connected to a first side of the electrically conductive pad. The third wire trace is electrically connected to a second side of the electrically conductive pad. The fourth wire trace is electrically connected to a third side of said first electrically conductive pad. The plurality of wire traces are configured to distribute a current. |
| US08819932B2 |
Method of manufacturing a ceramic electronic component
A method of manufacturing a ceramic electronic component prevents variations in characteristics even when the ceramic electronic component is embedded in a wiring board. Ceramic green sheets containing an organic binder having a degree of polymerization in a range from about 1000 to about 1500 are prepared. A first conductive paste layer is formed on a surface of each of the ceramic green sheets. The ceramic green sheets are laminated to form a raw ceramic laminated body. A second conductive paste layer is formed on a surface of the raw ceramic laminated body. The raw ceramic laminated body formed with the second conductive paste layer is fired. |
| US08819931B2 |
Enhanced-reliability printed circuit board for tight-pitch components
A printed circuit board is fabricated so contacts for tight-pitch components are at an angle with respect to the bundles of glass fibers in the epoxy-glass printed circuit board such that adjacent component contacts do not contact the same bundle of glass fibers. This angle may be accomplished by manufacturing a printed circuit board panel with the glass fibers at an angle with respect to its edges. This angle may also be accomplished by placing parts on a printed circuit board panel that has a traditional X-Y orthogonal weave of glass fiber bundles at an angle with respect to the edges of the panel. This angle may also be accomplished by starting with a traditional panel that has an X-Y orthogonal weave, laying out parts on the panel along the X-Y weave, then placing components on the parts at an angle with respect to the edges of the parts. |
| US08819925B2 |
Terminal crimping apparatus
There is provided a terminal crimping apparatus which can detect a crimping failure mode which produces a transversely asymmetrical crimped shape in a crimped product. The terminal crimping apparatus includes an anvil (102A) which is a lower die on which a conductor crimping portion (11) of a terminal (10) is place and a crimper (101A) which is an upper die which bends inwards a pair of left and right crimping pieces (11L, 11R) of the conductor crimping portion (11), and the terminal crimping apparatus further includes a detection device which detects a transversely unbalanced load in the upper and lower dies (101A, 101B) in a crimping process in which the upper die (101A) is pressed down towards the lower die (102A) so as to crimp the pair of left and right crimping pieces (11L, 11R) on to a conductor (Wa) of an electric wire so as to crimp the conductor (Wa). |
| US08819923B2 |
Joint apparatus
In a joint apparatus, a transfer region and a processing region are formed. In the transfer region, a transfer mechanism transferring a first substrate, a second substrate, or a superposed substrate, a position adjusting mechanism adjusting an orientation in a horizontal direction of the first substrate or the second substrate, and a reversing mechanism reversing front and rear surfaces of the second substrate are provided. In the processing region, a first holding member mounting and holding the first substrate on an upper surface thereof, a second holding member holding the second substrate on a lower surface thereof, and a pressing and moving member bringing one end portion of the first substrate and one end portion of the second substrate into abutment with each other and pressing the one end portions when joining the first substrate and the second substrate together are provided. |
| US08819922B2 |
Method of making an electrically-heated hose assembly
Electrically-heated hose assembly including a hose and a first and a second fitting. The hose is constructed as having a core tube, a pair of spiral wound wires surrounding the core, and a jacket surrounding the core tube. A first end of each of the fittings is within a corresponding end of the hose, with a second end of the fittings extending beyond the hose end. The wires are wound around at least a portion of the second fitting end of a corresponding one of the fittings. |
| US08819919B2 |
Method of forming a non-linear path of an electrically conducting wire
A method of forming a non-linear path of at least a portion of at least one electrically conducting wire extending between a first location and a second location. The method includes the steps of forming a wire path template defining a non-linear path, winding said wire through said template such that said wire adopts said non-linear path, connecting the wire to a feedthrough member, wherein the feedthrough member is configured to provide an electrical connection through a wall of an implantable component implantable in a recipient along with the wire, and removing the wire from the template. |
| US08819918B2 |
Manufacturing method for a dual interface card
A method of manufacturing a chip card, such as a dual interface card, is provided. The method generally includes collocating multiple card support sheets one onto the other, depositing a conductive adhesive onto contact pads on at least one of the sheets, positioning a dual interface module in a recess established in at least one of the sheets, and executing a lamination step. |
| US08819917B2 |
Method to secure a circuit board
According to some embodiments, a device having a pliant portion may be utilized to secure a circuit board. |
| US08819912B2 |
Method of assembling workpieces utilizing shape memory polymer activation to facilitate alignment and retention
A method of adaptively assembling first and second workpieces utilizing shape memory polymer activation to facilitate alignment and retention, wherein the workpieces present and the method employs at least one active nub and/or mated receptacle, and the modulus shifting and shape memorization capabilities of shape memory polymer are alternatively used to further engage the nub and receptacle during assembly. |
| US08819906B2 |
Metal part and plastic part seperating device
A composite part separating device for separating a composite product consisting of a plastic part and a metal part is provided. The composite part separating device includes a base; a workpiece support mounted on the base. The metal part of the composite product is hung on the workpiece support to retain the composite product on the workpiece support; a vibrating motor drives the base and the workpiece support to shake, causing the plastic part to separate from the metal part. |
| US08819905B2 |
Machining center
The present invention provides a machining center that efficiently machines a long workpiece using two pallets. A machining center 1 includes a saddle 30 that moves in a Y axis direction on a bed 10, and a table unit 50 moves in an X axis direction on the saddle 30. At a right end and a left end of the front surface of the bed 10, setup stations 110 and 120 are respectively disposed. While a spindle head 80 is machining a workpiece W2 with one pallet 140 placed on the table unit 50, a workpiece W1 can be set up onto the other pallet 130. A long workpiece can also be machined on the two pallets 130 and 140 placed on the table unit 50. |
| US08819903B2 |
Manufacturing method of a piezoelectric element and a liquid ejecting head
A manufacturing method of a piezoelectric element includes: forming a first conductive layer upon a substrate; forming a piezoelectric layer upon the first conductive layer; forming a second conductive layer upon the piezoelectric layer; forming a third conductive layer upon the second conductive layer; forming a first portion, a second portion, and an opening portion provided between the first portion and the second portion by patterning the third conductive layer; forming a resist layer that covers the opening portion and covers the edges of the first portion and the second portion that face the opening portion side; and forming a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion configured from the first portion and the second portion, and forming a third conductive portion configured from the second conductive layer, by dry-etching the second conductive layer using the first portion, the second portion, and the resist layer as a mask. |
| US08819902B2 |
Adhesive closure piece
An adhesive closure piece (10) includes a substrate part (12) and closure pieces (20a, 20b) of at least one type arranged upright on the substrate part. The closure pieces each have a head part (14a, 14b) having at its free end face at least one contact surface (22a, 22b) for detachably adhering to another component by adhesive force. The closure piece has at least one connection section (16a, 16b) on the edge of each head part (14a, 14b). The connection section protrudes beyond the edge of the head part (14a, 14b) in at least one direction (30, 36) such that the size of the contact surface (22a, 22b) of the corresponding head part (14a, 14b) is changed. |
| US08819901B2 |
Adjuster of string-end-fixing portion of article
An adjuster of a string-end-fixing portion of an article includes first and second sliders which are mounted on an ordinary fastener chain so as to oppose to each other with shoulder mouths thereof opposed to each other and a connecting member for connecting the first and second sliders. The first slider has a stopper pawl member. The adjuster of the string-end-fixing portion is attached to a handling portion for adjusting a portion, one end of a string or the like is fixed to the first and second sliders or the connecting member while the other end is fixed to the string-end-fixing portion of the article so as to move the string-end-fixing portion, maintain the string-end-fixing portion after adjusting operation of the string-end-fixing portion, and facilitate attaching the string or the like again if a fixing of the string or the like fixed to the slider or the like is released. |
| US08819900B2 |
Magnetic organizing and attachment device
An organization and attachment device for detachably holding an insert. The device includes a first section with a first magnet section, a second section with a second magnet section, and a connecting section joining the first section and second section. The device also includes a linking device engaged with the connecting section. The linking device includes a linking member with a first end and a second end, and a first fastener connected to one of the ends of the linking member. The holding device can be arranged in multiple positions in which the linking device is stored. In each position in which the linking device is stored, the linking device is held in place by at least one of the magnet sections. In one position in which the linking device is stored, the linking device is completely enclosed by the first and second magnet sections. |
| US08819899B2 |
Band clamp installation markers
A band clamp has a band constriction sensing marker adapted so as to gradually visibly respond to the stage and state of the band clamp installation at the object to be secured. Before the band clamp is installed, a displaceable material may be partially or entirely hidden between the band and the securable object, for example flexible sleeve, wherefrom it is forcefully moved by the clamp to the sides during installation. A gradually appearing amount, color and shape of the moved marker material may provide visual clues about band clamp installation. In some embodiments, a contrastingly colored under material wider than the band clamp may be disposed underneath a marker on the side of the object being secured. Due to the band constriction during joint installation, the marker material parts sidewise from underneath the band clamp and masks the contrasting under material with neutrally colored marker material. |
| US08819896B2 |
Locking carrier and mounting arrangement for tilt sash counterbalance systems
A window balance assembly comprising an improved locking carrier mechanism is disclosed. The locking mechanism is actuated when the window sash is tilted. Cam surfaces on the receiver of the mechanism engage cam followers in the clamshell-type housing of the carrier forcing them apart outwardly to lock the carrier in the jamb channel of a window assembly and prevent movement of the carrier in the channel. The receiver incorporates two cams that engage two cam follower surfaces in the housing to improve the distribution of the locking forces of the carrier in the jamb channel. A dual-locking carrier expands in both the axial and lateral directions to contact both front and back surfaces and opposing side surfaces of the jamb channel. |
| US08819892B1 |
Electrical maid
An automatic cleaning system comprises a control panel communicatively coupled to a sprinkler device and a cleaning apparatus. The sprinkler device emits a heat and deodorizer for intense drying and sterilization. The cleaning apparatus removes the cleaning solution, sweeps mops, vacuums, shampoos and waxes floors. |
| US08819891B2 |
Floor inlet valve for a central vacuum cleaning system
An inlet valve for a central vacuum cleaning system having a central vacuum motor connected to a piping network, is disclosed. The inlet valve includes a main body having an air inlet passageway formed therethrough and a pipe connector to connect the air inlet passageway of the inlet valve to the vacuum piping. An outer door is provided which is pivotally mounted to the main body on an opposite side to said connector and an inner door is provided which is pivotally mounted to said main body at one end between the outer door and the main body and seals the air inlet passageway when the inner door is in a closed position. A releasable latch is operatively connected to the outer door to keep the outer door and the inner door closed on the front of the valve when the inlet valve is not in use and a spring is provided to cause the inner door and the outer door to open upon the latch being released. |
| US08819889B2 |
Windshield wiper assembly
A windshield wiper assembly including a wiping element adapted to contact a surface to be wiped. The wiping element includes at least one isolation pad formed thereon and wherein the isolation pad defines a portion of increased lateral width of the wiping element. A coupler assembly includes an adapter with at least one claw that corresponds to the isolation pad. The claw has a downwardly extending leg and an inwardly extending retainer portion that cooperates with the isolation pad to interconnect the adapter to the wiping element. The interaction of the isolation pad and the claw acts to securely mount the adapter to the wiping element in a cost-effective manner while reducing noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) associated with the operation of the wiper system. |
| US08819888B2 |
Wiper apparatus
In a wiper apparatus, a gear case of a gear part is provided with a first frame fixing part which is fixed to a frame member by fastening volts and fastening nuts. An attachment bracket has a second frame fixing part which is fixed to the frame member together with the first frame fixing part by the fastening volts and the fastening nuts, and has an insertion pin which is fixed to a rear-side vehicle-body panel. A wiper motor can be fixed to the frame member together with the attachment bracket by the same fastening members, and it is possible to reduce the weight of the wiper apparatus by reducing the number of the fastening members. It is possible to enhance the productivity of the wiper apparatus by reducing the size of the attachment bracket separated as a dedicated part from the gear case. |
| US08819887B2 |
Illuminated hub for a vehicle wash component
A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion that is rotatably connected to the frame. The hub portion has an inner surface, an outer surface and an axis of rotation. The hub portion includes a plurality of media elements secured thereto and arranged in a plurality of spaced apart rows that extend in a direction along the axis of rotation. The hub portion includes at least one translucent portion disposed on its outer surface. The translucent portion is disposed between a pair of adjacent rows of the plurality of spaced apart rows. The hub portion includes at least one illumination element for illuminating the at least one translucent portion such that said illuminated translucent portion is configured to be seen while the said hub portion rotates. |
| US08819884B1 |
Paint pad with flat handle
A paint pad with flat handle including a parallelepiped head member having a first surface to which a paint pad releasably secures, said head member attached to a flat handle at a torsion spring pivot disposed upon a second surface of said head member, whereby the paint pad with flat handle has a low profile and is readily positional in tight and hard to reach spaces for application of paint thereat. |
| US08819880B2 |
Efficient energy usage for a laundry appliance
A laundry treating appliance has a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to at least one cycle of operation and operated such that the extraction of liquid from the laundry load is controlled based on the inertia of the laundry load so that the total energy usage by the laundry treating appliance and a laundry drying appliance with which it is operably coupled may be minimized. |
| US08819876B2 |
Interchangeable tub and shower accessories
An example shower assembly includes a mount for removeably securing and supporting an accessory item to a shower wall. The mounts are permanently attached to the shower wall and are spaced apart a set desired distance. Slots on the accessory item receive the mounts to support the accessory item firmly and substantially rigidly to the shower wall. Removal of the accessory item is performed by lifting to allow installation of another accessory item as desired. |
| US08819874B2 |
Flush valve structure for a toilet tank
A toilet tank flush valve structure includes a valve base. A float assembly that is adjustable in buoyancy is movable between a sealing position and a flushing position. An overflow tube is attached to the float assembly and extends from a lower end in communication with a water outflow passage of the valve base to an upper end in communication with the interior space of the toilet tank. The upper end of the overflow tube is adjustable relative to the float assembly independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly. A guide member guides movement of the float assembly. A stop member on the guide member limits upward travel of the float assembly from its sealing position. The stop member is adjustable in position lengthwise of the guide member or by extension of the guide member independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly. |
| US08819873B2 |
Ergonomic toilet seat positioning device
An ergonomic toilet seat raising and lowering device provides a hygienic, effective, and efficient system of lifting and closing a toilet seat with a low susceptibility of being contaminated with urine or fecal matter. The invention includes a lever, a rod and a counterweight positioned away from and behind other components of a common toilet. The invention may be used on toilets and seats with a wide variety of shapes and sizes. |
| US08819871B2 |
Helmet with partial turn faceguard mounting
A helmet has a shell with a front opening covered by a faceguard of elongated wire segments. Loopstraps engage around wire segments at sides and a crown of the shell and fasteners connect the loopstraps to the shell. The fasteners each have a nut extending from an inside of the helmet shell out into a hole of the shell and an aperture of the loopstrap, and a stud removably connected to the nut by pushing and turning the stud by about a quarter turn to lock the stud to the nut. A tension spring between a head of the stud and the loopstrap urges the stud away from the nut when the stud is rotated to unlock the stud for facilitating a quick removal of the stud from the nut and a quick disconnection of the loopstrap and faceguard from the helmet shell. |
| US08819869B2 |
Medical/surgical personal protection system including a helmet, a hood and fastening system for holding the hood to the helmet so the radius of curvature of the hood face shield varies along the face shield
A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. The hood/toga has a transparent face shield that is flexible. A fastening assembly holds the face shield to the helmet so that, at the top of the face shield the shield has a relatively wide radius of curvature. Extending downwardly from the top of the face shield the radius of curvature of the shield becomes smaller. Providing the face shield with this geometry reduces the extent to which the person wearing the helmet and hood/toga of this invention is subjected to glare. |
| US08819867B1 |
Weighted skull cap
A weighted skull cap comprising integral weights for strengthening neck muscles during sport or physical therapy activities is herein disclosed. The apparatus comprises multiple layers that conceal a plurality of individual pockets about an entire interior surface of the cap. Each pocket comprises a flap-style locking closure for placement of a weight and secured with a fastening means to assist in retaining the weights therein the pockets during exercise activities. Each weight quantity is varied by the user to suit individual training needs. |
| US08819865B1 |
Garment with radiused zipper path
A garment has an upper sleeved section extending above a waist line, and a lower section with legs extending downwardly from the crotch of a lower torso section. For freedom of motion, the upper section has an upper torso stretch panel encircling the waist line. Entry into the garment is provided through a zippered front access opening which departs from an imaginary centerline extending between the neck opening and the crotch of the garment. The zipper path has a first segment which extends along the centerline for at least an inch, and then follows a curved radiused path segment to a second path segment which extends from the centerline less than 90 degrees from the first and which crosses the waist line and descends along the leg to a position about even with the crotch. The curved segment has a radius of at least three times the chain width of the zipper. |
| US08819862B2 |
Sunglasses with flip-up visor
A flip-up visor attachment having two separable sets of hinge elements for rotatably connecting the visor to a sunglasses' frame. These sets include a hinge body and a pair of hook-like structures which are, respectively, affixed to the frame's bridge portion and to the visor's underside. Like the frame, both sets exhibit bilateral symmetry. Once they are joined together, the visor can be pivoted outwardly from the frame's front. A flange, affixed to the visor's mid-section and extending over its back edge, stops the visor from being overrotated. With the visor in its raised position, one can then brace it there by pressing a locking arm rotatably connected to its underside against the hinge body. By rotating the locking arm in reverse, one can disengage it from the hinge body and thus free the visor so that it can be folded against the sunglasses or removed therefrom. |
| US08826457B2 |
System for enterprise digital rights management
The present subject matter relates to devices and methods for enterprise digital rights management. In one implementation, a device includes a security module configured to generate a security key. The security module encrypts at least one document of a user, using the security key, to generate a protected document. Further, the device includes an access control module configured to assign an access right to one or more users within an enterprise for accessing the protected document. The access control module is further configured to delegate the access right from the user to another user. The access control module is furthermore configured to lock at least one of the user and the protected document. |
| US08826452B1 |
Protecting computers against data loss involving screen captures
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for protecting computers from data loss involving screen capture. Screen capture events are detected in a computer. Documents that are visible on a computer screen are identified. Files of the visible documents are identified and scanned for sensitive data to determine whether the screen capture events are targeting contents of sensitive documents. |
| US08826451B2 |
Mechanism for facilitating communication authentication between cloud applications and on-premise applications
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided methods and systems for providing communication authentication between cloud applications and on-premise applications. A method of embodiments includes receiving, from a cloud application at a cloud computing device, a first message at an application server of a server computing system, and parsing, at the application server, the first message to determine first identification information contained within the first message. The method further includes authenticating, at the application server, the first message by verifying the first identification information, and forwarding the first authenticated message to an on-premise application at a remote computing device. |
| US08826449B2 |
Data security in a disconnected environment
Systems and methods are provided for the detection and prevention of intrusions in data at rest systems such as file systems and web servers. The systems and methods regulate access to sensitive data with minimal dependency on a communications network. Data access is quantitatively limited to minimize the data breaches resulting from, e.g., a stolen laptop or hard drive. |
| US08826448B2 |
System, method and apparatus for electronically protecting data and digital content
A system, method and apparatus for protecting sensitive data in a file that has been replaced with pointer(s) for each sensitive data. The sensitive data items are protected by restricting subsequent access to and use of the sensitive data items via the pointers by: receiving a first request for data stored in a file on the data storage, determining whether the requested data includes at least one of the pointers, providing the requested data whenever the requested data does not include any of the pointers, and performing the following steps whenever the requested data includes at least one of the pointers: sending a second request containing the pointer(s) included in the requested data to the server that authenticates the second request, denying the first request whenever the authentication fails, and receiving and providing the extracted data item(s) corresponding to the pointer(s) included in the requested data whenever the authentication succeeds. |
| US08826439B1 |
Encoding machine code instructions for static feature based malware clustering
Machine language instruction sequences of computer files are extracted and encoded into standardized opcode sequences. The standardized opcodes in the sequences are of the same length and do not include operands. A multi-dimension vector is generated as a static feature for each computer file, where each element in the vector corresponds to the number of occurrences of a unique N-gram (i.e., unique sequence of N consecutive standardized opcodes) in the standardized opcode sequence for that computer file. The computer files are clustered into clusters of similarly classified files based on similarities of their static features. An unknown computer file can be classified by first grouping the file into a cluster of files with similar static features (e.g., into the cluster with the shortest average distance), and then determining the classification of that file based on the classifications of other files that belong to the same cluster. |
| US08826434B2 |
Security threat detection based on indications in big data of access to newly registered domains
Domain names are determined for each computational event in a set, each event detailing requests or posts of webpages. A number of events or accesses associated with each domain name within a time period is determined. A registrar is further queried to determine when the domain name was registered. An object is generated that includes a representation of the access count and an age since registration for each domain names. A client can interact with the object to explore representations of domain names associated with high access counts and recent registrations. Upon determining that a given domain name is suspicious, a rule can be generated to block access to the domain name. |
| US08826430B2 |
Method and system for tracing information leaks in organizations through syntactic and linguistic signatures
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for tracing information leaks. The system introduces linguistic and syntactic changes to a document, and associates these changes with a user identifier, which facilitates identification of a user that may have leaked the document. During operation, the system receives a document. The system then determines a most similar original document based on the received document. The system determines difference between the most similar original document and the received document, and determines a user identifier based on the determined difference. |
| US08826428B2 |
Event detection method and apparatus in a distributed environment
An event detection method in a distributed environment includes, when a non-parsable event occurred during grammar parsing, executing the following process until the first grammar parser module obtains a detection result, including the event that the current grammar parser module can not parse in a scheduling request as a next event to be detected and sending it to the grammar control module, scheduling, by the grammar control module, other grammar parser module as the target grammar parser module for further parsing based on the scheduling strategy table, performing grammar parsing based on the local parsing table in the scheduled target grammar parser module, returning parsing results to the grammar control module for further parsing when no non-parsable event is found; or repeating the above process with the target grammar parser module as a new current grammar parser module when an non-parsable event is found. |
| US08826427B2 |
Detecting surreptitious spyware
Tools and techniques are provided for detecting a particular type of spyware. Network activities and user update activities are monitored automatically, and the results are analyzed to identify related processes which perform network transmissions without performing substantive user updates. These processes are identified to a user and/or an administrator as potential spyware, and are then quarantined or otherwise handled based on instructions received from the user or administrator. In some cases, the monitoring and analysis begins with selection of a group of processes to monitor, while in other cases it begins with monitoring of network and/or user update activities in order to narrow the group of suspect processes. Devices, configured media, and method products are also described. |
| US08826426B1 |
Systems and methods for generating reputation-based ratings for uniform resource locators
An exemplary computer-implemented method for generating reputation ratings for URLs may include (1) identifying a URL that identifies the location of at least one web resource, (2) identifying the computing health of at least one member of a computing community that has accessed the URL, (3) generating, based at least in part on the computing health of the member(s) that accessed the URL, a reputation rating for the URL that indicates whether the URL represents a potential security risk, and then (4) providing the reputation rating for the URL to at least one additional computing device to enable the additional computing device to evaluate whether the URL represents a potential security risk. In addition, a client-side, computer-implemented method for determining whether a URL represents a potential security risk may be based at least in part on such a reputation rating. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed. |
| US08826420B2 |
Dynamic account provisions for service desk personnel
The present invention describes an automated process that enables dynamic provisioning (both creation and deletion) of administrative accounts based upon a real-time need as defined by service desk processes and procedures. This invention enhances current provisioning of administrative account processes that are typically handled by service desk personnel that constantly turnover through firings and hirings. By creating an on-demand provisioning process on a strictly as-needed basis an enhanced security structure is created. In addition, audit ability of access can be added to the processes that provides accountability and traceability of activities that can be directly related back to actual business justifications (the initial problem report) for actions (important not only in ITIL but also regulatory requirements). |
| US08826418B2 |
Trust retention
A method, system and computer program product for retaining trust. A computer receives a correct password for administrative access. The computer sets a trust to a maximum level. The computer detects at least one period of inactivity. The computer adjusts a trust based on the at least one period of inactivity. The computer receives a request to access an privileged function. The computer, responsive to receiving the request, determines that the trust is below a trust threshold. The computer, responsive to determining that the trust is below the trust threshold, challenges the user to authenticate. The computer receives a authentication attempt. The computer determines whether the authentication attempt is correct. The computer, responsive to a determination that the authentication attempt is correct, grants access to the administrative function. |
| US08826417B2 |
Providing a user input interface prior to initiation of an operating system
A processor-based system, including systems without keyboards, may receive user inputs prior to booting. This may done using the graphics controller to generate a window which allows the user to input information. The system firmware may then compare any user inputs, such as passwords, and may determine whether or not to actually initiate system booting. |
| US08826414B2 |
System-on-chip malicious code detection apparatus and application-specific integrated circuit for a mobile device
System-on-chip (SoC) and application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)-based apparatus for detecting malicious code in portable terminal is provided. Apparatus includes SoC including hardware-based firewall packet-filtering packet received from outside through media access control unit according to setting of firewall setting unit in SoC memory and storing filtered packet in application memory or transferring filtered packet to anti-malware engine, hardware-based anti-malware engine detecting malicious code by performing pattern-matching operation between code pattern in file transferred from firewall or file received through input/output (I/O) interface unit and pattern of malicious code registered in malware signature database (DB) of mobile device application unit, SoC memory providing setting of firewall and support file decoding function for file format recognition of anti-malware engine, and hardware-based controller controlling switching operation to transfer file filtered by firewall directly to application memory or to anti-malware engine and control malicious code detection cycle of anti-malware engine. |
| US08826411B2 |
Client-side extensions for use in connection with HTTP proxy policy enforcement
A Web browser is configured to participate with a proxy server in enforcing traffic policies within a computer network. This may include modifying the Web browser to report contextual information regarding requests for Web documents to the proxy server and/or causing the Web browser to report information concerning Web documents requested through the proxy server to the proxy server. |
| US08826410B2 |
Device API for securely monitoring and managing mobile broadband devices
There is provided a device application programming interface (API) for securely monitoring and managing mobile broadband devices. There is provided a client device with a processor configured to detect, using an API, the WWAN device, wherein the WWAN device conforms to the API, to perform a mutual authentication with the WWAN device by using a digital certificate of the WWAN device and a client digital certificate of the client device, to establish a secure connection with the WWAN device upon a successful authentication of the mutual authentication with the WWAN device. Moreover, the processor may be configured to issue, using the API, various commands to the WWAN device to monitor and manage the WWAN device. |
| US08826409B2 |
Secure digital download storage device
A secure USB flash drive employing digital rights management to implement secure digital media storage such as that provided by encrypted storage utilizing content protection for recordable media (CPRM) or the like. Unlike a secure digital card which provides such protection, it does not need an SD card port which is CPRM enabled, or alternatively a reader adapted for use therewith. The form factor can be that of a standard USB flash drive and a standard USB connector is employed making the device and its use familiar and comfortable to the average consumer. |
| US08826407B2 |
System and method for access control and identity management
A mechanism for the flow of access by derivation is provided. An access point may be any object, such as files or functions, to which the access recipient is granted access rights by the access provider. Access is typically represented by a relationship object referencing the access provider function, the access recipient function, and the access point object, and a set of access rights. This membership access relationship object is typically represented as a subtype of the access relationship. When a membership access relationship is created, typically a new associated persona function is generated, representing the new identity created for the access recipient function while serving as a member of the access point function. When a persona function is invited to be a member in another function, that in turn generates a membership and a second persona that is derived from the first persona, resulting in identity derivation. |
| US08826399B2 |
Systems and methods for fast authentication with a mobile device
A system for authenticating a user to a service includes a service, an authentication server and a device. The service includes first signal interface, first processing hardware and first user interface. The authentication server includes second signal interface and second processing hardware. First signal interface transmits a request to the authentication server to authenticate a user. Second processing hardware creates a session identifier and encodes it into a pictogram. Second signal interface transmits the pictogram to the service. The device includes third processing hardware that scans the pictogram and extracts the session identifier, and a third signal interface that transmits the credentials and the session identifier to the authentication server. Second processing hardware verifies the credentials, and second signal interface securely transmits the result of the authentication to the service. |
| US08826396B2 |
Password reset system
A customer initiated password reset system resets user passwords on a variety of network entities, such as internal systems, allowing simultaneous reset with a minimum number of user specified passwords that nonetheless satisfy the password specifications of these internal systems. Thereby, the user avoids the tedium of logging into each of these systems, changing their password, logging out, etc., for each system with the likelihood of creating unique passwords for each system that have to be remembered. By further incorporating a score metric based upon how many character sets are touched, a required degree of complexity can be measured and enforced against the password specifications. Advantageously, a table-based approach to enforcing password reset against the multiple password specifications facilitates making and fielding updates. |
| US08826394B1 |
Methods, devices, and mediums associated with security access requested on an as-needed basis
In one example, a network device may be configured to authenticate a user based on a first pre-shared secret associated with a first login request as a condition to granting the user limited access. The network device may be configured to determine whether a received second request for the user is associated with an additional level of access. The network device may be configured to, in response to determining that the second request is associated with the additional level of access, authenticate the user based on a second pre-shared secret as a condition to granting the user the additional level of access. |
| US08826391B2 |
Virtualized trusted descriptors
Embodiments of information processing systems and associated components can include logic operable to perform operations in a virtualized system including a plurality of guest operating systems using descriptors. The descriptors specify a set of commands defining the operations in a plurality of security domains and specify permission to a plurality of resources selectively for the plurality of guest operating systems. |
| US08826388B2 |
Mobile device identify factor for access control policies
A secure VPN connection is provided based on user identify and a hardware identifier. A client application may initiate the VPN connection. A client device user may provide identification information to the application, which then sends a VPN connection request to a remote VPN gateway. The VPN gateway may require an equipment identifier to establish the secure VPN gateway. If the hardware ID is registered, the secure VPN connection is established. If the hardware ID is not registered with the VPN gateway, the connection may be denied. In some instances, a connection may be established with an unregistered equipment ID based on settings at the VPN gateway. |
| US08826387B2 |
Validation and fast channel change for broadcast system
A method of enabling transmission of a data service from a content server to a terminal using a data channel in a system in which at least part of the data service is transmitted to the terminal using a broadcast channel, the method including: receiving, using the broadcast channel, first data comprising part of the data service; processing the first data using a signature-generating algorithm to derive first signature data; transmitting the first signature data using the data channel to the content server; validating the first signature data by comparing said first signature data with a signature derived by processing data comprising part of the data service using a corresponding signature-generating algorithm; and enabling the terminal to access the data service using the data channel dependent on validation of the first signature data. |
| US08826385B2 |
Method and apparatus for access security services
One embodiment disclosed relates to a method for a switch to respond to a new client. A new client is detected at a port of the switch. The switch temporarily assigns the port to be an untagged member of a virtual local area network (VLAN) which is configured for unauthorized clients. Initialization services are provided to the new client via the unauthorized-client VLAN. The new client may be authenticated by way of an authentication session using the unauthorized-client VLAN. If the new client is authenticated, then the untagged membership of the port in the unauthorized-client VLAN is dropped, and the port is assigned to be an untagged member of a specified VLAN. |
| US08826383B2 |
Temporary user account for a virtual world website
A computer system and method are provided that facilitate permitting temporary access to a website or other computer application in which temporary access is given to a generic virtual character and its corresponding user. Temporary access is made available through a temporary user account that is set up by the user. The temporary user account is active for a limited time and allows the user to learn about the website, for instance, via the generic virtual character. The generic virtual character has limited access to the website and in particular to various activities or areas on the website. After a temporary account expires, it is purged from the system and associated virtual currency and virtual items are no longer accessible. Users who have purchased a real world item and have created a premium user account have full ongoing access to the website via their corresponding premium virtual characters. |
| US08826380B2 |
Proxy server, control method thereof, content server, and control method thereof
The present invention particularly relates, but is not limited to, a technology that facilitates the identification of a consumed content item and a user who consumed that item, and there is provided a proxy server that is capable of communicating with a client and a content server storing content for which permission data is required for reproduction. The proxy server comprises, in particular, a content information retrieving unit that retrieves, from the content server, content information that identifies the content server and the content, and a generating unit that generates modified content information that identifies the proxy server and the content identified by the content information. |
| US08826379B2 |
Access control system, access control method, and communication terminal
Collation information (22) of data (21) is acquired via a high-secure network (3). The data (21) is acquired via a low-secure network (4). The acquired collation information (22) and data (21) are collated. If the collation result is “match”, it is determined that the low-secure network (4) is not disguised, and access to the low-secure network (4) is permitted. The use of the downloaded data (21) on the high-secure network (3) and low-secure network (4) is permitted. |
| US08826378B2 |
Techniques for authenticated posture reporting and associated enforcement of network access
Architectures and techniques that allow a firmware agent to operate as a tamper-resistant agent on a host platform that may be used as a trusted policy enforcement point (PEP) on the host platform to enforce policies even when the host operating system is compromised. The PEP may be used to open access control and/or remediation channels on the host platform. The firmware agent may also act as a local policy decision point (PDP) on the host platform in accordance with an authorized enterprise PDP entity by providing policies if a host trust agent is non-responsive and may function as a passive agent when the host trust agent is functional. |
| US08826377B2 |
Authentication method employed by portable electronic device, associated controller, host computer having storage medium storing associated computer program, and machine-readable medium storing associated computer program
An authentication method employed by a portable electronic device includes: generating first data; deriving reference data according to the first data; receiving a second data from a host computer; and determining whether the host computer is permitted to access the portable electronic device according to the reference data and the second data. |
| US08826373B2 |
Methods and systems for sharing digital assets
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for providing non-subscriber access to a digital asset and, in particular, to methods and systems for providing non-subscriber access to a digital asset while providing provider protection. A temporary guest credential may be generated that may allow access to a limited workspace on a resource server. The temporary guest credentials may expire after a guest-account duration limit. |
| US08826369B2 |
Terminal, communication system, data management method, server and storage medium
A terminal includes an acquisition unit to acquire sensor data, a storage unit to store a policy table which defines a management policy for each sensor data or each service using the sensor data, and a control unit to acquire the management policy corresponding to the sensor data or the service with reference to the policy table and to manage the sensor data on a basis of the management policy. |
| US08826368B2 |
Platform authentication method suitable for trusted network connect architecture based on tri-element peer authentication
The invention discloses a platform authentication method suitable for trusted network connect (TNC) architecture based on tri-element peer authentication (TePA). The method relates to a platform authentication protocol of tri-element peer authentication, and the protocol improves network security as compared with prior platform authentication protocols; in the platform authentication protocol of the TNC architecture based on TePA, a policy manager plays a role as a trusted third party, which is convenient for concentrated management, thus enhancing manageability; the invention relates to the platform authentication protocol of the TNC architecture based on TePA, has different implementation methods and is beneficial for different dispositions and realizations. |
| US08826363B2 |
Image processing apparatus and method
The image processing apparatus includes an image receiver configured to receive video. The apparatus also include a first channel buffer configured to store first bit rate video data and a second channel buffer configured to y store video data when a network transmission speed corresponds to a preset condition. The apparatus further includes a decoder configured to receive and decode the video data stored in the first or second channel buffer. In addition, the apparatus includes a controller configured to transmit the video data stored in the first channel buffer to the decoder while the data is stored in the second channel buffer, and configured to transmit the video data stored in the second channel buffer to the decoder when a predetermined amount of video data is stored in the second channel buffer. |
| US08826353B2 |
Connection setting method, camera system, and recording medium
A connection setting method, used in a camera system in which at least one camera head unit is connected to at least one camera control unit that controls the camera head unit via a single transmission network in order to connect the camera control unit includes: measuring delay of image data from the camera head unit to be connected; and determining a transmission rate at which image data is transmitted from the camera head unit to be connected. The determining is so carried out that when the delay is greater than a threshold corresponding to the amount of data smaller than or equal to a maximum amount of transmission over the network, the sum of the transmission rates at which image data transmitted over the network is smaller than or equal to the maximum amount of transmission over the network and image data having a higher preset priority is transmitted at a higher transmission rate. |
| US08826347B1 |
Method and system for creating video channels for delivery of content from multiple platforms
A system for managing delivery of content from multiple platforms maintains data for various video channels. Some of the video channels are television channels, while others are over-the-top (OTT) video content sources such as video streaming websites. The system includes a package generation module by which a service provider may define a package of both traditional and OTT channels to offer to subscribers in a unified programming interface. When a user uses the interface to select a set of video channels, the system compiles the set of the video channels in a subscriber package of both television and OTT channels. The system assigns a name to the subscriber package, and it stores the defined package and name, along with other information about the package, in a data storage facility for offering to a subscriber of content from the service provider. |
| US08826346B1 |
Methods of implementing trickplay
A method of operating an IP client device for presentation of video content to a viewer includes the step of transmitting a trickplay request to a server. The client device receives from the server a manifest that references at least first and second consecutive video content fragments. The first fragment contains a sequence of N1 frames and the second fragment contains a sequence of N2 frames, and defines a set of M1 frames of the first fragment, where M1 is less than N1, and a set of M2 frames of the second fragment, where M2 is less than N2. The client device transmits a request for the M1 frames and the M2 frames and receives the M1 frames and the M2 frames. The client device presents the M1 frames and the M2 frames consecutively at the uniform, predetermined frame rate. The sequence of the M1 frames and the M2 frames has a presentation duration of (M1+M2)/F. |
| US08826345B2 |
Method and an apparatus for data streaming
An apparatus and a method for data streaming, as well as a combination, of an apparatus for data streaming and a plurality of user devices, are presented. The apparatus is adapted to receive a plurality of streaming requests, including mode requests, from a plurality of user devices, the apparatus comprising a memory unit adapted to store media data in the form of a plurality of payload data sets, a state device adapted to set a mode in accordance with each one of the mode requests, and a streaming unit adapted to stream the payload data sets in accordance with the set modes. The streaming unit is adapted to receive from the memory unit a plurality of control data sub-sets, each comprising at least two edit portions, each comprising data corresponding to an address in the memory unit. |
| US08826343B2 |
Method of providing key frames of video in mobile terminal
A display configured to display a list of videos that can be reproduced on the terminal on a screen of the terminal, an input unit configured to select a specific video from the list of videos, and a controller configured to select a plurality of key frames from image frames of the specific video based on a predetermined selection criterion. Further, the display displays the plurality of key frames of the specific video. |
| US08826339B2 |
RF/IP virtual channel mapping for a digital video receiver
Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs for implementing radio frequency (RF) and Internet Protocol (IP) virtual channel maps (VCM) in an integrated RF/IP digital video receiver (DVR) are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for managing virtual channel information in an integrated RF/IP digital video receiver. One such method comprises: receiving a data set associated with at least one IP transport stream; determining at least one virtual channel number (VCN) and at least one corresponding delivery parameter associated with the IP transport stream; and associating the VCN with the delivery parameter in a virtual channel map (VCM). |
| US08826335B2 |
Image receiving apparatus and liquid crystal television set
This image receiving apparatus includes a communication portion capable of receiving content through a network, and a control portion controlling a menu display region on which a menu of the content is displayed and a content display region on which information of the content is displayed independently from each other and controlling a display portion to display the menu display region and the content display region. |
| US08826331B2 |
Systems and methods to schedule recording of media content
Systems and methods to schedule recording of media content are provided. A particular method includes accessing at least one recording rule that specifies a first condition. The at least one recording rule indicates that a program of media content is to be scheduled for recording when the program satisfies the first condition. The method also includes accessing at least one recording exception that specifies a second condition. The at least one recording exception prohibits recording media content that satisfies the second condition. The method further includes determining a recording schedule by analyzing information regarding a plurality of programs of media content with respect to the at least one recording rule and the at least one recording exception. |
| US08826328B2 |
Communicating primary content streams and secondary content streams including targeted advertising to a remote unit
The invention relates to a method and system to communicate primary and secondary content streams to at least one remote unit, for example, via a television channel in a targeted television environment. The secondary content stream comprises a plurality of tertiary content streams (e.g., video streams) providing commercials, advertisements or any other content. The tertiary content streams are included in the secondary content stream as a mosaic so that each tertiary content stream is a subset or portion of an active display area or frame provided by the single secondary content stream. In on exemplary embodiment, the method and system provide targeted or specific commercial advertisements to demographically selected audiences. |
| US08826321B2 |
Obtaining user reactions to video
A user interaction request is received during playback of video content. The user interaction request can be received independent of any indication from the video content that user interaction is possible. In response to receiving the interaction request, one or more menus are displayed allowing the user to select one or more reaction options and to select whether the selected one or more reaction options are to be communicated to another user or to a content provider. |
| US08826320B1 |
System and method for voting on popular video intervals
A system and method is provided for identifying popular intervals in online hosted videos. To determine popular intervals associated with a video, a plurality of votes for one or more intervals of the video are collected and organized into a plurality of groups. Each group includes votes for intervals of the video that are similar to each other. A group having the highest number of votes is identified, and a most popular clip of the video is formed based upon the intervals in the group with the highest number of votes. This process can be carried out to determine the groups having the second and third highest number of votes in a single video to form the second and third most popular clips in that video, as well as across numerous videos to identify the most popular clips within different videos. |
| US08826319B2 |
Method and system for tracking of advertisements
A system and method for tracking of advertisements. The system includes a user interface for accessing information associated with commercial breaks and advertisements. The system also includes one or more edge devices for recording advertisements aired during commercial breaks on a television or radio channel. Further, the system includes a media server. The media server includes a memory, and a processor for storing recorded advertisements along with a stamp of region, channel, program and time of insertion associated with the advertisements in a repository of a media server, and providing access to the recorded advertisements for the advertisers. The method includes recording advertisements aired during commercial breaks on the television or the radio channel, storing recorded advertisements along with a stamp of region, channel, program and time of insertion associated with the advertisements in a repository of a media server, and providing access to the recorded advertisements for the advertisers. |
| US08826315B2 |
Estimation apparatus, estimation method, program, and integrated circuit
An object is to provide an apparatus that accurately estimates an association between content and a user who performed an operation on the content. The apparatus includes: a first association information generation unit that generates first association information in which content information subjected to an operation and a user who performed the operation are associated; a learning unit that generates learnt information for associating a given user with content likely to be operated by the given user by using the first association information; an estimation unit that estimates a user by using unidentified content information for which the user cannot be identified and the learnt information; and a second association information generation unit that generates second association information in which the unidentified content information and the estimated user are associated. The learning unit updates the learnt information by preferentially using the first association information over the second association information. |
| US08826313B2 |
Predictive content placement on a managed services systems
A distributed stochastic learning agent analyzes viewing and/or interactive service behavior patterns of users of a managed services system. The agent may operate on embedded and/or distributed devices such as set-top boxes, portable video devices, and interactive consumer electronic devices. Content may be provided with services such as video and/or interactive applications at a future time with maximum likelihood that a subscriber will be viewing a video or utilizing an interactive service at that future time. For example, user impressions can be maximized for content such as advertisements, and content may be scheduled in real-time to maximize viewership from across all video and/or interactive services. |
| US08826311B2 |
Information recording medium and holding device for holding information recording medium
An information recording medium 100 according to one aspect of the present invention includes a disc substrate 1 formed by a resin, and a thickness thereof in a data area 102 is 0.2 mm or less. The information recording medium 100 includes a step 110 in an inner periphery area 101, the step having a height of 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. The step 110 includes an acute-angle edge portion 111 used for positioning a center of the information recording medium 100 when spinning the information recording medium 100; and an angle θ of an inner side of a cross section of the acute-angle edge portion 111 is 50 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less. |
| US08826307B2 |
Extensible private driver interface
A computer with an extensible framework for facilitating communication between a software component installed on the computer and a device driver that executes functions in response to vendor-specific command objects (e.g., OIDs). The framework defines data structures and a standardized format for defining and implementing private interfaces. After selecting a private interface that is commonly supported by a software component and a driver, a private communication path may be established by an operating system component to facilitate the transfer of command information from the software component to the driver. The private communication path allows commands packaged as OIDs to be routed from software components to intended drivers. By defining private interfaces which route commands from software components to intended drivers, the extensible framework mitigates potential incompatibilities that may arise when drivers created by different vendors include OIDs with the same OID value. |
| US08826306B2 |
Hidden representations for marshaling through hosted scripting environments
Systems and methods are described for passing a data item to and obtaining the data item from a scripting environment hosted by a host environment, wherein each environment uses a different representation of the data item. The host environment passes the data item to the scripting environment by passing a host environment representation of the data item that is hidden from developers of scripts to be executed by the scripting environment. This enables the original host environment representation of the data item to be preserved even after the data item has been passed to and from the scripting environment in the case where the scripting environment does not modify the data item, and also facilitates lazy conversion of the data item or avoidance of conversion entirely in the case where the scripting environment does not modify the data item. |
| US08826301B2 |
Method and system for processing data for preventing deadlock
Provided are a method and system for processing data for preventing deadlock, and more particularly, provided are a method and system which process messages received at a message response standby state in an actor system so as to prevent deadlock. The data-processing method for preventing deadlock includes the following steps: (a) transmitting a read message for requesting information on the status of a target actor required for processing data; (b) receiving only read messages for reading information on the status of an actor until a response to the read message is received; and (c) when the response to the read message is received, processing relevant data using the status information. |
| US08826298B2 |
Method and apparatus that enables a web-based client-server application to be used offline
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates using a web-based client-server application offline. During operation, the system receives a function call at an object within a browser that is executing on a client, wherein the function call is generated by the web-based client-server application and is directed to a communication layer on the client. Next, the system determines an intended resource for the function call. The system also determines if the function call should be redirected to an alternate resource. If so, the system redirects the function call to the alternate resource. If not, the system forwards the function call to the intended resource. Note that in some embodiments of the present invention, the entire system operates within the context of the browser. |
| US08826293B2 |
Visualization-centric performance-based volume allocation in a data storage system
A method, system, and computer program product for visualization-centric performance-based volume allocation in a data storage system using a processor in communication with a memory device is provided. A unified resource graph representative of a global hierarchy of storage components in the data storage system, including each of a plurality of storage controllers, is generated. The unified resource graph includes a common root node and a plurality of subtree nodes corresponding to each of a plurality of nodes internal to the plurality of storage controllers. The common root node and the plurality of subtree nodes are ordered in a top-down orientation. Scalable volume provisioning of an existing or new workload amount by graphical manipulation of at least one of the storage components represented by the unified resource graph is performed based on an input. |
| US08826292B2 |
Migrating virtual machines based on level of resource sharing and expected load per resource on candidate target host machines
A mechanism for system-wide target host optimization in load balancing virtualization systems is disclosed. A method of the invention includes detecting a condition triggering a load balancing operation, identifying a plurality of candidate target host machines to receive one or more operating virtual machines (VMs) to be migrated, determining a load per resource on each identified candidate target host machine, and scheduling all operating VMs among all of the identified candidate target host machines in view of an expected load per resource on each candidate target host. |
| US08826284B1 |
Scalable task scheduling
A server system having one or more processors and memory receives, from a client, a request to perform a first task. The server system determines whether a first slot in a primary task queue having a plurality of slots is available, where the first slot was selected in accordance with a slot-selection function designed to probabilistically distribute respective target slots for a plurality of successive tasks across a plurality of different non-consecutive slots in the primary task queue. In accordance with a determination that the first slot is available, the server system inserts the first task in the first slot in the primary task queue. In accordance with a determination that the first slot is unavailable, the server system inserts the first task at an entry point of a secondary task queue. |
| US08826283B2 |
Low overhead fault tolerance through hybrid checkpointing and replay
A virtualized computer system provides fault tolerant operation of a primary virtual machine. In one embodiment, this system includes a backup computer system that stores a snapshot of the primary virtual machine and a log file containing non-deterministic events occurring in the instruction stream of the primary virtual machine. The primary virtual machine periodically updates the snapshot and the log file. Upon a failure of the primary virtual machine, the backup computer can instantiate a failover backup virtual machine by consuming the stored snapshot and log file. |
| US08826280B1 |
Processing raw information for performing real-time monitoring of task queues
Monitoring a task queue in real-time is disclosed. A request is received for task queue information regarding the task queue. The task queue is queried in real-time to obtain the requested task queue information. The obtained task queue information is provided. |
| US08826278B2 |
Controlling memory conditions in a virtual machine
A method of managing host physical memory using a balloon application executing within a guest virtual machine (GVM) running on a host platform is described. The balloon application receives allocation parameters from an entity outside the GVM, the allocation parameters identifying an amount of memory for the balloon application to allocate. The balloon application adjusts the allocated amount of memory according to the allocated amount. Physical memory backing up the allocated memory can then be assigned by virtualization software for use by another virtual machine running on the host platform. |
| US08826277B2 |
Cloud provisioning accelerator
High level characteristics are extracted from a virtual machine provisioning request stream for a cloud computing environment. A plurality of prediction models are generated for a plurality of different types of virtual machines. A regression-correlation ensemble is applied to appropriate ones of the prediction models to predict future virtual machine demand for the cloud computing environment. |
| US08826276B1 |
Multi-threaded virtual machine processing on a web page
A system, method and a computer-readable medium for processing resources on a multithreaded browser. The browser includes a main thread and receives a resource. The browser initializes the main thread, the main thread includes an event loop and initializes a plurality of virtual machines, one virtual machine for each code segment within the resource. Each virtual machine includes a UI thread and is configured to share the main thread within the browser with the UI thread. Each UI thread is further configured to execute an event scheduled on the event loop on the virtual machine. |
| US08826275B2 |
System and method for self-aware virtual machine image deployment enforcement
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method includes receiving a request to instantiate a virtual machine image in a virtualization environment. The method also includes sending a request for verification of the virtualization environment. The method further includes receiving information from the enforcement module in response to the request for verification of the virtualization environment. The method further includes determining whether the virtualization environment is verified based on the information received. |
| US08826272B2 |
Planning a reliable migration in a limited stability virtualized environment
Systems and methods for reliably migrating a virtual machine (VM) are provided. The method comprises receiving overhead and reliability factors for hosts in a hosting fabric; determining a plurality of viable migration paths for migrating a source VM from a source host to a target host in the hosting fabric, wherein the migration is accomplished through a series of migration phases, wherein a phase involves migration of the source VM from one host to another host in a migration path; determining total overhead costs associated with each migration path; and selecting a migration path from among said plurality of migration paths according to the overhead costs and reliability factors, wherein the reliability of the migration over the selected path is monitored and controlled by dynamically allocating and de-allocating one or more replicas of the source VM on one or more hosts in the migration fabric. |
| US08826268B2 |
Virtual software application deployment configurations
Configuration items for a software application can be automatically and/or manually discovered, and the application can be packaged to form a virtual application package. A deployment configuration can include settings for the configuration items. The deployment configuration can be set after packaging the software application. For example, a selected configuration item in the deployment configuration may be changed in response to user input. The virtual application package can be deployed to instantiate the application one or more times, and the deployment configuration can be applied in the instantiated application. |
| US08826267B2 |
Association of object elements to operational modes
A method characterized by association of object elements to operational modes is adapted for use during installation or runtime of a software package. In an example embodiment, the software package includes objects and object behaviors, wherein a particular object has at least two different object behaviors associated with the particular object, and wherein different object behaviors are each associated with a different operational mode. The example method includes accepting a signal from a user input device to specify an operational mode in a target system for the software package and determining an object behavior that is associated with the specified operational mode. In one implementation, the determined behavior is installed in the target system while at least one other object behavior that is not associated with the specified operational mode is not installed in the target system. In another implementation, the software package is run via the target system, where the software package implements the determined behavior and does not implement at lease one other object behavior that is not associated with the specified operational mode. |
| US08826260B2 |
Customization of mobile-application delivery
A technique for facilitating customization of a software application is described. During this customization technique, an indicator, which indicates that a software application for an electronic device has been discovered by a user, is provided to a publisher of the software application. In response to the indicator, the publisher provides a token to the user. This token identifies a customized application-delivery service for the software application and/or a user-specific customization of the software application. Note that the customized application-delivery service and the user-specific customization are based on information about the user associated with the user's pre-existing or just-established relationship with the publisher. Next, the token is provided to an application-delivery service, and the application-delivery service provides the customized software application to the electronic device or a computer, for example, using the customized application-delivery service. |
| US08826258B2 |
Compiling and linking
A method of generating a computer program, the method comprising: independently compiling a plurality of source code modules to generate a plurality of respective object modules comprising a plurality of respective threads explicitly designated by a user to be executed in parallel; in each of the object modules, inserting at least one symbol indicative of a property of the object module's thread potentially conflicting with a corresponding property of a thread of another of said object module as a result of parallel execution of those threads; executing a linker to perform a linking process on said object modules, the linking process comprising: assessing the symbols in conjunction with one another to determine whether a conflict exists between the threads of two or more of the respective object modules; and linking the object modules to generate a computer program in which said threads are executable in parallel, wherein the linking is performed in dependence on said assessment. |
| US08826256B2 |
Optimizing compiler performance by object collocation
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for performing object collocation on a computer system are provided. The method includes analyzing a sequence of computer instructions for object allocations and uses of the allocated objects. The method further includes creating an allocation interference graph of object allocation nodes with edges indicating pairs of allocations to be omitted from collocation. The method also includes coloring the allocation interference graph such that adjacent nodes are assigned different colors, and creating an object allocation at a program point prior to allocations of a selected color from the allocation interference graph. The method additionally includes storing an address associated with the created object allocation in a collocation pointer, and replacing a use of each allocation of the selected color with a use of the collocation pointer to collocate multiple objects. |
| US08826253B2 |
Delayed insertion of safepoint-related code
Delayed insertion of safepoint related code is disclosed. Optimization processing is performed with respect to an intermediate representation of a source code. The optimized intermediate representation is analyzed programmatically to identify a safepoint and insert safepoint related code associated with the safepoint. In some embodiments, analyzing the optimized intermediate representation programmatically comprises determining where to place the safepoint within a program structure of the source code as reflected in the intermediate representation. |
| US08826252B2 |
Using vector atomic memory operation to handle data of different lengths
A system and method of compiling program code, wherein the program code includes an operation on an array of data elements stored in memory of a computer system. The program code is scanned for an equation which operates on data of lengths other than the limited number of vector supported data lengths. The equation is then replaced with vectorized machine executable code, wherein the machine executable code comprises a nested loop and wherein the nested loop comprises an exterior loop and a virtual interior loop. The exterior loop decomposes the equation into a plurality of loops of length N, wherein N is an integer greater than one. The virtual interior loop executes vector operations corresponding to the N length loop to form a result vector of length N, wherein the virtual interior loop includes one or more vector atomic memory operation (AMO) instructions, used to resolve false conflicts. |
| US08826251B2 |
Method and apparatus for dynamically generating machine code
A method and an apparatus for dynamically generating a machine code is provided, including: sequentially storing generated instructions in a first buffer; sequentially storing data in a second buffer, when the generated instructions reference data; and flushing the first buffer and the second buffer to executable code when a distance between an instruction referencing the data and the data has reached a limit of an offset range of the data-referencing instruction. |
| US08826249B2 |
Method and system for optimizing code for a multi-threaded application
In modern multi-threaded environments, threads often work cooperatively toward providing collective or aggregate throughput for an application as a whole. Optimizing in the small for “thread local” common path latency is often but not always the best approach for a concurrent system composed of multiple cooperating threads. Some embodiments provide a technique for augmenting traditional code emission with thread-aware policies and optimization strategies for a multi-threaded application. During operation, the system obtains information about resource contention between executing threads of the multi-threaded application. The system analyzes the resource contention information to identify regions of the code to be optimized. The system recompiles these identified regions to produce optimized code, which is then stored for subsequent execution. |
| US08826244B2 |
Providing programming support to debuggers
Method for providing programming support to a debugger are disclosed. The method includes defining at least one debugger programming statement, and instructing the debugger to execute the at least one debugger programming statement which modifies a least a portion of the computer program during execution of the computer program without recompiling the computer program. The debugger may be instructed to execute the at least one debugger programming statement at a specified position of the computer program. The at least one debugger programming statement may include a delete instruction that instructs the debugger to prevent one or more programming statements at a specified position in the computer program from being executed. The debugger may be instructed to execute the at least one debugger programming statement instead of one or more programming statements at a specified position in the computer program without recompiling the computer program. |
| US08826240B1 |
Application validation through object level hierarchy analysis
Application validation is performed based at least in part on object level hierarchy data associated with the application. An application is executed on a physical or emulated host device, and assembly code is generated for the executing application. The assembly code is analyzed to identify objects associated with the application, and to identify relationships between the objects. Based on the object and relationship data, an object level hierarchy is generated for the application. Validation of the application may be performed by comparing an object level hierarchy for a current version of the application to a previously generated hierarchy for a previous version of the application to identify differences between to the two hierarchies. |
| US08826237B2 |
Guiding correction of semantic errors in code using collaboration records
A method, system and program product for guiding correction of semantic errors in code in an integrated development environment. The method includes inputting, using a code editor, code being developed by a developer in an integrated development environment, identifying, using one or more collaboration records located for a node in a syntax tree constructed for the code inputted, any semantic errors pertaining to use of a third-party library in the code inputted by the developer and, displaying one or more suggestions associated with the one or more collaboration records located to correct the any semantic errors identified for the node, wherein the developer can choose a suggestion of the one or more suggestions displayed to guide correction of the any semantic errors. |
| US08826235B2 |
Step granularity selection in a software debugger
A debugger allows a programmer to select the granularity of a line step function. Using a debugger step statement, the programmer can specify line step, statement step, or automatic selection. When the user specifies line step in the debugger statement, the debugger functions in true line step mode, where a line of source code is executed for each step. When the user specifies statement step in the debugger statement, the debugger functions in statement step mode, where a statement is executed for each step. When the user specifies automatic selection in the debugger statement, the program is analyzed, and a decision regarding whether to use line step or statement step is made based on the characteristics of the program and based on user-specified selection criteria. In this manner the function of the debugger when line stepping can vary according to the programmer's needs. |
| US08826230B1 |
Graphical model for test case viewing, editing, and reporting
Various techniques for interacting with a test case via a graphical model are disclosed. For example, one method involves displaying a first icon, which represents a first testing activity within a test case; displaying a second icon, which represents a second testing activity within the test case; and displaying a connector, which couples the first icon and the second icon. An assertion (e.g., against test results obtained by performing the first testing activity) is associated with the connector. |
| US08826227B2 |
Computer aided visualization of a business object model lifecycle
A method, system and apparatus for visualization of versions of a BOM. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, at least two different versions of a BOM can be loaded into a versioning data processing system of a modeling tool executing in memory of a computer. The data from both versions of the BOM can be loaded into a single table in which each row of the table can include columns for a class name of a corresponding class specified by one of the versions of the BOM, a version of the corresponding class and at least one characteristic of the corresponding class such as a member name, type, date, argument, or other annotations such as vocabulary, comments, date. Subsequently, the single table can be visualized in at least two different treemaps for at least two different attributes of the versions of the BOM set forth in the single table. |
| US08826218B2 |
Accurate approximation of the objective function for solving the gate-sizing problem using a numerical solver
Systems and techniques are described for optimizing a circuit design by using a numerical solver. Some embodiments construct a set of lower bound expressions for a parameter that is used in an approximation of an objective function. Next, the embodiments evaluate the set of lower bound expressions to obtain a set of lower bound values. The embodiments then determine a maximum lower bound value from the set of lower bound values. Next, while solving a gate sizing problem using the numerical solver, the embodiments evaluate the approximate objective function and the partial derivatives of the approximate objective function by using the maximum lower bound value of the parameter. The maximum lower bound value of this parameter determines the accuracy of the approximation of the objective function. |
| US08826216B2 |
Token-based current control to mitigate current delivery limitations in integrated circuits
A system and method of operating an integrated circuit (IC) having a fixed layout of one or more blocks having one or more current sources therein that draw electrical current from a power source. The method includes dynamically issuing to a block configured to perform operations responsive to an instruction received at the block, a reserve amount of tokens; determining for each issuance of instruction to the block whether that block's reserve token amount exceeds zero; and one of: issuing the instruction to the block if the token reserve for that block is greater than one, and decrementing, after issuance of the instruction, by one token the block's reserve token amount, or, preventing issuance of an instruction to the block. In the method, each block may be initialized to have: a reserve token amount of zero, a token expiration period; a token generation cycle and a token generation amount. |
| US08826214B2 |
Implementing Z directional macro port assignment
A method, system and computer program product are provided for implementing an enhanced Z-directional macro port assignment or three-dimensional port creation for random logic macros of heterogeneous hierarchical integrated circuit chips. An initial port placement is provided on a layer for a macro. The initial port placement is expanded to provide a three-dimensional port shape including a plurality of metal layers along a z-axis. Wire routing of each of the macro level and a chip top level is defined within the expanded three-dimensional port shape. Each unnecessary metal layer of the expanded three-dimensional port shape is removed, providing a final three-dimensional port shape. |
| US08826213B1 |
Parasitic capacitance extraction for FinFETs
A method includes generating a three-dimensional table. The table cells of the three-dimensional table comprise normalized parasitic capacitance values selected from the group consisting essentially of normalized poly-to-fin parasitic capacitance values and normalized poly-to-metal-contact parasitic capacitance values of Fin Field-Effect Transistors (FinFETs). The three-dimensional table is indexed by poly-to-metal-contact spacings of the FinFETs, fin-to-fin spacings of the FinFETs, and metal-contact-to-second-poly spacings of the FinFETs. The step of generating the three-dimensional table is performed using a computer. |
| US08826210B2 |
Visualization interface of continuous waveform multi-speaker identification
A method implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code having programming instructions tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The programming instructions are operable to receive a current waveform of a communication between a plurality of participants. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to create a voiceprint from the current waveform if the current waveform is of a human voice. Furthermore, the programming instructions are operable to determine one of whether a match exists between the voiceprint and one library waveform of one or more library waveforms, whether a correlation exists between the voiceprint and a number of library waveforms of the one or more library waveforms and whether the voiceprint is unique. Additionally, the programming instructions are operable to transcribe the current waveform into text and provide a match indication display (MID) indicating an association between the current waveform and the one or more library waveforms based on the determining. |
| US08826199B2 |
System and method for development of a system architecture
Methods, systems, and computer readable medium for developing a system architecture that involves defining resource constraints for kinds of resources and constraint values for optimization parameters, and defining a design space as variants, where each variant is a vector. Satisfying sets of variants are determined for optimization parameters by assigning membership values to each variant of a universe of discourse set and performing a fuzzy search of a universe of discourse set using the corresponding membership values. A set of variants is determined based on an intersection of the satisfying sets of variants. An ordered list of variants is generated by sorting the set of variants and a variant is selected based on a position of the variant in the ordered list for use in developing the system architecture. |
| US08826198B2 |
Method and apparatus for enhancing signal strength for improved generation and placement of model-based sub-resolution assist features (MB-SRAF)
Model-Based Sub-Resolution Assist Feature (SRAF) generation process and apparatus are disclosed, in which an SRAF guidance map (SGM) is iteratively optimized to finally output an optimized set of SRAFs as a result of enhanced signal strength obtained by iterations involving SRAF polygons and SGM image. SRAFs generated in a prior round of iteration are incorporated in a mask layout to generate a subsequent set of SRAFs. The iterative process is terminated when a set of SRAF accommodates a desired process window or when a predefined process window criterion is satisfied. Various cost functions, representing various lithographic responses, may be predefined for the optimization process. |
| US08826196B2 |
Integration of optical proximity correction and mask data preparation
Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for integrating optical proximity correction and mask data preparation. First mask writer instructions for a layout design are simulated to generate a mask contour. Based on the generated mask contour, first layout data for the layout design are adjusted for optical proximity correction to generate second layout data. Using the generated second layout data as mask target, the first mask writer instructions are adjusted to generate second mask writer instructions. The above process may be iterated until an end condition is met. |
| US08826195B2 |
Layout modification method and system
A method comprises providing a non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium storing a partial netlist of at least a portion of a previously taped-out integrated circuit (IC) layout, representing a set of photomasks for fabricating an IC having the IC layout such that the IC meets a first specification value. A computer identifies a proper subset of a plurality of first devices in the IC layout, such that replacement of the proper subset of the first devices by second devices in a revised IC layout satisfies a second specification value different from the first specification value. At least one layout mask is generated and stored in at least one non-transitory machine readable storage medium, accessible by a tool for forming at least one additional photomask, such that the set of photomasks and the at least one additional photomask are usable to fabricate an IC according to the revised IC layout. |
| US08826193B1 |
Detection and removal of self-aligned double patterning artifacts
Mask design techniques for detection and removal of undesirable artifacts in SADP processes using multiple patterns are disclosed. Artifacts or spurs result from lithographic and chemical processing of semiconducting wafers. The spurs are undesirable because they can cause unwanted connections or act as electrical antennas. Spurs are detected using rule-based techniques and reduced by modifying lithographic masks. The severity of the detected spurs is determined, again using rule-based techniques. The effects of detected spurs can be reduced by modifying the decomposition of the drawn patterns into the two masks used for lithography. Mandrel masks are modified by add dummy mandrel material, and trim masks are modified by removing trim material. The resulting multi-pattern arrangement is used to fabricate the critical design elements that make up the semiconductor wafers. |
| US08826190B2 |
Moving a graphical selector
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for moving a graphical selector. In one example, a method includes activating, by a computing device, a graphical key that is displayed with a presence-sensitive interface of the computing device. Upon activation of the graphical key, the method also includes receiving gesture input corresponding to a directional gesture using the presence-sensitive interface of the computing device and moving a graphical selector displayed with the presence-sensitive interface from a first graphical location to a second graphical location by at least one selected increment based on a property of the gesture input. |
| US08826189B2 |
Apparatus having a control unit that recognizes circle motions to change a display state of an image
A display method for controlling a display state of an image regardless of a motion direction, includes displaying an image in a screen; and when an inward or outward motion having a center, is input onto the screen, the motion moving in a direction toward or away from the center, controlling a display state of the image according to the direction of the motion. |
| US08826183B2 |
Dynamic menu reordering
In one embodiment, dynamic menu reordering of a menu is effected by presenting a plurality of menus; receiving a menu selection; in response to the menu selection, presenting a plurality of menu options, each of which menu options occupies a respective menu position; receiving reordering information; and in response to the reordering information, reordering at least one menu position occupied by a respective memory option. In an additional embodiment, menu-option position information is retained in accordance with reordering information; and upon a subsequent menu selection, menu options are presented so that at least one menu option occupies a user-defined position. |
| US08826180B2 |
Image display apparatus and image display method
An image display apparatus includes: a storage section for storing a plurality of content items sorted using categories of a higher level; a display section for displaying either of the content items or the categories; an operating section generating a first operation signal according to a first operation performed with a weak pressing force and a second operation signal according to a second operation performed with a pressing force stronger than that of the first operation; and a control section receiving the input of the first operation signal and the second operation signal and controlling a display image displayed on the display section. |
| US08826176B2 |
Information processing apparatus and control method
Upon receiving a menu display request, a plug-in dynamically generates a menu. The module of the plug-in generates the contents of the menu. Each plug-in has specific menu generation processing. The contents of menus generated by respective plug-ins are merged to display the menu. |
| US08826175B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing activities
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller adapted to present a task toolbar by way of a display of the communication device, create an entry in the task toolbar, identify a party responsible for one or more tasks associated with the entry, associate the party with the entry and update the task toolbar to show by way of the display the association of the party to the entry, create one or more tasks, associate the one or more tasks with the entry of the party in the task toolbar, and synchronize one or more communication resources of the party according to the entry associated with the party and the associated one or more tasks. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08826174B2 |
Using visual landmarks to organize diagrams
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for using visual landmarks to organize diagrams. Embodiments of the invention facilitate using visual landmarks to organize elements within a diagram. Elements of a diagram can be arranged in accordance with configurable defined properties of visual landmarks to provide some degree of layout structure within the diagram. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a user experience that provides some structure but retains the flexibility of free form editing. Users can customize visual landmarks to cause the visual landmarks to exhibit desired behavior. |
| US08826167B2 |
Letter input method and apparatus of portable terminal
A text input method and apparatus of a portable terminal supporting a virtual keypad including a plurality of character keys are provided. The method includes displaying, when a text input mode is activated, a virtual keypad including a plurality of key regions, each key region being assigned plural letters, compounding, when a touch movement event is detected on the virtual keypad, letters assigned to a first key region to which a touch-down event is made with letters assigned to a second key region to which a touch-up event is made into compound letters, displaying the compound letters, and inputting, when a compound letter is selected, the compound letter selected. |
| US08826165B2 |
System status user interfaces
Controllers for controlling heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems are provided. The controllers include graphical user interfaces for user adjustment of system settings. The graphical user interfaces also may be designed to present information that facilitates user understanding of system operations. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interfaces may display virtual representations of HVAC systems with graphical elements representing units and/or operating status of the HVAC systems. |
| US08826164B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for creating a new folder
An electronic device concurrently displays a plurality of user interface objects and a list of folder icons. The list of folder icons includes a first new folder icon. The device detects a first input by a user using a first user input device, selects a folder icon in the list of folder icons in accordance with the first input, and indicates selection of the folder icon in the list of folder icons. The device also detects a second input by the user using a second user input device on one or more of the displayed user interface objects, moves the one or more user interface objects into a folder that corresponds to the selected folder icon, and when the selected folder icon is the first new folder icon, displays a second new folder icon in the list of folders icons. |
| US08826161B2 |
Image forming control method and image processing apparatus
Various embodiments for forming an image of selected objects from a web page are provided. An example of an image processing apparatus comprises a web page display unit which, based on web page data supplied from a web page data source, is configured to display web pages on a web page display range present on the screen of a display apparatus, an object information storage control unit configured to control the storing of object information including information necessary to print selected objects from the web pages based upon a user selection in a storage unit, an object information update control unit configured to control updating of object information describing the stored object with object information describing the latest object corresponding to the stored object, and an image forming control unit configured to control the formation of images of objects on an output medium based on the stored object information. |
| US08826158B1 |
Device for and method of determining changes to GUI
A device and method of determining changes to a graphical user interface (GUI) that does not require the use of a configuration file or the use of data from a previous operation of an application computer program by identifying a program currently running, determining a first tree structure for the GUI, identifying a communication from the program to the GUI, returning to the third step if the communication does not change the GUI, determining a second tree structure for the changed GUI, comparing the first and second tree structures for any change, discarding the first tree structure, renaming the second tree structure as the first tree structure, and transmitting the identified change to a user, and returning to the third step. |
| US08826149B2 |
Method and device to simplify message composition
A method and device to simplify message reply composition on a communications device, using a partially transparent overlay to allow a user to freely scroll and move around to other sections of a message or message chain while still being able to see and edit the reply being composed. When the reply is scrolled such that the composition field is not visible on the display screen, the device displays the overlay when the user enters text or on user request. The user may then type text into the overlay while viewing the underlying portion of the reply message, such as previous messages in the string. |
| US08826146B2 |
Uniform user interface for software applications
The present invention is a user interface for varying accessibility parameters to match comprehension needs. The present invention consists of a uniform, easy to use, interface to applications. Rather than dealing directly with the user interface parameters of a particular application, the user interacts with this uniform interface, or UI aggregator. The UI aggregator can then transform the information presented by the particular application or combination of applications as desired by the user. The UI aggregator can be accessed through a variety of modes—keyboard, speech, touch, and gestures. Through interaction with the UI aggregator, the user can create and select user profiles that control multiple software applications. |
| US08826144B2 |
Content recovery mode for portlets
The present invention relates to the field of network computing, and in particular to Web contents accessible via a portal. It particularly relates to a method and system for restoring content represented by time-dependently varied fragments of portlets aggregated in web pages of such web portal.It is proposed to enable a user to set a portlet into a “content recovery mode”. A respective user action on a respective GUI control (50) creates a URI that allows the portlet to generate its output as currently seen. The user may then send this URL to a friend, who can access the desired portlet output at any given time. Or, the user may save it at the own computer. |
| US08826139B1 |
Searchable message board
A method of accessing situation related information includes collecting information related to at least one situation from a plurality of participants connected via a situational network, where the situational network formed in response to the situation. An electronic message board for accessing a portion of the information related to the situation is established. Requests for the information is received from a plurality of visitors using the electronic message board, where the visitors are not connected to the situational network. The information is provided to the visitors using the electronic message board. |
| US08826138B1 |
Virtual connect domain groups
A system comprises a processor and a graphical user interface (GUI) executable by the processor. The GUI enables a user to specify constituent virtual connect domains (VCD) for a common VCD group. Each VCD comprises two or more computing devices virtualized by a virtual connect device. The virtual connect device comprises multiple ports for communicatively coupling the two or more computing devices to external networks. For all of the constituent VCDs of a particular VCD group, each corresponding port of a corresponding virtual connect device is connected to the same external. |
| US08826134B2 |
Pivot command for playlist
Managing playlists, comprising: displaying a current playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the current playlist at a current media item; selecting one of the following: (1) when a pivot command to pivot from the current playlist to a pivoted playlist is received, first moving to a next media item of the pivoted playlist, and displaying the pivoted playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the pivoted playlist at the next media item of the pivoted playlist; (2) otherwise when no pivot command is received, second moving to a next media item of the current playlist, and displaying the current playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the current playlist at the next media item of the current playlist. |
| US08826133B2 |
Enhanced 3D sound
A system and method are disclosed for providing improved 3D sound experience to a user. The sound generation layer is customizable to allow the user and/or application provider to modify the internal rules the sound generation layer uses to render sounds, to amplify sounds that fall below a pre-set or user-set volume level, and to specifically amplify/soften certain sounds (such as game specific sounds like gunfire or footsteps), or specific frequencies of sounds. A graphical user interface can communicates with the sound generation layer to handle any or all the above, so that a lay user can easily adjust these settings without having to understand the underlying algorithms. |
| US08826128B2 |
Multi-action rows with incremental gestures
Methods, computer systems, and computer storage media are provided for initiating clinical actions associated with a clinical object on a touch screen interface using incremental gestures. A clinical object is presented in an object row on the touch screen interface, and clinical actions associated with the clinical object are determined. A user gesture comprising an incremental gesture of the object row in a first direction is detected; the incremental gesture reveals an indicator associated with one of the clinical actions. The indicator is revealed after the incremental gesture has traveled a first distance. The action is initiated upon release of the incremental gesture. |
| US08826127B2 |
System and method for representation of multiple related objects within a web feed
A method and computer program product for processing a data page to be provided to one or more remote devices via a data feed. A determination is made concerning whether the data page includes two or more data objects. If the data page includes two or more data objects, a page entry for the data page is defined; and a separate object entry for at least one of the two or more data objects included within the data page is defined. The object entry is associated with the page entry. |
| US08826124B2 |
Method for viewing and printing double-sided items
A method for displaying indicia that is to be printed on a double-sided item on a computer screen. The double-sided item has first and second surfaces. The indicia has at least one print orientation when the indicia is printed on the item's first and second surfaces, and at least one view orientation when the indicia is displayed on the computer screen, which has a vertical orientation. The method includes providing information that characterizes the indicia's print orientation, using the information to compare the print orientation to the vertical orientation; and if, as a result of the comparison, the print orientation does not match the vertical orientation, adjusting the view orientation so the view orientation matches the vertical orientation while maintaining the indicia's print orientation when the indicia is printed on the item. |
| US08826118B2 |
Applications and services supported by a client-server independent intermediary mechanism
A method and apparatus of accessing data through an independent intermediary mechanism (IIM) is described. The method includes displaying a frame including a user interface of the IIM, the frame framing a destination server display area (DSDA). The method further includes having one or more of the following functions provided by the IIM: a home page, a history list, bookmarks, a one-click account log-in function, a transaction record accessible to the user, a forms database permitting new forms to be added to the forms database, a user profile, and automatic form-fill function based on the forms database and the user profile. |
| US08826114B2 |
Surface-curve graphical intersection tools and primitives for data visualization, tabular data, and advanced spreadsheets
Graphical tools and primitives are provided for interactively intersecting at least one graphical surface and curve in a spreadsheet or visualization to produce intersection data. Applications include simple business analysis as well as advanced engineering and science, and provide numerical solution for simultaneous spatially-manipulated interactive equations. Visualizations of two-dimensional surfaces are rendered from provided data according to position, orientation, and viewpoint, some or all of which can be controlled by a user interface so as to create or control the intersection of surfaces. The provided data can be from an electronic spreadsheet, and the overall visualization can be displayed together with the display an electronic spreadsheet or other tabular data representation. Visually rendered surfaces can comprise symbols, colors, textures, or glyphs representing data, and virtual illumination. Intersection data corresponding to the mathematical intersection of the surfaces is computed and provided to further computation. Intersection computation can comprise interpolation and resampling. |
| US08826108B1 |
Pre-scaling soft-decoder inputs
The present disclosure describes techniques for pre-scaling decoder input values. In some aspects a soft-decoding input indicating a reliability of an encoded bit is received, the soft-decoding input is scaled based on a value of the soft-decoding input, and a hardware-based soft-decoder is enabled to use the scaled soft-decoding input to decode the encoded bit. By so doing, resolution of the soft-decoding input can be preserved during subsequent decoding operations improving performance of the hardware-based soft-decoder. |
| US08826107B2 |
Efficient cache search and error detection
A first codeword may be constructed from a cache tag in a cache and an error correction code corresponding to the cache tag. A second codeword may be constructed from a search tag and an error correction code corresponding to the search tag. A hamming distance may be calculated between the first codeword and the second codeword. If the hamming distance is less than or equal to a threshold, a cache hit may be signaled. If the hamming distance is above the threshold, a cache miss may be signaled. |
| US08826106B2 |
Low bandwidth PHY for WLAN
A method includes generating first and second data units corresponding to first and second PHY modes, respectively. Generating the first data unit includes FEC encoding first information bits, mapping the FEC-encoded bits to first constellation symbols, and generating first OFDM symbols to include the first constellation symbols. The first OFDM symbols utilize a first tone spacing, and include a first number of non-zero tones collectively spanning a first bandwidth. Generating the second data unit includes FEC encoding second information bits, block encoding the FEC-encoded bits, mapping the block-encoded bits to second constellation symbols, and generating second OFDM symbols to include the second constellation symbols. The second OFDM symbols utilize the first tone spacing, and include a second number of non-zero tones collectively spanning a second bandwidth less than the first bandwidth. The second number of non-zero tones is less than the first number of non-zero tones. |
| US08826103B2 |
Time protocol latency correction based on forward error correction status
One embodiment provides a method for time protocol latency correction based on forward error correction (FEC) status. The method includes determining, by a network node element, if a forward error correction (FEC) decoding mode is enabled or disabled for a packet received from a link partner in communication with the network node element. The method also includes determining, by the network node element, a first time correction factor if an FEC decoding mode is enabled, the first time correction factor includes a time delay associated with the enabled FEC decoding mode and the first time correction factor is applied to a time stamp associated with the packet. The method also includes determining, by the network node element, a second time correction factor if an FEC decoding mode is disabled, the second time correction factor is applied to the time stamp associated with the packet. |
| US08826093B2 |
Power saving method for coded transmission
Conserving power for coded transmissions comprises ceasing to process parity packets once associated data packets are deemed correct or corrected. Once data packets are deemed correct or corrected, the receiving unit can shut off during the transmission of parity packets. |
| US08826091B2 |
Die with DIO path, clock input, TLM, and TAP domains
Testing of die on wafer is achieved by; (1) providing a tester with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, (2) providing die on wafer with the capability of externally communicating JTAG test signals using simultaneously bidirectional transceiver circuitry, and (3) providing a connectivity mechanism between the bidirectional transceiver circuitry's of the tester and a selected group or all of the die on wafer for communication of the JTAG signals. |
| US08826090B2 |
Test access port and TMS communication circuitry with state machines
The present disclosure describes using the JTAG Tap's TMS and/or TCK terminals as general purpose serial Input/Output (I/O) Manchester coded communication terminals. The Tap's TMS and/or TCK terminal can be used as a serial I/O communication channel between; (1) an IC and an external controller, (2) between a first and second IC, or (3) between a first and second core circuit within an IC. The use of the TMS and/or TCK terminal as serial I/O channels, as described, does not effect the standardized operation of the JTAG Tap, since the TMS and/or TCK I/O operations occur while the Tap is placed in a non-active steady state. |
| US08826086B2 |
Memory card test interface
A memory card and methods for testing memory cards are disclosed herein. The memory card has a test interface that allows testing large numbers of memory cards together. Each memory card may have a serial data I/O contact and a test select contact. The memory cards may only send data via the serial data I/O contact when selected, which may allow many memory cards to be connected to the same serial data line during test. Moreover, existing test socket boards may be used without adding additional external circuitry. Thus, cost effective testing of memory cards is provided. In some embodiments, the test interface allows for a serial built in self test (BIST). |
| US08826082B2 |
Optical communication system, interface board and control method performed in interface board
An embodiment of the invention is an optical communication system including: a plurality of interface boards which transmit and receive optical signals to and from interface boards facing the plurality of interface boards; and a monitoring control device which monitors states of the plurality of interface boards. A first interface board of the plurality of interface boards includes: a replacement unit capable of monitoring the states of the plurality of interface boards on behalf of the monitoring control device and independently receiving supply of power; and a control unit configured to start the replacement unit in a case where a fault occurs in the monitoring control device and stop or halt the replacement unit in a case where there is no fault in the monitoring control device. |
| US08826080B2 |
Methods and systems for preboot data verification
A method for validating the data defining an executable program prior to loading of the data for program execution is described. The method includes calculating a verification number for the data within a primary data storage area, the data defining an executable program, comparing the calculated verification number with a stored number, executing the program within the primary data storage area if the verification number matches the stored number, calculating a verification number for the data within a secondary data storage area, the data within the secondary data storage area defining the same executable program as that within the primary data storage area, if the verification number and the stored number do not match, comparing the calculated verification number for the data within the secondary data storage area with the stored number, causing the program to be executed if the verification number for the data within the secondary data storage area and the stored number match, and indicating a failure if the verification number for the data within the secondary data storage area and stored number do not match. |
| US08826079B2 |
Data processing apparatus and method for identifying debug events
A data processing apparatus has at least one circuit block accessible for debugging by a debugger, the block having a set of debug status registers and a debug event register which is set by the circuit block to indicate occurrence of a debug event. Debug interface circuitry interfaces with the set of debug status registers for each circuit block. The circuitry includes at least a first portion which is in a first power domain that remains in a fully powered state while the debugger is connected to the circuitry. Status registers are provided in a second power domain which transitions between the fully powered state and at least one low power state while the debugger is connected to the circuitry. Content of the debug status registers is only accessible to the debugger when the second power domain is in the fully powered state. |
| US08826070B1 |
Method and system for providing storage checkpointing to a group of independent computer applications
A method and system for checkpointing at least one application in an application group. At least one full checkpoint and at least one incremental checkpoint are created for the application in the application group. The at least one incremental application checkpoint is merged against the at least one full application checkpoint, and checkpointing across all applications in the application group is synchronized. A storage checkpoint is taken for at least one of the full checkpoint and the incremental checkpoint, and memory and storage checkpoints are synchronized and consistent. |
| US08826068B2 |
Automated testing of applications in cloud computer systems
A system and method for performing automated testing of an application in a cloud environment. A controller initializes an manages a number of virtual machines (VM), each VM including a test engine. The controller retrieves configuration data, determines a number of VMs to deploy, and initializes the VMs. The controller manages each VM by providing test commands and monitoring the results. Each VM receives and executes the test commands. The system may be used to test interactive applications or non-interactive applications. |
| US08826063B2 |
Electronic device with reduced power consumption in external memory
An electronic device for data processing is disclosed having a CPU (3), a Closely Coupled Memory (5), an external memory system (8), and a first clock unit (1) and second clock unit (9) for receiving a main clock signal (2) and converting the main clock signal (2) into a first clock signal (6) for at least the Central Processing Unit (3) and Closely Coupled Memory (5) and a second clock signal (10) for the external memory (8). The first clock signal has a first clock frequency and the second clock signal has a second clock frequency being higher than said first clock frequency and wherein the device is configured to switch per time unit the external memory for an active period Tactive in an active state and for a standby period Tstandby in a standby state to retrieve a predetermined amount of data from the external memory per time unit. |
| US08826060B2 |
Correlation of log information in a distributed computing environment using relative timestamps
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for using a relative timestamp to log activity in a distributed computing system. In one aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method. The method may include receiving a message including a first timestamp representative of when the message is sent at a first processor. A second processor may generate an entry logging receipt of the received message. The second processor may determine a second timestamp representative of a time relative to the first timestamp. The second timestamp may be included as an entry at a log at the second processor. |
| US08826059B2 |
Apparatus and method for buffering data between memory controller and DRAM
A apparatus is provided for buffering data between a memory controller and a DRAM. The apparatus includes a phase locked loop (PLL), a phase interpolator for aligning a phase of an output clock signal in response to a phase aligning control word, and a non-volatile storage location permanently storing the phase aligning control word. The phase aligning control word is determined through an initial training procedure of the device under predetermined training conditions of at least a supply voltage level and a temperature, and the predetermined training conditions are set so as to optimize the phase alignment of an edge of the output clock signal with respect to the buffered data signal. |
| US08826057B1 |
Multiple time domain synchronizer circuits
A multiple time domain synchronizer includes a data pipeline containing a plurality of serially-connected delay elements therein. A latency selection circuit is provided, which has a plurality of inputs electrically coupled to outputs of a corresponding plurality of delay elements in the data pipeline. The latency selection circuit is configured to pass a data pipeline signal from an output of a selected one of the plurality of delay elements in response to a latency control signal. A synchronization circuit is provided, which is electrically coupled to an output of the latency selection circuit. This synchronization circuit, which includes first and second unequal timing paths therein, is responsive to a clock that synchronizes capture of the data pipeline signal selected by the latency selection circuit and a destination code that selects one of the first and second unequal timing paths to be traversed by the captured data pipeline signal as active. |
| US08826053B2 |
Coordination operation method and mobile communication terminal
An engine processor program, stored in a non-volatile storage region 37 of a storage section 35 connected to a host processor 31 of a host section 30, for execution in an engine processor 41 of an engine section 40, is transmitted from the host section 30 to the engine section 40. The engine processor program received by the engine section 40 is stored in a volatile storage section 42 connected to an engine processor 51. Then, the host section 30 notifies an execution instruction for a specified program, among the engine processor programs stored in the storage section 42, to the engine section 40 and causes execution on the engine processor 41. As a result, even in a structure provided, the engine section 40 does not need a large capacity non-volatile storage region, thereby configuring a compact mobile communication terminal. |
| US08826052B1 |
Methods and apparatus for power mode control for PDA with separate communications and applications processors
A mobile electronic communication device power management method and apparatus are disclosed for use in multiple processor hardware schemes having asymmetrical power demands between processors. Upon reaching an long duration idle state, a high-level processor with high power consumption requirements handling low-level system tasks updates a data set shared between processor subsystems containing information necessary to perform such low-level tasks. A proxy software module is initiated on a base-band processor with lower power consumption requirements. The proxy module accesses the shared data set and begins to control low-level system tasks, allowing the high-level processor to enter a dormant low power state. Upon the occurrence of a wake-up event, the high-level processor enters an active state. The shared data set is updated by the proxy software module and the proxy module is terminated. The high-level processor accesses the shared data set and resumes control of low-level system tasks. |
| US08826048B2 |
Regulating power within a shared budget
Metrics representing a combined measure of power used by a central processing unit (CPU) and power used by a graphics processing unit (GPU) are compared to a shared supply power and/or shared thermal power budget. A state of the CPU and a state of the GPU are regulated by the power management system to maintain the metrics within the shared supply power and/or thermal power budget for the purpose of managing the components to meet platform power supply, and cooling, constraints and design requirements. |
| US08826047B1 |
Self governing power management architecture that allows independent management of devices based on clock signals and a plurality of control signals written to control registers
A first power management module includes a power management interface to communicate with a power management bus and manages power states of a first device communicating with a system bus. The power management interface includes a first interface to communicate a first control signal to transition the first device from a first power state to a second power state, a second interface to communicate a second control signal to turn on or off a power supply to the first device, and a third interface to communicate a third control signal to turn on or off a clock of the first device. A second power management module manages power consumption of the first device, independently of a second device communicating with the system bus, based on the power states of the first device using one or more of the first control signal, the second control signal, and the third control signal. |
| US08826045B2 |
Assessing conditions of power consumption in computer network
A display apparatus including: a collecting unit that collects power consumption information, wherein the power consumption information shows power consumption of a connecting device, and the connecting device interconnects a plurality of communication paths in a computer network; and a display unit that displays power consumption of the computer network, based on the power consumption information and constituent units based on a virtual network which is configured virtually on the computer network. |
| US08826044B2 |
Switch device of data card with battery and realization method for saving power thereof
The present invention discloses a switch device of a data card with a battery comprising a connection detecting module and a battery connection enable switch-off module inside an original battery power supply module. The present invention further discloses a method for saving power of a data card with a battery. Using the switch device of the data card and corresponding method for saving power of the data card, a switch button of the data card can be omitted and static power consumption of the battery can be avoided, thereby saving electric quantity of the battery. |
| US08826041B1 |
In-band detection mechanism for detecting intermediate layer in a storage I/O driver stack
A system shares encryption-related metadata between layers of a storage I/O stack. Additionally, a detection mechanism ensures that certain layers within the storage I/O stack are present and cooperate with a particular protocol. Along these lines, functional components engage in an in-band communications protocol, such as a data encryption key (DEK) management protocol. The in-band communications protocol employs protocol commands and responses carried along the data path as contents of in-band transport messages and responses, such as special SCSI read commands and their responses. The protocol commands and responses include a handshake command and a handshake response used during an initial handshake operation. Each protocol command and response has a protocol signature field carrying one of distinct first and second signature values which are used to identify the presence of the protocol command or response in the transport messages and responses at different locations along the data path. |
| US08826035B2 |
Cumulative integrity check value (ICV) processor based memory content protection
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a process that includes a cryptographic engine and first and second registers. The cryptographic engine is to encrypt data to be written to memory, to decrypt data read from memory, to generate read integrity check values (ICVs) and write ICVs for memory accesses. The cryptographic engine is also to create a cumulative read ICV and a cumulative write ICV by XORing the generated read ICV and the generated write ICV with a current read MAC and a current write ICV respectively and to validate data integrity by comparing the cumulative read ICV and the cumulative write ICV. The first and second registers are to store the cumulative read and write ICVs respectively at the processor. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08826032B1 |
Systems and methods for network change discovery and host name resolution in storage network environments
The systems and methods described herein include processes for efficiently detecting relevant state changes in storage network environments and for resolving the name of hosts in storage networks. A subset of states for each component in the storage network is tracked, state information consisting of the values of the selected states with an associated timestamp and a component identifier (ID) for the storage network components is periodically received, a hash function value of the received state using a pre-selected hash function is computed, the most-recent locally-stored hash function value associated with that component ID is retrieved, and in case the hash function value is different from the most-recently locally-stored value, the new hash function value and the timestamp associated with that new value and component ID are stored and this state information is forwarded to a global analyzer service. |
| US08826028B1 |
Cryptography secure input device
According to one general aspect, a method may include accessing a service via a computer. The computer may be coupled to a programmable human input device. The programmable human input device may be configured to directly receive user input from a human user and stores at least one encryption key. The method may include encrypting, by the programmable human input device, user confidential input using an encryption key associated with the service and stored within the programmable human input device. The method may also include transmitting the encrypted user confidential input to the service via the computer, wherein the computer is not configured to determine the unencrypted user confidential input from the encrypted user confidential input. |
| US08826022B1 |
Methods and systems for creating monetary accounts for members in a social network
Embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods of creating monetary accounts for members in a social network. One aspect of one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving transaction data associated with at least one member of a social network, associating a first member of the social network with a trust factor, associating a second member of the social network with another trust factor, and determining whether to create an account between the first member and second member, based at least in part on the trust factor of the first member and the trust factor of the second member. Another aspect of one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving transaction data from a plurality of members of a social network, wherein each member has an associated trust factor, and resolving the transaction data based at least in part on the trust factors associated with the plurality of members. |
| US08826019B2 |
Centralized authentication system with safe private data storage and method
A token-based centralized authentication method for providing access to a service provider to user information associated with a user's relationship with the service provider includes the steps of: authenticating a user presenting a user token at a user terminal, the user token having stored thereon a user ID; deriving a resource identifier using at least two data input elements, the at least two data input elements including the user ID of the user and a service provider ID of the service provider, wherein the user information is stored in a storage network and the resource identifier is associated with the user information; retrieving the user information from the storage network using the resource identifier; and providing the retrieved user information to the service provider. |
| US08826018B2 |
Stateless human detection for real-time messaging systems
Stateless human detection for real-time systems allows a real-time message system to challenge incoming messages suspected of being generated by an automated application. When a suspect message is detected, a challenge is presented to a sender of the message. The challenge is designed to require human intervention to provide a correct answer to the challenge. A challenge packet is sent with the challenge and includes a challenge answer and, possibly, a server identifier, a challenge identifier and/or a time stamp that can be used to prevent attacks on the challenge. The challenge packet is encrypted so that the sender cannot access the contents thereof. When the sender provides a response to the challenge, the sender returns the challenge packet. The challenge packet is decrypted and the challenge answer is compared to a sender answer. If the answers match, the sender is allowed subsequent access to the messaging system. |
| US08826014B2 |
Authentication of remote host via closed ports
A method, system and apparatus for authenticating a communication request sent from a client computing device. The communication request is initially blocked by a firewall preventing delivery to a server. A first logging event corresponding to the communication request is created. The communication request and the logging event are stored in a firewall. The server is notified of the first logging event. The communication request corresponding to the first logging event is authenticated. A port in the firewall is enabled if the communication request is authenticated. |
| US08826013B1 |
Protection of customer data in cloud virtual machines using a central management server
A cloud computing environment includes a key management server and a cloud computer system running several virtual machines. A virtual machine hosted by the cloud computer system includes an integrity check module for checking the integrity of the virtual machine and getting identity information of the virtual machine. The integrity check module sends a key request to a key management server, which provides key service to different cloud computer systems. The key management server validates the request and, if the request is valid, provides the key to the virtual machine. The key is used to unlock an encrypted file system in the virtual machine. |
| US08826008B2 |
Method and device for secure notification of identity
A system, methods and devices for the secure notification of an identity in a communications network. The methods include sending or receiving a communication including a hash of a certificate of a device to notify or detect the presence of the device in a network. Each certificate is associated with an identity which is excluded from the communication of the hash of the certificate. The received hash is compared to hashes of certificates stored in an electronic device to determine an identity. The identity may represent an electronic device or a user of the electronic device. |
| US08826006B2 |
Method and device for enabling a trust relationship using an unexpired public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate
A method and device are useful for enabling a trust relationship using an unexpired public key infrastructure (PKI) certificate, where a current status of the PKI certificate is unavailable. The method includes determining at a relying party that a certificate status update for the PKI certificate is unavailable (step 905). Next, in response to the certificate status update being unavailable, a tolerable certificate status age (TCSA) for the PKI certificate is determined at the relying party based on one or more attributes associated with a certificate holder of the PKI certificate (step 910). Using the PKI certificate, a trust relationship is enabled between the relying party and the certificate holder after determining the TCSA and before an expiration of the TCSA (step 915). |
| US08826001B2 |
Securing information within a cloud computing environment
Embodiments of the invention provide a solution for securing information within a Cloud computing environment. Specifically, an encryption service/gateway is provided to handle encryption/decryption of information for all users in the Cloud computing environment. Typically, the encryption service is implemented between Cloud portals and a storage Cloud. Through the use of a browser/portal plug-in (or the like), the configuration and processing of the security process is managed for the Cloud computing environment user by pointing all traffic for which security is desired to this encryption service so that it can perform encryption (or decryption in the case of document retrieval) as needed (e.g., on the fly) between the user and the Cloud. |
| US08825994B2 |
Atomic switching of images in desktop streaming over wide area networks
A method for replacing a current desktop image having a current operating system on storage media for a computing device is described. In the method, an agent process is executed on the computing device for downloading from a server to a staging area on local storage media a replacement desktop disk image having a replacement operating system. The replacement desktop image includes a prefetch set of files and metadata for additional files, the prefetch set of files including a minimal set of files necessary to boot the replacement operating system, the replacement desktop image not including contents of the additional files. The computing device is rebooted to replace the current desktop image with the replacement desktop image. The computing device is then rebooted again to load the replacement operating system using the prefetch set of files. |
| US08825992B2 |
Processor-implemented method for booting a computing system by simultaneously performing hardware initialization and boot image transmission
Provided is a method of booting a computing system which performs boot image transmission and device initialization in parallel. For example, using an Internal RAM and direct memory access (DMA), hardware initialization and loading of boot image from a main storage medium to a main memory are performed in parallel, thereby reducing time spent on booting. |
| US08825991B2 |
FOTA based data update method and mobile terminal supporting the same
A Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) based data update method and a mobile terminal of supporting the same are provided. The FOTA based data update method for a mobile terminal includes loading a pre-boot file stored in a second memory in a pre-boot loading area of a first memory, identifying version information of a first version bootloader file stored in a first bootloader file area and a second version bootloader file stored in a second bootloader file area, loading a newer version bootloader file, corresponding to a new one of the first version bootloader file and the second version bootloader file, in a bootloader loading area of the first memory, loading, upon bootloader file activation, a FOTA engine and activating the FOTA engine, and updating, upon FOTA engine activation, a bootloader file area storing the older version bootloader file on the basis of received boot related data. |
| US08825990B2 |
Configuring and customizing a specific-purpose client having a windows-based embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration
Examples of methods and apparatus are provided for configuring and customizing a specific-purpose local client having a windows-based embedded image using extensible markup language (XML) configuration and obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client. The apparatus may include a retrieval module of the specific-purpose local client configured to automatically locate a remote repository server containing an XML configuration file and automatically obtain the XML configuration file from the remote repository server each time the specific-purpose local client boots up. The apparatus may include an apply settings module of the specific-purpose local client configured to automatically apply a configuration change to the windows-based embedded image based on the XML configuration file each time the specific-purpose local client boots up. The configuration change persists across a reboot of the specific-purpose local client while obviating reinstallation of an entire windows-based embedded image onto the specific-purpose local client. |
| US08825989B2 |
Technique to perform three-source operations
A technique to perform three-source instructions. At least one embodiment of the invention relates to converting a three-source instruction into at least two instructions identifying no more than two source values. |
| US08825988B2 |
Matrix algorithm for scheduling operations
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for implementing a matrix algorithm for scheduling instructions. One embodiment of the method includes selecting a first subset of instructions so that each instruction in the first subset is the earliest in program order of instructions associated with a corresponding one of a plurality of sub-matrices of a matrix that has a plurality of matrix entries. Each matrix entry indicates the program order of one pair of instructions that are eligible for execution. This embodiment also includes selecting, from the first subset of instructions, the instruction that is earliest in program order based on matrix entries associated with the first subset of instructions. |
| US08825985B2 |
Data transfer reduction in scale out architectures
Mechanisms are provided for data transfer reduction in scale out architectures. When a compute node receives a write input/output (I/O) request for a data stream, the compute node separates the data stream into chunks and generates fingerprints for the individual chunks. Fingerprints are then sent to a scale out node and compared to fingerprints of chunks already maintained at the scale out node. Write data transfers are only made for chunks not already maintained at the scale out node. For a read I/O request for a data stream, fingerprints for chunks of the data stream are requested by the compute node from a scale out node. Fingerprints received are compared to fingerprints of chunks already maintained at the compute node and read data transfers are only made for chunks not already maintained at the compute node. |
| US08825983B2 |
Data communications in a parallel active messaging interface of a parallel computer
Eager send data communications in a parallel active messaging interface (‘PAMI’) of a parallel computer, the PAMI composed of data communications endpoints that specify a client, a context, and a task, including receiving an eager send data communications instruction with transfer data disposed in a send buffer characterized by a read/write send buffer memory address in a read/write virtual address space of the origin endpoint; determining for the send buffer a read-only send buffer memory address in a read-only virtual address space, the read-only virtual address space shared by both the origin endpoint and the target endpoint, with all frames of physical memory mapped to pages of virtual memory in the read-only virtual address space; and communicating by the origin endpoint to the target endpoint an eager send message header that includes the read-only send buffer memory address. |
| US08825979B2 |
Non-volatile memory circuit, system, and method
A non volatile memory device includes a first buffer register configured to receive and store the data to be stored into the memory device provided via a memory bus. A command window is activatable for interposing itself for access to a memory matrix between the first buffer element and the memory matrix. The command window includes a second buffer element that stores data stored in or to be stored into a group of memory elements. A first data transfer means executes a first transfer of the data stored in the second buffer register into the first buffer register during a first phase of a data write operation started by the reception of a first command. A second data transfer means receives the data provided by the memory bus and modifies, based on the received data, the data stored in the first buffer register during a second phase of the data write operation started by the reception of a second command. The first transfer means execute a second transfer of the modified data stored in the first buffer register into the second buffer register during a third phase of the data write operation. The second transfer is executed in response to the reception of a signal received by the memory bus together with the second command. |
| US08825978B2 |
Memory apparatus
A memory apparatus includes a host device and a slave device. The host device stores verification data. The slave device includes a memory unit, a control unit, and a logic unit. The control unit drives the memory unit to provide storage data in a data transmission sub-period, and further provides a control signal, indicating the first verification data, in a dummy sub-period. The logic unit provides first preamble data, indicating substantially a same data value as the verification data, in the dummy sub-period in response to the first control signal. The preamble data and the storage data are transmitted according to an internal clock signal. The host device samples the first preamble data according to an external clock signal, and determines whether the external and the internal clock signals are synchronized by comparing the first preamble data and the first verification data. |
| US08825975B2 |
Caching source blocks of data for target blocks of data
Provided is a method for processing a read operation for a target block of data. A read operation for the target block of data in target storage is received, wherein the target block of data is in an instant virtual copy relationship with a source block of data in source storage. It is determined that the target block of data in the target storage is not consistent with the source block of data in the source storage. The source block of data is retrieved. The data in the source block of data in the cache is synthesized to make the data appear to be retrieved from the target storage. The target block of data is marked as read from the source storage. In response to the read operation completing, the target block of data that was read from the source storage is demoted. |
| US08825974B2 |
Pool spares for data storage virtualization subsystem
A data storage virtualization subsystem (SVS) for providing storage to a host entity is disclosed. The SVS comprises a storage virtualization controller for connecting to the host entity, at least one physical storage device (PSD) pool, and at least one PSD is designated to be a pool spare PSD to the at least one PSD pool. The at least one PSD pool comprises at least one enclosure for receiving the PSD, and at least one ID-storing device to store a pool ID for identifying the at least one physical storage device pool. |
| US08825967B2 |
Independent write and read control in serially-connected devices
A memory device, comprising a first control input port, a second control input port, a third control input port, a data input port, a data output port, an internal memory and control circuitry. The control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the first control input port to capture command and address information via the data input port. When the command is a read command, the control circuitry is further responsive to a read control signal on the second control input port to transfer data associated with the address information from the internal memory onto the data output port. When the command is a write command, the control circuitry is responsive to a write control signal on the third control input port to write data captured via the data input port into the internal memory at a location associated with the address information. |
| US08825959B1 |
Method and apparatus for using data access time prediction for improving data buffering policies
A system and method for buffer management in a database are provided in which a predictive buffer manager may be used. The predictive buffer manager and process may predict when each block in a buffer is going to be used and then manages the buffer based on the prediction. |
| US08825957B2 |
Demoting tracks from a first cache to a second cache by using an occupancy of valid tracks in strides in the second cache to consolidate strides in the second cache
Information is maintained on strides configured in a second cache and occupancy counts for the strides indicating an extent to which the strides are populated with valid tracks and invalid tracks. A determination is made of tracks to demote from a first cache. A first stride is formed including the determined tracks to demote. The tracks from the first stride are to a second stride in the second cache having an occupancy count indicating the stride is empty. A determination is made of a target stride in the second cache based on the occupancy counts of the strides in the second cache. A determination is made of at least two source strides in the second cache having valid tracks based on the occupancy counts of the strides in the second cache. The target stride is populated with the valid tracks from the source strides. |
| US08825956B2 |
Demoting tracks from a first cache to a second cache by using a stride number ordering of strides in the second cache to consolidate strides in the second cache
Information on strides configured in the second cache includes information indicating a number of valid tracks in the strides, wherein a stride has at least one of valid tracks and free tracks not including valid data. A determination is made of tracks to demote from the first cache. A first stride is formed including the determined tracks to demote. The tracks from the first stride are added to a second stride in the second cache that has no valid tracks. A target stride in the second cache is selected based on a stride most recently used to consolidate strides from at least two strides into one stride. Data from the valid tracks is copied from at least two source strides in the second cache to the target stride. |
| US08825953B2 |
Demoting tracks from a first cache to a second cache by using a stride number ordering of strides in the second cache to consolidate strides in the second cache
Information on strides configured in the second cache includes information indicating a number of valid tracks in the strides, wherein a stride has at least one of valid tracks and free tracks not including valid data. A determination is made of tracks to demote from the first cache. A first stride is formed including the determined tracks to demote. The tracks from the first stride are added to a second stride in the second cache that has no valid tracks. A target stride in the second cache is selected based on a stride most recently used to consolidate strides from at least two strides into one stride. Data from the valid tracks is copied from at least two source strides in the second cache to the target stride. |
| US08825952B2 |
Handling high priority requests in a sequential access storage device having a non-volatile storage cache
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for handling high priority requests in a sequential access storage device. Received modified tracks for write requests are cached in a non-volatile storage device integrated with the sequential access storage device. A destage request is added to a request queue for a received write request having modified tracks for the sequential access storage medium cached in the non-volatile storage device. A read request indicting a priority is received. A determination is made of a priority of the read request as having a first priority or a second priority. The read request is added to the request queue in response to determining that the determined priority is the first priority. The read request is processed at a higher priority than the read and destage requests in the request queue in response to determining that the determined priority is the second priority. |
| US08825949B2 |
Locking in raid storage systems
A method for regulating I/O requests in a RAID storage system may comprise: receiving a first request to access a first set of one or more logical block addresses (LBAs) of a RAID volume; receiving a second request to access at least one of the first set of one or more LBAs of the RAID volume; and queuing the second request. A system for regulating I/O requests in a RAID storage system may comprise: means for receiving a first request to access a first set of one or more logical block addresses (LBAs) of a RAID volume; means for receiving a second request to access at least one of the first set of one or more LBAs of the RAID volume; and means for queuing the second request. |
| US08825948B2 |
Memory controller with emulative internal memory buffer
The present application discloses a memory controller for accessing an external memory device. The memory controller comprises a bus interface and an internal memory buffer capable of accessing the bus interface. The internal memory buffer operates as an on-chip storage. In various embodiments of the disclosure, the internal memory buffer operates during a testing of a chip containing the memory controller. For example, the internal memory buffer may emulate the external memory device in response to an input signal. Moreover, in various embodiments of the disclosure, the external memory device may be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), while the internal memory buffer may be a static random access memory (SRAM). The memory controller may be adapted to automated test equipment (ATE). Moreover, the memory controller may be incorporated onto a system-on-a-chip (SOC) along with one or more agents. |
| US08825944B2 |
Populating strides of tracks to demote from a first cache to a second cache
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for populating strides of tracks to demote from a first cache to a second cache. A first cache maintains modified and unmodified tracks from a storage system subject to Input/Output (I/O) requests. A determination is made to demote tracks from the first cache. A determination is made as to whether there are enough tracks ready to demote to form a stride, wherein tracks are written to a second cache in strides defined for a Redundant Array of Independent Disk (RAID) configuration. A stride is populated with tracks ready to demote in response to determining that there are enough tracks ready to demote to form the stride. The stride of tracks, to demote from the first cache, are promoted to the second cache. The tracks in the second cache that are modified are destaged to the storage system. |
| US08825943B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method the same
In a semiconductor device including a control circuit and a memory, the memory includes at least a sector for preventing additional writing and an information sector. When data for preventing additional writing is written to the sector for preventing additional writing and information is written to the information sector which is electrically connected to the sector for preventing additional writing, additional writing to the information sector is impossible. |
| US08825933B2 |
Bus apparatus with default speculative transactions and non-speculative extension
A bus apparatus is provided, which includes a bus master and a bus slave coupled to the bus master through a bus interface. When the bus master sends a bus transaction to the bus slave, the bus slave executes the bus transaction. The bus transaction is speculative by default. The command of the bus transaction indicates whether the bus transaction is a write transaction or a read transaction. When the bus transaction is a write transaction, the bus slave stores the write data of the bus transaction at the address of the bus transaction. When the bus transaction is a read transaction, the bus slave responds the bus transaction with a read data stored at the address of the bus transaction. The bus slave informs the bus master that the bus slave will not recognize further bus transactions in a specific period of time by asserting a bus wait signal. |
| US08825932B1 |
Obtaining vital product data of a non-active component
A computer system for obtaining vital product data (VPD) of a non-active component installed in the computer system. The computer system includes an active component, wherein the active component includes an optical sensor, wherein the optical sensor is positioned such that the optical sensor is able to scan an optically machine-readable representation of VPD of a non-active component when the non-active component is installed in the computer system, and wherein the non-active component includes the optically machine-readable representation of the VPD of the non-active component. The computer system is operable to scan the optically machine-readable representation of the VPD of the non-active component, decode the optically machine-readable representation of the VPD to determine the VPD of the non-active component, and store the determined VPD of the non-active component. |
| US08825931B2 |
KVM switch system capable of wirelessly transmitting keyboard-mouse-data between wired input/output devices based on a security clearance level
There is set forth herein a computer program product, device, and method. In an example method, at least one of one or more processors of a device including one or more wired connectors and a wireless communication device receive a video output from a computing device via at least one of one or more wired connectors. At least one of the one or more processors send the video output to a wireless-enabled device via the wireless communication device using a wireless communication protocol. At least one of the one or more processors receive a keyboard or mouse input from the wireless-enabled device via the wireless communication device using the wireless communication protocol. At least one of the one or more processors send the keyboard or mouse input to the computing device via at least one of the one or more wired connectors. |
| US08825924B2 |
Asynchronous computer communication
A computer array (10) has a plurality of computers (12). The computers (12) communicate with each other asynchronously, and the computers (12) themselves operate in a generally asynchronous manner internally. When one computer (12) attempts to communicate with another it goes to sleep until the other computer (12) is ready to complete the transaction, thereby saving power and reducing heat production. A plurality of read lines (18), write lines (20) and data lines (22) interconnect the computers (12). When one computer (12) sets a read line (18) high and the other computer sets a corresponding write line (20) then data is transferred on the data lines (22). When both the read line (18) and corresponding write line (20) go low this allows both communicating computers (12) to know that the communication is completed. An acknowledge line (72) goes high to restart the computers (12). |
| US08825922B2 |
Arrangement for processing trace data information, integrated circuits and a method for processing trace data information
An arrangement for processing trace data information is provided, the arrangement including, a chip including one or more memory circuits configured to store trace data information relating to a series of instructions, and a trace data information port configured to provide off-chip access to the trace data information; and a direct memory access controller circuit configured to control the transportation of trace data information from the one or more memory circuits to the trace data information port. |
| US08825917B2 |
Method, system and device for enabling USB data card with USB flash drive function to hibernate
A method, system and device for enabling a Universal Serial Bus (USB) data card with a USB flash drive function to hibernate are disclosed. The USB data card comprises two kinds of USB data card configuration information, the first USB data card configuration information of which is configuration information of the USB data card with the USB flash drive function, and the second USB data card configuration information of which is configuration information of the USB data card without the USB flash drive function. The USB data card sends the first USB data card configuration information to a host at first during enumeration with the host, and then sends the second USB data card configuration information to the host after receiving a configuration information switching instruction from the host and hibernates. The USB data card with the USB flash drive function can hibernate automatically according to the USB interface specification, thereby reducing the power consumption. |
| US08825913B2 |
Universal quick port-switching method and associated apparatus
A universal quick port switching method and an associated apparatus are provided. An apparatus for universally and quickly detecting port switching includes a plurality of resistors for receiving a plurality of ground signals from a plurality of receiving ports, respectively; a divided-voltage detecting circuit coupled to the resistors, for generating a predictable divided voltage; and an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the divided-voltage detecting circuit, for generating a digital output according to the predictable divided voltage. The detecting apparatus determines whether the receiving ports are active or not according to the digital output. |
| US08825911B1 |
Method for creation of device drivers and device objects for peripheral devices
All steps required to create and operate a peripheral device of an electronic device can be performed without the need to plug in the peripheral device to the electronic device. Setup information for a peripheral device is extracted, modified and stored to fit to a physical existent peripheral device. The modified setup information is used to create a data structure that is passed to the peripheral bus driver. As the data structure contains a hot plug notification the reception causes the peripheral bus driver to initiate the setup process for the peripheral device. As the data structure is built from setup information that is available at the electronic device no additional user action is required. The invention also allows the creation of a device object for existing signed driver packets that may not be altered. |
| US08825908B2 |
Method of identifying devices on a bus and apparatus
A method of identifying devices on a bus and an apparatus are provided. A method of identifying devices on a bus comprises pooling a plurality of devices connected to a bus, each of the plurality of devices not having uniquely assigned to it a respective unique device identifier (ID) of the bus, selecting, after the pooling, one of the plurality of devices using at least one selection criteria, the at least one selection criteria identifying the one of the plurality of devices uniquely among all of the plurality of devices, and reassigning a unique device ID of the bus to the selected one of the plurality of devices uniquely. An apparatus is configured to carry out the method of identifying devices on a bus. |
| US08825905B2 |
Mainframe web client
A method includes receiving a message in a JavaScript object notation (JSON) format from a first processor, converting the message from the JSON format into a hypertext markup language (HTML) format, and presenting the content of the message in the HTML format to a user on a display. |
| US08825902B2 |
Configuration validation checker
A switch is provided which may include a plurality of ports, a plurality of link up/down detection logic units and a configuration validation checker. Each link up/down detection logic unit may be associated with a port and may detect a change in the state of a link associated with the port. The configuration validation checker couples to each of the link up/down detection logic units and may cause the switch to change its routing behavior with regard to a port for which a link up/down detection unit has detected a state change. |
| US08825897B2 |
Positional addressing for a computer cluster
A cluster of computers including a plurality of processing nodes, a command network connecting to each of the processor nodes, and circuitry for addressing each of the processor nodes on the command network based on a position of the processor node on the command network. |
| US08825894B2 |
Receiving streaming content from servers located around the globe
Receiving streaming content from servers located around the globe, including the following steps: requesting via the Internet, by an assembling device which may be located almost anywhere around the globe, using a fragment pull protocol, a set of erasure-coded fragments associated with segments off streaming content, from a plurality of fractional-storage servers which may be located almost anywhere around the globe. And compensating for lost fragments by requesting additional erasure-coded fragments that are needed to reconstruct the segments. Wherein the bandwidth of the streaming content is bounded approximately only by the incoming bandwidth of the assembling device. |
| US08825892B2 |
Dynamically calculating an inbound blocking factor using operating-system-level conditions
A current value of a changing operating-system-level condition can be determined, wherein the operating-system level condition is a condition of a host related to an operating system resource utilization or an operating system experienced latency. The operating-system level condition can be a condition of a layer of the OSI model above the Data Link Layer. An inbound blocking factor algorithm can execute that uses the determined current value as a variable. A value for an inbound blocking factor can be generated as a result of executing the inbound blocking factor algorithm. The generated value can be utilized as the inbound blocking factor to determine a manner in which incoming messages are to be conveyed from a network adaptor, through an adaptor interface boundary, to an operating system of the host. |
| US08825887B2 |
System and method for routing media
The system and method for streaming media to a viewer and managing the media comprises an enhanced service routing processor (ESRP), a real time switch management system (RTSMS), a name routing processor (NRP), and a managed media switch (MMS). The RTSMS has a reservation system. The ESRP receives media from an owner, manages the media according to media rules and order rules defined by the owner, and distributes the media to one or more switches, such as the MMS, according to the media rules and the order rules. The RTSMS is configured to receive the media rules and to receive a viewer's media request via the reservation server. The reservation system of the RTSMS processes the media request according to the media rules and builds a reservation for the requested media. The RTSMS generates the reservation to the viewer and to the NRP. The NRP receives the reservation data from the viewer and from the RTSMS. The NRP processes the reservation data and locates an MMS that can stream the media to the viewer. The NRP transmits the IP address of the MMS to the viewer and transmits the reservation data to the MMS. The viewer initiates a session or connection with the MMS using the reservation number. If the reservation data from the viewer matches the reservation data from the NRP, the MMS streams the media to the viewer. |
| US08825885B2 |
Data communication protocol
Described is a data communication protocol, in which a client and server negotiate in a manner that does not require the client to retry negotiation when servers are not capable of the client-desired protocol. In one example implementation, the desired protocol is SMB 2.0 or greater. The protocol describes a create command with possibly additional context data attached for built-in extensibility, and a compound command comprising a plurality of related commands or unrelated commands. A multi-channel command requests data transfer on a separate data channel, a signed capability verification may be used to ensure that a secure connection is established, and the protocol provides the ability to transfer extended error data from the server in response to a request. |
| US08825884B2 |
Method and device for protocol identification
A protocol identification method and a protocol identification device are provided. The protocol identification method includes acquiring a performance index of protocol characteristic information according to characteristic conditions of the protocol characteristic information; calculating identification probabilities of the protocol characteristic information employed by DPI under a preset statistical strategy according to a DPI identification result; determining an optimal sequence of all protocol characteristic information in a DPI identification library according to the performance index and the identification probabilities of the protocol characteristic information; and performing protocol identification on a received message according to the optimal sequence. The optimal sequence for protocol identification is determined according to the identification probabilities, the protocol characteristic information with a high match success probability may be matched first, and the protocol characteristic information with a high match failure probability may be matched later, which thereby improves the protocol match performance. |
| US08825881B2 |
Predictive caching of IP data
Disclosed is a method of predictively caching IP content data for a mobile device. In the mobile device, a content request is sent to an intelligent cache server over an IP network, the content request indicative of recurring IP content data of interest to the mobile device. The intelligent cache server retrieves the requested IP content data from content servers and queues the requested IP content data in a buffer associated with the mobile device. A notification message is sent to the mobile device indicating that the requested IP content is queued. The mobile device determines whether it is connected to a non-cellular IP network access point and automatically downloads the queued IP content data from the intelligent cache server when connected to a non-cellular IP network. The IP content data is stored in a cache memory in the mobile device. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08825874B2 |
Extending revalidation-time of diameter sessions
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a Policy Charging and Control Node (PCRN) for updating a session associated with a subscriber in response to an event. The method may include receiving at the PCRN an event message indicating that an event has occurred within the session; retrieving subscriber information including at least one incremental value associated with the event for the subscriber; determining an updated value based on the at least one retrieved incremental value and at least one reference value; and responding to the event message with an update message including the updated value. Various exemplary embodiments may further include configuring a subscriber profile repository to include at least one incremental value and terminating the session if the subscriber is not allowed to use incremental updates or no incremental value is defined for the subscriber. |
| US08825872B2 |
Software and method for monitoring a data stream and for capturing desired data within the data stream
Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station provides a plurality of functions including an online service selector function that enables a user at the user station to select any one of a plurality of available online service providers, and a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and the selected one of the available online service providers. Corresponding methods for operating a user station are also described. |
| US08825870B1 |
Techniques for non-disruptive transitioning of CDP/R services
Techniques for CDP/R services are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method of transitioning continuous data protection and replication comprising determining whether a first appliance node connected to a switched fabric contains one or more transactions received from a host node, unregistering a world wide port name of a target port of the first appliance node, registering the world wide port name to a target port of a second appliance node connected to the switched fabric, associating one or more logical unit numbers of the second appliance node with the target port of the second appliance node, exporting the one or more logical unit numbers of the second appliance node, logging the target port of the second appliance node into a switched fabric, and logging the target port of the second appliance node into a remote node port of the host node. |
| US08825865B2 |
Traffic planning in a network using a variable oversubscription factor
A system and methodology for network planning in which a software based tool provides network engineers with the capability to more precisely plan for traffic loading within the network on a cell site by cell site basis. Thus for each cell site, variations in geographic location, device mix, historical usage patterns and other factors are taken into account to allow for more accurate network planning and for more efficient use of capital. Cell sites with a higher traffic profile based upon historic device mix and usage patterns will be associated with lower OSF values thus enhancing the user experience for a device user in communication with that cell site. On the other hand, for cell sites with a lesser traffic profile, a higher OSF value is ascribed thus allowing for capital to be deployed elsewhere while still maintaining a positive user experience for users relying on that cell site. |
| US08825863B2 |
Virtual machine placement within a server farm
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computer program products for the placement of a virtual machine within a plurality of cache-coherent NUMA servers. According to an aspect, an example method includes determining a resource requirement of the virtual machine. The example method may also include determining a resource availability of one or more nodes of the plurality of servers. Further, the example method may include selecting placement of the virtual machine within one or more nodes of the plurality of cache-coherent NUMA servers based on the determined resource requirement and the determined resource availability. |
| US08825862B2 |
Optimization of resource provisioning in a networked computing environment
In general, embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for pre-provisioning computing resource sub-components in order to achieve improved overall provisioning times. In a typical embodiment, when a workload request is received, a set/sequence of tasks needed to complete the workload request is identified. Based on the set of tasks, a set of corresponding computing resources is determined. Rather than provision each computing resource as a whole, embodiments of the present invention break each computing resource into its individual sub-components. Once the sub-components are identified, the time required to provision (i.e., provisioning time) each sub-component is determined (e.g., based on historical data). Based on these provisioning times, an optimal order in which the sub-components should be provisioned is determined, and the sub-components are then provisioned in this order. |
| US08825858B1 |
Virtual server resource monitoring and management
A system is provided that monitors a first and second virtual server on a first physical server containing a physical processor, monitors physical processor usage wherein capacity is allocated to a first entitlement comprising a first percentage of the capacity guaranteed to the first virtual server, to a second entitlement comprising a second percentage guaranteed to the second virtual server, and to a third percentage one of unallocated and partially and totally allocated to a virtual server based on need, and wherein the percentages total to one hundred percent. The system monitors usage of a first virtual processor associated with the first virtual server, receives a request for first virtual processor utilization by percentage, determines utilization comprising first virtual processor usage divided by a first allocated processing capacity comprising the first entitlement and a portion of the third percentage currently allocated to the first virtual server, and reports the utilization. |
| US08825857B2 |
Load balancing for packet switched alarm monitoring
Alarm panels are assigned to monitoring servers at a monitoring station by an allocation server. Each panel obtains the data network address of its assigned monitoring server by contacting the allocation server, upon installation/configuration. The provided data network address is stored at the panel for later use. This allows the allocation server to fairly and flexibly distribute monitoring responsibility for the many panels across multiple monitoring servers. |
| US08825854B2 |
DMZ framework
A method and system for providing a secure method and process for accessing resources that are made available by a server. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) framework provides a frontend system that is protected by a firewall and separated from a backend system by a second firewall. The frontend system provides the user interface functionality common to the backend but contains no access directly to the resources that the user interface operates upon. Placing the user interface on a separate machine from the resource data provides an additional layer of security. In addition, separate communication protocols are used between the user and the frontend and between the frontend and the backend system. Thus, a malicious programmer or program will not know the location of the resource or the method for communicating with the backend server to access the resource. |
| US08825853B1 |
Automatic, personalized online information and product services
A method for providing automatic, personalized information services to a computer user includes the following steps: transparently monitoring user interactions with data during normal use of the computer; updating user-specific data files including a set of user-related documents; estimating parameters of a learning machine that define a User Model specific to the user, using the user-specific data files; analyzing a document to identify its properties; estimating the probability that the user is interested in the document by applying the document properties to the parameters of the User Model; and providing personalized services based on the estimated probability. Personalized services include personalized searches that return only documents of interest to the user, personalized crawling for maintaining an index of documents of interest to the user; personalized navigation that recommends interesting documents that are hyperlinked to documents currently being viewed; and personalized news, in which a third party server customized its interaction with the user. |
| US08825851B2 |
Management of a virtual machine in a storage area network environment
A computer-implemented method for management of a virtual machine in a storage area network (SAN) environment. A plurality of SAN devices for the virtual machine are discovered by a management server. Performance statistics for the plurality of SAN devices are monitored at the management server. Health of the virtual machine is determined based at least in part on the performance statistics for the plurality of SAN devices at the management server. |
| US08825849B2 |
Distributed data collection and aggregation
A distributed, redundant, multi-homed system collects and aggregates website usage information. Two or more data collection nodes, preferably situated in diverse locations, efficiently collect and time-stamp information from users in a wide variety of geographic locations. Data collected by the individual data collection nodes is aggregated at a master processing center, sorted according to time stamps, and subjected to statistical analysis in order to generate complete and accurate reports regarding website traffic. |
| US08825839B2 |
Snooping DNS messages in a server hosting system providing overlapping address and name spaces
A server hosting system provides managed servers for tenants of the server hosting system. Managed servers for different tenants can have the same IP addresses and fully-qualified domain names (FQDNs). Furthermore, the server hosting system provides routers for the tenants. The router for a tenant can receive a Domain Name System (DNS) update message. The DNS update message is a request for a DNS server to associate a tenant-side FQDN with a tenant-side IP address. This tenant-side IP address can concurrently be an IP address of a managed server of another tenant. In response to receiving the DNS update request, the router sends a DNS data message to a management system for the server hosting system. The DNS data message indicates the IP address, the tenant-side FQDN, and an IP address only associated with the given tenant. |
| US08825836B1 |
Systems and methods for managing notification messages generated by one or more applications
A computer-implemented method for managing notification messages generated by one or more applications is described. A policy is configured to control notification messages scheduled to be shown on a display. One or more events associated with the creation of a message are monitored. A determination is made as to whether the created message is a notification message. The configured policy is applied if the created message is a notification message. |
| US08825835B2 |
Status monitoring system and method
The system comprises a local network including several printing devices provided with a diagnostic unit collecting various device working data's; and at least a connecting device connecting a plurality of printing devices, whereby the connecting device is adapted for collecting data's from a plurality of printing devices and for storing said data's in a digital repository, whereby said digital repository is in a form readable by a processor comprising instructions for treating at least some data's of the digital repository. |
| US08825834B2 |
Automated cluster member management based on node capabilities
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for automated cluster member management based on node capabilities. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for automated cluster member management based on node capabilities can be provided. The method can include defining a membership policy for a cluster, the membership policy specifying a nodal configuration required for a node in a cluster. The method further can include evaluating different nodes in a computing environment against the membership policy for the cluster. Finally, the method can include associating cluster members in the cluster to only those of the nodes having respective configurations meeting the nodal configuration of the membership policy. Likewise, the method can include evaluating nodes already in the cluster, and disassociating cluster members in the cluster from those of the nodes having respective configurations failing to meet the nodal configuration of the membership policy. |
| US08825831B2 |
Method for obtaining information about a transmission capability
A method for obtaining information about a transmission capability of a transmission link (TL) is disclosed. A sending entity (SE) sends data packets at a sending rate to the transmission link (TL), which transmits the data packets according to its transmission capability to a receiving entity (RE) receiving the data packets at a receiving rate. The sending rate is modulated with a rate modulation and the following steps are executed by an analysis entity (AE): obtaining the sending rate, obtaining the receiving rate, comparing the obtained sending rate and the obtained receiving rate to determine a relation of the obtained sending rate and the obtained receiving rate and to determine an appearance of the rate modulation of the sending rate in the obtained receiving rate, and obtaining the information about the transmission capability based on the determined relation and the determined appearance of the rate modulation. |
| US08825830B2 |
Content delivery framework with dynamic service network topology
A content delivery framework (CDF) includes a plurality of devices, each device configured to run at least one content delivery (CD) service of a plurality of CD services. The plurality of CD services comprise one or more CD service networks, and each particular CD service network has a dynamic network topology. |
| US08825829B2 |
Routing and service performance management in an application acceleration environment
Disclosed are a system, a method and an apparatus of reduction of routing and service performance management in an application acceleration environment. In one embodiment, a system includes a branch site that includes a branch client. In addition, the system includes a headquarters site that includes a headquarters server. The headquarters site including a headquarters server includes the branch site. The headquarters site is communicatively coupled over a link via transmission media. The link is identified through a link identifier. The headquarters site including a headquarters server also includes the branch client and the headquarters server being communicatively coupled over a network connection via the transmission media. The network connection is identified through a connection identifier. The system also includes a first point of presence (POP) communicatively coupled with the branch site over a first segment of the link. |
| US08825824B2 |
Systems and methods for machine configuration
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for a machine configuration. In an embodiment, an image capture device captures an image associated with a machine. A diagnostic device receives the image and extracts data from the image that identifies the machine. Once the machine is identified associated configuration data is used to configure the diagnostic device. |
| US08825820B2 |
Network aware application management
A method of managing a network application includes identifying a network path for the network application, obtaining network performance measurements along the network path, obtaining application performance information for the network application, and extracting infrastructure specific information for the infrastructure supporting the network application. The method further includes correlating the application performance information, network performance measurements, and the infrastructure specific information to identify a performance issue affecting the network application, and modifying the application behavior, the network behavior, or any combination thereof in response to the performance issue. |
| US08825816B2 |
Various methods and apparatuses for a central management station for automatic distribution of configuration information to remote devices
A method, apparatus, and system are described for a central management system to configure remote devices. A device service manager server (DSM) may have an IP redirector module configured to cooperate with two or more device service controllers (DSCs) that are behind a firewall on a wide area network relative to a location of the DSM on the wide area network, where the DSM serves as a central management station for a distribution of initial configuration information to the DSCs, wherein an executable boot up file uploaded via a drive port in that DSC is scripted to gather configuration information for that DSC and network devices on the same network as that DSC and without a prompt by the DSM then sends configuration files to the DSM which makes a master copy of the device configuration file in the DSM's registry for that DSC. |
| US08825814B1 |
Method and apparatus for minimizing application delay by pushing application notifications
A method for minimizing application initialization delay comprising sending, from a privileged application executing on a mobile device, a registration message to a server, receiving, at the privileged application, a response message from the server, extracting, from the response message, application information and notifying the mobile device of the application information. |
| US08825803B2 |
Systems and methods for integrating XML syndication feeds into online advertisement
A system for providing XML syndication content to an Internet advertisement panel rendered in a web browser is disclosed. The system includes a web content server, an Internet advertisement server, and a XML syndication content feed site server. Both the web content server and the Internet advertisement servers are in communications with the web browser. The web content server is configured to respond to requests from the web browser for a web page and to deliver the web page to the web browser. The Internet advertisement server is configured to choose and deliver an Internet advertisement panel, having embedded XML syndication content, to the web browser. The XML syndication content feed site server is in communications with the Internet advertisement server and is configured to send XML syndication content updates to the Internet advertisement server. |
| US08825802B2 |
System and method for identifying compatible users
Systems and methods are provided for an automatic user or friend recommendation system that matches players that have compatible play styles, play schedules, or the like. Behavioral data is collected or entered from players, and a profile of each player is created and compared to calculate a compatibility score. If the compatibility score exceeds a predetermined threshold, then the players are marked as compatible, or a degree of compatibility may be calculated and displayed as well. Users can edit their profile, e.g., on a web application or in-game. Users may also interact with optional and incremental demographic survey questions as they log in. A notification of compatible players may be provided via the web application or via an in-game indication. For example, a glow may appear around a compatible player, or compatible players may be displayed in a list, such as an instant messaging client. |
| US08825800B2 |
Brush holder assembly monitoring apparatus, assembly, system and method
Methods and systems for monitoring a brush holder assembly and/or detecting wear of a brush in a brush holder assembly are disclosed. One method includes sending data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations to a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a marker tracking longitudinal movement of the brush may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush, such as the wear rate, wear state, or life expectancy of the brush. |
| US08825799B2 |
Redirection method for electronic content
Electronic content, for example, a web page, is configured for display by a web browser application to include content that is not included in or referenced by the web page. The web page includes a first locator for first content. A second locator for second content is associated with the first locator in a database or other memory structure. In response to a request for the web page, the second locator is obtained. Access to the second locator may be secured. The second locator may be swapped with the first locator to cause the web browser application to obtain the second content instead of the first content. In the alternative, the second content may be obtained and provided to the web browser instead of, or in addition to, the first content. |
| US08825798B1 |
Business event tracking system
A networked system includes a processing system and a tracking system. The processing system includes applications for processing business events and between which the business events may be transferred. The tracking system monitors a status of each business event as the business event flows through the processing system. Each application of the processing system generates an event message at a predetermined stage and sends the event message to the tracking system. The event message includes correlation information generated by the application based on predetermined rules. The tracking system matches the event message to a previous event message based on the correlation information and assigns a tracking identifier of the previous event message to the current event message. |
| US08825796B2 |
Transaction processing system and operation of the transaction process system
A transaction processing system includes an application server having a transaction processing unit, a process monitoring unit, a database server having a database, and a database management unit. The transaction processing unit sends a transaction identifier for identifying the transaction to the database management unit, requests a session process, and outputs the transaction identifier to the process monitoring unit. The process monitoring unit receives the transaction identifier, receives a session identifier for identifying the session process returned by the database management unit, and sends an instruction to terminate the session process to the database management unit after a certain period of time, and the database management unit creates the session identifier, correlates the session identifier with the transaction identifier which are stored, starts the session process, returns the correlated session identifier to the process monitoring unit when receiving the transaction identifier, and terminates the session process when receiving the instruction. |
| US08825793B2 |
Application service provider delivery system
In one embodiment, a display engine and one or more data files are determined. They are then sent to a website provider's network. The display engine and data are used to provide ASP functionality without contacting the ASP network for every user request. So even if the ASP network is not available, the ASP functionality provided by the display engine and data is always accessible to the website provider. For example, the website provider's network may provide the ASP functionality by displaying data in one or more data files at a user's display device. This is performed without relying on the availability of the ASP network. |
| US08825785B1 |
Connection invitation ordering
Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums which provide a relevance engine for determining a relevance of an individual (either a non-member or another member) to another individual (either a non-member or another member). This relevance engine may use signals in the form of data that the social networking service may learn about the individuals to determine how relevant the individuals are to each other. Example applications may include ordering of connection invitations in a social networking service. |
| US08825784B2 |
Automatic profile update in a mobile device
A method and system for managing mobile exchange of profile information between a requestor and a recipient. A mobile client is provided on a requestor's first mobile device. The requestor provides requestor profile to an information exchange server through the mobile client. The requestor requests for a connection with the recipient using the mobile client. The mobile client is provided on a recipient's second mobile device. The recipient provides recipient profile to the information exchange server through the mobile client. On acceptance of the request for connection by the recipient, the information exchange server transfers the recipient profile to the mobile client on the requestor's first mobile device and vice versa. The mobile client automatically updates the transferred recipient profile on the requestor's first mobile device based on changes made by the recipient to the recipient profile and vice versa. |
| US08825783B1 |
Recording events for social media
This specification describes technologies relating to recording an event album for sharing through a social network. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving a signal indicating a check-in and transmitting a first message including a check-in status update generated at least in part based on the check-in. The methods may further include starting a recording session associated with the check-in and recording media files during the recording session. The methods may further include automatically associating the media files with the check-in. The methods may further include transmitting the media files in one or more additional messages associated with the check-in status update. |
| US08825780B2 |
Method of managing an application embedded in a secured electronic token
The invention is a method of managing an application embedded in a secured electronic token. The token is intended to receive a message from a server machine. The message has a header and a body. The token comprises an agent able to manage the message. The method comprises the steps of: a) registering the application in the agent by associating a reference of the application with a value of an element of the message header, b) when the message is received from the server machine, forwarding part of the message to the application if the message header contains an element having the value associated to the reference of the application. |
| US08825778B2 |
Selective display of past instant messages
A method for allowing selective display of past instant messages includes establishing an instant messaging session among at least two participants. Each participant has an associated computer system, with all of the associated computing systems in communication across a network. A list of instant messages between the at least two participants is displayed on monitors associated with the computing systems. At least one instant message is selected from the list of instant messages using an access control. At least one new participant is invited to join the instant messaging session. When the selected at least one instant message corresponds to the at least one new participant, the selected at least one instant message is displayed on a monitor used by the at least one new participant. |
| US08825771B2 |
System for notifying mail-receiving error information
In a case where mail can not be stored in a mail box in a mail receiving server due to capacity excess, a detail content of the mail can be notified to an addressee of the mail. A mail receiving server comprises a mail receiving unit, a first mail box, a determining unit, a temporal storage space, an extracting unit, an information notice mail managing unit, and a second mail box. |
| US08825770B1 |
Facilitating presentation by mobile device of additional content for a word or phrase upon utterance thereof
A method for presenting additional content for a word that is part of a message, and that is presented by a mobile communication device, includes the steps of: presenting the message, including emphasizing one or more words for which respective additional content is available for presenting by the mobile communication device; receiving an utterance that includes an emphasized word for which additional content is available for presenting by the mobile communication device; and presenting the additional content for the emphasized word included in the utterance received by the mobile communication device. These steps are performed by the mobile communication device. |
| US08825766B2 |
Methods, systems and computer program products for a peer-to-peer cache content replacer
The METHODS, SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR A PEER-TO-PEER CACHE CONTENT REPLACER (“P2PCCR”) rates the value of storing specified existing content and replaces the lowest rated existing content with the requested new content. In one embodiment, a method for content replacement that may be used in a peer to peer video on demand system is described. The method includes receiving a request for new content, obtaining usage and availability data, determining a value rating based on the usage and availability data, and replacing lowest value rated content with said new content. |
| US08825765B2 |
Cross platform gaming
A first game server is configured to provide a game to a first category of user device. A second game server is configured to provide the game to a second category of user device. A game manager is configured to receive a request from a user device for the game application and to assign the request to one of the first game server and the second game server according to whether the user device is included in the first category of user device or the second category of user device. |
| US08825764B2 |
Determining user personality characteristics from social networking system communications and characteristics
A social networking system obtains linguistic data from a user's text communications on the social networking system. For example, occurrences of words in various types of communications by the user in the social networking system are determined. The linguistic data and non-linguistic data associated with the user are used in a trained model to predict one or more personality characteristics for the user. The inferred personality characteristics are stored in connection with the user's profile, and may be used for targeting, ranking, selecting versions of products, and various other purposes. |
| US08825756B2 |
Server apparatus, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium
When an input area corresponding to a first service is displayed by the terminal apparatus, every time a user inputs a character into the input area, character information indicating the input character is received from the terminal apparatus. The character information is stored in a storage means included in a server apparatus different from a server apparatus of the first service and different from a server apparatus of a second service. Request information indicating a request to display an input area corresponding to the second service is received from the terminal apparatus. Instruction information, which indicates an instruction to display the input area corresponding to the request information which includes the character information stored in the storage means as character information indicating one or more characters previously input into the input area displayed by the terminal apparatus on the basis of the instruction information, is transmitted to the terminal apparatus. |
| US08825755B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, program, and information processing system
Provided is an information processing device including a determination unit that determines, based on process-related information acquired from a first server that provides a service, if a process based on the process-related information is executable; a process control unit that makes, if it is not determined that the process is executable, the process based on the process-related information executable by an application that performs processes corresponding to a plurality of services; and a processing unit that causes the application to execute the process based on the process-related information. The process control unit causes a second server to generate, based on the process-related information, a processing instruction that is based on the process-related information, and the processing unit causes the application to execute a process indicated by the generated processing instruction. |
| US08825751B2 |
Optimization of a software application implemented on a client-server system
In at least one embodiment, data relating to the usage and the operating status of a frontend module of a software application implemented on the client side is acquired continuously during the execution of the application by way of a monitoring frontend module implemented on the client side of a client/server system. This acquired usage and status data is transmitted by the monitoring frontend module to a monitoring backend module implemented on the server side. The usage and status data is stored by the monitoring backend module in a database on the server side. The usage and status data stored in the database is automatically analyzed by way of an analysis module. In the process, default settings of the software application are automatically modified by way of the analysis module on the basis of the result of the analysis in order to improve the performance of the application. |
| US08825748B2 |
Sandboxed daemon process invocation through HTTP
Methods and devices for initiating, by a client, a set of one or more applications, wherein each initiated application is associated with an Uniform Resource Locator (URL), and wherein the initiating is based on a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request to a computer host having a server. The methods and devices further executing an application from the set of one or more applications, based on a rule set, in a processing environment limiting the functionality of the initiated application, and wherein the application is executed in the background of an operating system of the server based on the rule set. |
| US08825747B2 |
Managing multiple logins from a single browser
A method and a system for managing login using a cookie are described. The method includes receiving from a respective client system a request for document information, and receiving from the respective client system a cookie that identifies a plurality of user names logged into the server system from the respective client system. The plurality of logged-in user names includes a first user name and a second user name distinct from the first user name. The method also includes redirecting the received request to a location associated with a selected user name of the plurality of logged-in user names, and receiving the redirected request. The method furthermore includes, in response to the redirected request, processing the request as a request from the selected user name and sending to the respective client system document information corresponding to the request from the selected user name. |
| US08825744B2 |
Active image tagging
Methods and systems for active image tagging are usable to build large datasets of tagged images by combining manual tagging by a user and automatic tagging by a computing device based on the manual tagging. Such tags may be used to effectively sort, organize, link, and search for images within large datasets of images. Additionally, the active image tagging may be configured to utilize a tagging game where multiple users manually tag images by playing a game on a computing device. |
| US08825741B2 |
Method for the creation of an intelligent document, and device for carrying out said method
There is provided a method and system for the creation of an intelligent document that can be executed upon the occurrence of a precondition. An exemplary method comprises providing displayable contents that include static contents and dynamic contents, and inserting the dynamic contents into the intelligent document separately from the static contents. |
| US08825738B2 |
System, server, information terminal operating system, middleware, information communication device, certification method, and system and application software
A system having a server and an information terminal of A which records A's personal information Pa and B's personal information Pb′, an information terminal of B which records A's personal information Pa and B's personal information Pb′. B's information terminal generates a calculation result F(Pa′,Pb) via the calculation of Pa′ and Pb, sends F(Pa′,Pb) to a server. The server correlates B's identification tag with F(Pa′,Pb) and records it. A's information terminal forms F(Pa,Pb′) calculated via the calculation of Pb′ and Pa and sends F(Pa,Pb′) to the server. The server searches for a calculation result which matches F(Pa,Pb′) and by detecting a match between F(Pa′,Pb) and F(Pa,Pb′) detects B's identification tag which has been correlated with F(Pa′,Pb) and detected B's identification tag is sent to A's information terminal. |
| US08825736B2 |
System and method for service provider search
A system and method are disclosed for the creation of future time based search. Service providers identify their availability. This information is then searchable by potential clients to determine if relevant, local service providers are available to perform needed service. |
| US08825733B2 |
Mobile device workload management for cloud computing using SIP and presence to control workload and method thereof
A method is implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The programming instructions are operable to manage workload for cloud computing by transferring workload to at least one mobile device using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). |
| US08825730B1 |
Matrix decomposition using dataflow techniques
Efficient and scalable circuitry for performing Cholesky decomposition is based on a dataflow style architecture which uses self-timed circuitry and eliminates the need for complicated state machines. Calculations are ordered such that partial sums of products are created in parallel subject to data dependency requirements, allowing a single accumulator to perform the summation. A Vector FIFO receives a partial sum of products from a vector processing engine. A Feedback FIFO stores partial results and feeds the partial results back to the data path based on signals from a dataflow controller. The circuitry is flexible to allow different matrix sizes, speed grades, and target frequencies without recompilation. |
| US08825729B1 |
Power and bandwidth efficient FFT for DDR memory
Systems and methods are disclosed for calculating Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) in a power and memory bandwidth efficient manner. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes a memory interface operable to read data samples stored in a memory and store a first set of the data samples in a read reorder buffer, wherein the read reorder buffer selects a first portion of the first set of the data samples in accordance with a radix-reversed order. Also included is a first core circuit that is operable to process the first portion of the first set of the data samples in response to receiving the first portion from the read reorder buffer, wherein the processing includes calculating output samples corresponding to a part of an FFT. |
| US08825727B2 |
Software-hardware adder
A data processing system, method and computer program product to receive general-purpose code for iterative summation of an aggregate number of addends, wherein each addend has a precision. The data processing system operates an arithmetic hardware unit to set a first set of input registers to be a target of memory mapped registers and uses a broad-based adder to generate an adder result, wherein the broad-based adder has a broad-based adder size of inputs, and the broad-based adder size is less than the aggregate number of addends and greater than two, wherein each input register of the first set of input registers is connected to each input. Further, the data processing system may write the adder result to a storage array in memory, wherein the adder result is the sum of the inputs, and the adder result is placed in the storage array as indexed by a storage array index. |
| US08825726B2 |
Method of generating statistical opinion data
A system is provided for detecting statistical variations and public opinion. The system comprises a respondent interface subsystem for capturing respective opinion values of a set of respondents in relation to a subject matter, said opinion values having respective validity periods associated therewith. The system further includes a database subsystem for storing the respective opinion values corresponding to each respondent and to said subject matter. The system further includes a statistical processing subsystem for calculating successive values of a collected opinion value by selecting respective subsets of said respective user opinion values according to said respective validity periods and calculating said successive values of a collective opinion value over said corresponding subset. |
| US08825724B2 |
File system hinting
A method for generating and communicating file system hints. The method may include receiving an I/O request from a file system layer and checking the I/O request for file system contextual information. The method may also include accessing the file system layer to determine attributes of the file system contextual information and receiving the attributes of the file system contextual information from the file system layer. The method may further include analyzing attributes of the file system contextual information and generating a hint based upon analyzing the attributes of the file system contextual information. The method may include a mechanism to provide weight-age of data passed from the application. The hint may be associated with the I/O request, and the hint may comprise hotness information to increase efficiency of data accessibility at a lower level storage tier. The method may include sending the hint to the lower level storage tier. |
| US08825722B2 |
Calculation of properties of objects/shapes across versions of applications
Systems and methods are disclosed in which a self-describing file is generated and utilized to provide applications with the ability to properly preserve unknown file content. A self-describing file may contain, or be associated with, an extension section that provides information that an application can use to properly calculate unknown file content. The extension section may include functions of formulas that the application can use to calculate values for data that the application would not otherwise support. This allows for the content of the self-describing file to be modified by an application that does not support all of the capabilities of the file while maintaining the integrity of the file and user experience when the file is subsequently accessed by a full featured application. |
| US08825720B1 |
Scaling asynchronous reclamation of free space in de-duplicated multi-controller storage systems
Scaling Asynchronous reclamation of free space in de-duplicate multi-controller storage systems is disclosed. In one example, a set of de-duplicated data segments/blocks organized in a hierarchical data structure is received, the set of de-duplicated data segments/blocks are allocated across a plurality of controllers of the file system, where each de-duplicated data segment is restricted to be co-allocated to the same controller as the reference(s) referencing the de-duplicated data segment/block in the hierarchical data structure. In various embodiments, the file system is traversed, each controller of the file system updates its own local live vector and reclaim storage space that are not marked as alive. |
| US08825718B2 |
Methods and apparatus for marking objects for garbage collection in an object-based memory system
A garbage collection process performs garbage collection operations in an object-based memory system associated with a processing environment. The garbage collection process receives, at a first garbage collection unit, object references derived from root data from a processor associated with the first garbage collection unit. In addition, the garbage collection process processes, at the first garbage collection unit, the root data received from the processor associated with the first garbage collection unit. The garbage collection process also determines which object references derived from the root data are associated with a second garbage collection unit. Upon determining that an object reference is associated with a second garbage collection unit, the garbage collection process communicates information representative of the object reference to the second garbage collection unit associated with the object reference. |
| US08825715B1 |
Distributed state/mask sets
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for executing a first operation using a first system, the first operation generating first output data, generating a first fieldset, the first fieldset including one or more fields corresponding to the first output data, populating the one or more fields of the first fieldset with values of the first output data, transmitting the first output data to a second system, executing a second operation using the second system, the second operation generating second output data, the second output data overlapping the first output data, generating a second fieldset, the second fieldset including one or more fields corresponding to the first output data and the second output data, and populating the one or more fields of the second fieldset with values of the second output data. |
| US08825714B2 |
System and method for converting component data
An application server reads components data from a component information system (CIS) of a database server connected to the application server. The components data are converted to HDL data. If the converted HDL data includes illegal characters, a user is prompted to modify the illegal characters. If the converted HDL data does not include illegal characters, the application server amends formats of the converted HDL data according to requirements of each client connected to the application server. Each client includes a drawing unit. The application server controls the drawing unit to draw circuit diagram using the HDL data with the amended formats. |
| US08825711B2 |
Managing cross-correlated data
Systems and processes for storing correlated data in a graph database are described. A first user node may be stored. In response to a request, a first event node and a second user node may be stored. The first event node may be associated with the first user node through an edge indicating participation. The first event node may be associated with the second user node through an edge indicating participation. In response to a content access, a second event node and a content node may be stored. The second event node may be associated with the first user node through an edge indicating participation. The second event node may be associated with the content node through an edge indicating usage. The first user node may be associated with the content node through an edge indicating the first user node handles the content node. |
| US08825710B2 |
Cloud computing method for dynamically scaling a process across physical machine boundaries
A cloud computing platform includes first device having a graph or tree structure with a node which receives data. The data is processed by the node or communicated to a child node for processing. A first node in the graph or tree structure determines the reconfiguration of a portion of the graph or tree structure on a second device. The reconfiguration may include moving a second node and some or all of its descendant nodes. The second and descendant nodes may be copied to the second device. |
| US08825704B2 |
System, method and computer program product for enabling access to a resource of a multi-tenant on-demand database service utilizing a token
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for enabling access to a resource of a multi-tenant on-demand database service utilizing a token. These mechanisms and methods for enabling access to a resource of a multi-tenant on-demand database service utilizing a token can be utilized to prevent identification of a user attempting to access the resource, and thus unwanted use of the user's identity. |
| US08825701B2 |
Method and system of management of queries for crowd searching
A computer-implemented method of management of queries for crowd searching is presented. In the method, an input model including input data e structured queries using query operators is mapped into an output model, which is obtained by modifying the input data and by adding the answers to the structured queries. Input data comprise at least one search object, which may be imported from a search system, at least one structured query operator corresponding to social interactions and a human-generated question related to the at least one search object. Mapping of the input model is according to a query task execution plan that defines a query task to be solved by a crowd, wherein mapping comprises selecting at least one social search engine running on a respective social platform and selecting one or more groups of responders interacting with the at least one social search engines and targeted to respond to the query task. |
| US08825699B2 |
Contextual search by a mobile communications device
Contextual search by a mobile communications device is described. In an implementation, a search query is a received and a context is detected of a user interface currently being displayed on a display device of a mobile communications device. One or more search results are displayed on a display device of a search performed in the detected context using the search query. |
| US08825697B2 |
Method and system to capture, share and find information and relationships
A method and system to improve personal and collaborative information management and search. The method is to actively or passively capture pieces of information and the connections among them across disparate technologies and the human mind, while people keep working with familiar tools, and to snapshot such information objects to be globally addressed, persistent in time, and hyperlinked based on the connections. The system can be injected in existing digital information technology (servers and the cloud or personal and mobile computing devices) to capture, connect, share, synchronize, search and serve the information objects and their connections. This is particularly effective in finding information that is buried and disorganized across devices, applications, internet accounts, and people, or information and connections in the users' mind and actions that otherwise do not get captured in digital form. |
| US08825696B2 |
Computer readable storage medium recording database search program, database search device, and database search method
In a search device according to the present invention, a path trie generation unit generates an input path trie from XML data, a path trie display unit outputs the input path trie to an output unit such as a display, so that a user can specify Join points and combining conditions. An instruction reception unit generates a query serving as a command statement to combine each piece of XML data based on the Join points and the combining conditions that are specified by the user. |
| US08825695B2 |
Mapping dataset elements
Mapping one or more elements of an input dataset to one or more elements of an output dataset includes: receiving in an interface one or more mapped relationships between a given output and one or more inputs represented by input variables, at least one of the mapped relationships including a transformational expression executable on a data processing system, the transformational expression defining an output of a mapped relationship based on at least one input variable mapped to an element of an input dataset; receiving in the interface identification of elements of an output dataset mapped to outputs of respective mapped relationships; generating output data from the data processing system according to the transformational expression based on input data from the input dataset associated with the element of the input dataset mapped to the input variable; determining validation information in response to the generated output data based on validation criteria defining one or more characteristics of valid values associated with one or more of the identified elements of the output dataset; and presenting in the interface visual feedback based on the determined validation information. |
| US08825693B2 |
Conditional string search
A method and a system for efficient search of string patterns characterized by positional relationships in a character stream are disclosed. The method is based on grouping string patterns of a dictionary into at least two string sets and performing string search processes of a text of the character stream based on individual string sets with the outcome of a search process influencing a subsequent search process. A system implementing the method comprises a dictionary processor for generating string sets with corresponding text actions and search actions, a conditional search engine for locating string patterns belonging to at least one string set in a text according to a current search state, a text operator for producing an output text according to search results, and a search operator for determining a subsequent search state. |
| US08825691B2 |
Open search assist
Embodiments provide improved search assist functionality. The search assist functionality assists with a search by providing more than simply suggestions for searches as the user is typing, and allows a user more direct and rapid access to the desired information. This is especially useful in mobile computing devices such as handsets. It also allows for greater realization of associated advertising revenue. |
| US08825690B2 |
Methods of efficiently recording and reproducing activity in virtual world
An apparatus and method for recording activities of an avatar in a virtual world by means of a computer including: means for dividing the virtual world into a plurality of blocks each provided with a unique ID; means for recording a movement history in a storage area of the computer, the movement history including the ID of each block which an avatar acting in the virtual world enters and a time point at which the avatar enters the block; means for deleting the movement history between the first and the last blocks of a plurality of blocks which the avatar enters if the plurality of blocks are continuous in a straight line in one direction; and activity record DB recording means for recording, as an activity dataset in an activity record DB, an event content, the movement history and a repetition count of an event. |
| US08825689B2 |
Method and system for matching unknown software component to known software component
A computer system or method identifies components. A component fingerprint storage is configured to memorize known fingerprints of known components. The term “component” used herein is defined to be a specific version of pre-existing executable software, or a reusable pre-existing self-contained software code building block which is not a complete stand-alone finished product ready for use and which is binary or source code. A fingerprint is generated for a normalized unknown component and fingerprints are generated for all normalized components included in the unknown component. It is determined whether any of the fingerprints generated for the normalized unknown component and for the normalized components included in the unknown component match any of the known fingerprints of known components. |
| US08825687B2 |
Data management system
In a general aspect, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, via an input interface of a notification platform, updated subscriber data; comparing, using a comparison module of the notification platform, the updated subscriber data with existing subscriber data stored in a subscriber database; and, based on the results of the comparing, modifying, using a modification module of the notification platform, the existing subscriber data stored in the subscriber database. |
| US08825684B2 |
Arrangement for comparing content identifiers of files
File comparing device includes a comparator for comparing a first and second content identifiers, of respective files, with each other. Each file having at least two content identifiers and each content identifier is defined by at least one parameter. In addition a selector is included for selecting, using the parameters of the content identifiers, sub-groups of content identifiers, to increase flexibilities. Calculators calculate functions of the values of the parameters and further comparators compare the functions with thresholds. Content identifiers may be defined by cost and accuracy parameters. Then, calculators calculate first functions of the values of the cost parameters and calculate second functions of the values of the accuracy parameters and further comparators compare the first functions with first thresholds and compare the second functions with second thresholds. |
| US08825683B2 |
Generating geographical keywords for geotargeting search engine-offered advertisements
A computer-based method for use in geotargeting online ads to users of search engines by allowing comparison of user's search terms with a set of geo-keywords. The method includes providing a geographic keyword generator on a server that is linked to the Internet. The method includes providing a spatial database storing classes of geographic keywords. The method continues with receiving a keyword request including a business address from a client node. The keyword generator determines a service area based on this location, and a set of geographic keywords is retrieved from the spatial database that are associated (e.g., within) the determined service area. This set of keywords is transmitted or reported to the client node (e.g., displayed in a web browser or user interface) for use in geotargeting of their online advertisements. The keyword request includes a business type, and the service area is sized based on the business type. |
| US08825682B2 |
Architecture for mixed media reality retrieval of locations and registration of images
A MMR system for publishing comprises a plurality of mobile devices, an MMR gateway, an MMR matching unit and an MMR publisher. The mobile devices send retrieval requests including image queries and other contextual information. The MMR gateway processes the retrieval request from the mobile devices and then generates an image query that is passed on to the MMR matching unit. The MMR matching unit receives an image query from the MMR gateway and sends it to one or more of the recognition units to identify a result including a document, the page and the location on the page. The MMR matching unit includes an image registration unit that receives new content from the MMR publisher and updates the index table of the MMR matching unit. A method for automatically registering images and other data with the MMR matching unit, a method for dynamic load balancing and a method for image-feature-based queue ordering are also included. |
| US08825677B2 |
Listing generation utilizing catalog information
This document describes, among other things, systems and methods for generating advertising campaigns or listings utilizing catalog information. A method comprises receiving, by an online publication system, a product catalog; accessing, by the online publication system, a merchant profile; and using the product catalog and the merchant profile to develop advertising data, wherein the advertising data includes at least one of an advertising campaign, a marketplace listing, or a store listing. |
| US08825675B2 |
Systems and methods for representing text
The disclosure herein describes systems and methods for representing text. For example, one disclosed embodiment is a method including the steps of receiving a plurality of text strings, each text string comprising at least one character, wherein the at least one character has a representation comprising a first part and a second part; receiving a request to sort the plurality of text strings; and sorting the plurality of text strings based on first parts of the characters of the text strings. In another embodiment, a computer-readable medium comprises program code for causing a processor to execute such a method. |
| US08825673B2 |
Method for organizing large numbers of documents
A computer product including a data structure for organizing of a plurality of documents, and capable of being utilized by a processor for manipulating data of the data structure and capable of displaying selected data on a display unit. The data structure includes a plurality of directionally interlinked nodes, each node being associated with one or more documents having a header and body text. All the documents are associated with a given node and have identical normalized body text. All documents that have identical normalized body text are associated with the same node. One or more of the nodes is associated with more than one document. For any node that is a descendent of another node, the normalized body text of each document associated with the node is inclusive of the normalized body text of a document that is associated with the other node. |
| US08825671B1 |
Referent determination from selected content
Computer-implemented methods for identifying an entity based on selected content are provided. In one aspect, a method includes identifying a referent entity, from a list of entities, based on user-selectable content of a file and a context in which the user-selectable content is selected from the file by a user, and providing an identification of the entity to a user device. Systems, graphical user interfaces, and machine-readable media are also provided. |
| US08825670B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, and recording medium that has recorded information processing program
When a search keyword is characteristically used in an image, it is detected more easily. An image search device 10 is provided with an image database 11 to store an image as a search target, a character string region extraction unit 13 to extract a character string region including a character string in the image, a character string candidate recognition unit 14 to recognize the character string in the character string region, a visual saliency calculation unit 16 to calculate a visual saliency of the character string based on any of a size, a color, a shape, and a decoration of characters forming the character string, and a contrast between a character color and a background color, from an image of the character string region, a search keyword input unit 17 to input a search keyword, a search unit 18 to perform a search to determine whether the keyword matches the character string recognized from the image and to calculate a score value of the image including the character string, from the visual saliency calculated from the character string region from which the matching character string was recognized, and an output unit 19 to output the result of the search according to the calculated score value. |
| US08825668B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating song playlists based on received user ratings
Methods, apparatuses, and computer programs are presented for updating song playlists based on received rating inputs from user devices. One method includes receiving information associated with songs in an initial playlist from a host device by a server. The server generates a rating interface for the initial playlist, which is associated with an image code. The image code for the rating interface is sent to the host device so that the user devices can access the rating interface via the image code. After one or more user devices provides rating inputs to the songs in the initial playlist, the received one or more rating inputs are analyzed to produce an adjusted playlist. The method further includes transmitting the adjusted playlist to the host device to be executed. |
| US08825664B2 |
Indexing preview
Embodiments are directed towards previewing results generated from indexing data raw data before the corresponding index data is added to an index store. Raw data may be received from a preview data source. After an initial set of configuration information may be established, the preview data may be submitted to an index processing pipeline. A previewing application may generate preview results based on the preview index data and the configuration information. The preview results may enable previewing how the data is being processed by the indexing application. If the preview results are not acceptable, the configuration information may be modified. The preview application enables modification of the configuration information until the generated preview results may be acceptable. If the configuration information is acceptable, the preview data may be processed and indexed in one or more index stores. |
| US08825663B2 |
Using application metadata to identify applications of interest
Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer storage mediums for receiving an initial index, the initial index associating each application of one or more applications with one or more applications of interest; for each application, receiving metadata associated with the application and receiving metadata associated with each of the one or more applications of interest; processing the metadata to selectively remove at least one of the one or more applications of interest from the initial index to provide a final index, the final index associating each application of the one or more applications with a remaining one or more applications of interest; storing the final index in memory; receiving a user selection of a particular application of the one or more applications; retrieving the one or more applications of interest based on the particular application using the final index; and providing the one or more applications of interest for display. |
| US08825661B2 |
Systems and methods for two stream indexing of audio content
Systems and methods provide for indexing audio content by fusing the indexes derived from a keyword stream and a large vocabulary stream search. For example, systems and methods provide for two stream searching of Spoken Web VoiceSites, wherein metadata is extracted from the VoiceSite and is used to determine a set of keywords for high precision search while a traditional standard vocabulary set is used to perform a high results, low precision search. The results of the keyword search and the standard vocabulary search are fused together to form a comprehensive, ranked list of results. |
| US08825660B2 |
Image-based indexing in a network-based marketplace
A method and system to index and search item listings in a network-based publication system, such as a network-based marketplace. For example, a listing query may be received from a user, the listing query including a query image. The query image may then be processed to generate a plurality of index sets. Each index set of the plurality of index sets may correspond to a respective portion of the query image and may comprise a set of index values. Each index value of the set of index values may be indicative of an image attribute, such as light intensity, for a respective sub-portion of the corresponding portion of the query image. At least one result image from a database of listing images may be identified by comparing the plurality of index sets for the query image to pre-compiled index sets in an index database. Each pre-compiled index set may be associated with at least one listing image which, in turn, may be associated with an item listing on a network-based marketplace. |
| US08825655B1 |
Automatic learning of logos for visual recognition
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for automatically extracting logos from images. Methods include generating a query list including a plurality of logo search queries, for each logo search query of the plurality of logo search queries: generating a plurality of image search results, each image search result including image data, and clustering the plurality of image search results into a plurality of clusters, each cluster including a plurality of images of the plurality of image search results, extracting, for each cluster of the plurality of clusters, a representative image to provide a plurality of representative images, and a name corresponding to the representative image to provide a plurality of names, and providing the plurality of representative images and the plurality of names to a logo index, the logo index being accessible to identify one or more logo images in a query image. |
| US08825648B2 |
Mining multilingual topics
Techniques for utilizing data mining technology to extract universal topics with multilingual representations from a multilingual database, and to organize existing or new documents in different languages by analyzing their respective topic distributions. |
| US08825645B1 |
Determining quality of linked documents
A ranking component ranks documents, such as web pages or web sites, to obtain a ranking score that defines a quality judgment of the document. The ranking score of a particular document is based on the ranking score of the documents which link to it and based on affiliation among the documents. |
| US08825643B2 |
System and method for filtering content based on gestures
In order to provide filtering of content to be presented on a mobile device, a gesture-based preferencing system and method may be employed. When content is presented to a user, the user may indicate a positive or negative preference toward that content by making a gesture. The gesture may be detected by a motion sensor and the preference of the content indicated by the gesture may be stored in a preference datastore. The preference may be used to subsequently filter content that is to be presented to the user. |
| US08825640B2 |
Methods and apparatus for ranking uncertain data in a probabilistic database
Methods and apparatus for ranking uncertain data in a probabilistic database are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises using a set of data tuples representing a plurality of possible data set instantiations associated with a respective plurality of instantiation probabilities to store non-deterministic data in a database, each data tuple corresponding to a set of possible data tuple instantiations, each data set instantiation realizable by selecting a respective data tuple instantiation for at least some of the data tuples, the method further comprising determining an expected rank for each data tuple included in at least a subset of the set of data tuples, the expected rank for a particular data tuple representing a combination of weighted component ranks of the particular data tuple, each component rank representing a ranking of the data tuple in a corresponding data set instantiation, each component ranking weighted by a respective instantiation probability. |
| US08825637B1 |
Recording user actions
A method for providing search results includes identifying a plurality of websites relevant to a search query, generating an ordered set of search results, and sending the search results to a client device. Each respective search result includes a link to a respective website, the link including a reference to a recording function that is distinct from a function of the link to send a request to the respective website, and position information identifying a position of the respective search result in the ordered set of search results. In some implementations, the search results also include the recording function. The recording function, when executed at the client device, sends data, including the position information and website location information associated with the link in a respective search result of the ordered set of search results, to a server that is distinct from the website. |
| US08825631B2 |
System and method for improved processing of an SQL query made against a relational database
A system and method for improved processing of an SQL query made against a relational database is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the method includes parsing the SQL query, received against the relational database, to obtain each operator and associated one or more operands and sequence of execution of the operators. Further, it is determined whether all needed closure-friendly operators exist. Furthermore, any available closure-friendly operators are obtained from a pattern repository if all needed closure-friendly operators do not exist. In addition, remaining or all non-available closure-friendly operators are dynamically generated. Moreover, the available closure-friendly operators and the dynamically generated closure-friendly operators are grouped into one or more patterns and impact of each pattern on a queried relational database and a database schema is classified. Also, the SQL query is executed using the one or more patterns based on sequence of the execution of the operators. |
| US08825627B1 |
Creating ambience during on-line shopping
Pages presented by an on-line merchant are configured to create ambience appropriate for products referenced by the pages. An appropriate theme defining visual and/or audible elements may be applied to each requested page to create the ambience. The theme may be customized for a particular geographic location. Keywords associated with a requested page may be identified and utilized to select a theme appropriate for the requested page. An association between product categories and themes may be defined. Keywords associated with a requested page and the categories might be utilized to identify a category. Once the category has been identified, the theme associated with the category may be applied to the requested page. The themed page may be provided for display at a customer computer. The amount of time spent by customers on themed pages may be determined and utilized to determine whether to theme certain pages or categories of pages. |
| US08825619B2 |
Systems and methods for managing database authentication and sessions
Systems and methods enable remote (or “off-campus”) users complete authorized access to full-record content of 3rd-party databases subscribed to by the user's institution. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system that acts as a transparent conduit between the user and a remote database, managing relevant session/context information without the user's awareness and without the need for users to install plug-ins or configure browser proxies. |
| US08825617B2 |
Limiting deduplication based on predetermined criteria
Data for deduplication is received. The received data is deduplicated if selected conditions corresponding to the deduplication are satisfied, wherein the selected conditions include a deduplication ratio, a data deduplication threshold, and a data quiescence measure. Deduplication of the received data is discontinued if the selected conditions corresponding to the deduplication are not satisfied. |
| US08825613B2 |
Instance space based management pack infrastructure
Techniques are described herein for using a management pack to define a structure of management packs. A management pack is business logic expressed in terms of an extensible language, such as extensible markup language (XML). Instances of entities that are described by a management pack are stored in an instance space that is defined by the management pack. An entity can be a computer, software program, employee, customer, management pack, management pack element, or anything else in the system that an administrator may wish to describe. A management pack that defines the structure of management packs is referred to as a “management pack management pack” (MPMP). Accordingly, management packs (including MPMPs) having a structure that is defined by a MPMP are stored in an instance space that is defined by the MPMP. The instance space that is defined by the MPMP is materialized in a database. |
| US08825612B1 |
System and method for delivering content to a communication device in a content delivery system
The present invention relates to a method, system, and a computer program product for delivering content to a communication device, in response to an image sent by the communication device. The received image is matched with a plurality of images, and, when a match is found for the received image, content corresponding to the image is delivered to the communication device. The plurality of images is stored in an image database, and the corresponding content is stored in a content repository. The present invention enables a content provider to automatically update the image database and the content repository without any human intervention. |
| US08825609B2 |
Detecting wasteful data collection
A method and system comprises a duplication identifier module to analyze data input information to automatically identify duplicate expected inputs associated with a process. The system includes logical process model information defining a logically structured series of process activities and data input information representing a plurality of expected inputs associated with respective process activities, with each expected input being indicative of expected collection of a corresponding data element during execution of the associated process activity. Each duplicate expected input comprises one of the plurality of expected inputs for which there is at least one other expected input with respect to a common corresponding data element. |
| US08825605B2 |
Deduplication aware scheduling of requests to access data blocks
Systems and methods for scheduling requests to access data may adjust the priority of such requests based on the presence of de-duplicated data blocks within the requested set of data blocks. A data de-duplication process operating on a storage device may build a de-duplication data map that stores information about the presence and location of de-duplicated data blocks on the storage drive. An I/O scheduler that manages the access requests can employ the de-duplicated data map to identify and quantify any de-duplicated data blocks within an access request. The I/O scheduler can then adjust the priority of the access request, based at least in part, on whether de-duplicated data blocks provide a large enough sequence of data blocks to reduce the likelihood that servicing the request, even if causing a head seek operation, will not reduce the overall global throughput of the storage system. |
| US08825604B2 |
Archiving data in database management systems
According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of data from a first processing system is archived onto a second processing system based on partitions of the data. A query received at the first processing system is processed at the second processing system to retrieve archived data satisfying the received query in response to determining at the first processing system that the received query encompasses archived data. Embodiments of the present invention further include methods, systems, and computer program products for archiving and accessing data in substantially the same manner described above. |
| US08825594B2 |
Caching infrastructure
Example systems and methods are directed at maintaining and retrieving presence metadata. One example method includes receiving a request from a first client to edit a document file, and sending short-term check out metadata to the first client to begin an editing session. The method also includes writing the transition ID to a transition table stored in a cache, wherein the presence of another transition ID in the cache indicates that a document has switched from a single-client mode to a multi-client mode. An example system includes a processing unit operative to receive a document, the document including short-term check out metadata indicating an editing session has begun, ping a cache to determine if another transition ID is stored in the cache, and send a transition ID to a transition table stored in a cache to switch from a single-client mode to a multi-client mode. |
| US08825592B2 |
Systems and methods for extracting data from a document in an electronic format
A computer-implemented method of extracting data from a document in an electronic format. The method includes the steps of accessing a file in an electronic format from a memory module; extracting data from the file corresponding to a plurality of keys contained within a mapping structure stored in the memory module; organizing the extracted data into values, wherein each value maps to one of the plurality of keys to form a hash map; storing the hash map in a database; and providing a user access to the database via an output device. The output device allows the user to view a customizable document whose content is derived from the values and keys stored in the database. |
| US08825588B2 |
Rule correlation to rules input attributes according to disparate distribution analysis
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for visualizing rule input attributes with a rule according to disparate rule attribute distributions. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for visualizing rule input attributes with a rule according to disparate rule attribute distributions has been provided. The method includes identifying in response to a selection of a rule for viewing in a rule viewer an input for the selected rule and determining an attribute for the input. However, attributes present in a guard for the selected rule can be excluded. The method also can include computing a global distribution of the attribute irrespective of the identified input and a specific distribution for the identified input. Thereafter, the attribute can be flagged as being correlated with the selected rule when it is determined that a sufficient disparity exists between the global distribution and the specific distribution. |
| US08825583B2 |
Utility data processing system
A utility data processing system for processing data relating to consumption of a utility comprises: a fact memory for storage of facts relating to utility consumption received from fact sources, at least one fact source module for deriving facts from utility consumption data and adding the derived facts to the tact memory, an inference module for inferring new facts relating to utility consumption from one or more facts stored in the fact memory, and an interlace module. |
| US08825582B2 |
Rule-based virtualization
A system and method for controlling interaction among environments including virtualized environments and a system environment. A process issues a request to perform an action on a resource or a second process. A virtualization environment manager operating in the system environment detects the request and in response, retrieves data associated with the request identifying the first process, a base environment corresponding to the process, and the resource, and retrieves a first rule from a programmable database of rules. A base environment of a process is an environment in which a process is running. The first rule corresponds to at least one of the first process, the base environment, and the resource and identifies a target environment in which to process the request. The target environment is different from the base environment of the process. The virtualization environment manager directs the request to the target environment. |
| US08825577B2 |
Using penalty and reward to aggregate data to assess trust
Techniques for assessing trust in information are provided. The techniques include collecting information from one or more information sources, detecting one or more inconsistencies in one or more statements from the information collected from the one or more sources, assigning a penalty to each information source involved in an inconsistency and a reward for each statement not involved in any inconsistencies, and using each assigned penalty and reward to perform an aggregation to assess trust in the collected information. |
| US08825576B2 |
Methods and systems for selecting and presenting content on a first system based on user preferences learned on a second system
A method of selecting and presenting content on a first system based on user preferences learned on a second system is provided. The method includes receiving a user's input for identifying items of the second content system and, in response thereto, presenting a subset of items of the second content system and receiving the user's selection actions thereof. The method includes analyzing the selected items to learn the user's content preferences for the content of the second content system and determining a relationship between the content of the first and second content systems to determine preferences relevant to items of the first content system. The method includes, in response subsequent user input for items of the first content system, selecting and ordering a collection of items of the first content system based on the user's learned content preferences determined to be relevant to the items of the first content system. |
| US08825574B2 |
Peer-to-peer media item recommendation system with peer interaction including calculating a correlation-based and a domain-based recommendation score for a friend
Peer-to-peer media item recommendations are provided by presenting a selected list of media items to a first user to consider for recommendation to a friend, receiving an indication from the first user that one or more of the presented media items are to be recommended to the friend, and presenting the one or more indicated media items to the friend. The presented list comprises media items the friend hasn't rated, and is selected using a media recommendation engine. |
| US08825569B2 |
Method for automatically teaching parameters
The invention relates to a method for automatically teaching parameters to a tray sealer, for example, position values, acceleration values and/or distances. |
| US08825567B2 |
Fault prediction of monitored assets
Systems and methods for fault prediction are described to reduce equipment failure by effectively monitoring equipment, removing anomalous data, and reducing false alarms. Such systems and methods can be used to receive monitoring data, extract information from the data, and combine extracted information for establishing prediction models. Additionally, fault probabilities may be quantified and faults may be predicted based on the probabilities. |
| US08825565B2 |
Assessing performance in a spatial and temporal memory system
A spatial and temporal memory system (STMS) processes input data to detect whether spatial patterns and/or temporal sequences of spatial patterns exist within the data, and to make predictions about future data. The data processed by the STMS may be retrieved from, for example, one or more database fields and is encoded into a distributed representation format using a coding scheme. The performance of the STMS in predicting future data is evaluated for the coding scheme used to process the data as performance data. The selection and prioritization of STMS experiments to perform may be based on the performance data for an experiment. The best fields, encodings, and time aggregations for generating predictions can be determined by an automated search and evaluation of multiple STMS systems. |
| US08825561B2 |
Method and system of determining a prioritized list of users related to a given goal
A method and system of determining a prioritized list of one or more users related to a given goal obtaining a set of places, determine one or more future places an expert associated with a given goal is predicted to visit to accomplish the given goal, obtain a history of one or more places users have visited, determine one or more historical places from the history of one or more places that match the future places, and identify one or more users associated with the determined one or more historical places. |
| US08825560B2 |
Distributed evolutionary algorithm for asset management and trading
A server computer and a multitude of client computers form a network computing system that is scalable and adapted to continue to evaluate the performance characteristics of a number of genes generated using a software application running on the client computers. Each client computer continues to periodically receive data associated with the genes stored in its memory. Using this data, the client computers evaluate the performance characteristic of their genes by comparing a solution provided by the gene with the periodically received data associated with that gene. Accordingly, the performance characteristic of each gene may be updated and varied with each periodically received data. The performance characteristic of a gene defines its fitness. The genes may be virtual asset traders that recommend trading options, and the data associated with the genes may be historical trading data. |
| US08825559B2 |
Methods, apparatus, systems and computer readable mediums for use in generating a customs export document
According to some embodiments, methods, apparatus, systems and/or computer readable mediums are provided. According to some embodiments, a method includes generating at least one shipment request data object based at least in part on at least one outbound delivery data object; generating at least one freight unit data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment request data object; generating at least one shipment data object based at least in part on the at least one freight unit data object; generating at least one invoice data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment data object; and generating at least one customs export document based at least in part on the at least one invoice. |
| US08825556B2 |
System and method for conversion between Internet and non-Internet based transactions
A method is provided for completing an authenticated commercial transaction over an internet protocol (IP) network (40) for an account holder (60) engaged in the transaction via a non-IP based telecommunications platform (30). The method includes: receiving a first message from the account holder (60) via the non-IP based telecommunications platform (30), the first message triggering authentication of the account holder (60) and being in a first communication format; establishing account information for a payment instrument being used in the transaction based upon content in the first message; generating a second message using a second communication format different from the first format, the second message including the established account information; submitting the second message via the IP network (40) to a network entity (110, 200) such that an authentication document is generated (120), the authentication document (120) containing an input field (122); generating a third message using the first format, the third message being submitted to the account holder (60) via the non-IP based telecommunications platform (30) such that the account holder (60) is prompted to enter a security code; receiving a fourth message containing the entered security code from the account holder (60) via the non-IP based telecommunications platform (30), the fourth message being in the first format; and, accessing the authentication document (120) via the IP network (40) to fill-in the input field (122) of the authentication document (120) with the security code contained in the fourth message. |
| US08825555B2 |
Privacy-sensitive sample analysis
Processes are described for provision of privacy-sensitive sample analysis results to a sample provider. The sample provider generates a cryptographic commitment encoding a secret value, r, and a sample identifier, s, associated with a sample container. The sample provider provides the commitment to an analysis provider in association with the sample container containing a sample for analysis. The analysis provider analyzes the sample to obtain a set of analysis results corresponding to the sample identifier, s, and generates a cryptographic pre-credential, σ′, corresponding to the sample identifier, s. The pre-credential, σ′, encodes the set of analysis results and the commitment. Completion of the pre-credential, σ′, requires knowledge of the secret value, r, in the commitment. In response to cryptographic proof of knowledge by the sample provider of at least the secret value, r, in the commitment encoded in the pre-credential, σ′, corresponding to the sample identifier, s, the analysis provider supplies the pre-credential, σ′, to the sample provider. The sample provider then completes the pre-credential, σ′ using the secret value, r, to obtain a cryptographic credential, σ, encoding the set of analysis results. |