| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08851273B2 |
Conveyor system
A conveyor system for conveying at least one product comprises a spiral first conveyor having a vertically extending central axis. The first conveyor comprises a number of conveying elements extending substantially parallel to each other. Each conveying element comprises at least one supply end for receiving the product and at least one discharge end for discharging the product. The discharge ends of the individual conveying elements are positioned at different vertical levels. |
| US08851269B2 |
Apparatus for conveying and selectively discharging products
The present invention relates to a method of conveying and selectively discharging food products by providing a feeding system. The feeding system (14) comprises an inlet end (20), an outlet end (22), a receptacle (24) below the outlet end, a determination unit at the outlet end (22) and a feeder (18) for conveying the food products from the inlet end to the outlet end. When no food product is present at the outlet or in the receptacle (24), the food products are conveyed at a first average velocity. When a food product is present at the outlet end (22) and no food product is present in the receptacle (24), the food products are conveyed at a second average velocity. The second average velocity is lower than the first average velocity. When the food product is leaving the outlet end or is received within the receptacle (24), the feeder (18) is stopped until the individual food product has left the receptacle. |
| US08851264B2 |
Roller for conveying glass substrate and roller axle assembly
The present invention discloses a roller for conveying glass substrate. The roller includes a structure of roller body that is formed by assembling a plurality of roller components together in a disassembleable manner. An axle bore is formed in center of the roller. The present invention also discloses a roller axle assembly for conveying glass substrate, which includes a plurality of rollers and a roller axle. A distance is formed between adjacent ones of the rollers. Each of the plurality of rollers is individually disassembleable. The roller for conveying glass substrate and the roller axle assembly according to the present invention allows any one of the rollers that are mounted to a roller axle assembly to be disassembled individually thereby shortening the time period for replacing the glass substrate roller, increasing the utilization rate of the roller, and lowering down the device maintenance cost. |
| US08851263B2 |
Parking interlock device of a vehicular transmission
A parking lock device of a motor vehicle transmission comprising a transmission housing (11) with a housing wall (11a), a parking lock gearwheel (1), a parking lock pawl (2), a parking lock bolt (3) for mounting the parking lock pawl (2) and a blocking element (5). A carrier plate (7) is arranged alongside the parking lock pawl (2) and is fixed to the transmission housing (11), and the parking lock bolt (3) is held, on one side, by the carrier plate (7) and, on the other side, by the transmission housing (11). |
| US08851261B2 |
Hydraulic control device for vehicular friction clutch
Providing a hydraulic control device for a friction clutch for a vehicle, which permits the vehicular friction clutch to have an improved response of its releasing action. The hydraulic control device includes a braking valve provided in an oil passage through which a working oil is discharged from a clutch cylinder to place the friction clutch in its engaged state, and the braking valve permits the working oil to be discharged from the clutch cylinder when a pressure acting on an end portion of the braking valve on the side of the clutch cylinder has exceeded a predetermined clutch releasing pressure value, so that a discharge flow of the working oil from a pressure chamber of the clutch cylinder is restricted due to the braking valve even when the pressure in the pressure chamber is reduced below the atmospheric pressure value, whereby it is possible to prevent an increase of a gap formed between a pair of pistons of the clutch cylinder, permitting an improvement of a response of the releasing action of the friction clutch. |
| US08851259B2 |
Electromagnetic clutch, compressor, and manufacturing method for electromagnetic clutch
When grooves 44, 45A and 45B of an armature 42 and a rotor 43 are formed by laser beam machining, a metal oxide layer 100 is formed on wall surfaces defining the grooves 44, 45A and 45B. The metal oxide layer 100 is brought into sliding contact with a first contact surface A1 to a fourth contact surface A4 in a process in which an electromagnetic clutch is used, so that a part of the metal oxide layer 100 is ground and peeled off, whereby particles made of a metal oxide are produced. The particles enter the contact surface between the armature 42 and the rotor 43, which increases the frictional force therebetween to thereby prevent slippage. As a result, the torque transmission capability of the electromagnetic clutch M is enhanced, and the increase in the torque of a scroll compressor is achieved. |
| US08851254B2 |
Power transmission device
A power transmission device has a rigid body that includes a contact portion coming into contact with the first or second friction member and that moves the contact portion from a position of contact with the first or second friction member to a position of no contact with the first and second friction members, an elastic body that applies to the rigid body a force moving the contact portion to a position of contact with the first or second friction member, a first pushing mechanism that applies to the rigid body a pressure of liquid moving the contact portion to a position of contact with the first or second friction member, and a second pushing mechanism that applies to the rigid body a pressure of liquid moving the contact portion to a position of no contact with the first and second friction members. |
| US08851253B2 |
System adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (battery charging arrangement)
A vehicle-related system adapted for electrically driving a vehicle along a road-way. The vehicle has three sources of power: a vehicle-related power generator, a set of batteries and vehicle-external electric stations. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be connected with an electric station. A circuit, determining instantaneous power content of the set of batteries, is adapted to connect the vehicle-external power source via a switch belonging to the electric station, in order to charge the set of batteries and/or to supply power to the vehicle motor via a control circuit, when the power content of the set of batteries is at a predetermined level of power, lying below a maximum power content, and a supply of power or voltage from the vehicle-external power source is available. |
| US08851252B2 |
System adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (cleansing means)
A cleaning means related to a vehicle-related system for driving an electrically propellable vehicle along a roadway. The vehicle has three sources of power: a vehicle-related power generator, a set of batteries and vehicle-external electric stations. The vehicle is provided with a current collector which is displaceable up and down and sideways in relation to the direction of transportation, in order to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with elongated tracks positioned below the roadway and comprising a conductor adapted to be connected with an electric station. The cleaning means is rotatably fastened in an upper area thereof about a horizontally oriented axis of rotation and adapted to clean the track from loose obstacles and/or yield to solid obstacles. The cleaning means and the axis of rotation are movably disposed in vertical direction by means of a resilient member. The cleaning comprises a forwardly directed edge portion oriented in the direction of travel, the edge portion comprising a point which may be brought into contact with the track and the conductor. |
| US08851250B2 |
Active vibration isolation system
The invention relates to an active vibration isolation system which detects structural vibration of the mass to be isolated via a sensor and also takes account of these disturbance variables. |
| US08851249B2 |
Hydraulic brake master cylinder
A hydraulic brake master cylinder includes a cylinder unit having first and second spaces, a channel communicating the spaces and an adjuster exposed outside; a piston slidably disposed in the first space; a first spring applying an elastic force to the piston; a rod moving relative to the piston; a second spring applying an elastic force to the rod; a seal attached to the rod and moving controllably to seal the channel; and a nut threaded onto the rod. The adjuster is rotatable to make the nut and the rod rotate with respect to each other so as to change the distance between the seal and the end of the channel to adjust the free stroke. |
| US08851245B2 |
Brake rotor
A brake rotor including a rotor support; and a braking band disposed on and encircling the rotor support. The braking band has first and second brake pad receiving surfaces on opposite sides of the braking band. At least one brake pad receiving surface defines at least one groove that has a groove path extending along and having a variable depth with respect to the at least one brake pad receiving surface. |
| US08851234B2 |
Ladder carrying apparatus and method of modifying a ladder
An apparatus for carrying a ladder includes a base, a handle connected to the base, and fingers spaced from one another on the base and generally extending away from the handle. Each of the fingers has a hooked end. A compressible biasing member on the base at least partially extends toward the hooked ends to bias a ladder rail against the hooked ends when the fingers are placed around the ladder rail. The compressible biasing member may be a spring, a flexible tab, a foam pad, or other compressible member. A method of modifying a ladder is also provided. |
| US08851229B2 |
Tank dampening device
A compressor assembly that has a compressed air tank having a vibration absorption member. The vibration absorption member can exert a pressure on a portion of the compressed air tank. A method of controlling sound emitted from a compressor assembly, by using a vibration absorber which applies a force against the compressed gas tank. Controlling the sound level of the compressed gas tank is accomplished by absorbing vibration from the compressed gas tank by which exerting a pressure on a portion of the compressed gas tank. |
| US08851228B2 |
Speaker diaphragm and its manufacturing method
A speaker diaphragm structure includes a speaker diaphragm and a coating formed on the speaker diaphragm and is composed of at least one dense layer and relatively porous layer alternately arranged with respect to the at least one dense layer. |
| US08851227B2 |
Bearing assembly for a power steering mechanism
A bearing assembly is for a mechanism including a housing and a rotatable shaft disposed within the housing. The bearing assembly includes a sleeve disposable within the housing and having an inner circumferential surface defining a bore and a radial surface extending radially inwardly from the inner surface. A bearing is disposed within the bore and includes inner and outer races and rolling elements disposed between the races, the inner race being coupleable with the shaft such that the shaft and the inner race rotate as a single unit. Further, a biasing member biases the outer race generally against the sleeve radial surface or a housing radial surface to prevent axial displacement of the outer race during shaft rotation. Preferably, a retainer couples the biasing member with the outer race to retain the bearing and the biasing member within the bore when the assembly is separate from the housing. |
| US08851223B2 |
Motor mounting structure
A motor mounting structure including: a left and right pair of side section members disposed at two vehicle width direction sides of a vehicle body with a length direction of the side section members being along a vehicle front-rear direction; a first cross member spanning across a vehicle width direction between the pair of side section members; a second cross member spanning across the vehicle width direction between the pair of side section members, and disposed offset in a vehicle top-bottom direction with respect to the first cross member as viewed from directly in front of the vehicle body; and a coupling member coupling together the first cross member and the second cross member, with an attaching portion of a motor to be mounted to the vehicle body attached to the coupling member. |
| US08851222B1 |
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is disclosed. The motorcycle includes a link member, a coupling rod, a first lever and a second lever. The link member is rotatably connected to a second end of a rear suspension via a first shaft, and is rotatably connected to a rear arm via a second shaft. A second end portion of the coupling rod is connected to a third shaft so as to rotate together with the third shaft. The first lever is connected to the third shaft so as to rotate together with the third shaft. The second lever is rotatably connected to the second shaft, and restricts the rotation of the first lever when engaged with the first lever. The second lever is provided with a torsion spring for providing a force for rotating the second lever around the second shaft. |
| US08851221B2 |
Motorcycle
A motorcycle defines a riding position in which positions are provided for the rider's feet that are located behind the engine and in front of the rear tyre (23) in the direction of travel, in which positions the distance between the inner sides of the rider's feet may be less than the width of the rear tyre (23). |
| US08851216B2 |
Device for sealing a component housing in a motor-vehicle drive train
A component housing in a motor-vehicle drive train is sealed by pressurization of the housing interior. The component is a hybrid module (1) comprising at least one electric machine provided between the combustion engine (VM) and the gearing (G) of the motor-vehicle drive train. The pressurization is achieved by a rotating component (R, RA, M, F) of the hybrid module. The rotating component is designed in a manner similar to an impeller of a centrifugal pump. Therefore, rotation of the component builds up a positive pressure (P) on the radially outer region of the rotating component in the region of the housing (GE) in the interior of the hybrid module. |
| US08851214B2 |
Electric mid-wheel drive wheelchair
A wheelchair of the mid-wheel drive type comprises a chassis frame (10), a pair of front link arms (30) and a pair of rear link arms. The link arms are pivotally connected to the chassis frame. Front caster wheels (32) and drive wheels (53) are fixed to the front link arms. Rear caster wheels (42) are fixed to the rear link arms. Each front link arm (30) is operatively connected to an adjacent rear link arm (40) by a respective coupling (70), which is arranged to transmit pivotal movement of one of the front (30) and rear (40) link arm to an opposite pivotal movement of the other of the front (30) and rear (40) link arm. |
| US08851213B1 |
Powered wheel chair with automatic emergency stopping
A motorized wheel chair is equipped with a safety system for bringing the wheel chair to a stop if a wheel chair user should experience an emergency situation which renders the user unable to safely control the wheel chair while in use. The safety system utilizes at least one switch mounted to an upright backrest for sensing whether or not the user's back is in contact with the backrest. If the user's back is in contact with the backrest, the wheel chair is operative and may be controlled in a normal manner. If the user's back moves out of contact with the backrest, whether voluntarily or because of an emergency situation, the safety system operates to disable operation of motors which operably propel drive wheels of the wheel chair, thus causing the wheel chair to be inoperative and bringing the wheel chair to a stop if in motion. |
| US08851210B2 |
Device for moving vehicles
The present invention relates to a device and method for moving a disabled vehicle. More specifically, the invention includes a main frame assembly that is constructed and arranged for placement and adjacent to the outside portion of a vehicle wheel to allow one operator movement of the vehicle. An electric motor and battery(s) operate through a gear train to rotate an adapter plate in both forward and reverse directions. The adapter plate is constructed and arranged to cooperate with the lug nuts or wheel studs to provide rotation to the wheel upon operation of the electric motor. A hand or remotely operable controller is provided for the operation of the electric motor which allows for operation of the device while walking alongside or sitting at the driver's position within the vehicle. |
| US08851205B1 |
Method and apparatus for reaming well bore surfaces nearer the center of drift
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for increasing the drift diameter and improving the well path of the well bore, accomplished in one embodiment by cutting away material primarily forming surfaces nearer the center of the drift, thereby reducing applied power, applied torque and resulting drag compared to conventional reamers that cut into all surfaces of the well bore. |
| US08851202B2 |
Method and device for transporting pipestringsections between a storage unit and a drill rig
A method and a device for transporting pipe string sections (2) between a storage unit (1) wherein the longitudinal axes of the pipe string sections are arranged horizontally and a position of use in a drill rig (32) where the longitudinal axes of the pipe string sections (2) are arranged vertically and where the pipe string sections (2) are displaceable by means of a pipe manipulator (40), and where the method comprises:—positioning a transport frame (14) for pipe string sections (2) at the storage unit (1), as the transport frame (14) is rotatable about a rotary axis (16) which in the position of use is parallel to the pipe string sections (2), and wherein the transport frame (14) is provided with a number of fasteners (18) for the pipe string sections (2); and—displacing a pipe string section (2) from the storage unit (1) and placing the pipe string section (2) in the transport frame (14), alternatively disengaging the pipe string section (2) from the transport frame (14) and placing the pipe string section (2) in the storage unit (1). |
| US08851200B2 |
Battery pack for use with a power tool and a non-motorized sensing tool
A system includes a power tool having a motor, a drive mechanism mechanically coupled to the motor, and an output element mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism. The motor is operable to drive the drive mechanism and the output element. The system also includes a non-motorized sensing tool having a printed circuit board and a sensing element electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sensing element is operable to detect an external characteristic and output a signal to the circuit board. The circuit board is operable to condition the signal into a human-comprehensible form. The system further includes a rechargeable battery pack removably and independently coupled to the power tool and the non-motorized sensing tool to power the motor to drive the drive mechanism and the output element when connected to the power tool and the circuit board and the sensing element when connected to the non-motorized sensing tool. |
| US08851198B2 |
Tractable, fire-resistant, thermo-insulated covers and enclosures
Protective covers made with fire-resistant and thermo-insulated blankets to shield diverse structures and objects from fire. Interconnective tent units forming protective surface passageways for sheltering and evacuating firemen at fire locations and for providing tactical shelter for security personnel. Novel tent configurations having optimal packaging and surface coverage characteristics. Ground-covering blankets for stopping ground-level fire and for diverse fire-fighting tactical applications. |
| US08851196B2 |
Clamp for sprinkler support assembly
A fire sprinkler support assembly includes a leg configured to extend transverse to each of a pair of adjacent parallel spaced beams. The leg includes levered clamp assemblies that are configured for connecting and supporting each end of the leg to a corresponding one of the beams. The levered clamp assemblies include a first plate and a second plate, each plate configured to straddle the beam. The levered clamp assemblies also include a lever assembly. The lever assembly includes a rod passing through corresponding rod openings in the first and second plates, and a lever pivotally connected to one end of the rod. The lever includes a cam surface disposed adjacent to the first plate. The lever assembly is configured to reduce spacing between the plates upon actuation of the lever, whereby the leg is secured to the beam. |
| US08851194B2 |
Seal with bellows style nose ring
A seal assembly between a wellhead housing having a bore and a casing hanger, has an inner seal leg for sealing against hanger and an outer seal leg for sealing against housing. An extension extends downward from outer seal leg and has a downward facing shoulder that rests on an upward facing shoulder formed on a nose ring. Connection connects seal ring to the nose ring with a lower portion of the nose ring resting on the upward facing shoulder of the casing hanger. Bellows are formed on the nose ring to increase lockdown capacity. Bellows have an inner surface that faces an outer profile of the hanger, and an outer surface on the bellow that faces the bore of the housing. When the bellows are axially collapsed, they expand radially outward and contract radially inward into the bore of the housing and the outer profile of the hanger. |
| US08851193B1 |
Self-centering downhole tool
A self-centering tool for use in a wellbore includes a centering mechanism, a biasing mechanism, and a release mechanism. The centering mechanism includes at least one arm that is configured to move from a first position to a second position. The arm urges a centerline of the tool towards a centerline of the wellbore when in its second position. A biasing mechanism is coupled to the centering mechanism and urges the arm from its first position to its second position. The release mechanism is electro-mechanically actuated. In its locked position, the release mechanism prevents the arm from moving towards its second position, while in its released position the arm is able to move towards its second position. The release mechanism is a split-spool type mechanism. A control system that includes one or more sensors controls the operation of the release mechanism. |
| US08851190B1 |
Ball check valve integration to ICD
A production sleeve assembly for use downhole comprises a fluid pathway configured to provide fluid communication between an exterior of a wellbore tubular and an interior of the wellbore tubular, a flow restriction disposed in the fluid pathway, and a valve disposed in series with the flow restriction in the fluid pathway. The valve comprises: a rupture disk and a plug releasably engaged in the fluid pathway in series with the rupture disk. The valve is configured to allow production from the exterior of the wellbore tubular to the interior of the wellbore tubular through the chamber without producing past the plug once the rupture disk is actuated. |
| US08851189B2 |
Single trip multi-zone completion systems and methods
Disclosed are systems and methods of producing from multiple production zones with a single trip multi-zone completion system. One single trip multi-zone completion system includes an outer completion string having at least one sand screen arranged thereabout and a flow control device movably disposed within the at least one sand screen between an open position and a closed position, and an insert string arranged within the outer completion string and having at least one control and data acquisition module disposed thereon, the at least one control and data acquisition module having one or more mechanical coupling mechanisms extending therefrom and configured to locate and move the flow control device between the open and closed positions. |
| US08851188B2 |
Restricting production of gas or gas condensate into a wellbore
A method of producing liquid hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the liquid hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a bubble point curve from a liquid phase side thereof. A method of producing gaseous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation can include flowing the gaseous hydrocarbons from the formation through at least one valve, and increasingly restricting flow through the valve in response to pressure and temperature in the formation approaching a hydrocarbon gas condensate saturation curve from a gaseous phase side thereof. |
| US08851186B2 |
Split stream oilfield pumping systems
A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid. |
| US08851181B2 |
Method for circulating a fluid entry out of a subsurface wellbore without shutting in the wellbore
A method for removing a fluid influx from a subsea wellbore drilled using a pump to return fluid from the wellbore to the surface. The method includes detecting the influx when a rate of the return pump increases. Flow from the wellbore is diverted from the return pump to a choke line when the influx reaches the wellhead. A choke in the choke line is operated so that a substantially constant bottom hold pressure is maintained while drilling fluid continues to be pumped through the drill sgring. Fluid flow from the wellbore is redirected to the return pump inlet when the influx has substantially left the well. |
| US08851180B2 |
Self-releasing plug for use in a subterranean well
A flow control system for use in a subterranean well can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows, and a plug which is released in response to an increase in a ratio of undesired fluid to desired fluid in the fluid composition. Another flow control system can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows, a plug, and a structure which supports the plug, but which releases the plug in response to degrading of the structure by the fluid composition. Yet another flow control system can include a flow chamber through which a fluid composition flows, and a plug which is released in response to an increase in a velocity of the fluid composition in the flow chamber. |
| US08851175B2 |
Instrumented disconnecting tubular joint
A method and equipment for an instrumented tubular joint apparatus for use in a pipe string comprising an upper tubular section with a threaded connection thereabove and an axial passage for fluid to flow through connected to a lower tubular section with a threaded connection therebelow and an axial passage for fluid to flow through, a sensor to measure strain at the instrumented tubular joint, a data recording and transmitting unit operatively connected to the sensor, means to relate the data acquired by the sensor to a surface processing unit; and a mechanism to disconnect the upper section from the lower section after receiving a signal from the surface processing unit. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US08851173B2 |
Set-delayed cement compositions comprising pumice and associated methods
A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of cementing in a subterranean formation, comprising: providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; activating the set-delayed cement composition; introducing the set-delayed cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. |
| US08851163B2 |
Multiple offset slim connector
A system, in certain embodiments, includes a wellhead connector configured to connect with multiple wellheads within a single wellhead conductor. The system may also include a hold down ring configured to be positioned radially around the wellhead connector and to lock the wellhead connector in position axially on top of the multiple wellheads by applying an axially downward force onto the wellhead connector. In addition, the system may include a body lock ring configured to be positioned radially around the multiple wellheads. The system may also include a union ring configured to be positioned radially around both the hold down ring and the body lock ring and to lock the hold down ring and the body lock ring in position adjacent each other axially. |
| US08851162B2 |
Sucker rod apparatus and method
The present disclosure relates to a fiberglass rod with connectors on each end. Each connector has a rod-receiving receptacle having an open end, a closed end, and axially spaced annular wedge shaped surfaces such that the compressive forces between the rod and the respective connector are defined by the shape of the wedged surfaces. |
| US08851161B2 |
Cross-communication between electronic circuits and electrical devices in well tools
A well tool can include multiple electrical devices and multiple electronic circuits which control operation of the respective electrical devices, each electronic circuit including a respective isolation circuit, wherein each of the isolation circuits isolates a corresponding one of the electronic circuits from a respective one of the electrical devices in response to a predetermined condition. A method of operating a well tool can include providing multiple electronic circuits for operation of respective multiple electrical devices of the well tool, disconnecting one electronic circuit from its respective electrical device in the well, and connecting another electronic circuit to the electrical device in the well. Another method of operating a well tool can include providing multiple electronic circuits for operation of respective multiple electrical devices of the well tool, disconnecting one electronic circuit from its respective electrical device in the well, and connecting the electronic circuit to another electrical device. |
| US08851160B2 |
Percussion operated firing mechanism for perforation of wellbores and methods of using same
Perforation guns comprise a firing head to activate an initiator which, in turn, causes detonation of perforation charges. The firing head comprises a firing pin in sliding engagement with a bore of a housing. An opening in the housing places the firing pin in fluid communication with a wellbore annulus when the perforation gun is disposed in the wellbore. A release mechanism maintains the firing pin in it is initial position. Upon being disposed in the desired location within the wellbore, the release mechanism is actuated allowing the firing pin to move within the bore. Hydrostatic pressure acts on the firing pin in a first direction that is determined by a bias provided by one end of the firing pin providing greater resistance to movement as compared to the other end. Movement of the firing pin causes the firing pin to strike the initiator causing detonation of the perforation charges. |
| US08851149B2 |
Sheet shutter
To provide a sheet shutter which, when a shutter electrical unit is provided in a support post, prevents the shutter electrical unit from greatly projecting from the support post. The sheet shutter according to the present invention, which includes a sheet case, a support post arranged at each of the left and right end portions of the sheet case, a sheet guide section that is provided at each of left and right inner portions of the support posts to guide the lifting and lowering of the sheet, and a shutter electrical unit is featured in that a storage space which detachably accommodates and supports the shutter electrical unit along the direction of the support post is formed on the left and right outer side of the sheet guide section in the support post. |
| US08851147B2 |
Segmented wind lock configuration for overhead roll-up doors and method of constructing the same
An overhead roll-up door assembly for a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access to an opening, the door assembly having a door panel with two faces and opposing marginal and lateral edges, and at least two wind locks attached proximate each marginal edge. The at least two wind locks extend away from one face of the door panel in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto, and are spaced apart vertically along each respective side edge of the door panel. The assembly further includes a drum for winding and unwinding the door panel to permit and prohibit access to the opening, and, a pair of opposing parallel side columns aligned and spaced apart such that each of the opposing side edges engage one of the side columns in a manner in which at least a portion of the side columns guide vertical movement of the door panel. |
| US08851144B2 |
Modular panels for protecting a structure
An innovative, low-density, highly-insulating modular panel for use in many applications and industries. The panel consists of a frame that may be preformed or bent and may be made of rigid or flexible material, and a panel covering comprising at least one pocket of thin, low-density shade fabric that has the capability of sufficiently stretching to surround the frame when the pocket is pulled onto it. The pocket may be then secured, along any previously open end where the frame was inserted, by various fastening devices. The panel covering pocket may have additional features added, as described herein. The panel is durable and cost-effective, and has good solar-control and insulating qualities. It is also a windbreak panel, a noise-reduction panel, an impact protection panel, a water-resistant panel, a fall protection panel, and a pollution-control panel. Two or more panels can be joined to create a structure-protecting panel assembly or system. |
| US08851143B2 |
Single pull rope driving device for a window shade
A single pull rope driving device for a window shade includes a rotation driving device (3) mounted to a bracket (1) and having a pull rope (12). A gear (7) is jointly rotatable with a reeling drum (2) for releasing/winding a curtain cloth (26). A rack (9) is movable in a vertical direction and includes teeth (10a) releasably engaged with the gear (7). A return spring (11) biases the rack (9) to disengage the teeth (10a) of the rack (9) from the gear (7). An actuating member (13) mounted on the pull rope (12) can move the rack (9) downward by pulling the pull rope (12), driving the gear (7) and the reeling drum (2) to rotate in a winding direction. The gear (7) and the reeling drum (2) are rotatable in the winding or releasing direction by pulling the pull rope (12) downward without actuating the rack (9). |
| US08851132B2 |
Air maintenance tire and pumping tube assembly and method
A tire has an elongate profiled sidewall groove extending into a first tire sidewall from an outward first sidewall surface. An elongate air tube is positioned within the elongate sidewall groove in contact with the groove sidewalls, the air tube having an external surface configuration corresponding with and seating within the internal sidewall configuration defining the sidewall groove. The air tube when subject to outward originating impinging force collapses from an expanded unstressed configuration into a collapsed configuration to allow the tube to insert through the groove entry opening and expand outwardly once within the sidewall groove to its unstressed configuration. The configuration of the groove sidewalls capture the air tube within the groove in its expanded unstressed configuration to prevent separation of the tube from the tire during use. |
| US08851129B2 |
Run-flat tire
Provided is a run-flat tire having a substantially-crescent-shaped cross section, which makes it possible to achieve both durability at the time of run-flat travel and ride comfort at the time of travel at a normal inner pressure. A rigidity reducing portion that reduces a tire rigidity in the width direction extends in the circumferential direction on a surface of a tread rubber in an area located on the inner side than an end of a belt in the tire width direction and on the outer side than a road-contacting end in the tire width direction under a 75% load state. |
| US08851128B2 |
Pneumatic radial tire having buttress
A pneumatic radial tire having a thin groove continuous in a tire circumferential direction at a buttress formed between a shoulder of a tread and a sidewall includes a tire contour portion that is formed between an end portion of the shoulder and a groove floor of the thin groove. A tire transverse direction outermost portion at a shoulder side curved portion is disposed further toward a tire radial direction inner side than a sidewall side end portion of a sidewall side groove wall surface of the thin groove. |
| US08851125B2 |
Insulated ductwork products
An intermediate insulating product (20) is disclosed comprising a planar insulating layer (11) having a top side in to which is formed a plurality of parallel channels (14) having cross-sections with tapered sides. A vapor proof layer (18) is applied to the top surface after the channels (14) have been formed such that the vapor proof layer (18) bridges the plurality of parallel channels (14). The intermediate insulating product (20) is then bent with mechanical manipulation in regions adjacent the bottom of the channels (14) thereby causing the channels (14) to close to form a non-planar, derivative insulated ductwork product (30) and the vapor proof layer (18) forms a vapor proof inner lining to the derivative insulated ductwork product (30). |
| US08851124B2 |
Oil pipe stopper
An oil pipe stopper includes an upper clamping body, a lower clamping body, and an elastic member. The upper clamping body has a central portion with an upper post, two downwardly slanting portions, and two clamping portions. The clamping portions of the upper clamping body are provided with a first stopping member and an engagement groove. The lower clamping body has a central portion with a lower post, two upwardly slanting portions, and two clamping portions. The lower post is telescopically connected with the upper post. The clamping portions of the lower clamping body are provided with a second stopping member and a third stopping member. The downwardly and upwardly slanting portions are crossed such that the first stopping member faces the second stopping member while the engagement groove faces the third stopping member. The elastic member is mounted between the upper clamping body and the lower clamping body. |
| US08851123B2 |
Sealed stopper for an opening in a junction tubing between a housing and a pipe, and method for implementing said stopper
A sealed stopper for an opening in a junction tubing between an enclosure and a pipe, including an attachment ring. The stopper includes a rigid lid and a sealing assembly borne by the lid including a passive annular gasket including at least one annular internal chamber, a first static annular gasket, a second static annular gasket and a flat gasket ensuring the seal of the opening of the tubing. |
| US08851116B1 |
Water supplying extension arm
A water supplying extension arm for supplying water from a water source to a showerhead has an elongated hollow extension arm element extending along its axis and having a first end connectable to the water source and a second end spaced in a direction of its axis and connectable to the showerhead, and a water regulating element operatively connected with the second end of the elongated hollow extension arm element and adjusting an amount of water issuing from the second end of the elongated hollow extension arm element to the showerhead. |
| US08851115B2 |
Coupler
Coupling holding means 50 comprising retainers 53 and retainer engaging portions 52 for holding a coupled state is provided between a socket S10 and a plug P10 of a coupler. Engaging pawl portions 54 are formed on the inner sides of a pair of retainers 53 provided on both sides of a nozzle portion 32. By causing the retainers 53 to move outwardly in a coupling operation, a gap between the retainers 53 and the nozzle portion 32 can be made small. By forming interference preventing portions 58 in the engaging pawl portions 54, the retainers 53 can be provided at a smaller interval than the outer diameter of the nozzle portion 32 whereby the coupler can be made even more compact. Further, by forming the retainers 53 higher than the foremost end portion of the nozzle portion 32, the nozzle portion 32 can be protected by the retainers 53 even in an unexpected event such as falling and damage will not extend directly to the nozzle portion 32. |
| US08851100B2 |
Sampling and rejection device
A sampling and rejection device for a boiler or steam generating system is described. The sampling and rejection device receives the condensate or fluid and allows a volume of the condensate to liquefy or the fluid to build up in the interior of the sampling and rejection device. One or more conductivity, pH, and temperature sensors or probes are positioned in the sampling and rejection device to measure the condensate. The sampling and rejection device includes a collection vessel to hold and temporarily store the condensate. The sampling and rejection device includes an outlet or a return line (to a central boiler) and a drain line. If the sensor measures undesirable conductivity, pH, or temperature in the condensate in the collection vessel, then a valve to the drain line is opened and the condensate is rejected. |
| US08851099B2 |
Pipe monitoring system and method
A system and method for detecting leaks in pressurized or vacuum pipes is disclosed. A pipe clamp comprises a housing that surrounds a pipe fitting. A containment chamber within the pipe clamp prevents leaked gas from escaping into the environment. The pipe clamp is installed in series with an exhaust line to remove the leaked gas from the containment chamber. A sensor may be configured and disposed to detect a change in pressure in the containment chamber to indicate the occurrence of a leak. |
| US08851096B2 |
Collapsible lattice beam, truss and construction including such a beam
A preassembled lattice beam formed by a lower rib and an upper rib interconnected by at least one diagonal attached such as to be able to pivot between a transport position and a mounting position, said beam having at least one stationary upright connecting the lower and upper ribs at a right angle in said mounting position. |
| US08851093B2 |
Adjustable rotation base
An outdoor umbrella includes an awning frame, a supporting shaft and an adjustable rotation base including a base housing and a transportation arrangement. The base housing is arranged to couple with the supporting shaft to support the awning frame in an upright manner, and includes a plurality of transferring wheels. The transportation arrangement is provided at the base housing to operate the base housing between an idle mode and a transportation mode, wherein in the idle mode, the transferring wheels are suspenedly lifted up to position above the bottom edge of the base housing such the base housing is sat on the ground surface in a stationary manner, wherein in the transportation mode, the base housing is lifted up by air pressure for allowing the transferring wheels to move out of the receiving cavity at a position below the bottom edge of the base housing. |
| US08851091B2 |
Contact lens cleaning system with monitor
The invention monitors the neutralization process involving hydrogen peroxide solution and a hydrogen peroxide neutralization catalyst and compares measured values with theoretical values. The system monitors the chemical reaction and notifies the user of the neutralization status. In an exemplary embodiment, the initial hydrogen peroxide solution concentration is neutralized with a palladium catalyst after a period of time. A microcontroller analyzes the measurements and displays the neutralization process results using colored LED lights and/or text or images on a LCD display. In one embodiment, an apparatus adapted for use with a cleaning solution used to clean a medical device may include a trigger, a processing device in communication with the trigger, and a display device. The processing device provides a trigger count and the display device communicates with the processing device and displays a message based on the count. |
| US08851084B2 |
Cellulose acetate compositions
The present invention relates to compositions comprising a blend of cellulose acetate and a water soluble polymer. In some embodiments, the composition is water dispersive and/or biodegradable. Embodiments of the invention also relate to processes for preparing such compositions, and to materials and products including such compositions. |
| US08851082B2 |
Vaporizer for water pipe inlet
The vaporizer assembly includes a nail sub-assembly formed of a high rate of heat transfer material and an adapter assembly formed of a lower rate of heat transfer material. The nail sub-assembly includes a bowl at an upper end and a shaft extending down from the bowl. The shaft has a hollow bore passing therethrough. The nail sub-assembly is preferably formed of a titanium alloy which can be heated to high temperatures without damage thereto. The adapter has a hollow core sized to receive the shaft of the nail therein. The nail is preferably threaded along with portions of the adapter to facilitate height adjustability of the nail relative to the adapter. Lower portions of the adapter are configured to mate with a water pipe inlet tube or other downstream vapor handling device. |
| US08851080B2 |
Thermal therapy apparatus and method for delivering energy to a tissue using a cooled laser fiber
In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an integrated apparatus for delivering energy to a tissue. The integrated apparatus included a housing having a distal end and a tubular structure located within the housing forming a first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing. The tubular structure is configured to accept an energy delivery component and is configured to form a second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component. The first annulus and the second annulus are configured to communicate with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing. |
| US08851077B2 |
Methods and apparatus for occlusion of body lumens
The invention describes methods and apparatus for creating permanent occlusion of body lumens such as the fallopian tubes. The methods and apparatus use non-surgical approaches to deliver permanent implants which create acute occlusion of desired body lumens which resolve to permanent occlusions of the lumens. |
| US08851076B2 |
Breathing assistance apparatus
A nasal cannula assembly is disclosed having a face mount part, in use resting against a user's face, which includes at least one nasal prong capable of being fitted into a person's nares. The cannula assembly also includes a manifold part, in fluid communication with the face mount part, having a single horizontal side gases entry. In particular, this cannula assembly is for supplying heated, humidified gases to a patient suffering from COPD. A tie or lanyard is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus such as a nasal cannula, face or nasal mask or tracheotomy connector. The tie or lanyard transfers the weight of the conduits supplying gases to the breathing assistance apparatus from the breathing assistance apparatus and distributes it onto the neck of the patient. |
| US08851075B2 |
Mask vent
A mask system includes a mask component including one or more openings for gas washout and a vent component provided to the mask component. The vent component includes one or more tracks or grooves along its outer surface adapted to guide gas washout. The vent component is adapted to cover the one or more openings in the mask component so that gas washout escapes along the one or more tracks or grooves between an outer surface of the mask component and the vent component. |
| US08851074B2 |
Breathing mask
A breathing mask has a mask body, a mounting bracket and a universal connecting tube. The mask body has a first universal socket bracket having a first spherical recess. The mounting bracket is mounted on the mask body and has a second universal socket bracket having a second spherical recess. The universal connecting tube is mounted universally pivotally in the mask body and has a ball joint mounted universally rotatably in the first and second spherical recesses. The universally rotating ball joint allows a breathing tube connected to the universal connecting tube to pivot to any orientations and prevents the breathing tube from over bending. |
| US08851073B2 |
Patient interface having an integrated system for communicating data to a ventilator
A medical device may include a patient interface for use in a breathing assistance system, an electronic device coupled to the patient interface, and one or more electrical conductors at least partially integrated with the patient interface. The patient interface may include a connection end configured for receiving gas communicated by a gas delivery apparatus, and a patient end configured for insertion into or more breathing passageways of a patient. The one or more electrical conductors at least partially integrated with the patient interface may be capable of facilitating communication of electrical signals between the electronic device and the gas delivery apparatus when the patient interface is communicatively coupled to the gas delivery apparatus. |
| US08851070B2 |
Dispensing device
A device for dispensing individual doses of powder from respective pockets of a disc-shaped carrier by outwardly rupturing a lidding foil by means of pressure on an opposite side surface, the device providing individual respective deaggregation flow paths for each pocket, split airstreams allowing improved entrainment of powder, a cam mechanism for outwardly rupturing the pockets, an indexing mechanism linked to the cam mechanism and a dose counter. |
| US08851064B2 |
Device for removing cooking vapors comprising a flat exhaust air duct
A device for removing cooking vapors in a direction vertically below a hob plane includes a cooking vapor entry device that can be reversibly opened and closed and an exhaust air duct that is connected thereto. A connecting section is provided downstream on the cooking vapor entry device. The downstream exit opening of the connecting section has the cross-section of a horizontally extending rectangle, an oblong hole or a slot, with the width of the exit opening being larger than the height thereof and the width corresponding approximately to the width of the entry opening. One or more flat duct elements having respective horizontally extending, rectangular cross-sections are connected to the cooking vapor entry device and/or to the preliminary section and/or to the connecting section either indirectly or directly, downstream of the exit opening from the side and horizontally and/or from the side and from below at an angle. |
| US08851062B2 |
Portable combustion device utilizing thermoelectrical generation
This invention provides a portable combustion device that provides a cleaner combustion, reduces the kindling period, and provides a more efficient overall combustion through the use of a fan that directs a predetermined volume of airflow over the combustible fuel—typically wood or similar cellulose-based biological solids. The combustion device has a combustion chamber with a fuel source. A housing encloses the TEG on the side of the device that generates an electrical output based on a temperature differential between opposing TEG sides. A heat-conducting probe is mounted to the TEG and protrudes into the combustion chamber. The opposing TEG side contacts a heat sink that interacts with ambient air. A fan draws heated air away the heat sink, and forces the air onto the combusting fuel through a plurality of peripheral ports that connect with an air space located between inner and outer walls of the combustion chamber. |
| US08851061B2 |
Oven with ambient air cooling
An oven is described having an interior space defined by a plurality of side walls, a duct, and a blower. The duct is in fluid communication with a ventilation aperture in at least one of the side walls and a supply of ambient air external to the oven cavity. The blower is in fluid communication with the duct and forces the supply of ambient air into the oven cavity via the ventilation aperture. |
| US08851059B2 |
Self-cleaning wiresaw apparatus and method
The present invention provides a self-cleaning wiresaw cutting apparatus including a cleaning mechanism adapted to clean the components of the wiresaw before, during, or after a cutting process or to humidify the cutting region of the apparatus. The apparatus contains at least one dispenser adapted to dispense an aqueous fluid onto various components of the wiresaw. |
| US08851047B2 |
Injector-igniters with variable gap electrode
Fuel injector-igniters with variable gap electrodes. A fuel injector-igniter comprises a housing, an actuator disposed in the housing, and a valve including a valve head operative to open and close against a valve seat in response to activation of the actuator. An electrode cage surrounds the valve head and includes at least one aperture. At least one reed electrode extends from the electrode cage to form a gap between the reed electrode and the housing. The valve head includes a magnet, such as a permanent magnet, wherein the magnet is operative to move the reed electrode toward the electrode cage when the valve head opens, thereby increasing the gap. |
| US08851043B1 |
Energy recovery from compressed gas
An expansion system utilizes external combustion of its residual warm exhaust air, in order to heat incoming compressed air. The heat of this external combustion is communicated to the incoming compressed air through a heat exchanger. The expansion system may be incorporated into an energy storage device also featuring a compressed air storage unit supplied by a compressor. Where the stored supply of compressed air is depleted, the energy storage device may continue to supply electricity on demand through operation as a heat engine, with the compressor being driven directly (e.g. on a same rotating shaft) or indirectly (via generated electrical power) by the expansion system. Multiple expanders of the same or different types (e.g. rotating, reciprocating), may be utilized in parallel and/or in series (e.g. multiple stages) depending upon the particular application. Multi-stage embodiments featuring internal combustion in low pressure stages, may be particularly suited for placement in vehicles. |
| US08851042B2 |
Insert for a cylinder of an internal combustion engine
To remove contaminations in the area of a fire land (6) of a piston (5) an insert is provided (1) which sweeps the outer circumference of the piston (5) upon passing the top dead center and in so doing scrapes accumulating contaminations. The insert is formed of a first annular member (2) in which a second annular member (3) is inserted in a groove (9). |
| US08851041B2 |
Intake system of internal combustion engine
An intake system (10) of an internal combustion engine includes an intake manifold (12) with at least two feed pipes (14) connected with cylinder head intake ports of the internal combustion engine and includes at least one intermediate chamber (30) having connections (34) to an interior volume (24) of each feed pipe (14). Each connection (34) can be opened or closed by way of an intake control valve. |
| US08851038B1 |
Roller valve lifter
The present invention may be used for vehicle engines having bores in which roller valve lifters reciprocate. A roller valve lifter may have a body with two opposed subtending spaced apart legs. A cam follower roller bearing having a press fit inner sleeve bushing may be rotatably mounted on the pin. Each of the legs may have an oil feed hole that traverses from an exterior surface to an interior surface adjacent to the inner sleeve bushing. The body in an upper portion may have a key device or an attached vertical guide bar to maintain proper orientation of the roller valve lifter to a cam lobe. |
| US08851037B2 |
Two and three piece, T6 bullet timing chain cover and needle bearing idler sprocket, for dart engineering engine blocks with cam shaft .600 thousandths higher from stock location with removable upper half
The two and three piece bullet aluminum timing chain cover with removable upper half and adjustable needle bearing idler sprocket is a unique non-conventional timing chain cover and sprocket combination that utilizes a sprocket to allow a longer chain to be used for the additional height separation from crank center to cam center line. It takes up timing chain slack or excessive side play within the chain, and allows it to be mounted and assembled on Dart engineering Chevy Engine Blocks part numbers 31282465 through 31293875. |
| US08851035B2 |
Actuator unit for sliding cam systems with actuator pins controlled by control needles
Reciprocating-piston internal combustion engine with intake and exhaust valves actuatable by sliding cams of a camshaft, arranged so that they are rotationally locked but axially moveable on a base shaft, and with an actuator unit for each sliding cam unit with at least one actuator pin for the displacement of the sliding cam units into different axial positions. The actuator pins are spring-loaded in the direction of the sliding cam unit and are fixable in their retracted position away from the sliding cam unit by latches having spring-loaded control needles that correspond to clamping bodies of the latches and are releasable via an electromagnet and permanent magnets that are in active connection with the control needles, and acceleration of the control needles defined by the spring force of each moving mass due to their springs is compensated by the acceleration of the actuator pins due to their allocated compressive springs. |
| US08851025B2 |
Powering an internal combustion engine
Downstream expansion cylinders are associated with a combustion cylinder such that an overall surface area and displacement volume of the expansion cylinder is sufficient to lower the temperature of fluids associated with the combined engine to such an extent that a radiator can be eliminated in an associated vehicle, or other system. In a separate feature, a catalytic material is placed on surfaces which will “see” the hot exhaust gases such that catalytic conversion of impurities in the gases can be achieved within the engine itself. In yet another feature, water is recovered from a system having both a water injection expansion cylinder, and a combustion cylinder, and the recovered water is re-used for the expansion. In yet another feature, gearing is provided between the expansion cylinder and a combustion cylinder such that the output of the combined engine is optimized, and the two cylinders do not drive the crankshafts in a one-to-one fashion. In another feature the combustion cylinder's ignition timing is delayed (retarded) to manage thermal control of said combustion cylinder between it and a subsequent expansion cylinder or cylinders. |
| US08851024B2 |
Water reservoir for a steam generation system and method of use thereof
Disclosed herein is a system comprising an evaporator; a water reservoir in fluid communication with the evaporator; the water reservoir being located upstream of the evaporator; and a first steam drum in fluid communication with the evaporator; the first steam drum being located downstream of the evaporator; where the water reservoir is operative to supply feedwater to the evaporator while maintaining a predetermined water level in the first steam drum. |
| US08851021B2 |
Method for controlling hot water temperature through operation of a circulation pump
A method for controlling the temperature of hot water through an operation of a circulation pump according to the present invention includes: judging whether a user uses the hot water; judging whether one of the circulation pump operating modes is selected; and circulating the hot water in an outflow pipe to an inflow pipe by operating the circulation pump provided on a bypass pipe connecting the inflow pipe which direct water enters and the outflow pipe through which heated hot water flows out to each other when the user uses the hot water and selects one of the circulation pump operating modes, thereby controlling a temperature difference of the hot water that flows out from a water heater to be reduced. |
| US08851020B2 |
Environmentally-friendly, form-fitting canine garment for urine marking, incontinence and heat-induced female menstruation
The present invention is directed to a canine garment that can be used to control and/or contain canine fluids, such as fluids related to canine urine marking, incontinence and heat-induced female menstruation. The canine garment may have a liner that is configured to wrap around the interior of the canine garment to prevent the flow of canine fluids onto the other portions of the canine garment and/or from escaping from the garment. The canine garment may also include a removable pad containing absorbent lining to prevent the flow of canine fluids, where the removable pad may be washable and reusable, and being made of wicking, odor-resistant fabrics. The canine garment may also be capable of accommodating a disposable pad that can be used to prevent the flow of canine fluids. The canine garment according to the present invention may also be comfortable when worn on the canine user's body. |
| US08851019B2 |
Pet restraint system
In various embodiments, a method of controlling a position of an animal includes tracking a position of the animal using a positioning system, such as a global positioning system. A time-varying position of a base object is also tracked using the positioning system, and a relative position of the animal with respect to the base object is determined, based on the positions of the animal and the base object. When the relative position exceeds a minimum value, a stimulus is provided to the animal to encourage the animal to reduce the relative position. A user of the system may define a region for the animal using a map of the surrounding territory. |
| US08851011B2 |
Coating treatment method, coating treatment apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium
In a coating step, a substrate is rotated at a high speed, and in that state a resist solution is discharged from a first nozzle to a central portion of the substrate to apply the resist solution over the substrate. Subsequently, in a flattening step, the rotation of the substrate is decelerated and the substrate is rotated at a low speed to flatten the resist solution on the substrate. In this event, the discharge of the resist solution by the first nozzle in the coating step is performed until a middle of the flattening step, and when the discharge of the resist solution is finished in the flattening step, the first nozzle is moved to move a discharge position of the resist solution from the central portion of the substrate. According to the present invention, the resist solution can be applied uniformly within the substrate. |
| US08850999B1 |
Sewing machine feed device
A feed mechanism for a sewing machine, either separate from the rest of the machine or incorporated as a part thereof, to feed fabric in any direction, that is programmable, and is easily controlled. |
| US08850998B2 |
Planting unit for a seeding machine having a seed meter and seed delivery system
A planting unit for a seeding machine is disclosed having a frame member and a seed meter mounted thereto. The seed meter has a housing and a metering member rotatably mounted therein. The metering member has a sidewall with an inner surface and an outer surface and a rim portion adjacent an outer edge of the sidewall. The inner surface of the side wall and the housing form a trough at a bottom portion of the metering member to hold a seed pool. A mechanical seed delivery system takes seed from the metering member and moves seed to a discharge location adjacent a seed furrow formed in soil beneath the seeding machine. |
| US08850996B2 |
Stationary system for gas treatment of top soil to kill plant pests and methods thereof
A stationary system for gas treatment of top soil to kill plant pests including either underground or above ground piping netting for facilitating the flow of gas towards the roots of the plant, preferably via one or more injection nozzles. The system may be adapted to be in combination with water/fertilizers irrigation system, such that both (i) plant growth is promoted and (ii) plant pathogen kill by a compressible gas is provided. |
| US08850995B2 |
Seeding machine with seed delivery system
A seed delivery system for use in a seeding or planting machine that removes the seed from a seed meter by capturing the seed therefrom. The delivery system then moves the seed down to a lower discharge point and accelerates the seed horizontally rearward to a speed approximately equal to the forward travel speed of the seeding machine such that the seed, when discharged has a low or zero horizontal velocity relative to the ground. Rolling of the seed in the trench is thus reduced. Furthermore, as the seed only has a short drop from the outlet to the bottom of the seed trench, the seed has little vertical speed to induce bounce. The delivery system uses a brush belt to capture, move and accelerate the seed. By capturing the seed and moving it from the meter to the discharge, the seed is held in place relative to other seeds and the planter row unit. As a result, the seeds are isolated from row unit dynamics thereby maintaining seed spacing. |
| US08850993B2 |
Shipping platform
A system may include structural components, and joining areas on the structural components where fasteners connect the structural components into a shipping platform. The system may also include a wrap positioned on each selected joining area of selected structural components where the fasteners connect the selected structural components together. |
| US08850990B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling and enhancing tractive effort in DC traction motors on locomotives
A system is provided for powering a locomotive. The system comprises a plurality of traction motor assemblies, each assembly comprising an armature and a field; a first power source connected in series to each armature; and in specific circumstances, a second power source connected across the fields. A method of controlling traction power in a locomotive is also provided, the method comprising: identifying which of a plurality of traction motor armatures in the locomotive has a highest current reading; and ramping a traction motor field current to equal the highest current reading for the traction motor armatures. |
| US08850989B2 |
Magnetic levitation assembly
A method and system for transportation using a magnetic bearing structure is disclosed. In one aspect, there is an apparatus for carrying a load along a magnetizable structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a third structure spaced apart vertically from the magnetizable structure and configured to generate magnetic flux and repel from the magnetizable structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one coil positioned at at least one end portion proximal to the magnetizable structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises at least one flux guide comprising a magnetizable material and configured to concentrate magnetic flux. A first portion of the flux guide is thinner than a second portion of the flux guide that is positioned closer to the magnetizable structure than the first portion of the flux guide. |
| US08850988B2 |
Installation with overhead cables and vehicles served thereby, without hanger
An overhead installation for transporting people in an urban environment includes two carrying cables, which sag in curved manner and are spaced apart from one another, on which the rollers of the vehicle without a hanger arm run. Jacks with vertical displacement, controlled by a central unit, are placed in the connection between the rollers and the vehicle so as to reduce transmission of undesirable movements, resulting from the sag of the cables, to the car of the vehicle. |
| US08850987B2 |
Method and system for expandable modular raft and a water ride using the same
The present invention is related to a method and system for expandable modular raft and a water ride using the same. In one embodiment, the expandable modular raft can include a raft, and a base unit attached to the raft and configured to receive a building block. The building block can be configured to be force fit to the base unit and/or each other. Furthermore, the building block could be formed from various shapes. The expandable modular raft can be used in a water ride and can float along a path such as a river. Interactive units such as water guns can be placed along the path to allow observers to interact with the riders. Furthermore, a raft area can be located adjacent the path to store the rafts, while a building block area can be located adjacent the path to store the building blocks. |
| US08850985B2 |
Polymeric material suitable for making ammunition cartridge casings
An ammunition article is provided which comprises a casing and a cap wherein the casing is formed from a polymeric material that has a room temperature notched Izod impact value greater than about 10 ft lbs/in and then has a ratio of notched Izod impact value at room temperature to notch Izod impact value at about −40° C. of less than about 4. |
| US08850976B2 |
Inker assembly for cylindrical can decorators
A cylindrical can decorator inker assembly having a non-oscillating first transfer roll, a non-oscillating second transfer roll and a non-oscillating third transfer roll, and further having axially oscillating distributor and ghost chaser rolls to prevent ghosting on the decorated cans. The inker assembly preferably has an improved oscillator drive assembly, oscillating roll structure, transfer roll structure and inker assembly mount. |
| US08850970B2 |
Engineered woody biomass baling system
A woody biomass baler having a baling chamber adapted to receive woody biomass material, a compression system adapted to compact the material into a rectangular bale in the chamber, and an ejection system adapted to move the bale from the chamber, wherein each baling chamber wall can withstand a minimum distributed force perpendicular to the wall of at least (0.11×Pp psi×Aw) pounds, wherein Pp is the maximum pressure that the compression system can apply to the material and Aw is the area of the wall expressed in square inches, and wherein the compression system can apply at least one platen pressure between 26 psi and 126 psi to the material. |
| US08850969B2 |
Device and method for melting cheese
An device and method are provided for steam injection heating to melt a cheese component of a food item of a food product. The device includes a housing for a steam generator and a steaming chamber. Generated steam is injected into the steaming chamber to melt the cheese component of the food item held in a container inserted into the steaming chamber. The device is configured to rest on a counter so that the counter provides an interior support surface in the steaming chamber. The counter also provides an exterior support surface for the container and a work surface. The container is inserted into the steaming chamber by sliding it on the exterior surface and is received and supported by the interior support surface. A food product having a melted cheese component is assembled, produced and packaged while the container is supported in the single plane of the counter. |
| US08850967B2 |
Croissant dough, and a method and machine for forming that dough
Forming machines and methods for forming a croissant dough piece in which the lateral end sides can be bent to form and join them, while they contact the upper surface of a transporting conveyor, are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the forming machines include an interception pin 75, which is arranged above the transporting conveyor 5 such that it is vertically movable and it is also movable in the conveying direction of the transporting conveyor 5. The forming machine also includes a plurality of pressing members 99, which are arranged above the transporting conveyor 5 such that they are vertically movable and are movable in the conveying direction of the transporting conveyor 5 at a velocity faster than that of the interception pin 75, and they are movable toward and away from each other. When the interception pin 75 intercepts the center portion of the croissant dough piece 3 in the length thereof at the leading side thereof along the conveying direction, the pressing members 99 bend both sides of the croissant dough piece 3 about the interception pin 75 that is centered thereon to form or join them, while downward components of force are applied to both sides thereof. The circumferential surface of the interception pin 75 ejects air when the pressing members 99 are lifted up and the interception pin 75 is pulled up from the croissant dough piece 3. |
| US08850963B1 |
Automatic multiple-stage cooking machine
An automatic multiple-stage cooking machine for food preparation includes a housing having an upper area and a lower area with an elongate member in the upper area. The elongate member has one or more sections to receive a liquid or a food which is then heated by a first heating element controlled by a controller. After the liquid or food is heated it is deposited by a drive mechanism controlled by the controller from the elongate member into one or more containers positioned below on a platform located in the lower area of the housing. The one or more containers receive the heated liquid or heated food and an additional liquid or an additional food for combining together or can include an additional liquid or additional food alone. A second heating element controlled by the controller heats the one or more containers for the preparation of dishes. |
| US08850961B2 |
Beverage maker having a water reservoir and a member for determining a size of an outlet opening of the water reservoir
A beverage marker comprises a water reservoir (1) and a beverage extract holder (2) which is adapted to accommodate an amount of beverage extract, whether contained in a filter or not, which is suitable for containing an amount of fluid, which has at least one outlet opening (4) for letting out beverage, and which is arranged at a position for receiving water from an outlet opening (3) of the water reservoir (1). Furthermore, the beverage maker comprises a movably arranged water flow restriction member (6) which is mechanically connected to the beverage extract holder (2), such that an increasing weight of the beverage extract holder (2) causes an increasing restriction of the outlet opening (3) of the water reservoir (1). If so required, the outlet opening (3) of the water reservoir (1) may be completely blocked in order to prevent the beverage extract holder (2) from overflowing. |
| US08850960B2 |
System, method and capsule for preparing a beverage
System, method and capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product. The system includes an exchangeable capsule, an apparatus including a receptacle for holding the exchangeable capsule, and a fluid dispensing device for supplying a fluid to the exchangeable capsule. The exchangeable capsule includes a circumferential wall, bottom, and lid enclosing an inner space including the extractable product. The receptacle includes bottom piercing means intended for piercing an entrance area of an alternative capsule for creating at least one entrance opening for supplying the fluid to the extractable product. The entrance area of the capsule of the system includes an entrance filter for supplying the fluid to the extractable product therethrough. In use, the entrance filter is positioned at a distance from the bottom piercing means, such that the capsule of the system is not pierced by the bottom piercing means. |
| US08850959B2 |
Espresso coffee machine
Systems and methods for an improved espresso coffee machine are described. In one aspect, the improved espresso coffee machine includes one or more operating units, each of which at least includes a boiler, a pump, a heating unit, and a unit for aroma extraction and dispensing of the espresso coffee brew, including related conduits. Each unit is equipped with a system for controlling and adjusting the espresso coffee brewing parameters. |
| US08850953B2 |
Axial piston machine having bent axis construction
An axial piston machine having bent axis construction, having a drive shaft rotatably supported in a housing and ending in a drive flange comprising a face on the drive shaft side, is disclosed in which ball races are formed for receiving piston heads. The piston heads are rotatably retained in the ball races by means of deformable rings. The axial piston machine having bent axis construction possesses characteristics so that pressure relief of the ball head is ensured for all cases. The rings at the inner surface comprise at least one groove running so as to connect the ring faces to each other. |
| US08850951B2 |
Gas management system for a firearm
A gas management system for a firearm has a body including an end and having a plurality of apertures that communicate with a central body bore and a sleeve that closely receives the end of the body. One of the body apertures communicates with a barrel aperture that communicates with a barrel bore. One of the body apertures is a forward aperture that is continuously exposed and exhausts gas to the environment as the sleeve reciprocates between a forward position and a rearward position as the firearm cycles. One of the body apertures may be a rearward aperture that is not continuously exposed and only exhausts gas to the environment when the sleeve uncovers the rearward aperture as the sleeve moves to the rearward position. |
| US08850950B2 |
Helicopter weapon mounting system
A weapon mounting system for a vehicle, such as a helicopter. The weapon mounting system illustratively includes a weapon cradle supporting a machine gun for pivoting movement about a generally horizontal elevational axis. A carriage supports the weapon cradle and is supported by a pintle for rotation about a generally vertical azimuth axis. An ejection collection device is supported by the carriage and collects spent shell casings and links ejected from the machine gun for discharge through the pintle. A trigger assembly illustratively provides for manual operation by a gunner and for remote electrical operation by a pilot. |
| US08850946B2 |
Armor having prismatic, tesselated core
An armor includes a core that, in turn, includes a first layer of prismatic elements arranged in a tessellated fashion and a second layer of prismatic elements arranged in a tessellated fashion. The armor further includes a smart component operably associated with a component of the armor. The first layer of prismatic elements is nested into the second layer of prismatic elements. |
| US08850944B2 |
Automatic gun safety devices based on positioning systems
A gun safety device on a gun automatically prevents the gun from firing when it is inside a registered area, which includes: a positioning device for determining the geographic position of a gun; a data processing device for identifying whether the gun is located within a registered area by comparing the gun's position with the stored geographic positions of the registered areas, and for generating a disable signal when the gun is identified to be inside a registered area; and a safety seizer operable to prevent the gun from discharging in response to receiving the disable signal from the data processing device. The automatic gun safety device may further include a communication device for communications with external networks. Optionally, the data processing device sends the gun's location to a monitoring center. The practice of this invention will ensure the community safety meanwhile defend the constitutional right of gun ownership. |
| US08850942B2 |
Process for manufacturing a mechanical member made of a composite having increased mechanical strength
A method of fabricating a mechanical member for aircraft, including a plurality of operations of braiding and depositing layers of braided reinforcing fibers on a mandrel (11) by using braiding machine. Each operation comprises braiding a braided layer and depositing it by moving the mandrel (11) along a central axis of the braiding machine. Each of the various superposed braided layers comprises both longitudinal fibers (12, 12G) that are parallel to a main direction of the mandrel (11), and interlacing fibers that are inclined. At least one operation is configured to form and deposit a braided layer having, in at least one cross-section of the member, a density of longitudinal fibers that differs depending on whether consideration is given to one angular region (S1) or another angular region (S2) of the same extent around the center of gravity (G) of the mandrel (11) in the section under consideration. |
| US08850940B2 |
Integrated stand mount for miter saw
A miter saw for use with a miter saw stand includes a base having a first clamping surface, a second clamping surface, and a first actuator. The miter saw further includes a turntable rotatable in relation to the base and having a work piece support surface. The miter saw also includes a support assembly attached to the turntable, and a cutting assembly attached to the support assembly and positioned over the turntable. The first actuator is movable between a first position and a second position. Movement of the first actuator from the first position towards the second position causes the first clamping surface to move toward the second clamping surface. |
| US08850939B2 |
Straight edge guide
The present invention relates to a straight edge device for use in conjunction with power tools such as radial saws, or table saws. The present invention is used for cutting an uneven edge of a board. The straight edge device includes a one piece board having a protuberance projecting from its lower surface that engages a groove of the table saw. The board is placed on the upper surface of the one piece board with the uneven edge hanging over the edges of the one piece board. As the straight edge device is pushed or pulled through the groove of the table saw, the cutting blade straights the uneven edge of the board. |
| US08850936B2 |
Automotive wheel CNC (computed numerical control)/manual dual control lathe
The present invention is a novel machine for repairing damaged wheel rims whereby the machine is a combination CNC and manual lathe configured of performing all of the required tasks for repairing damaged wheel rims in a single unit. |
| US08850932B2 |
Positioning device for a hand tool
A positioning device for a hand tool includes a handle, a tool head, a positioning member and an adjusting member. The positioning member has a pusher and a spring. The adjusting member has a threaded portion1 extended therefrom and abutted against the pusher. An extending portion is extended from the threaded portion. A retaining portion is defined at one end of the extending portion. Therefore, when a user rotates the adjusting member, the retaining portion is restricted by the pusher for preventing the adjusting member being lost. |
| US08850927B2 |
Dynamic vibration absorber
Rolling element bores are provided in the outer circumferential portion of a disk-like main body. Each rolling element bore has an arcuate outer rim. Rollers each have a groove formed on the peripheral edge and extending along the entire circumference of the roller. The outer rim of each rolling element bore engages with the groove of the associated roller so that the roller is loosely fitted in the rolling element bore. Shafts are respectively formed on both sides of each roller. The shafts project from the center of the roller. An elastic ring is mounted on each shaft. Annular guide plates are respectively mounted on both sides of the disk-like main body so that the shafts of the rollers are supported by the guide plates. |
| US08850919B2 |
Rotatable grip actuator
The invention relates to a bicycle twist-grip shifter, which is connectable to a fixed handgrip and is mountable as a structural unit on a handlebar. In this way the fixed handgrip is securely fixed on the handlebar. Moreover, the individual components have an advantageous size for production in an injection molding process. The twist-grip shifter gives the operator a precise operation by avoiding disruptive frictional effects of the rotatable handgrip part on the mounting tube, for which purpose ball bearings are used for bearing the take-up spool, and a metallic positioning ring is used in the positioning mechanism. |
| US08850918B2 |
Positive lock for raking and telescoping steering column
An exemplary adjustable steering column comprises a gear positioned and configured to cause a shaft to rotate about its central axis as the steering column telescopes. The position lock further comprises one or more telescoping friction plates arranged and configured so as to rotate with the shaft when the steering column telescopes. The position lock further comprises one or more raking friction plates, each raking friction plate being positioned in frictional contact with at least one of the one or more telescoping friction plates and configured to exhibit a different rotation than the one or more telescoping friction plates when the steering column telescopes. The shaft imposes a compressive load between the one or more telescoping friction plates and the one or more raking friction plates so as to induce friction between the telescoping friction plates and the raking friction plates and thereby resist their relative movement. |
| US08850917B2 |
Spindle drive
The present invention relates to a spindle drive. A spindle drive according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a body that is disposed at a side of a machine tool; a spindle that is disposed at the body, with a ring gear disposed thereunder; a gear box that is disposed at a side of the body; a plurality of driven shafts that is disposed at the gear box and engaged with the ring gear; an idle shaft that is disposed at the gear box and engaged with a plurality of driven gears at a side; a high-speed driving shaft that is disposed at the gear box and drives the idle shaft while changing the speed by a driving force of a spindle motor; a low-speed driving gear that is disposed at the gear box, engaged with the driven shafts, and pressed by a pressing unit such that backlash is removed; a decelerator that is disposed at the low-speed driving gear and driven by a servomotor to drive the low-speed driving gear; and a clutch unit that is disposed between the servomotor and the low-speed driving gear and controls power transmission of the servomotor. |
| US08850912B2 |
Linkage-type synchronous slide structure of relative slide assembly
A linkage-type synchronous slide structure of relative slide assembly includes a slide member and a relative slide member slidably connected to the slide member. The relative slide member is formed with a slide guide section. The slide member is slidable relative to the relative slide member along the slide guide section. Two extensible/retractable assemblies with a variable length are respectively oppositely disposed on two sides of the slide guide section. Second ends of the extensible/retractable assemblies are respectively pivotally connected to corresponding sections of two sides of the slide member. First ends of the extensible/retractable assemblies are pivotally connected with each other and slidable along the slide guide section. A restriction mechanism is disposed between the extensible/retractable assemblies and the relative slide member to serve as a pivotal center of the extensible/retractable assemblies for restricting axial slide thereof and synchronizing the moves of two sides of the slide member. |
| US08850908B2 |
Elastomeric parallel stage with flexural hinges to provide multi-degree-of-freedom sensitivity of an aerodynamically floated probe head to disturbance in 3D space
A method and structure for a device including a non-contact gap control device for maintaining a distance between surfaces can include a pliable platform, a frame to which the pliable platform is secured, an aerodynamic floating (AF) head attached to the pliable platform and a probe for measuring, testing, and/or characterizing a substrate adjacent to the AF head. A pressurized gas source can be coupled to the AF head, such that a pressurized gas is ejected onto the substrate to maintain a distance between the substrate and the AF head during measurement. While the frame can be held immobile, the pliable platform can react in response to irregularities in the substrate to maintain a generally constant distance between the AF head and the substrate. |
| US08850907B2 |
Test carrier
[Problem] A test carrier able to secure a high air-tightness is provided.[Solution] A test carrier 10 comprises a cover member 50A and a base member 20A which are bonded together while sandwiching a die 90 between them. ultraviolet rays can pass through the cover member 50A. |
| US08850906B2 |
Fluid sampling device
A device for sampling fluids that has an outer conduit having a first end connected to a non-pressurized fluid reservoir and a second end adjacent to the testing location that is remote from the fluid reservoir. An inner fluid conduit is positioned within the outer conduit, the inner fluid conduit having a first end extending into the fluid reservoir and the second end adjacent to the testing location, the second end having a connector. A pressure source selectively connects to the connector and selectively applies a vacuum to the second end of the inner fluid conduit to draw fluid from the through the inner fluid conduit and applying pressure to purge the inner fluid conduit of fluid. |
| US08850904B2 |
Horizontal component catcher of dustfall in atmosphere and measuring method of horizontal component
A horizontal atmospheric dustfall component trap includes: a dust sampling port that includes a ceiling plate, a side wall, and four or more partition plates; an air pipe; and a trap container, wherein the side wall is a plate that has a vertical center axis and has a side surface having a shape of a substantially circular truncated cone or a polygonal truncated cone widened upward, wherein the side wall is provided with four or more external air inlets each having an opening disposed at the same interval in the circumferential direction of the side wall and disposed at a specific height near the upper end thereof, and wherein the four or more partition plates divide a space surrounded by the side wall into fan-shaped areas having an equal size in a horizontal cross-section. |
| US08850898B2 |
Test fixture for strip samples
A test fixture for applying a prescribed displacement to a material includes a first and a second portion, a first and a second adjustable pin, and an actuator. The first portion includes a first pin that to engages the material at a first location on the material. A second pin is engages the material at a second location on the material. A third pin engages the material at a third location on the material. The first adjustable pin holds the material against the second pin at the second location. The second adjustable pin holds the material against the third pin at the third location. The actuator is adapted to configure a relative position between the first pin and the second and third pins. |
| US08850893B2 |
Device for measuring pressure, variation in acoustic pressure, a magnetic field, acceleration, vibration, or the composition of a gas
The invention relates to a sensor (1) and a method for measuring pressure, variation in sound pressure, a magnetic field, acceleration, vibration, or the composition of a gas. The sensor (1) comprises an ultrasound transmitter (2), and a cavity (4) arranged in connection with it. According to the invention, the sensor (1) comprises a passive sensor element (3, 3′) located at the opposite end of the cavity (4) to the ultrasound transmitter (2), the distance of which from the ultrasound transmitter (2) is selected in such a way that the resonance condition is met at the ultrasound frequency used, the ultrasound transmitter (2) comprises a light-construction diaphragm oscillator (9), which is thus well connected to the surrounding medium, and the sensor includes means for measuring the interaction between the ultrasound transmitter (2) and the cavity (4). |
| US08850891B2 |
Micromechanical component and manufacturing method for a micromechanical component
A micromechanical component having a fixing point and a seismic weight, which is connected to the fixing point by at least one spring and is made at least partially out of a first material, the first material being a semiconductor material, the seismic weight being additionally made out of at least one second material, and the second material having a higher density than the first material. In addition, a manufacturing method for a micromechanical component is provided, having the steps of forming a seismic weight at least partially out of a first material, the first material being a semiconductor material, connecting the seismic weight to a fixing point of the micromechanical component, using at least one spring, and forming the seismic weight from the first material and at least one second material, which has a higher density than the first material. |
| US08850886B2 |
Electromechanic microsensor
The invention relates to an electromechanic microsensor (MEMS) comprising drive elements which are moved linearly in an x-y plane and disposed on a substrate to determine at least two, preferably three, components of the yaw rate vector of a substrate, wherein two groups of drive elements are driven in directions running essentially at right angles to each other. The MEMS according to the invention is characterized in that the drive elements, which are moved at right angles to each other, are connected to one another to synchronize the movements via a coupling device that is rotatably mounted on the substrate. |
| US08850885B1 |
Water air-bubble fragment recovery test apparatus
A water air-bubble fragment recovery test apparatus that facilitates accurate assessment of fragmentation characteristics and lethality that are normally detonated in air. An airtight, waterproof plastic container encloses a test warhead; the plastic container may then also be filled with a gas or just with air. The container is then embedded in a water-gas-bubble mixture found in a water tank, for the warhead to be detonated therein, and the fragments to then be later recovered. |
| US08850881B2 |
Method for measuring reactor bed level from active acoustic measurement and analysis
The present invention is a non-intrusive method to determine the fluid level in a vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the vessel is a delayed coker drum in a refinery. Waves are generated in the vessel from an outside source. For wall vibration generated in the frequency range of 1-20,000 Hz, accelerometers on the exterior wall of the vessel measures the frequency of the vibration modes of the vessel. The fluid level can be related to the frequency of the vibration mode. |
| US08850879B2 |
Sample channel for a sensor for measuring fluid properties
A downhole tool includes a body that includes a sample port through which a sample fluid can be drawn into the downhole tool and a sample channel passing through the body in fluid communication with the sample port and through which the sample fluid travels. The sample channel includes a sample chamber having an inlet and an outlet located along the sample channel, the sample chamber including three cylindrical chambers including a middle resonator cavity surrounded by two outer resonator cavities, one of the two outer resonator cavities including a sensor inlet for receiving a sensor and allowing it to fluidly contact the sample fluid as it travels through the sample channel. |
| US08850877B2 |
Diagnostic apparatus for fuel-property reforming system
In a reforming driving mode, while the EGR valve is opened to recirculate a part of exhaust gas into the intake pipe, a reforming-fuel injector injects a reforming-fuel into an exhaust gas flowing through an EGR pipe. The injected reforming-fuel is vaporized and flows into the fuel-reforming catalyst. The fuel-reforming catalyst reforms the fuel in the exhaust gas into the fuel having high combustibility. In the reforming driving mode, the computer determines whether an air-fuel ratio within the normal range. Based on this result, the computer determines whether the reforming-fuel injector has a malfunction. When the reforming-fuel injector has a malfunction, a fail-safe processing is conducted to prohibit the reforming-fuel injector from injecting the reforming-fuel. |
| US08850874B1 |
In-line viscometer
An in-line viscometer (70) with a coupling magnet (42) installed into a bob (44) and a drive magnet (24) installed onto a magnet holder (52). Coupling magnet (42) forms a magnetic coupling with drive magnet (24). Bob (44) is positioned inside a main body (50) and is submerged in the flow of sample fluid (56). A motor (10) rotates a magnet holder (52) to which the drive magnets (24) are attached. The magnetic coupling between the coupling magnet (42) and the drive magnet (24) causes the bob (44) to rotate while submerged in sample fluid (56). The energy necessary for the motor (10) to turn the magnet holder (52) while the bob (44) is submerged in the sample fluid (56) provides a means to measure the viscosity of the sample fluid (56). |
| US08850873B2 |
Evaporated fuel leak detecting apparatus
A first determiner determines whether a pressure in a fuel tank is within a predetermined range when an ignition switch of an engine is on. A second determiner determines whether a valve allows or prohibits a communication between the fuel tank and a switch valve, when the first determiner determines that the pressure in the fuel tank is within the predetermined range. A control unit controls a pressure controlling portion based on a determination result of the first determiner and a determination result of the second determiner. A leak determiner determines whether the fuel tank has a leak of evaporated fuel based on a signal output from a first detector detecting a pressure in a detection passage and a signal output from a second detector detecting a pressure in the fuel tank. |
| US08850851B2 |
Making xenotime ceramics by reactive ceramming
A reactive-ceramming process for making YPO4 ceramics involving the reaction between a YP-glass and a Y-source material. The invention can be used to synthesize, inter alia, phase-pure YPO4 ceramic material 5 at a relatively low temperature in a relatively short period of time and at a low cost. Invention can be used to make large piece of YPO4 blocks suitable for, e.g., an isopipe in a fusion down-draw process for making large-size glass sheets. |
| US08850850B2 |
Meniscus lens of synthetic quartz glass and method for the production thereof
To produce a meniscus lens from synthetic quartz glass for use in a microlithography apparatus, which lens has a first optical surface (7) and a second optical surface (8) with the same direction of curvature as the first optical surface (7), SiO2 particles are formed by oxidation or flame hydrolysis of a silicon-containing starting compound and deposited layer by layer on a substrate to form a cylindrical SiO2 blank which contains layers with a surface normal extending in the direction of growth. To allow such layers, which have however the least possible adverse effect on optical or mechanical properties, it is proposed according to the invention that the blank is plastically worked in a hot forming process under the effect of a deforming force to form a preform (6), which has at least the first curved surface (7) and in which the layers are curved in the direction of curvature, and that the meniscus lens is obtained from the preform. |
| US08850847B2 |
Air conditioner
An air conditioner may include: a compressor; a condenser; an expander; a bypass pipe that bypasses the refrigerant discharged from the condenser to an inlet side of the compressor; a refrigerant heating apparatus that heats the refrigerant flowing in the bypass pipe; and a valve that controls the refrigerant flowing in the bypass pipe. The refrigerant heating apparatus may include: a refrigerant pipe in which the refrigerant flows; and a heating unit that is provided on an outer surface of the refrigerant pipe and has a carbon nanotube heating element that is heat-generated by itself by a supplied power. |
| US08850845B1 |
Portable cooling unit
A portable cooling unit comprising a magnetic spiral vapor pump that utilizes a magnetic pulse between two electromagnets and spiral drive slots to pull a piston back-and-forth 180-degrees and thereby alternately align compression slots on the piston's opposing ends with vapor suction ports and highly-compressed vapor discharge ports. Electromagnet use lowers the amount of battery power required for piston rotation. A condenser in a mounting pan under the pump achieves refrigerant condensation, while a fan blowing air through an evaporator positioned within a flexible hose causes cool air discharge through openings in the hose's terminal end fitting. The condenser utilizes surplus condensation from the evaporator to aid its vapor-to-liquid conversion, and batteries only provide power for the magnetic control module and fan. Applications include, but are not limited to, medical applications and the cooling of small spaces, such as those surrounding children's strollers, play pens, wheel chairs, and pet carriers. |
| US08850844B2 |
Cool air supply structure of storage receptacle for refrigerator
A cool air supply structure of a storage receptacle for a refrigerator, which includes a main body having a storage space provided therein and a door for selectively opening or closing the storage space, the cool air supply structure, comprising: one or more receptacle casings detachably installed into the storage space and having a mounting space provided therein so that a storage receptacle is moved into or out of the mounting space; and a channel provided in each of the receptacle casings so that cool air flows in the channel, wherein food received in the storage receptacle is indirectly cooled by the cool air flowing in the channel. According to the present invention, the food received in the storage receptacle of a refrigerator can be kept fresh with a simple configuration. |
| US08850843B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator including a refrigerating chamber formed at an upper portion of the refrigerator body and a freezing chamber formed at a lower portion of the refrigerator body, comprising an ice-making chamber partitioned from the refrigerating chamber by insulating walls, the ice-making chamber containing an icemaker for making ice and an ice storage for storing the ice. |
| US08850839B2 |
Refrigerator
A refrigerator including support ribs provided on both side walls of storage chambers so as to support both sides of shelves, each of which includes a tempered glass panel on which food is placed, and stopper members provided at both sides of the lower surface of the tempered glass panel, each support rib including a front rib, a rear rib, and a latch groove provided between the front rib and the rear rib such that each stopper member is inserted into the latch groove, and inclination prevention ribs, each of which is provided above the rear rib and supports the upper surface of each shelf, thereby improving assembly efficiency and productivity. |
| US08850838B2 |
Distributed intelligence control for commercial refrigeration
A commercial refrigeration system has a control system which distributes intelligence to increase granularity of the control and simplify wiring, assembly and installation. Compressors of the refrigeration system each have a bus compatible compressor safety and control module including a processor and sensors. All control and safety modules communicate over a single power and communications line with the controller, providing digital transmissions to the controller of measurements taken by the sensors. The information provided may include that the compressor is outside of a specific safety parameter, so that the controller knows not only that a safety parameter has been traversed, but exactly which one. The control and safety modules are capable of executing commands from the controller to cycle the compressors. The control and safety modules preferably contain sufficient intelligence to continue system operation upon failure of the controller. A compressor is also disclosed which has an intelligent control and safety module. The compressor also houses control and safety devices within a hermetically or semi-hermetically sealed shell. A condenser controller is also disclosed that is capable of communicating with the controller to affect intelligent control of one or more compressor fans. |
| US08850835B2 |
Reciprocating refrigeration compressor oil separation
A compressor (20) has a case (22) and a crankshaft (38). The case has a number of cylinders (30, 32). For each of the cylinders, the compressor includes a piston (34) mounted for reciprocal movement at least partially within the cylinder. A connecting rod (36) couples each piston to the crankshaft. An electric motor compartment (50) of the case has a stator (42) and a rotor (40). The rotor is mounted to the crankshaft. The case has a wall (56) between the motor compartment and a crankcase compartment/sump (52). The wall bears a feature (120, 132; 420; 460) for coalescing oil entrained in a refrigerant flow (522), which flow exits the gap (90) between the rotor and the stator to prevent the oil from entering the cylinders. |
| US08850833B2 |
Freezing of biological products
An integrated industrial plant includes various systems, all of which use a cryogenic liquid obtained from a common source. One system includes a fermentation unit, in which cold air, chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid, absorbs excess heat generated by the fermentation. Another system is a lyophilization unit, in which a refrigeration step is performed through the use of air that has been chilled by heat exchange with the cryogenic liquid. Another system is a device for freezing discrete samples of biological products, the samples being frozen by partial immersion in the cryogenic liquid. The invention substantially reduces the use of electric power, and provides systems which operate economically and reliably. |
| US08850832B2 |
Apparatus and method for installation by unlicensed personnel of a pre-charged, ductless heating/cooling system
A pre-charged heating/cooling system is shown for installation by unlicensed personnel. An outside unit includes an outside coil, outside fan, compressor and a reversing valve. An inside unit has an inside coil, inside fan for drawing air through the inside coil and discharging the conditioned air into the enclosed space, and a power cord connection. A cable sheath contains all connections from the inside unit to the outside unit with electrical connections being secured in position on the outside unit by a cover and a bracket. An expandable window sill holds and seals the cable sheath in a window opening. |
| US08850829B2 |
Heating and cooling unit with semiconductor device and heat pipe
Aspects of the invention support simultaneous operation of a cooling side and a heating side of an apparatus to change the temperatures of a cooling serving surface and a heating serving surface, respectively. A cooling semiconductor device (which may comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its top to its bottom while a heating semiconductor device (which may similarly comprise one or more Peltier devices) transfers heat from its bottom to its top. A heat pipe transfers waste heat from the cooling semiconductor device's bottom to the heating semiconductor device's bottom and waste cold from the heating semiconductor device's bottom to the cooling semiconductor device's bottom. |
| US08850828B2 |
Cooling hole with curved metering section
A gas turbine engine component includes a cooling hole. The component includes a first wall having an inlet, a second wall having an outlet and a metering section extending downstream from the inlet and having a substantially convex first surface and a substantially concave second surface. The component also includes a diffusing section extending from the metering section to the outlet. A gas turbine engine wall includes first and second surfaces and a cooling hole extending between an inlet at the first surface and an outlet at the second surface. The cooling hole includes a metering section commencing at the inlet and a diffusing section in communication with the metering section and terminating at the outlet. The metering section includes a top portion having a first arcuate surface and a bottom portion having a second arcuate surface. The first and second arcuate surfaces have arcs extending in substantially similar directions. |
| US08850825B2 |
Generating power using an ion transport membrane
A system may include a compressor, a heat exchanger and an ITM. The compressor is configured to receive an air stream and compress the air stream to generate a pressurized stream. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the pressured stream and indirectly heat the pressurized stream using heat from an oxygen stream from an Ion Transport Membrane (ITM). The ITM is configured to receive the heated pressurized stream and generate an oxygen stream and the non-permeate stream, wherein the non-permeate stream is passed to a gas turbine burner and the oxygen stream is passed to the heat exchanger. |
| US08850824B2 |
Aircraft gas turbine with variable bypass nozzle by deforming element
The present invention relates to an aircraft gas turbine with a core engine which is surrounded by a bypass duct enclosed radially outwards by a bypass wall, with a radially inner wall of the bypass duct forming with the radially outer bypass wall a bypass nozzle, and with the radially inner wall including an adjusting element extending along the circumference of the inner wall and being deformable radially outwards. |
| US08850822B2 |
System for pre-mixing in a fuel nozzle
A system includes a fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle includes a hub having an axis, a shroud disposed about the hub, an airflow path between the hub and the shroud, multiple vanes extending between the hub and the shroud, and a first fuel path leading to multiple first fuel outlets disposed on the multiple vanes. The fuel nozzle also includes a second fuel path leading to multiple second fuel outlets disposed on at least one of the hub and/or the shroud, wherein the multiple second fuel outlets are disposed at an axial distance upstream from a downstream end of the hub. |
| US08850819B2 |
Swirler, fuel and air assembly and combustor
An air swirler, a fuel and air admission assembly, and a staged combustor are disclosed. The staged combustor may be equipped with the fuel and air admission assemblies incorporating the air swirlers for use in gas turbine engines, such as for example gas turbine engines powering aircraft having supersonic cruise capability. |
| US08850817B2 |
Method for operating a steam turbine power plant and device for producing steam from lignite
The invention relates to a method for operating a steam turbine power plant comprising at least one steam generator that is fueled by lignite, wherein the lignite is indirectly dried in a fluidized bed dryer that is heated at least partially with steam from the water-steam circuit of the steam generator. Said method is characterized in that the flue gas from the steam generator undergoes gas scrubbing to remove CO2 and that the energy required for the gas scrubbing is at least partially extracted from the drying process in the fluidized bed. The invention additionally relates to a device for creating steam from lignite comprising a drying system for the lignite and a device to scrub CO2 from the flue gas, wherein the drying process and the CO2 gas scrubbing are thermally coupled to each other. |
| US08850815B2 |
Hybrid engine
A hybrid engine that uses a primary internal combustion engine portion and a secondary external combustion engine portion. In a preferred arrangement, the secondary external combustion engine portion operates as a reciprocating steam engine. The heated exhaust gases of the internal combustion engine portion are used to generate steam, and the steam is used to power the steam engine portion adding the steam engine's power output to that of the internal combustion engine. The thermal efficiency of the hybrid engine may be higher than the thermal efficiency of an internal combustion engine without use of the exhaust gas heat. The hybrid engine uses a configuration in which steam is generated directly in the steam engine and a mechanical link between the internal combustion engine portion and the steam engine portion with the result that the hybrid engine is simple and inexpensive to construct and maintain. |
| US08850811B2 |
System and method for determining compression device degradation
Systems and methods for determining compression device degradation of an engine of a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a rail vehicle system includes an engine, an air-intake passage coupled to the engine, a compression device including a compressor positioned along the air-intake passage, a barometric air pressure sensor for measuring a barometric air pressure upstream of the compressor, a manifold air pressure sensor for measuring a manifold air pressure downstream of the compressor, and a controller configured to adjust a rail vehicle operating parameter responsive to a determination of compression device degradation based on a negative pressure differential between the manifold air pressure and the barometric air pressure during a designated operating condition. |
| US08850808B2 |
Compressor and/or expander device
Systems and methods for operating a hydraulically actuated device/system are described herein. For example, systems and methods for the compression and/or expansion of gas can include at least one pressure vessel defining an interior region for retaining at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas and an actuator coupled to and in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a first mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved to compress and move gas out of the pressure vessel. The actuator can have a second mode of operation in which a volume of liquid disposed within the pressure vessel is moved by an expanding gas entering the pressure vessel. The system can further include a heat transfer device configured to transfer heat to or from the at least one of a volume of liquid or a volume of gas retained by the pressure vessel. |
| US08850806B2 |
Hydraulic control system having swing motor energy recovery
A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a work tool movable through segments of an excavation cycle, a motor configured to swing the work tool during the excavation cycle, at least one accumulator configured to selectively receive fluid discharged from the motor and to discharge fluid to the motor during the excavation cycle, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive input regarding a current excavation cycle of the work tool, and make a determination based on the input that the current excavation cycle is associated with one of a set of known modes of operation. The controller may be further configured to cause the at least one accumulator to receive fluid and discharge fluid during different segments of the excavation cycle based on the determination. |
| US08850802B1 |
Catalytic reduction of NOx
A system for NOx reduction in combustion gases, especially from diesel engines, incorporates an oxidation catalyst to convert at least a portion of NO to NO2, particulate filter, a source of reductant such as NH3 and an SCR catalyst. Considerable improvements in NOx conversion are observed. |
| US08850801B2 |
Catalytic converter and muffler
A catalytic converter and muffler including a housing having an inlet disposed between a first end and a second end of the housing to introduce exhaust gases into an inlet chamber. A plurality of first exhaust treatment banks disposed between the inlet and the first end of the housing to allow the exhaust gases flow towards the first end from the inlet chamber into an end chamber. A mixing tube to direct the exhaust gases towards the second end from the end chamber into a flow distributor and a plurality of second exhaust aftertreatment banks and flow into an outlet chamber. At least one resonator chamber defined within the housing to attenuate noise in the exhaust gases. |
| US08850798B2 |
Particulate filter regeneration method
A regeneration system for a filter that filters exhaust gas of an engine includes a soot loading determination module that determines soot accumulation in the filter. A regeneration control module receives the determined soot accumulation from the soot loading determination module, compares the soot accumulation to a first soot accumulation threshold, and selectively increases oxidation levels in the exhaust gas in response to the comparison between the soot accumulation and the first soot accumulation threshold to initiate regeneration in the filter. |
| US08850796B2 |
System to detect anomalous fluids in an SCR system
A system for a fluid tank for storing a urea solution in a motor vehicle, the system including a first float having a first density and a second float having a second density, the first and second floats being movably arranged on a guide in the fluid tank, the first density is less than a density of the urea solution at a reference temperature but greater than a density of water at the reference temperature, and the second density is less than the density of water at the reference temperature. The system further includes a control system configured to receive signals indicative of a level of the floats, and to generate an anomaly signal in response to detecting sinking of the first float and floatation of the second float. |
| US08850794B2 |
Pulse detonation engine
According to the invention, the said engine (I), which comprises at least one flame tube (2) with a mobile transverse end wall (18), comprises an external envelope (3) around the said flame tube (2), which defines a peripheral annular space (4) in which fixed flow guides (11, 12, 13, 14) are positioned, these flow guides forming flow channels (10) for the air, and at least one mobile plug (25), connected to the said mobile end wall (18), to close off and open one of the flow channels (10). |
| US08850790B2 |
Gas turbine engine speed control system and method during maximum fuel flow
Methods and apparatus are provided for selectively controlling the rotational speed of a gas turbine engine that drives a load compressor having movable inlet guide vanes and that is coupled to receive fuel at a fuel flow rate up to a maximum fuel flow rate. The rotational speed of the gas turbine engine, and the fuel flow rate to the gas turbine engine, are both sensed. If the sensed rotational speed of the gas turbine engine is less than a predetermined value and the sensed fuel flow rate to the gas turbine engine equals or exceeds the maximum fuel flow rate, the position of the inlet guide vanes is controlled to reduce load compressor mechanical load on the gas turbine engine. |
| US08850781B2 |
Western safety stirrup
A western safety stirrup is disclosed having an elastic band forming the outer side of the portion of the stirrup wherein a boot is to be placed, held at top and bottom by studs. The upper stud is recessed below the outer side of the stirrup so as not to catch on clothing or brush. The lower stud has a flattened head and protrudes at an angle downwardly, and is attached to the elastic band by means of a leather wrap having holes in each end to place over the lower stud. When outward pressure is placed on the elastic band, it pops off and the boot is released from the stirrup. A leather keeper flap over the band attached at its upper end allows for the elastic to break away while protecting against snagging and provides a more western aesthetic appearance to the stirrup. |
| US08850780B2 |
Member and method for forming sealed packages of pourable food products from a tube of packaging material
A forming member for controlling the volume of packages of pourable food products formed from a tube of packaging material and sealed at a number of sections of the tube crosswise to an axis of the tube; the forming member having: a main wall which cooperates cyclically with a first portion of the tube extending between two consecutive sections; and at least one flap extending alongside the wall. The flap is movable, with respect to the wall, between a first position, in which it cooperates with a second portion of the tube, extending between the two consecutive sections, to control the volume, between the two consecutive sections, of the package being formed, and a second position, in which it is detached from the second portion. |
| US08850777B2 |
Wall board with edge strip and method for production thereof
A wall board is produced based on a body element, which essentially has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped including two opposing main sides and four edge sides according to the following method: mechanical surface processing of a first edge side, wherein the first edge side attains a flat surface structure, which extends from a first to a second of the main sides; applying a first surface treatment layer on the first edge side; and arranging a first edge strip along the first edge side. The first edge strip contains: a first distal edge surface, a thereto opposing first proximal edge surface which is flat, and a first primary surface between the first proximal edge surface and the first distal edge surface, The first edge strip being arranged with the first proximal edge surface against the first edge side such that the first primary surface and the first main side of the body element form a first, flat and essentially unbroken surface. A first reinforcement layer is also applied on the first, flat and essentially unbroken surface, which first reinforcement layer covers the first main side and the first primary surface. |
| US08850772B1 |
Interlocking cladding panel trim pieces and methods of use
Trim pieces for siding include an anchor trim piece and an exterior face piece. The anchor trim piece has a mounting portion for mounting to a structure and an interlocking portion. The mounting portion is perpendicular to the interlocking portion. The exterior trim piece has a first exterior face portion and an interlocking portion. The interlocking portion is generally transverse to the exterior face portion. The exterior trim piece interlocking portion is resilient and has a cooperating geometry with the anchor trim piece interlocking portion such that the exterior trim piece is enabled to be assembled with the anchor trim piece by engaging the exterior trim piece interlocking portion with the anchor trim piece interlocking portion. The anchor trim piece interlocking portion is perpendicular to the plane defined by the first exterior face portion when the exterior trim piece and anchor trim piece are assembled together. |
| US08850770B2 |
Structurally integrated accessible floor system
A floor system for a building includes prefabricated grid sections attached to framing members of the building and a plurality of panels mounted to the grid to form a structurally integrated floor. The panels are removable to provide access to space below the floor that would otherwise be inaccessible in a conventional floor. A subfloor deck below the floor separates one building story from another and encloses the space between the floor and the deck, which can be used for temporary and permanent installations including, for example, pipes for water, laboratory gases, and compressed air, and power, telephone, and data cables; and as a plenum for HVAC. Either or both of the floor and the subfloor deck can be attached to the building frame to function as a diaphragm. The floor system replaces conventional permanent structural floors and raised accessible flooring systems. |
| US08850757B2 |
Stair nosing assembly
An exemplary stair nosing assembly comprises an elongated base, a plate adhered to the base, and a cover temporarily covering the base and the plate. The base has at least one anchor portion extending downwardly from the upper portion for attaching to a lip of a tread pan and/or embedding in a concrete tread. The plate can have various features to enhance traction and visibility. The cover has front and rear lips that engage with front and rear edges of the base, and a weakened region adjacent the rear lip. When the assembly is embedded in a concrete tread, the cover is configured to fracture at the weakened region when the front lip of the cover is lifted upward from the base, leaving the rear lip remaining embedded in the concrete and allowing the rest of the cover to be removed to expose upper surfaces of the base and plate. |
| US08850756B1 |
Solar module mounting system improvements
Systems and methods for mounting one or more solar panel modules are disclosed. First and second support structures can be provided. Each support structure can include a lateral support member extending laterally between two post members, and a clamp movably attached to the lateral support member and movable along a length of the lateral support member. Each of the support structures can be configured to be separately mounted to the supporting surface and aligned along an axis to have each lateral support member support a portion of the first solar panel module. The clamp of the first support structure can configured to be moved to a first Airy point of the first solar panel module and the clamp of the second support structure can be configured to be moved to a second Airy point of the first solar panel module. |
| US08850751B2 |
Roof edging device
A roof edge device (10) comprises a plastics strip (12) for location under the edge of a tiled/slated roof. A plurality of integral webs (2 and 3) extend from one side of the strip, at least one of said webs (2, 3) being for engagement with the underneath of the edge of the tiles/slates. |
| US08850750B2 |
Rapidly-deployable lightweight load resisting arch system
A rapidly-erectable lightweight load resisting system for the construction of buried arched bridges, tunnels or underground bunkers, has a plurality of lightweight arched tubular support members which are formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material and are substantially oriented in a vertical plane. The lightweight tubular support members are connected by at least one or more lateral force resisting members which are positioned in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane of the tubular support members, and which are capable of transferring vertical loads to the tubular support members and of providing lateral-load capacity to the load resisting system. The tubular support members are fitted with one or more holes near the top which allows them to be filled with a suitable material to provide additional strength or stiffness. |
| US08850749B2 |
Adjustable desks and chairs for audiovisual classrooms
The present invention relates to adjustable desks and chairs for audiovisual classrooms. It comprises a turntable, at least a desk and at least a chair. The turntable is installed on the floor of an audiovisual classroom. The desk is installed on the turntable. The chair is installed on the turntable and in proximity to the desk. The turntable can rotate the desk and the chair together to any desired angle, thereby increasing the convenience of using an audiovisual classroom. |
| US08850746B2 |
Seal assembly with leak test components
A seal assembly is provided for maintaining a pressure difference between an exterior and an interior of an object having an access hatch and an access hatch frame. The seal assembly has a seal retainer having an interior face oriented toward the interior of the object, an exterior face oriented toward the exterior of the object, a hatch-side face oriented toward the access hatch and extending from the interior face to the exterior face, and frame-side face oriented toward the access hatch frame and extending from the interior face to the exterior face. The seal assembly also has at least one sealing member mounted on either the interior face or the exterior face of the seal retainer and a plurality of conduits formed in the seal retainer and extending from the exterior face to the interior face. The plurality of conduits include at least one supply conduit located between either the hatch-side or frame-side face and the at least one sealing member and at least one return conduit located so that the at least one sealing member is positioned between the at least one supply conduit and the at least one return conduit. |
| US08850745B2 |
Window counterbalance system and mounting bracket therefor
A window balance assembly may be in a window jamb channel to provide a biasing force urging a window sash toward an open position. The window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may include a latch, a first head portion, and a first projection. The latch may engage the second portion of the spring element. The first head portion may be configured to abut a first wall of the window jamb channel when the window balance assembly is installed in the window jamb channel. The projection configured to extend through and engage an aperture in a second wall of the window jamb channel when the window balance assembly is installed in the window jamb channel. |
| US08850744B2 |
Hardware for a hinged light panel
A securing mechanism for a hinged sidelight panel. The securing mechanism includes a center latch bolt for latching the hinged sidelight panel and remote locking mechanisms for locking the hinged sidelight panel. A single lever handle is used to selectively retract the remote locking mechanisms and the latch bolt. At a first orientation of the handle, both the remote locking mechanisms and the latch bolt are engaged. At a second orientation of the handle, the latch bolt remains engaged, but the remote locking mechanisms retracted. At a third orientation, both the remote locking mechanisms and the latch bolt are disengaged. The orientation of the handle informs an observer whether the locks are engaged. In one embodiment, the full rotation is about 90°, enabling the use of longer lever handles without interference from door frames. |
| US08850743B2 |
Lighting assembly
A lighting fixture for facilitating plant growth and a light emitting component. The fixture comprises a single light emission source LED device which provides at least two emission peaks in the wavelength range of 300-800 nm and at least one of the emission peaks has Full Width of Half Maximum (FWHM) at least 50 nm or higher. The emission peaks of the LED match well with a plant photosynthesis response spectrum and is therefore particularly suitable for high efficiency artificial lighting. |
| US08850740B2 |
Fishing rod
A fishing rod has a rod blank, and a line guide group attached to the rod blank for guiding a fishing line delivered from a reel to a top guide. The, line guide group is classified into a choke guide group configured with three choke guides and a tip guide group configured with a plurality of tip guides having a decreased height and diameter than the choke guides. Heights and diameters of the choke guides are set to draw one virtual cone shape in which the diameters are made to be circumferences. The heights and diameters of the tip guides are set to be all the same. Since the line is converged rapidly and smoothly, the tip guide group can have a combination of light guides having small diameter, thereby the entire weight can be saved greatly, and original ability of a rod can be brought out. |
| US08850739B2 |
Patridge sights and related methods
Disclosed is an improved open sight that may be operated as a Patridge sight and point-on-point sight. |
| US08850737B1 |
Cleaning and polishing tool for firearm bolts
Firearm bolt tail cleaning device has a device body and a plurality of cleaning arms arranged radially about a centerline and defining a cleaning slot configured to accept a bolt tail. The cleaning device slidably and rotatably interfaces with the bolt tail at inner wall portions of the plurality of cleaning arms, to remove debris from and to polish the bolt tail surface. The device is constructed of a polymer and 15 to 40 percent by weight of an abrasive material, such as glass fiber. Via interaction with the bolt tail, at least a portion of the plurality of cleaning arms become worn with use and expose more abrasive material which facilitates removing debris from and polishing the bolt tail surface. End portions of the body are open and each have a concavity. |
| US08850736B2 |
Stock mounting device for a small arm
The invention relates to a stock mounting device for fixing a stock on a receiver of a small arm that includes a clamping pin, and a clamping cam cooperating with the clamping pin, by which the shank can be mounted on the receiver by generating an axial force. |
| US08850735B2 |
Upper receiver and hand guard with cable routing guide
A monolithic upper receiver/hand guard is provided for use with a firearm. The monolithic upper receiver/hand guard can include an upper receiver section, a hand guard section, and an interrupted optics rail extending along the top of the upper receiver section and the hand guard section. Cable routing features can be defined in the hand guard section and/or the upper receiver section for helping to control wires and cables extending from or between peripheral devices and accessories, which can be mounted on the monolithic upper receiver/hand guard. The cable routing features can include one or more crossover cable guides disposed in respective channels in the interrupted optics rail. The crossover cable guide can include one or more grooves for receiving a portion of a cable passing from one side of the monolithic upper receiver/hand guard to the other for connecting two peripheral devices, for example. |
| US08850734B2 |
Trigger assembly and system including a blocking mechanism
A trigger assembly includes a trigger shoe configured to disengage a sear to release a firing mechanism in response to force applied by a user. The trigger assembly further includes a blocking mechanism configured to selectively prevent the release of the firing mechanism in response to a control signal. |
| US08850731B2 |
Gun with automatic loading of cartridges
Improved gun with automatic loading of cartridges, comprising a cartridge loader in the form of a tubular magazine (4), characterized in that: The magazine bottom (18) is mounted in a way so that it can slide in the axial direction (X-X′) with respect to the tubular magazine (4). The sliding magazine bottom (18) is equipped with a shock absorber (26) able to absorb the shocks exerted on the magazine bottom (18) in the axial direction (X-X′) of the tubular magazine (4). The cartridge follower assembly (19) provided with a shock absorber (29) that can absorb the shocks exerted on the follower assembly (19) in the axial direction (19) of the tubular magazine (4). |
| US08850727B2 |
License plate bumper
This application relates to a structure for a license plate. Specifically, it relates to a device for attaching a license plate to a vehicle. In particular, it relates to a license plate frame for a vehicle which both supports the license plate and has a fin extending therefrom to protect the vehicle. |
| US08850726B2 |
Motion greeting cards
The present invention and related disclosure describes greeting cards with moving elements or devices which are operable to create motion in connection with some portion of the greeting card. The greeting card may include a multi-panel greeting card body or a three-dimensional foam greeting card body. At least one movable object is contained upon or within the greeting card body. A sound module having at least one pre-recorded digital audio file saved therein and a motor module are contained and concealed within the greeting card body. One or more switches may be used to activate the sound and motor modules, causing the pre-recorded audio file to play and causing movement of the movable or mobile object. This movement may be up-and-down or “bouncing” motion, spinning or rotational motion, side-to-side motion or any other reciprocating motion. |
| US08850724B2 |
Plow with pivoting blade wing
A plow assembly for attachment to a vehicle having a longitudinal axis comprises a plow blade having first and second ends, a first plow wing pivotally mounted to the first end of the plow blade, and a plow support adapted to be operably mounted to the vehicle. The first plow wing is biased by a first compression. A first connecting member is connected to the first plow wing, passes through the first compression spring generally coaxially therewith, and is connected to the plow support. The first connecting member is configured to pivot the first plow wing relative to the plow blade during pivoting of the plow blade from a center position to a first position such that when the plow blade is in the first position the first plow wing is generally parallel to the plow blade. |
| US08850719B2 |
Layered thermoplastic non-woven textile elements
A layered non-woven textile may be incorporated into various products, including apparel. The layered non-woven textile may be formed from a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is formed from a plurality of first filaments that include a first thermoplastic polymer material with a first melting temperature. The second layer is located adjacent to the first layer and secured to the first layer. The second layer is formed from plurality of second filaments that include a second thermoplastic polymer material with a second melting temperature. The first melting temperature is lower than the second melting temperature. |
| US08850715B2 |
Process and installation for drying articles
What is described is a process and an installation for drying articles, in particular painted vehicle bodies, in which the articles are moved through a drying zone in which they are hardened in an inert-gas atmosphere. Inert gas is taken from the drying zone constantly or intermittently and is first of all conducted along a first face which is at a first temperature at which higher-boiling contaminants condense out. The condensate that forms in the process is discharged. After that, the inert gas which has been pre-cleaned in this way is conducted along at least one second face which is at a lower temperature than the first face. Lower-boiling contaminants are precipitated at this point. These condensates, too, are then discharged. This process and installation work more favorably, energy-wise, and with higher cleaning efficiency than known processes and installations of a similar type. |
| US08850714B2 |
Chromaticity correction device, chromaticity correction method, and display device
A chromaticity correction device corrects chromaticity of a video signal displayed on a display panel of a display device to correspond to a change in a luminance value of the display panel. The chromaticity correction device includes a luminance detection unit which detects the luminance value, a backlight driving level detection unit which detects a backlight driving level, a temperature detection unit which detects an internal device temperature or an ambient temperature, a reference luminance value calculation unit which estimates a reference luminance value in a characteristic of an initial state, a chromaticity calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity change amount of white point chromaticity and estimated white point chromaticity that is an estimated value of current white point chromaticity, a chromaticity correction value calculation unit which obtains a chromaticity correction value and a chromaticity correction circuit which corrects the chromaticity of the video signal. |
| US08850712B2 |
Vacuum drying method
A vacuum drying apparatus and method to dry and cure paint is disclosed. The method provides a substantially particle free environment that shortens drying time, reduces cost and improves surface finish. The apparatus includes an enclosed drying tunnel that is maintained at a reduced pressure relative to ambient conditions. Heat lamps with the drying tunnel aid in curing and provide the desired particle free environment. |
| US08850709B2 |
Trimmer and double acting blade assemblies for trimmers
In an embodiment, a pair of blades, one or both of which is adapted to be reciprocated along a longitudinal axis, comprises a first blade and a second blade, each blade having a cutting edge extending along a portion of the blade length. The cutting edge includes a series of teeth. A width of each blade is stepwise reduced along the cutting edge to the distal end so that one or more teeth from the series of teeth has a cutting surface that is receded relative to a tooth from the series of teeth that is closer to the proximal end. The teeth of the series of teeth are uniformly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis. |
| US08850708B2 |
Trimmer and double acting blade assemblies for trimmers
A pair of blades, one or both of which reciprocates along a longitudinal axis, comprises a first blade and a second blade, each blade having a proximal end, a distal end, a length extending between, and a cutting edge extending along a portion of the length to the distal end. A width of each blade is stepwise reduced along the cutting edge to the distal end so that one or more teeth from a series of teeth has a cutting surface that is receded relative to a tooth from the series of teeth that is closer to the proximal end. The teeth of the series of teeth are uniformly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis. |
| US08850700B2 |
Wiring board and method for making the same
A wiring board includes a substrate having an adhesive surface, a first wiring, and a second wiring. The adhesive surface is in contact with the first wiring and the second wiring. The first wiring has a penetrating hole extending in a direction perpendicular to the adhesive surface. The second wiring has a first region, a second region, and a third region, which are adjacent regions arranged in that order. The first region is inside the penetrating hole in the first wiring and in contact with a first portion of the adhesive surface that forms part of the penetrating hole. The second region is in contact with the first wiring and faces the first wiring and the substrate. The third region is in contact with a second portion of the adhesive surface outside the first portion. |
| US08850698B2 |
Method for the sealed assembly of an electronic housing
A method is provided for the sealed assembly of an electronic housing containing one or more electronic components. The method includes: assembling the housing by bringing a support, to which the electronic components are fixed, in contact with a cover by means of a mixture-including a paste and nanoparticles in suspension in the paste. The size of the nanoparticles range from 10 to 30 nm. The housing is closed in a sealed manner by heating the housing to a temperature T of between 150° C. and 180° C. making it possible to sinter the metal nanoparticles, while subjecting the housing to a pressure greater than 2.5×105 Pa. |
| US08850696B2 |
Robot tool
A robot tool for setting plugs (18) in industrial production has a robot attachment region (2) for attaching the robot tool (1) to an industrial robot. To further simplify or automate the setting of plugs in industrial production, in particular of motor vehicles, the robot tool (1) has a pushrod (42) that can be moved back and forth and with which a plug (18) can be picked up and advanced. |
| US08850695B1 |
Printed circuit board assembly tooling
Printed circuit board (PCB) assembly tooling and methods are provided. Particular tooling includes a first tooling fixture having a first core component receiver to receive a first portion of a magnetic core to be coupled to a first side of a PCB. The tooling also has a second tooling fixture including a second core component receiver to receive a second portion of the magnetic core to be coupled on a second side of the PCB to the first portion of the magnetic core. The tooling also has an alignment component disposed on at least one of the first tooling fixture and the second tooling fixture. The alignment component enables alignment of the first tooling fixture and the second tooling fixture. When the first tooling fixture and the second tooling fixture are aligned, the first portion of the magnetic core and the second portion of the magnetic core are aligned. |
| US08850691B2 |
Manufacturing method for a heating resistor element
A manufacturing method for a heating resistor element includes a concave portion forming step, a bonding step and a resistor forming step. The concave portion forming step includes forming a concave portion on at least one of bonded surfaces between an insulating substrate and a heat accumulating layer. The bonding step causes the bonded surfaces between the insulating substrate and the heat accumulating layer to adhere to each other to bond the insulating substrate and the heat accumulating layer. The resistor forming step includes forming a heating resistor at a position on the heat accumulating layer. The position is opposed to the concave portion. The concave portion forming step further includes processing an inner surface of the concave portion on a side of the insulating substrate to have surface roughness Ra of 0.2 μm or more. |
| US08850690B2 |
Method of forming a power tool
A method of manufacturing an armature for an electric motor, includes: placing a commutator and a lamination stack on an armature shaft, winding magnet wire in slots in the lamination stacks to form coils, attaching ends of the magnet wire to the commutator, and molding plastic around the magnet wire and around the shaft of the armature at ends of the lamination stack. A spinning inertia of the armature is adjusted by adjusting at least one of a mass of the plastic molded and a distribution of the plastic molded. Alternatively and/or additionally, at least one of a resonant frequency and critical speed of the armature is adjusted by adjusting at least one of a geometry of the plastic molded, the physical properties of the plastic and the mechanical properties of the plastic. |
| US08850688B2 |
Method of making a sensor with layered electrodes
A thin film sensor, such as a glucose sensor, is provided for transcutaneous placement at a selected site within the body of a patient. The sensor includes several sensor layers that include conductive layers and includes a proximal segment defining conductive contacts adapted for electrical connection to a suitable monitor, and a distal segment with sensor electrodes for transcutaneous placement. The sensor electrode layers are disposed generally above each other, for example with the reference electrode above the working electrode and the working electrode above the counter electrode. The electrode layers are separated by dielectric layer. |
| US08850683B2 |
Magnetic blocks and method of making magnetic blocks
A method of making blocks with internally disposed magnets. Pockets for the magnets are machined into a non-extrudable material such as wood. Strong permanent magnets are disposed in the pockets to cause the faces of the block to exhibit a desired polarity magnetic field. The pockets are then sealed to permanently retain the magnets. The exterior shape of the block may be formed either prior to or subsequent to machining and sealing of the pockets. |
| US08850681B2 |
Modular case and method of forming the same
A modular case and method of forming the same, the case preferably formed from a plurality of panels, edge members and corner pieces having ribs. The panels, edge members and corner pieces are preferably connected to align the ribs, forming substantially continuous ribs capable of distributing forces over a large area of the modular case. The case is most preferably made of plastic, the connections preferably being hot-plate welds. Most preferably, the panels and edge members have a dual skin construction with internal ribs, proving for greater strength and allowing for superior structural properties including air-/water-tight integrity. Edge members are preferably formed with protuberances to allow for better base-to-lid and case-to-case engagement. Hardware attachments to the modular case can be advantageously made while distributing the force on attachment points and without compromising structural integrity. |
| US08850680B2 |
Installation method for a component in an opening of mating component
A threaded element in the shape of a wire thread insert with a specific geometric design is disclosed. This threaded element contains, in particular, a narrowed helical winding of at least two helical winding sections that enclose one or a plurality of sequential secants. Based on this geometric design of the threaded element, a matched installation process is described. |
| US08850678B2 |
Unitary multi-use alignment fixture for shoe production
A system for manufacturing shoes is provided that includes two or more pieces of equipment used in the customization and manufacturing of shoes and an alignment fixture that may engage with each piece of equipment by way of an alignment mounting member. The alignment fixture may secure to it a portion of a shoe, such as an upper portion, wherein the shoe portion remains in a flat position, and in a fixed relationship to the alignment fixture, throughout the various processes performed by the pieces of equipment. These processes may include, for example, printing, laser, embroidery, forming, cutting, or the like. |
| US08850677B2 |
Rivet setting system
A system and method for rivet setting comprising a micro-adjustable bucking bar coupled to a control system that measures the rivet head during the rivet setting process and stops the rivet gun when the rivet head achieves a desired head height above the work surface. In preferred embodiments, the control system also communicates the stage of the rivet driving cycle to the operators to expedite the rivet driving process. |
| US08850661B2 |
Door hinge for hidden placement between door frame and door leaf, and door provided with the door hinge
In a door hinge for hidden placement between a door frame and a door leaf a first hinge rod is rotatably mounted on a door frame receiving body at one end and at another end is guided rotatably and displaceably in a slot link guide of a door leaf receiving body, a second hinge rod is rotatably mounted on the door leaf receiving body at one end and at another end is guided rotatably and displaceably in a slot link guide of the door frame receiving body, disposed at an angle of at least 45° relative to front surfaces of the door leaf in a closed position, and a depth of the door frame receiving body is less than 80% of a depth of the door leaf receiving body. |
| US08850660B2 |
Hinge device
A hinge device in which a slider elastically supported by a compressive coil spring is put into contact with a pivotal lever installed on a cover of a product which swings open or closed. The hinge device can increase a free stop section and simultaneously prevent the cover from being incidentally open. |
| US08850656B2 |
Castor assembly for a modular dolly
A castor assembly structured for use in combination with or independently of a dolly or other support platform including a one piece base comprising a housing and a head integrally connected to the housing and extending radially outward from one end thereof. The housing includes an open interior and a open end structured to movably retain a surface engaging roller ball therein. A retaining portion may be formed on said base in cooperative relation with said head so as to secure a support platform to the base when in a first operative position. A second operative position comprises said head disposed in engagable and at least partially supporting relation to an object while the base is not secured to or used in combination with a dolly or other support platform. |
| US08850654B2 |
Upright steam mop with auxiliary hand tool
An upright bare floor cleaner with a handle assembly pivotally mounted to a base assembly. The handle includes a water tank to store a quantity of water and a fluid distribution system that includes a heater and a spray nozzle. Steam is generated by the heater and is distributed to a removable cleaning cloth that applies the steam to the surface to be cleaned. The fluid distribution system further includes an auxiliary hand tool for steam cleaning above-floor surfaces. |
| US08850650B2 |
Homogeneous core wire protective cleaning tip
A brush for use on sensitive surfaces includes a twisted wire core having a handle end and a bristle end, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from a portion of the wire core defining a bristle block. The brush further includes a protective tip integrally formed on the wire core at the bristle end for preventing the brush from damaging sensitive surfaces. The wire core and the protective tip are formed from the same material. |
| US08850648B2 |
Bed and rail cover
A bed plate attaches to inner rail plates on each side with hinges or the like, which slides into a bed and rail plate envelope. This bed and rail cover may be placed on top of a hospital bed. When the bed rails are locked in an upwards position the bed cover envelope may be fastened to the outer bed rails or bed frame to hold it in place. The firmness of the bed and rail cover eliminates the possibility of the patient enstranglment in-between the mattress, bed frame, or side rails. The padding within the bed and rail plate envelope eliminates the risk of patients injuring themselves while hitting the bed frame or bed rail. |
| US08850647B2 |
Composite cushion with compression modulated valve and valve assembly there for
Valve assemblies optionally with inflatable bodies for modulating fluid expulsion from an inflatable body, without active user participation. Valve assemblies include, in separate components or in integrated form, a vent body defining an external orifice, an internal orifice in fluid communication with the external orifice, and an inflatable body interface. Extending from the internal orifice is a collapsible, hollow elongate member defining longitudinal and lateral axes. Sealing closure of the elongate member, which is preferably constructed from a resilient material, results from application of generally opposing mechanical forces across a lateral surface of the elongate member. Compression localizing members may be used proximate to the elongate member to increase closure performance. In addition, performance parameters can be varied by modifying the physical characteristics of the compression members (height, upper surface area, lower surface area, composition, density, use of localizing ridges, etc.) as well as locations of the compression members (proximity to other compression members, distribution relative to the cushion geometry, etc.). |
| US08850646B2 |
Anti-decubitus cushion
The present invention relates to a decubitus cushion comprising a core and a jacket, wherein the core comprises viscoelastic material and the jacket comprises a cover layer of material promoting air circulation fixedly or reversibly removable at at least the side facing the skin. |
| US08850644B2 |
Molded article produced by vented mold
The invention relates mold, particularly a mold for producing foam articles. In a preferred embodiment, the mold comprises a lid and a bowl releasingly engageable to define a mold cavity, the lid comprising: (i) a vent having a passageway for gas to escape from the mold cavity, and (ii) a plurality of grooves connected to the vent. The use of a plurality of grooves/slots in the mold cavity surface effectively acts as a siphon to draw gas away from the composition to be molded. The plurality of grooves/slots is connected to one or more vents which then allows for escape of the gas from the mold cavity to the exterior of the mold. |
| US08850643B2 |
Aromatic air effusion apparatus for a pillow
An aromatic air effusion apparatus for a pillow is introduced for both leisure relaxation and for retirement at night. This pillow apparatus is unique over conventional art providing a user with a great variety of options for mechanically controlled effusions of aromatic scents that are channeled throughout the interior of the pillow. A compression and timing apparatus effuses air through a scented permeable medium then conducts such air throughout the pillow whereby such treated air would be a source of a gratifying emotional experience for the user. According to practitioners of aromatherapy, and those who patronize the benefits of its products, the scents of both synthetic and natural plant extract oils, which would be used with this first, advanced-technology pillow, are personally and emotionally rewarding as they enhance both mood and even metabolism for overall well-being and improved health. |
| US08850633B2 |
Elongated shower drain and shower door assembly
Elongated drain assemblies suitable for use in tiled shower stalls are described. Because the elongated drain is typically located at one edge of the shower stall proximate a stall wall and extends substantially the entire length of the wall, the installation of the associated shower pan is made much simpler. Specifically, the pan need only be sloped substantially in a single direction instead of four towards a prior art circular drain located at the center of a stall. The time and cost of creating a pan having a single slope is reduced over a more complex multi-sloped pan. Several different means for adjusting the height of the drain assemblies' top surfaces relative to the height of the tile floor are provided to adjust for tile floors of differing thicknesses. Various drain grates including a V-shaped drain grate and various spacers including an adjustable spacer are disclosed. Additionally a combination elongated drain assembly and shower door assembly is described. |
| US08850631B2 |
Bedpan having a tapered interior
A bedpan for evacuating liquid stored therein is disclosed in which the bedpan comprises a housing having an interior portion, a side portion, a top portion, and a bottom portion, a drain opening formed in the housing along the side portion to allow body fluid to flow out of the interior portion, a tapered portion formed in the bottom portion to direct body fluid toward the drain opening, and a ledge portion formed in the side portion. |
| US08850628B2 |
Pressure relief device
A pressure release device for preventing pressure build-up in a sink, shower or tub drain includes an elongated tubular member having an elongated passageway extending therethrough. A partially closed top with a plurality of openings therein and an open bottom and means for disposing the device in a drain with an upper portion of the device extending upwardly by at least about 1 cm above an opening to the drain and a bottom of the device extends downwardly in the drain at least 1 and preferably about 2 cm below the opening of the drain. |
| US08850625B2 |
Head and neck support device
A head and neck support device for an occupant of a vehicle with a shoulder harness over the shoulders of the occupant and a helmet on a head of the occupant. The head and neck support device having a yoke, a tether, and at least one sleeve member, which has a cavity defined therethrough. The tether is configured to slide through the sleeve member cavity for a defined distance, which allows the occupant a greater range of side-to-side rotary head mobility. |
| US08850623B1 |
Helmet with energy management system
An energy management system having a helmet shell, at least one pocket situated on an inside surface of the helmet shell and having an outer surface, and a bladder positioned inside of the at least one pocket. The outer surface of the at least one pocket allows the bladder to extend beyond the outside surface of the pocket upon impact. |
| US08850622B2 |
Deformable safety helmet
A safety helmet includes damping elements for example made from expanded polystyrene added onto a shell made from an elastically deformable material. The whole of the surface, facing the shell, of the damping elements arranged along the periphery of the opening is positioned against the shell to form an inner supporting belt completely in contact with the shell. The helmet is arranged in such a way that a position of the head in the cavity of the helmet causes a deformation of the supporting belt by elastic deformation of the shell according to the morphology of the head, generating permanent tightening of the supporting belt against the head in substantially uniform manner along the supporting belt. |
| US08850618B2 |
Collapsible head covering device
A collapsible head covering device includes a wide-brimmed hat made of an anti-UV waterproof fabric and having a memory metal wire ring fastened to the border edge of the brim thereof, a cap detachably accommodated in the wide-brimmed hat for capping on the head of a person, and a fastening belt selectively inserted through multiple through holes on the wide-brimmed hat and multiple through holes on the cap to fasten the wide-brimmed hat to the cap in one of multiple different angular positions. |
| US08850617B2 |
Sweatband for headwear
There is provided a sweatband configured for attachment to an interior surface of a headwear for absorbing liquid from a head of a wearer of the headwear and including a side surface configured for disposition opposite to the head of the wearer when the sweatband is attached to the interior surface of the headwear and the headwear is being worn by the wearer, the side surface comprising: at least one pair of spaced-apart successive head contacting domains, wherein at least a respective portion of each one of the spaced-apart successive head contacting domains of each one of the at least one pair of spaced-apart successive head contacting domains is configured to contact the head of the wearer when the headwear is worn on a human head; and a channel configured to facilitate air flow between a space above the sweatband and a space below the sweatband when the headwear is worn on a human head, wherein the channel is defined by at least one recessed domain and each one of the at least one recessed domain is defined between a respective edge portion of each one of the spaced-apart successive head contacting domains of a one of the at least one pair of spaced-apart successive head contacting domains; such that, when the headwear is being worn on a human head, and the human head is positioned such that a plane tangent to the highest portion of the human head is substantially horizontal, and for each one of the at least one recessed domain of the channel, at least the respective edge portions of each one of the spaced-apart successive head contacting domains, between which the recessed domain is disposed, are disposed in contact with the human head such that there is provided a passage configured to flow air between a space above the sweatband and a space below the sweatband and the passage includes a minimum cross-sectional area of at least 0.5 square millimeters (0.5 mm2). |
| US08850616B1 |
Moisture trapping headband
An exterior layer is fabricated of a moisture transferring material having inner and outer surfaces. An interior layer is fabricated of a moisture transferring material having inner and outer surfaces adjacent to at least a portion of the exterior layer and forming a periphery. A chamber is formed between the interior layer and the exterior layer. An intermediate layer is within the chamber at a central location in pressure contact with the interior layer. The intermediate layer has inner and outer surfaces. The intermediate layer is fabricated of a moisture trapping and containing material. Stitching couples the interior and exterior layers adjacent to the periphery. The stitching also couples the intermediate layer to the interior and exterior layers at a fixed location within the chamber. |
| US08850613B2 |
Protective contact sports pads with release mechanism
Protective pads wearable by a user for use in a contact sport include a release mechanism that allows the protective pads to be safely and easily detached from each other while the individual wearing the protective pads is maintained in the supine position, thus decreasing the risk of a secondary injury to the individual wearing the protective pads as the protective pads are removed. The release mechanism includes an elongated coupler having an anterior segment that is operable to detach posterior portions of the protective pads from one another. |
| US08850612B1 |
Ballistic helmet and fabrication method
Methods and apparatus are provided for a seamless ballistic resistant helmet. In one exemplary embodiment the helmet comprises high performance fibers consolidated with a matrix material and arranged in a plurality of substantially seamless layers. |
| US08856960B2 |
Data leakage prevention for cloud and enterprise networks
Apparatuses, methods and articles of manufacture for performing data leakage prevention are provided. Data leakage prevention may be performed by determining a signature of a transmitted document, the transmitted document being in transit to a location beyond a network boundary. The signature of the transmitted document is compared with one or more signatures of documents authorized to be transmitted beyond the network boundary. The transmitted document is prevented from being transmitted beyond the network boundary if the signature of the document does not correspond to a signature of a document authorized to be transmitted beyond the network boundary. |
| US08856958B1 |
Personalized content access prompt
Computer-implemented methods for determining whether to prompt a user to sign in to view content are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request from a non-authenticated device to view content, and determining whether the device comprises a personalized content module indicating whether the device has previously been authenticated to view the content in a personalized format. The method also includes providing, for display, a notification to the device to provide authentication when the personalized content module indicates that the device has previously been authenticated to view the content in a personalized format. Systems, graphical user interfaces, and machine-readable media are also provided. |
| US08856956B2 |
Automated entity verification
Some embodiments provide a verification system for automated verification of entities. The verification system automatedly verifies entities using a two part verification campaign. One part verifies that the entity is the true owner of the entity account to be verified. This verification step involves (1) the entity receiving a verification code at the entity account and returning the verification code to the verification system, (2) the entity associating an account that it has registered at a service provider to an account that the verification system has registered at the service provider, (3) both. Another part verifies the entity can respond to communications that are sent to methods of contact that have been previously verified as belonging to the entity. The verification system submits a first communication with a code using a verified method of contact. The verification system then monitors for a second communication to be returned with the code. |
| US08856955B2 |
Remediating unauthorized sharing of account access to online resources
A number of effective alternatives for discouraging unauthorized online-resource sharing are discussed. An anti-sharing strategy can be built by applying one or more of the alternatives in response to possible, strongly-suspected or virtually certain unauthorized sharing. |
| US08856953B2 |
Access policy for package update processes
Methods and systems for defining and generating fine-grained access policy for authorizing software package updates are provided. The methods of defining and enforcing a package update policy include providing a package update policy file that identifies a set of software packages and users authorized to perform package updates in association with the set of software packages, and storing the policy file on computers in a managed network. When a computer in the managed network receives a request from an unprivileged user to update a software package on the computer, the computer retrieves the package update policy file and determines an authorization of the user to update the software package based on an identity of the user, an identity of the software package, and the policy file. The computer then processes the request based on the determined authorization of the user. |
| US08856952B2 |
Blade, computer product, and management method
A determining unit determines whether housing specific information decrypted from a license key is identical to housing specific information acquired from the housing to confirm legitimacy of license, thereby ensuring security. The determining unit determines that the license can be activated if a usage number in the housing does not exceed a usable number. Only when the determining unit determines that the license can be activated, the setting unit activates the license to make software usable so that any blade can freely use the software within a limit of the usable number. |
| US08856948B1 |
Displaying private information on personal devices
A computing device is described that includes one or more processors and at least one module operable by the one or more processors to determine whether the computing device is currently designated to display private information, receive an incoming communication, and determine that the incoming communication includes content that is private information. The at least one module is further operable by the one or more processors to, if the computing device is currently designated to display private information, output, for display, an indication of the incoming communication, and, if the computing device is not currently designated to display private information, refrain from outputting, for display, the indication of the incoming communication. |
| US08856944B2 |
Obscuring sensitive portions of universal resource locator
Portions of a URL such as the query string are obscured or otherwise removed from view in the address bar of a browser or other application automatically by the receiving device employing obscuration rules, or upon command from an originating device sourcing the resource. |
| US08856941B2 |
Staged control release in boot process
Integrity validation of a network device may be performed. A network device comprising a secure hardware module, may receive a root key. The secure hardware module may also receive a first code measurement. The secure hardware module may provide a first key based on the root key and the first code measurement. The secure hardware module may receive a second code measurement and provide a second key based on the first key and the second code measurement. The release of keys based on code measurements may provide authentication in stages. |
| US08856935B2 |
Automatic synthesis of unit tests for security testing
Performing security analysis on a computer program under test (CPUT). The CPUT can be analyzed to identify data pertinent to potential security vulnerabilities of the CPUT. At least a first unit test configured to test a particular unit of program code within the CPUT can be automatically synthesized. The first unit test can be configured to initialize at least one parameter used by the particular unit of program code within the CPUT, and can be provided at least a first test payload configured to exploit at least one potential security vulnerability of the CPUT. The first unit test can be dynamically processed to communicate the first test payload to the particular unit of program code within the CPUT. Whether the first test payload exploits an actual security vulnerability of the CPUT can be determined, and a security analysis report can be output. |
| US08856932B2 |
Rootkit monitoring agent built into an operating system kernel
An approach for detecting a kernel-level rootkit is presented. A changed entry in a System Service Descriptor Table (SSDT) or an Interrupt Descriptor Table (IDT) is detected. The changed entry results from an installation of suspect software. The changed entry is determined to be not referenced by a white list. A black list is updated to reference the changed entry to indicate the changed entry results from an installation of the kernel-level rootkit. The suspect software is determined to be the kernel-level rootkit based on the changed entry not being referenced by the white list. The changed entry is restored to an entry included in a first state of an operating system kernel. The first state is based on the SSDT and IDT referencing hooks indicated in the white list, where the hooks are not the result of an installation of any kernel-level rootkit. |
| US08856930B2 |
Download control
Download control is disclosed. An apparatus includes one or more processors, and one or more memories including computer program code. The one or more memories and the computer program code configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform: obtain one or more cryptographic hash values of a target file to be downloaded; cause transmission of the one or more cryptographic hash values to a trusted source; obtain reputation data relating to the target file originated from the trusted source in response to the transmission of the one or more cryptographic hash values; and control download of the target file on the basis of the reputation data. |
| US08856928B1 |
Protecting electronic assets using false profiles in social networks
An improved technique utilizes a honeypot-style seeding of synthetic user identifiers which, if used by spear-phishing intruders, enable easy discovery of the intruders. Along these lines, an administrator of a network constructs false employee profiles on a social network with the intent of intercepting any email to that employee. Such employee profiles correspond to no actual employee of the corporation, but are in fact synthetic entities designed to appear to be an actual employee. These profiles contain identifiers that describe the employee, such as a name, position within the corporation, telephone number, educational background, past positions, and social connections. The administrator configures a receiver at the corporate network to block from entering the secure network emails that include references to any of these identifiers. |
| US08856927B1 |
System and method for using snapshots for rootkit detection
A system, method and computer program product for identifying malicious code running on a computer, including an operating system running on the computer with a data storage device; and a trusted software component running simultaneously with the operating system. An online snapshot process of a current state of the data storage device copies data blocks from the storage device to intermediate storage. Processes running under the control of the operating system have access to the data storage device. A scanning procedure runs under control of the trusted software component that has access to data representing the snapshot of the data storage device from the trusted software component. The scanning procedure analyzes the snapshot of the data storage device for the malicious code, and, in response to a “write” directed to a data block in the snapshot area of the storage device, that data block is written to the intermediate storage. |
| US08856923B1 |
Similarity-based fraud detection in adaptive authentication systems
Similarity-based fraud detection techniques are provided in adaptive authentication systems. A method is provided for determining if an event is fraudulent by obtaining a plurality of tagged events and one or more untagged events, wherein the tagged events indicate a likelihood of whether the corresponding event was fraudulent; constructing a graph, wherein each node in the graph represents an event and has a value representing a likelihood of whether the corresponding event was fraudulent and wherein similar transactions are connected via weighted links; diffusing through weights in the graph to assign values to nodes such that neighbors of nodes having non-zero values receive similar values as the neighbors; and classifying whether at least one of the one or more untagged events is fraudulent based on the assigned values. |
| US08856921B1 |
Threat emergence date scan optimization to avoid unnecessary loading of scan engines
Threat emergence dates as well as file modification and scanning history are tracked to determine which files need to be scanned for possible infection by various attacking agents. Information concerning which scan engines are used to scan for the presence of different attacking agents is also tracked. Where given files only need to be scanned for a subset of all possible threats and the relevant scanning code resides in only a subset of all the scan engines, only the required scan engines are initialized, loaded or called in order to scan those files. |
| US08856920B2 |
System and method of securely processing lawfully intercepted network traffic
A system and method are provided for supporting storage and analysis by law enforcement agency premises equipment of intercepted network traffic. The system and method provide integrity of the intercepted network traffic stored in an archive in accordance with lawful intercept requirements by storing all of the intercepted traffic, both benign and malicious, in the archive in its original form. The system and method furthermore provide for security from any malicious data packets of the archive by separating the malicious packets from the benign packets and forwarding only the benign packets to analysis applications of the law enforcement agency premises equipment. |
| US08856916B1 |
User associated geo-location based reauthorization to protect confidential information
In response to a trigger indicating to prevent access to confidential information on a specific user's mobile device, access is prevented to all parties, until a successful reauthorization occurs. Preventing access can comprise storing encrypted confidential information and removing the decryption key. In order to subsequently access the confidential information, a reauthorization attempt is made. The current geo-location of the mobile device at the time of the attempt is compared to at least one authorized geo-location associated with the specific user. In response to a) the password and user identifier being correct and to b) the current geo-location of the mobile computing device being an authorized geo-location associated with the specific user, the attempt to reauthorize is successful, whereas otherwise the attempt is unsuccessful. Only in response to a successful attempt is access to the confidential information re-allowed. |
| US08856915B2 |
Security communication apparatus and security communication method
A negotiation unit, of a logical network control apparatus connected to a LAN, judges settings of processing to be performed on communication data by a network connection apparatus, from properties of an application to be used in communication, and decides parameters to be used for a VPN connection. The VPN connection is performed using the determined parameters. |
| US08856911B2 |
Methods, network services, and computer program products for recommending security policies to firewalls
Recommending a security policy to a firewall, includes receiving a request from a firewall for a recommendation as to whether the firewall should allow or block a detected present communication for which the firewall does not have an existing security policy. Information about past blocked and allowed communications at other firewalls on a network is searched to identify past communications that are similar to the present communication. The identified past communications are assigned a respective positive or negative vote. A positive vote indicates a past communication was allowed and a negative vote indicates a past communication was not allowed. A positive recommendation is sent to the requesting firewall to allow the present communication if the positive votes outnumber the negative votes, and a negative recommendation is sent to the requesting firewall to block the present communication if the negative votes outnumber the positive votes. |
| US08856908B2 |
Management and delivery of profile data
Aspects of the invention relate to systems and methods for securely retaining profile data and the use of such data for the targeted delivery of content. In one embodiment, a unique profile that represents the user location and is keyed to profile attributes selected from both a first set of data collected from the user location and the second set of profile data collected from an external source, is generated. The key does not allow a third party to identify the end-user location or a user associated with the end-user location. Electronic content transmitted to end-user locations may be encoded such that it may only be accessed by an authorized user and/or on a specific electronic device at the user location. A graphical user interface may be utilized to allow a third-party to provide selection criteria for determining user locations to receive targeted content. Further aspects of the invention relate to an electronic device configured to present targeted content to a user at a user location. |
| US08856905B2 |
Methods and apparatus for providing application credentials
Methods and apparatus for providing an application credential for an application running on a device. In one embodiment, a method provides an application credential to an application running on a device, wherein the application credential is used by the application to authenticate to a data server. The method comprises receiving a request to generate the application credential, wherein the request includes an application identifier. The method also comprises generating the application credential using the application identifier and a master credential associated with the device. |
| US08856902B2 |
User authentication via mobile communication device with imaging system
A graphical authentication identifier is used to facilitate automatic authentication of a user. A graphical identifier authentication system receives a request from an authenticating entity for a onetime use graphical authentication identifier. In response to the received request, a onetime use graphical authentication identifier to be displayed by the authenticating entity is generated. A request for user authentication information by the authenticating entity is encoded in the graphical authentication identifier, which is transmitted to the authenticating entity for display (e.g., on a login screen). The onetime use graphical authentication identifier being displayed by the authenticating entity is captured by a registered user operated computing device. In response, the requested user authentication information is transmitted to the authenticating entity, such that the user is automatically authenticated to the authenticating entity, without the user manually entering the requested user authentication information. |
| US08856900B2 |
Method for authorising a connection between a computer terminal and a source server
The disclosure relates to a method and a system for authorising a connection between a computer terminal and a source server, including an initialization phase wherein: the terminal connects to a gateway server, the gateway server sends a secret key to the terminal, the terminal hides the password in a data file by applying an encryption algorithm bootstrapped by the secret key, then deletes the secret key and the password, and a connection phase wherein: the terminal sends the data file containing the password to the gateway server, the gateway server extracts the files password by executing a reverse encryption algorithm bootstrapped by the secret key, and sends the password to the source server without saving it, the source server analysis the received password and authorizes the connection with the terminal if the password is authenticated. |
| US08856899B1 |
Systems and methods for obscuring entry of electronic security term
A security service determines whether to grant a user access to a resource. The service receives from the user a security term in an obscured form derived from a revealed form of the security term according to a predefined padding scheme known to the user and to the security service. The service applies the padding scheme to the received term to result in a de-padded security term and confirms that the de-padded security term matches the retrieved revealed security term. Additionally, the service confirms that the received term has not been previously employed within a predetermined frame of reference. Accordingly, if the received obscured security term is purloined and re-used within the predetermined frame of reference, the security service denies access to the resource. |
| US08856897B2 |
Method and apparatus for enabling a user to select an authentication method
The present invention facilitates access to a restricted service related to secure transactions via a network. The present invention allows a user to select a minimum security level of authentication for its own login to a restricted service. The user's selected minimum security level of authentication may be registered in an authentication method system, so that the user must use the selected minimum security level for authentication in order to gain access to the restricted service. Alternatively, the user may specify that the selected minimum security level for authentication may be over-turned by the user, or optionally re-set to a new authentication method depending on the needs of the user. As such, the present invention allows the user the flexibility to select its own authentication method for accessing a restricted service. |
| US08856894B1 |
Always on authentication
An Always-On Authentication (“AOA”) system comprises a computer system, such as a server, that automatically monitors and authenticates an enrolled individual's online transactions and/or activities to, for example, detect and/or prevent fraud. The AOA system actively monitors and/or authenticates the individual's online transactions and/or activities with service providers. A risk level may be associated with transactions and/or activities, and if a monitored transaction or activity is determined to exceed risk level for the individual, the individual may be prompted for further authentication information. A risk profile may be built for the individual over time based on the individual's history or pattern of transactions and activities. The AOA system may issue a virtual credential to the individual and/or to one or more of the individual's computing devices. The virtual credential may be provided to participating service provider(s) to enable seamless authentication of the individual during his/her interactions with the service provider(s). |
| US08856890B2 |
System and method of network access security policy management by user and device
A system and method are provided for management of access security by user and device. A security policy enforcement point is provided with a user policy module to receive user credentials from an access device of the user and a point for setting device dependent security policy to receive device credentials from the access device. A user policy is retrieved from a user database with use of the user credentials while a device policy is retrieved from a device database with use of the device credentials. The user policy and device policy are combined and used in the SPEP to enforce a user and device based security policy. |
| US08856883B2 |
System and method for protecting MAC control messages
A system to protect MAC control messages is presented. In one embodiment, the system comprises a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and a communication device coupled to the processor to communicate wirelessly over multiple sub-channels in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) wireless network. The communication device is operable to determine that a MAC control message is protected if an indicator within the MAC control message is set. The communication device validates, if the indicator is set, integrity of the MAC control message in conjunction with a CMAC (cipher-message authentication code) tuple concatenated with the MAC control message. |
| US08856874B2 |
Method and apparatus for serving content elements of a markup language document protected against cross-site scripting attack
A web application decomposed into one or more domain sandboxes ensures that the contents of each sandbox are protected from attacks on the web application outside that sandbox. Sandboxing is achieved on a per-element basis by identifying content that should be put under protection, generating a secure domain name for the identified content, and replacing the identified content with a unique reference (e.g., an iframe) to the generated secure domain. The identified content is then served only from the generated secure domain using a content handler. |
| US08856867B1 |
Technique for controlling access to program assets
A system that controls access to program assets, such as software programs or modules, is described. During operation, this system associates a first license code with a first group of program assets and associates a first master code with the first license code, where the first group of program assets includes one or more program assets associated with a first provider, and the first license code identifies the first master code. Then, the system provides the first license code, the first master code, and a pre-defined function to the first provider, and hosts the first group of program assets on a website. Note that the first master code and the pre-defined function allow the first provider to generate a first validation code for a customer. Moreover, the first validation code and the first license code, at least in part, allow the customer to access the first group of program assets hosted on the website, thereby facilitating independent marketing of the first group of program assets by the first provider. |
| US08856865B1 |
Prioritizing content classification categories
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for prioritizing content classification categories. One of the methods includes maintaining two or more content categories including a first content category and a second content category, each content category having an associated score, receiving, from a user device, a request to access a resource, the resource being associated both with the first content category and with the second content category, determining a content access policy for the user device to the resource based on the respective scores associated with the first and second content categories, and selectively permitting or denying access to the resource by the user device depending on the determined content access policy. |
| US08856864B2 |
Detecting, enforcing and controlling access privileges based on sandbox usage
Systems and methods may provide for receiving web content and detecting an access control attribute associated with the web content. Additionally, the access control attribute may be monitored for a disablement condition. In one example, the disablement condition may be detected, an access policy may be determined in response to the disablement condition, and the access policy may be implemented. |
| US08856859B2 |
System and method for setting application permissions
There is disclosed a system and method for setting application permissions. In an embodiment, the method comprises reviewing the current application permissions settings on the device; comparing the current application permissions settings to a set of required application permissions settings for the software application; listing the set of required application permissions; and providing means to grant permission for all required application permissions the user is authorized to grant. In another embodiment, only the required application permissions requiring a grant of permission and which the user is authorized to grant are listed. The user may be provided with means to grant permission for all required permissions the user is authorized to grant in a single response. |
| US08856855B2 |
System and method for tuning a set-top box remotely via a social network
A system and method for controlling a set-top box through a social network. Access is granted to control the set-top box to one or more contacts of a user. The one or more contacts being associated with one or more social networks. Access to control the set-top box is granted to one or more contacts of one or more social networks. A request to change media content is received from one of the one or more contacts. The one or more contacts are authenticated to ensure they are authorized to tune the set-top box to the media content. The media content is tuned in for communication to a display in response to authenticating the request from the one of the one or more contacts. |
| US08856853B2 |
Network media device with code recognition
One embodiment may take the form of a network media device including a processing unit configured to execute instructions stored on one or more storage media, and a first communication component coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive a video signal over an audio/video interface from a broadcast receiver. The video signal may include an image code including identifying information regarding the broadcast receiver. The processing unit may be configured to process the image code to extract the identifying information. A second communication component may be coupled to the processing unit and configured to transmit control signals based on the identifying information of the broadcast receiver. |
| US08856851B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling a network-connected device in one peer network from an infrared device connected to another peer network using TCP/IP and infrared signals
An apparatus and a method for controlling a network-connected device in one peer network from an infrared (IR) device connected to another peer network is disclosed. Regardless of underlying communication protocols used in peer networks, the IR device in a peer network can request a transfer of data or control to a networked device in another peer network. Communication compatibility among the two peer networks are maintained by utilizing a set-top box in each peer network configured to communicate with another set-top box using a transport control protocol (TCP), which may be different from underlying protocols (e.g. X.25, IrDA) between the set-top box and locally connected devices to the set-top box. The set-top box may utilize an intelligent routing scheme based on a packet header and/or payload content examination to route the transfer of data to a “most-appropriate” electronic device connected to the set-top box. |
| US08856849B2 |
System and method for providing outbound telephone calls via a set-top box
A system and method for providing outbound telephone calling through an integrated set-top box includes a telephone connection, a media signal connection, and a modem. A user may input a telephone number to the set-top box to initiate an outbound telephone call. The set-top box modem dials the telephone number via the telephone connection to the publicly switched network. Once the call is connected, the user may take the call using a telephone connected to the home telephone network or through a speaker and microphone integrated with or connected to the set-top box. A status of the outbound telephone call may be displayed on a screen connected to the set-top box. A user may also initiate a telephone call to a number displayed on the screen as part of media signal. The on-screen telephone number may be provided along with the media signal or may be extracted from the media signal using character recognition software. |
| US08856846B2 |
Content placement
A method includes receiving data identifying new media content items to be added to a media distribution system that provides media content on demand to a plurality of endpoints. The media distribution system includes a plurality of distribution nodes, and each of the distribution nodes is coupled to a subset of the endpoints. Historical demand is determined during a particular time period for existing media content items that include content available via at least one of the distribution nodes before the data was received. The method includes forecasting demand for media content items, including new media content items and existing media content items, based on the historical demand. Each media content item is assigned to, and stored at, at least one corresponding distribution node based at least partially on a cost function and the forecasted demand. |
| US08856837B2 |
Location-based tuner
A method and system of facilitating tuning to content and/or signal streams, including capabilities to facilitate tuning when traveling from one geographical location to another where the different geographical areas may be rely on different identifiers to facilitate locating the content and/or signaling of interest. |
| US08856826B2 |
System and method for effectively presenting multimedia information materials
Methods and systems for presenting multimedia information materials from a database, preferably as a video broadcast. In one example, a plurality of information segments, such as video clips, are stored in the database, information segments are selected from the database, and a user can organize a subset of the selected information segments to affect a presentation of those information segments in desired order. The selected information segments may be loaded into a memory. The selected information segments may also be represented using indicators. The subset of selected information segments may be presented in the same order as the corresponding indicators. The presentation may be realized on a computer, a media player, or a television, the latter of which may interface with a set-top box and/or a personal video recorder. |
| US08856822B2 |
Method for inserting contents searched from storage of a host and apparatus thereof
Provided are a method and apparatus for inserting second contents stored in a storage medium of a host while first contents input from an external provider are played includes: searching, by a searching unit, for the second contents using location information which indicates a location of the second contents stored in the storage medium; detecting, by a signal information detecting unit, signaling information from the first contents, the signaling information indicating a section in the first contents in which insertion of the second contents is allowed; and playing, by a playing unit, the searched, second contents in the allowed section of the first contents which are being played, based on the signaling information. |
| US08856820B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method of restricting harmful information thereof
A mobile communication terminal and a method of restricting harmful information thereof are provided. The mobile communication terminal includes a data judgment module which judges whether to restrict digital content by comparing content information included in a packet of the digital content with viewing restriction information; and a control unit which controls whether to display the digital content in accordance with a result of the judgment of the data judgment module. The method includes receiving digital content that is transmitted in a unit of a packet; judging whether viewing of the digital content is permitted by comparing content information included in the packet with viewing restriction information; and preventing a display of the digital content if it is judged that the viewing of the digital content is not permitted. |
| US08856817B2 |
Method and system for implementation of rules for overlays based on automatic content recognition
An automatic content recognition (ACR)-enabled connected TV device may be operable to present, utilizing an ACR system, an overlay during presentation of content, based on one or more rules. The one or more rules may be implemented utilizing information provided by the ACR system. The presented overlay may be associated with a sponsor, and the one or more rules may comprise a timing rule, an advertisement separation rule, an advertisement conflict rule and/or an auto-scaling rule. An ad server coupled to the ACR system may determine whether the overlay associated with the sponsor may be appropriate for presentation. The presented overlay may comprise interactive content for viewer interaction, and the one or more rules may comprise a viewer interaction rule which ensures that, when the interactive overlay is presented, the presented content may be scaled so that the scaled presented content is not covered by the overlay. |
| US08856814B2 |
Dynamic selection of advertising content in a social broadcast environment
A method of determining advertising content to be included in a broadcast is disclosed. An inclusion criterion is received for each of a plurality of items of advertising content to be used to determine one or both of whether and how that item of advertising content is to be included in a broadcast. Stored user profile data associated with a plurality of users who provided within an observation period an indication that the user was consuming the broadcast is processed, and the respective inclusion criteria of the items of advertising content, to select and integrate into the broadcast selected ones of the items of advertising content. |
| US08856813B2 |
Adaptive video quality substitution
A computing device, in a video content delivery network, intercepts requested video content prior to delivery of the requested video content to a customer premise device of the network, and receives subscription and authentication information of a customer associated with the customer premise device. The computing device receives video content provider information, and validates the requested video content based on the subscription and authentication information and the video content provider information. The computing device receives capability information associated with the customer premise device, and receives bandwidth information associated with the network. The computing device determines a quality of video content, to provide to the customer premise device, based on the customer premise device capability information and the network bandwidth information, and provides, to the customer premise device, video content with the determined quality. |
| US08856812B1 |
Emergency disc ejecting device for optical disc drive
An emergency disc ejecting device for an optical disc drive including a linkage module and a gear module is provided. The linkage module has a first linkage capable of moving along a disc loading direction and a disc ejecting direction. The gear module includes a first gear, a second gear and a pulley. The first gear is detachably connected to the first linkage. The second gear is driveably connected to the first gear and has a first contacting portion. The pulley is pivoted on the second gear and has a second contacting portion, wherein the second gear has an idle-stroking rotation relative to the pulley. When the second gear performs the idle-stroking rotation relative to the pulley, the first contacting portion moves relatively from a first side of the second contacting portion to a second side of the second contacting portion. |
| US08856808B2 |
Event triggered actions based on media action table
Generating event-triggered actions, including: detecting at least one event occurring on a mobile device; generating and presenting an event action parameter for the at least one event; and receiving and processing the event action parameter using a media action table to generate at least one action instruction. |
| US08856806B2 |
Dynamic Java bean for visualage for Java
A uniform strategy for the general problem of providing custom editors and initialization strings for beans (all “dynabeans” inherit from a common bean class that incorporates this strategy. This is then extended to allow the initialization strings to be stored in a relational database. The database function is an extension of the function provided by the VisualAge Persistence Builder (using some of the EADP extensions). An important advantage of this approach is that many changes to the application can now be handled by adjusting the database version of the bean definition, without a need to touch the underlying code. This will reduce down time for the application, and also improve application stability. |
| US08856792B2 |
Cancelable and faultable dataflow nodes
One embodiment includes a method of performing dataflow processing. The method includes representing a first asynchronous processing node as a first future. The first future represents the lifecycle of processing of the first asynchronous processing node. The method further includes representing one or more other asynchronous operations as one or more other futures. The one or more other futures represent the asynchronous completion of one or more operations'processing. The first future and the one or more other futures are represented as a single composite future. The single composite future represents completion of processing of the combination of the first asynchronous processing node and the one or more other asynchronous operations. |
| US08856789B2 |
Facilitating execution of a self-modifying executable
Trusted execution of a self-modifying executable is facilitated. An attempt to access a data portion of a self-modifying executable during execution of the self-modifying executable is detected. The self-modifying executable includes the data portion, for storing data to be accessed during execution of the self-modifying executable, and an instruction portion including instructions for execution of the self-modifying executable. The attempt to access the data portion is retargeted to a separate portion of memory space that is separate from another portion of memory space in which the self-modifying executable is loaded for execution. Meaningful measurability of the integrity of the self-modifying executable is thereby provided. |
| US08856788B2 |
Activity based device removal management
Methods and systems for managing a removal of a device from a guest managed by a hypervisor in virtualized computing environment. A hypervisor maintains in a memory a last accessed state associated with a virtual machine executing a guest. The last accessed state is cleared by the hypervisor when the virtual machine is reset and the last accessed state is set when the hypervisor receives a request from the guest to access a device. The hypervisor receives a request to remove the device from the guest of the virtual machine and remove the device from the guest when the last accessed state is clear. |
| US08856785B2 |
Predicting and generating a quantity of image clones
For predicting and generating a quantity of image clones, a provision module provisions a specified number of a specified image clone to an image pool. The specified number N1 is calculated as N1=N0+CEIL(SE). N0 is a number of the specified image clones provisioned during a previous provisioning operation. SE is a storage estimate. CEIL rounds SE up to a nearest integer. A deployment module deploys a first image clone from the image pool in a subsequent deployment in response to a request. |
| US08856784B2 |
Decentralized management of virtualized hosts
One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a technique for effectively managing virtualized computing systems with an unlimited number of hardware resources. Host systems included in a virtualized computer system are organized into a scalable, peer-to-peer (P2P) network in which host systems arrange themselves into a network overlay to communicate with one another. The network overlay enables the host systems to perform a variety of operations, which include dividing computing resources of the host systems among a plurality of virtual machines (VMs), load balancing VMs across the host systems, and performing an initial placement of a VM in one of the host systems. |
| US08856778B2 |
Software selection based on available storage space
Software selection based on available storage space involves determining that a data package (e.g., a software component) is not to be loaded (e.g., not to be installed) onto a storage device (e.g., a disk drive) of a computer (e.g., a target computer). This determination is based on the available storage capacity of the storage device (e.g., free disk space) and on a storage requirement of the optional data package (e.g., disk space required by the proposed software component). In some example embodiments, available storage capacity is determined automatically (e.g., by using an application programming interface). |
| US08856774B1 |
System and method for processing updates to installed software on a computer system
A system and method for testing and optimization of updates. An update is received by a test module, which selects a testing environment and determines a testing period. The test module tests the update in the testing environment and provides the test results to an analyzer module. The analyzer module determines the feasibility of the update installation based on a set of feasibility rules. If the update is deemed feasible, the update is added to the list of the updates for installation and provided to an installation module for installation on computer systems. |
| US08856765B2 |
Analyzing a pointer in an analysis target program or a partial program
The present invention provides a technique for analyzing a pointer. The technique is characterized in detecting whether or not an object for which it is desired to detect an access position escapes to at least one method which is a caller of a method which generates the identified object (a first caller method) or at least one method which is called by the method which generates the identified object (a first callee method), and preparing a load node in a point-to graph and updating the point-to graph on condition that a field of at least one object in the point-to graph is reachable from the first caller method or the first callee method and the field is in a state of not pointing to an object in the point-to graph. |
| US08856760B2 |
Streaming programming generator
A device receives input that includes definitions of components of a computational pipeline, where the components include one or more buffers, one or more kernels, and one or more stages within a control graph. The device generates, based on the input, kernel signatures for a graphics processor, where the kernel signatures compile into an executable streaming program for the computational pipeline. The device also generates, based on the input, host-side runtime code to execute the streaming program. |
| US08856759B2 |
Method and apparatus providing COBOL decimal type arithmetic functions with improved performance
A method and apparatus is disclosed providing an improvement in performance for arithmetic computations by a computer system for calculations which include decimal numeric variables. The improvement in at least one embodiment includes use of a special compiler in cooperation with a special decimal numeric subroutine library. The compiler provides comparative alignment information based upon comparing alignments of a plurality of decimal variables. The decimal subroutine library can then provide improved performance at run time by utilizing the information compared by the compiler at compiler time rather than making those computations repeatedly at run time. |
| US08856758B2 |
Automatic license entitlement calculation
Techniques for automatic license entitlement calculation. A method includes decomposing a license metric definition into metric-generic and metric-specific logic, compiling the metric-specific logic to generate intermediate code, interpreting the metric-generic logic and dynamically loading the intermediate code to execute a license entitlement calculation. |
| US08856757B2 |
Automatic license entitlement calculation
Techniques for automatic license entitlement calculation. A method includes decomposing a license metric definition into metric-generic and metric-specific logic, compiling the metric-specific logic to generate intermediate code, interpreting the metric-generic logic and dynamically loading the intermediate code to execute a license entitlement calculation. |
| US08856753B2 |
Granular measurement of processor performance in executing sections of software code
Processor performance in executing a section of software code is measured. A clock associated with the section of software code. It is detected that the section of software code is beginning to be executed. In response, the clock associated with the section of software code is started. It is then detected that the section of software code is no longer being executed. In response, the clock associated with the section of software code is stopped. The clock is stopped and restarted as the section of software code temporarily stops execution to cede control to other sections of software code. Ultimately, a value of the clock associated with the section of software code is output, where the value corresponds to the processor performance in executing the section of software code. |
| US08856752B2 |
Monitoring asset state to enable partial build
When an up to date state has been achieved for the inputs and outputs of a build process, an asset state indicator is set to indicate that all the inputs and outputs are up to date. Those inputs and outputs are monitored. If a change to any of the inputs and/or outputs is detected, the asset state indicator is updated to indicate that some build execution is needed. When a build request is detected, the current state of the asset state indicator is exposed. An execution sequence for targets of the build process based on dependencies between targets is determined. A starting point for a partial build is determined by determining the earliest-appearing target in the sequence that is affected by the detected changes to the inputs and outputs to the targets of the execution sequence. Executing the build process from this starting point will produce the updated outputs and return the system to the up to date state. |
| US08856749B2 |
Multi-path brokered test automation execution
A test case can be run with actions from the test case being executed in multiple execution paths. This can be done with the aid of an action broker. For example, the broker may identify available automation implementations for the actions and use a priority list to select between available automation implementations for executing an action from the test case. The broker may also perform conversions of results of actions for use by implementations executing other actions in different execution paths, as well as passing results between implementations in different execution paths. |
| US08856747B2 |
Enterprise JavaBeans explorer
A system and method to display an application server resource landscape in a hierarchical view and invoke an Enterprise JavaBeans business method with a complex object as an argument. In one embodiment, the hierarchical view permits user input to initialize attribute values for simple and complex arguments. A graphical user interface presents invoked business method execution results. |
| US08856741B2 |
Just in time component mapping
One embodiment involves a system comprising a network, a server, and a requesting device. The server and requesting device are connected with the network. The server comprises a processor configured to receive a request from the requesting device and determine information about the requesting device based at least in part on the request. The processor is further configured to determine an abstract representation of an application and at least one mapping from a plurality of mappings based at least in part on the information about the device. The abstract representation comprises a plurality of components. Each mapping comprises an attribute for at least one of the plurality of components. The processor is further configured to generate a version of the application on-the-fly based at least in part on the abstract representation and the at least one mapping and send the version of the application to the requesting device. |
| US08856740B2 |
Implementing multiple versions of a plug-in concurrently
A system and method for implementing multiple versions of a plug-in concurrently are provided herein. The method includes identifying a plug-in within a multi-plug-in platform that is configured to provide a desired functionality. The method also includes executing a first version and a second version of the plug-in concurrently to provide the desired functionality, wherein each version of the plug-in is isolated from the other version of the plug-in. |
| US08856736B2 |
Web service proxy interface augmentation
In a web application platform context, web service proxy interface augmentation is provided without undue loss of customization capabilities. After obtaining an address of a web service endpoint, sending a metadata query to the endpoint, and extracting operational information from the response, a contract is generated in the form of an interface. The interface does not rely on non-contract programming constructs. A file containing the interface is added to a project in an integrated development environment (IDE). From a developer perspective, the IDE displays service application(s) of a server farm identified by the developer. The developer selects a service application and receives a list of web service endpoint(s). After choosing an endpoint, the developer receives an automatically generated interface containing operational information for an operation exposed by the web service endpoint. The developer also creates in the IDE a web proxy project item that includes the interface. |
| US08856733B2 |
Code generation techniques
A method of generating executable code for performing desired functionality. The method includes defining a component combination based on the desired functionality, the component combination being indicative of components to be implemented and connections between the components. The component combination is then used to cause components in the component combination to be implemented, with the components communicating using the connections and generating code fragments. At least two of the components communicate to determine a context, with one or more of the code fragments being at least partially based on the determined context. The generated code fragments are combined to thereby form the executable code which when executed by a suitable a processing system, causes the processing system to perform the desired functionality. |
| US08856732B2 |
System and method for creating, managing, and reusing schema type definitions in services oriented architecture services, grouped in the form of libraries
A computer-implemented system and method for creating, managing, and reusing schema type definitions in SOA services, grouped in the form of libraries are disclosed. The method in an example embodiment includes: grouping a plurality of Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) schema (XSD) types, each XSD type defined in an individual XSD file; using a processor to bundle the plurality of individual XSD types into a type library, the type library including a type information file to register the individual XSD types in the type library, the type library further including a type dependencies file to register dependencies between the individual XSD types in the same or different type library; importing types from a different type library, when defining derived types or aggregated types; generating Java artifacts from the XSD types; and associating the Java artifacts with corresponding XSD types in the type information file of the type library. |
| US08856721B2 |
Method for generating task data of a PCB and inspecting a PCB
A method for generating PCB inspection task data and inspecting a PCB is disclosed. The method by which Gerber data and CAD coordinate file generated at the time of PCB designing is matched to each other facilitates to generate a task data and allows a higher inspection accuracy. The task data generating method comprises generating a Gerber data comprising information for pads on the PCB, loading a CAD coordinate file comprising a coordinate of a component mounted on the pads, inferring a shape of lead and body of the component within a pad area by matching the Gerber data and CAD coordinate file, and then setting a pad area where a tip-end of the body locates as an inspection area. |
| US08856719B2 |
Method for circuit simulation
A circuit simulation method for checking a circuit error is disclosed. The method may include generating a netlist with respect to a designed circuit, simulating an operation of the designed circuit using the generated netlist, and checking an error of the designed circuit using the generated netlist and using a waveform generated when performing the simulation. |
| US08856718B1 |
Congestion estimation based on routing resources of programmable logic devices
A computer-implemented method of estimating signal congestion in routing resources of a programmable logic device (PLD), wherein the routing resources include configurable interface blocks (CIBs) and wires of different types supported by the CIBs. The method includes identifying, from a representation of a PLD stored within a computer system, components of the PLD to be connected in a configuration of the PLD. A CIB associated with an identified PLD component is then selected. A wire type supported by the selected CIB is also selected. The number of wires of the selected type needed at the selected CIB to implement the PLD configuration and the number of wires of the selected type provided by the CIB are calculated. Signal congestion at the selected CIB is estimated from at least the needed number of wires and the provided number of wires. |
| US08856717B2 |
Shielded pattern generation for a circuit design board
A circuit board design aid is achieved by generating a shield pattern for a wiring pattern including a pattern element in a circuit board by increasing a width of a geometry of the pattern element by an amount corresponding to a shield pattern spacing set as a preset pattern generation condition. A prohibition region is generated based on a geometry of an element for which a clearance check is to be performed located around the wiring pattern and a clearance condition between the element for performing a clearance check and the wiring pattern. Then, the shield pattern is generated by excluding the geometry of the prohibition region from the geometry of the basic shield pattern element. |
| US08856716B1 |
Automatic placement system of IC design and method thereof
An automatic placement system of IC design and a method thereof is provided. The automatic placement system of IC design concerns the chip area utility ratio, the input-output relationship between components, the power consumption produced from thermal noise of circuits and the MOS-type transformation ratio, and performs the genetic algorithm for providing an optimal solution to the placement problem. Herewith the effect of optimizing the placement according to the data of components and parameter is achieved. |
| US08856710B2 |
Tool and method for modeling interposer RC couplings
A method comprises analyzing front side conductive patterns and back side conductive patterns on a semiconductor interposer using a machine implemented RC extraction tool, and outputting data representing a plurality of respective RC nodes from the RC extraction tool to a tangible persistent machine readable storage medium. A substrate mesh model of the semiconductor interposer is generated, having a plurality of substrate mesh nodes. Each substrate mesh node is connected to adjacent ones of the plurality of substrate mesh nodes by respective substrate impedance elements. A set of inputs to a timing analysis tool is formed. The plurality of RC nodes are connected to ones of the plurality of substrate mesh nodes of the substrate mesh model. The set of inputs is stored in a tangible machine readable storage medium. |
| US08856708B1 |
Multi-tier field-programmable gate array hardware requirements assessment and verification for airborne electronic systems
A method of verifying a field programmable gate array for use in an integrated system includes selecting, from a set of requirements of the field programmable gate array, a first subset of the requirements that are not influenced by dynamics of the integrated system; selecting, from the set of requirements of the field programmable gate array, a second subset of the requirements that are influenced by the dynamics of the integrated system; executing a hardware test on the field programmable gate array using a chip tester that verifies the first subset of the requirements; and executing a hardware test on the field programmable gate array to verify the second subset of the requirements while the field programmable gate array is installed within the integrated system. |
| US08856707B2 |
Semiconductor device feature density gradient verification
A method for verifying that acceptable device feature gradients and device feature disparities are present in a semiconductor device layout, is provided. The method provides for dividing a device layout into a plurality of windows and measuring or otherwise determining the device feature density within each window. The device layout includes various device regions and the method provides for comparing an average device feature density within one region to surrounding areas or other regions and also for determining gradients of device feature densities. The gradients may be monitored from within a particular device region to surrounding regions. Instructions for carrying out the method may be stored on a computer readable storage medium and executed by a processor. |
| US08856706B2 |
System and method for metastability verification of circuits of an integrated circuit
A system and methods for metastability verification of an integrated circuit design are provided. An IC design is received and the source-to-destination paths of the IC design are determined. For each of the determined source-to-destination paths, it is determined whether the corresponding source is synchronized. For each source its respective synchronized or unsynchronized result is stored and a report is generated for each source describing whether it is synchronized or unsynchronized. The system may be at least a portion of a computer aided design (CAD) system. |
| US08856700B1 |
Methods, systems, and apparatus for reliability synthesis
In one embodiment of the invention, a method of synthesizing a circuit design is disclosed including receiving an input model of an initial circuit design into an electronic design automation system; receiving a user specification detailing a reliability feature to add to the initial circuit design; adding the reliability feature to the input model based upon the user specification to generate a modified input model; and producing an output model of a circuit design with the reliability feature in response to the modified input model. |
| US08856698B1 |
Method and apparatus for providing metric relating two or more process parameters to yield
A process and apparatus are provided for generating and evaluating one or more metrics for analyzing the design and manufacture of semiconductor devices. Embodiments include scanning a drawn semiconductor design layout to determine a difficult-to-manufacture pattern within the drawn semiconductor design layout based on a match with a pre-characterized difficult-to-manufacture pattern determining a corrected pattern based on a pre-determined correlation between the corrected pattern and the pre-characterized difficult-to-manufacture pattern, and replacing the difficult-to-manufacture pattern with the corrected pattern within the drawn semiconductor design layout. |
| US08856697B2 |
Routing analysis with double pattern lithography
Graph analysis for double pattern lithography is described. Layout shapes are decomposed into rectangles and a vertex is provided for each rectangle. Double pattern spacing conflicts are determined and shown as edges for the graph analysis. Odd cycles are used to identify double pattern lithography violations. Cycles can be completed with the addition of edges between vertices where stitches have been included in the layout. Edges between touching shapes do not count toward the odd count in the cycles. Fixes are included by increasing space or by rerouting. A portion of the layout can be incrementally changed and a local update of the graph analysis performed. Correct by construction layout is implemented by avoiding certain odd cycle prone layout routings. |
| US08856696B2 |
Integrated circuit layout modification
Methods are disclosed of modifying an integrated circuit (IC) design that utilizes multiple patterning technology (MPT). The methods include configuring a first layout of an integrated circuit, having at least one layer with features to be formed utilizing fabrication by at least two masks. The at least one layer includes a plurality of active cells and a plurality of spare cells. A second layout is configured to re-route the spare cells and active cells, wherein the re-routing utilizes at least a portion of the plurality of spare cells. Fewer than all of the at least two masks are replaced to configure the second layout. |
| US08856692B2 |
Method for modifying images using three-dimensional gestures and an apparatus using the same
Provided is a method capable of making various modifications to widgets, graphic objects, or images, which are displayed on a display device, according to motions of a plurality of input units such as finger or stylus pen, with the use of a three-dimensional multi-sensor configured to detect the motions of the input units in a space, without touching the display device. |
| US08856691B2 |
Gesture tool
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for a gesture tool. A capture device captures user movement and provides corresponding data to a gesture recognizer engine and an application. From that, the data is parsed to determine whether it satisfies one or more gesture filters, each filter corresponding to user-performed gesture. The data and the information about the filters is also sent to a gesture tool, which displays aspects of the data and filters. In response to user input corresponding to a change in a filter, the gesture tool sends an indication of such to the gesture recognizer engine and application, where that change occurs. |
| US08856689B2 |
Editing of data using mobile communication terminal
An electronic device, a mobile communication terminal, method and computer program product for editing data The method of editing data of an electronic device displays an item list comprising at least one item; detecting first and second touch inputs and detects a change in a distance between first and second touch input points. The method executes a predetermined function related to the item list according to the detected distance change. |
| US08856687B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a three-dimensional task gallery computer interface
The present invention provides a three-dimensional user interface for a computer system that allows a user to combine and store a group of windows as a task. The image of each task can be positioned within a three-dimensional environment such that the user may utilize spatial memory in order remember where a particular task is located. |
| US08856686B2 |
Method and apparatus for generating a menu display
A method of generating a menu display (203), the method comprising the steps of: selecting a plurality of menu items (205—1, 205—2, 205—3, 205—4) from a plurality of candidate menu items, the candidate menu items being arranged in a plurality of hierarchical levels, on the basis of most frequently used menu items and most difficult to access menu items within the plurality of hierarchical levels; and displaying the selected menu items simultaneously. |
| US08856683B2 |
Restricted user interface navigation
A method and system that permits a user to navigate or browse a long list on a handheld device with a restricted user interface, such as a limited display and a limited user input device. The user first uses a coarse search to find a generally desired area in the list. The user then uses finer and finer search intervals in the vicinity of the desired area, until the desired entry is located. |
| US08856682B2 |
Displaying a user interface in a dedicated display area
Some embodiments are directed to techniques for displaying a user interface of an application program on a display device. The display device may be partitioned into two portions, such that the user interface and a computer desktop are displayed in separate portions of the display. As a result, the user interface does not overlap or obscure any portion of the displayed desktop. |
| US08856680B2 |
Mobile communication terminal and method for controlling a background task
A mobile communication terminal and a method for controlling a background task is disclosed that can increase user convenience by controlling the background task simply. The method includes running foreground and background tasks simultaneously by a multitasking operation; inputting a selection key to directly call a task setting window for setting a specific operation of the background task; displaying the task setting window on a foreground screen that corresponds to the selection key that was input; and setting the specific operation using displayed task setting window. |
| US08856679B2 |
Smartpad-stacking
A multi-display device is adapted to be dockable or otherwise associatable with an additional device. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the multi-display device is dockable with a smartpad. The exemplary smartpad can include a screen, a touch sensitive display, a configurable area, a gesture capture region(s) and a camera. The smartpad can also include a port adapted to receive the device. The exemplary smartpad is able to cooperate with the device such that information displayable on the device is also displayable on the smartpad. Furthermore, any one or more of the functions on the device are extendable to the smartpad, with the smartpad capable of acting as an input/output interface or extension of the smartpad. Therefore, for example, information from one or more of the displays on the multi-screen device is displayable on the smartpad. |
| US08856673B1 |
Flight planning system with bookmarking
A method and apparatus for managing vehicle information. The vehicle information is displayed on a display system for a vehicle. The vehicle information is for operating the vehicle. An item in the vehicle information is placed in a group of items of interest in response to receiving a user input selecting the item from the vehicle information as an item of interest. A number of items in the group of items of interest is displayed in association with a number of graphical indicators on the display system. The number of graphical indicators identifies the number of items as a number of items of interest. |
| US08856672B2 |
Integrated user interface controls for web dialogs
A web application dialog user interface is provided for presenting users with controls for viewing, editing, and otherwise managing content through the web application. Consistency in style and order of control elements in the user interface with control elements of a standard application user interface, launching of the dialog without a page refresh, and maintenance of task continuity provide users a seamless experience in managing their documents through the web application without loss of context. |
| US08856671B2 |
Route selection by drag and drop
The various embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a system for facilitating data processing in a visual manner. An application may include, inter alia, a basket component for visually representing the particular data items that a user desires to be processed by an application. The application may allow a user to initially search for data items that may be of interest (e.g., points-of-interest or POIs). A user may select POIs to obtain additional descriptive information regarding each data item. If the selected POI is to be included in processing, a user may drag the visual representation of the POI into the basket component. When the basket component contains all POIs desired for processing, the user may further instruct the application to formulate a result that is a composite of some or all of the POIs in the basket component. |
| US08856669B2 |
Method for selective erasure based on historical input
Systems and methods record graphical marks input through a graphic user interface of a computerized device. The graphical marks comprise input other than keyboard button input. The recording includes recording different input times when the graphical marks are input and recording whether the graphic marks are uninterrupted graphic marks, using a processor of the computerized device. An uninterrupted graphical mark is one of the graphical marks that is input through a discrete and continuous user input action, and is made without the user pausing such discrete and continuous user input action. The systems and methods also display the graphical marks, and provide an erasure option on the graphic user interface. The erasure option allows the user to distinguish which of the graphical marks are erased based on the different input times and/or by distinguishing between erasure of different ones of the uninterrupted graphic marks. |
| US08856666B2 |
Chassis button to activate graphical user interface to enable user to select diagnostic and/or recovery
A computer comprises a chassis, a button provided on the chassis, and a memory containing executable code. The executable code is caused to execute as a result of a user pressing the button. The code causes a graphical user interface to be displayed to the user providing the user with the ability to choose at least between a computer-diagnostic operation and a recovery operation. |
| US08856663B2 |
User interface for integrating applications on a mobile communication device
A user interface, in accordance with the teachings described herein, is provided for integrating applications on a mobile communication device. An instant messaging user interface may be included for displaying an instant messaging communication that includes an instant messaging contact. An instant messaging user interface menu may be included for displaying a list of commands, one or more of the commands being specific to the displayed instant messaging contact, and the list of commands including a command associated with a calendar application. The user interface may be operable to automatically launch the calendar application in response to a user selecting the command associated with the calendar application. A field in the calendar application may be automatically populated with the instant messaging contact. |
| US08856657B2 |
User interface for managing network download and configuration tasks
A user interface for management of network operations, particularly networked electronic gaming machines, the user interface including operation assignment interfaces, each assignment interface providing information about the respective operation, a calendar interface on which the assignment interfaces are provided, the calendar interface providing at least date and time information, and at least one graphical linking indicator that provides visual relational information of related operations. |
| US08856651B2 |
Remote user interface cooperative application
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a remote user interface (UI) client is provided, the method comprising: establishing a first connection with a UI server; receiving a document over the first connection; closing the first connection; running the document, wherein the document contains first instructions on how to operate a user interface and second instructions on establishing a persistent connection with the UI server; and establishing a second connection with the UI server based on the second instructions. |
| US08856650B1 |
System and method for interactive digital content generation
The disclosure relates to a system for automated generation and/or execution of an interactive content object having content related to a video game application. In some implementations, the interactive content object may comprise interactive digital content that may be distributed to and/or executed on one or more computer system gaming platforms and/or other interactive media devices. Interactive content objects may be configured such that they may be included in the video game application and/or executed by the video game application. Interactive content objects may also be configured as standalone products. Interactive content objects may be configured such that they may be remotely patched and/or updated without updating the video game application. In some implementations, the interactive content object may comprise one or more of an instruction manual, a strategy guidebook, a cheat book, a mini-game, episodic content, and/or other applications. |
| US08856649B2 |
Aggregation level and measure based hinting and selection of cells in a data display
Described herein are methods and systems for providing hints for and selecting cells within a crosstab that are compatible. Providing hints manifests the compatible cells and the selection is limited to compatible members. Hinting at unselected but compatible cells provides leads for user for other operations they may seek to pursue. User selections that include incompatible cells are corrected to ensure integrity of group operations to be performed on the selections. Compatibility is determined by aggregation level, measure and the like. |
| US08856647B2 |
Font handling for viewing documents on the web
A request is received for a rendered document corresponding to a document. The document is retrieved from a storage device. The document is transformed into the rendered document. One or more server font files associated with the rendered document are generated. The rendered document and the server font files are stored. |
| US08856640B1 |
Method and apparatus for applying revision specific electronic signatures to an electronically stored document
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to methods and systems for applying electronic signatures to an electronically stored document wherein the electronic signatures are associated with a specific revision of that electronically stored document (revision specific electronic signatures). |
| US08856633B2 |
Millimeter-wave communications for peripheral devices
A wireless device couples an electronic device employing a wired-link protocol to, for example, a wireless personal area network (WPAN). The wireless device comprises a wired interface configured for coupling to the electronic device, a wired transceiver coupled to the wired interface, the at least one wired transceiver configured for functioning as a terminus of a wired link coupled to the electronic device, and a wireless transmitter or transceiver coupled to the wired transceiver and configured for functioning as a terminus of a wireless link in the WPAN. The wireless device may be configured for coupling a plurality of dissimilar wired devices together via a wireless link. |
| US08856631B2 |
Systems and methods for parallel retry processing during iterative data processing
Systems, circuits, devices and/or methods related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for priority based data processing. |
| US08856622B2 |
Apparatus and method for encoding data for storage in multi-level nonvolatile memory
A controller for a nonvolatile memory includes an encoder and a decoder. The memory includes memory cells that each store data using more than two levels. The encoder generates first data for storage in first memory cells. For first and second subsets of cells of the first memory cells, the first data is stored at first and second levels, respectively. Measurable values of the first subset of cells are characterized by a first probability density function having a first width. Measurable values of the second subset of cells are characterized by a second probability density function having a second width. The first width is greater than the second width. The encoder generates the first data such that a size of the first subset of cells is less than a size of the second subset of cells. The decoder decodes encoded data from the memory. |
| US08856620B2 |
Dynamic graduated memory device protection in redundant array of independent memory (RAIM) systems
Dynamic graduated memory device protection in redundant array of independent memory (RAIM) systems that include a plurality of memory devices is provided. A first severity level of a first failing memory device in the plurality of memory devices is determined. The first failing memory device is associated with an identifier used to communicate a location of the first failing memory device to an error correction code (ECC). A second severity level of a second failing memory device in the plurality of memory devices is determined. It is determined that the second severity level is higher than the first severity level. The identifier from the first failing memory device is removed based on determining that the second severity level is higher than the first severity level. The identifier is applied to the second failing memory device based on determining that the second severity level is higher than the first severity level. |
| US08856619B1 |
Storing data across groups of storage nodes
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for storing data reliably across groups of storage nodes. In one aspect, a method includes receiving (n−f) data chunks for storage across n groups of storage nodes and generating (f−1) error-correcting code chunks using an error-correcting code and the (n−f) data chunks. The (n−f) data chunks are stored at a first group of storage nodes. Each data chunk of the (n−f) data chunks is stored at a respective second group of storage nodes. Each code chunk of the (f−1) code chunks is stored at a respective third group of storage nodes. Each second group of storage nodes and each third group of storage nodes is distinct from each other and from the first group of storage nodes. |
| US08856614B2 |
Semiconductor memory device detecting error
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes first to fifth units. The first unit compares first data being write target data before write in a memory, with second data written in the memory and then read out. The second unit stores the first data if a data comparison result indicates mismatch. The third unit stores a write address corresponding to the write target data if the data comparison result indicates mismatch. The fourth unit compares a read address corresponding to read target data with an address stored in the third unit. The fifth unit selects data read out from the memory in accordance with the read address as the read target data if a address comparison result indicates mismatch, and selects data read out from the second unit as the read target data if the address comparison result indicates match. |
| US08856611B2 |
Soft-decision compensation for flash channel variation
In an SSD controller reading from flash memory, subsequent to failure of an initial soft-decision decoding attempt based on a nominal LLR, soft-decision re-decoding attempts are made using compensated LLR soft-decision information sets, pre-calculated at respective read-equilibrium points corresponding to mean shifts and variance change in the actual charge-state distributions of the flash memory channel. According to embodiment, soft-decision re-decoding attempts are performed without a retry read, or overlapped with one or more retry reads. By overlapping re-decoding with one or more retry reads, the probability of successful decoding increases, the need for further retry reads diminishes, and throughput is improved. The LLR compensation becomes very effective over a large number of retry reads, improving decoding reliability and achieving close to optimal bit error rates, even in the presence of large channel variation. |
| US08856609B2 |
Accelerated cyclical redundancy check
Improved strategies for a Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) are disclosed. A CRC check of a codeblock may be initiated by a CRC decoder before receiving all of the bits by a corresponding FEC encoder. Furthermore, an incremental CRC check with respect to the data packet without the need for requesting passed through data from higher layers. |
| US08856608B2 |
Modulation method and device implementing a differential modulation, corresponding demodulation method and device, signal and computer software products
A method and apparatus are provided for modulating a binary source sequence including of a plurality of source words to generate modulated symbols. The method implements error-correction encoding of the plurality of source words, implementing one or more encoding modules, each implementing a separate error-correction code to generate a plurality of code words, the source words being encoded in series. The code words are interlaced to generate an interlaced sequence. The interlaced sequence is differentially modulated to generate modulated symbols. Each code word is broken down into at least one group with a number of bits equal to the base-2 logarithm of a number of states of a modulation implemented by the step of differentially modulating. The interlacing step distributes the groups such that two adjacent groups in the interlaced sequence belong to separate code words. |
| US08856605B2 |
Method for transmitting data to user equipments, communication system, base station and user equipment
A method is provided for transmitting data to user equipments, a communication system, a base station and a mobile station. Data is transmitted to user equipments from a first base station (BBS) and from second base stations (CBS) in a time division multiplexed manner in frames (F). Each frame (F) has a first sub-frame and a second sub-frame. The user equipments are located in cells, each cell a second base station (CBS). Data is transmitted wirelessly, during a first sub-frame of a frame, data from the first base station (BBS) to user equipments in a plurality of cells. Data is transmitted wirelessly, during the second sub-frame of the frame (F), from second base station (CBS) to at least one the plurality of user equipments. The data being transmitted from the first base station (BBS) is also transmitted by the second base station (CBS) to at least one of the plurality of cells. |
| US08856599B2 |
Trouble prediction apparatus, trouble prediction method, and computer program product
A trouble prediction apparatus includes a trouble-occurred device information storage unit that stores therein trouble occurrence information of trouble-occurred devices in which a trouble has occurred out of a plurality of management target devices; a calculating unit that calculates a trouble occurrence probability based on the trouble occurrence information; and a predicting unit that predicts a trouble of a prediction target device out of the management target devices by referring to the trouble occurrence probability. |
| US08856598B1 |
Help center alerts by using metadata and offering multiple alert notification channels
A system and machine-implemented method relating to identifying anomalous events by estimating a processing time for an operation, estimating a processing time for an operation; calculating a maximum threshold time based on the estimated processing time for indicating anomalous processing of the operation, periodically determining during processing of the operation an amount of processing time used to perform the operation; and sending a notification to a user indicating an anomalous run of the operation has occurred if the determined amount of processing time exceeds the maximum threshold time. |
| US08856597B2 |
Validation of a system using a design of experiments processing technique
A validation system includes a test block that operates to apply a set of inputs to a system under test, such as a test system or an executable test algorithm, and receive from said system under test a first set of outputs produced by operation of the system under test in response to application of the set of inputs. The first set of outputs, as well as a second set of outputs reflecting output produced by operation of a reference system or executable reference algorithm in response to application of the same set of inputs, is processed to make a validation determination. A validation processing block compares the first and second sets of outputs to validate the system under test as an equivalent to the reference system. |
| US08856595B2 |
Method for verifying an application program in a failsafe programmable logic controller, and programmable logic controller for performing the method
A method and a programmable logic controller (SPS) for verifying an application program in a failsafe programmable logic controller, wherein a signature (desired value) is generated using program modules or a complete application program when creating a program, and a copy of the signature is stored in the programmable logic controller and in an external component, respectively. Before the safety-oriented application program is started, the copy of the signature stored by the programmable logic controller is transmitted to the external component and is compared with the copy in the external component. In a further comparison, a signature (actual value) is generated using the content of the main memory of the programmable logic controller and using the actually loaded application program and is then compared with the local copy of the desired value of the signature. Starting of the actual application program is enabled only when both comparisons are positive. |
| US08856594B2 |
Method and system for an end-to-end solution in a test automation framework
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and computer programs for providing an end-to-end solution in a test automation framework present in a communication network. A user can select at least one test script corresponding to a network service. The selected test script can be executed over a topology that can be generated by the user. The topology can be generated by a simple drag and drop function. Once, the selected test script is executed, a log report can be generated that includes details associated with the executed test script. The method can also facilitate reserving of the topology so that it can be used at a later point in time. The scripts can be generated automatically without user intervention. |
| US08856593B2 |
Failure recovery using consensus replication in a distributed flash memory system
Data replication in a distributed node system including one or more nodes. A consensus protocol for failure recovery is implemented. Data items and information relating to consensus protocol roles of participant nodes are stored in at least some of the plurality of nodes. Logical logs stored in at least some of the plurality of nodes are created. The logical logs contain additional consensus protocol information including container metadata and replicated data. |
| US08856591B2 |
System and method for data disaster recovery
A system includes a production computer machine that includes an operating system and a driver stack. The driver stack includes a file system layer, a recovery driver, a storage layer, a driver layer, a bus driver layer, and a storage device. The system also includes a backup computer processor coupled to the production computer machine via the recovery driver. The recovery driver is configured to commence a recovery of data from the backup computer processor, receive a disk access request from the file system layer, determine if the disk access request accesses data that has not yet been recovered from the backup computer processor, and initiate an on-demand recovery request from the backup computer processor when the data has not been recovered from the backup computer processor. |
| US08856588B2 |
Information processing apparatus, control method, and computer-readable recording medium
At least one node of a plurality of nodes in an information processing apparatus executes the following processing for data included in a memory of one node or other nodes and stored in a shared memory area which the node and the other nodes access. That is, the node detects an ICE which occurs over a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time or a PCE which occurs at a single location in the shared memory area. When the error is detected, the node performs control to prevent the node and the other nodes from accessing the shared memory. The node recovers the data in a memory area different from the shared memory area. The node notifies information about the different memory area to the other nodes. The node performs control to resume the access to the data from the node and the other nodes. |
| US08856587B2 |
Control of interrupt generation for cache
A data processing device includes a cache having a plurality of cache lines. Each cache line has a lockout state that indicates whether an error has been detected for data accessed at the cache line. The lockout state of a cache line is indicated by a set of one or more lockout bits associate with the cache line. When a cache line is in a locked-out state, the cache line is not used by the cache. Accordingly, a locked-out cache line is not employed by the cache to satisfy a cache accesses, and is not used to store data retrieved from memory in response to a cache miss. In response to determining the detected error likely did not result from a hardware failure or other persistent condition, memory error management software can reset the lockout state of the cache line. |
| US08856585B2 |
Hardware failure mitigation
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: detecting, by a resource allocation device, a failure of server hardware; identifying a first agent device that is configured to utilize the server hardware; and taking at least one action to effect a reconfiguration of the first agent device in response to the server hardware failure. Various embodiments additionally include one or more of the following: identifying a second agent device that is configured to utilize the server hardware; and taking at least one action to effect a reconfiguration of the second agent device in response to the server hardware failure. Various embodiments additionally include one or more of the following: receiving, by the resource allocation device from a second agent device, an indication of the failure of server hardware, wherein the second agent device is different from the first agent device. |
| US08856581B2 |
Method for resource information backup operation based on peer to peer network and peer to peer network thereof
The present invention provides a method for resource information backup operation based on peer to peer network, comprising: an initiating node sending an out-of-domain backup node determining request to a connecting node in backup domain, and said out-of-domain backup node determining request including the resource global identifier of said resource information to be backed up, and the connecting node in said backup domain and said host node in which the resource information is saved have different domain identifiers; the connecting node in said backup domain determining an out-of-domain backup node according to information of said resource global identifier and out-of-domain backup rules, and sending routing information of said out-of-domain backup node to said initiating node; and said initiating node sending an out-of-domain backup operation request to said out-of-domain backup node according to said routing information, and said out-of-domain backup node implementing corresponding processing according to said out-of-domain backup operation request. |
| US08856579B2 |
Memory interface having extended strobe burst for read timing calibration
Methods and systems for calibrating parameters for communication between a controller and a memory device. A memory controller may be configured to calibrate one or more of the read latency and/or the latency window of a memory controller such that a data signal and a data strobe signal are received by the memory controller within the latency window of the memory controller. |
| US08856578B2 |
Integrated circuit device including skew adjustment circuit and skew adjustment method
A skew adjustment circuit, provided in an integrated circuit device having a plurality of signal lines transmitting a plurality of signals respectively, and a plurality of buffer circuits to which a plurality of signals transmitted through the signal lines are respectively input, has: a plurality of delay circuits, respectively provided in stages preceding the buffer circuits; a monitoring circuit monitoring changes in the signals of the plurality of signal lines; and a delay adjustment circuit, which decides delay amounts for the plurality of delay circuits based on a monitoring result output of the monitoring circuit, and sets the delay amounts in the plurality of delay circuits. The monitoring circuit detects, as the monitoring result, a number of signal changes in the signal lines in which a signal change occurs in a monitoring period, and the delay adjustment circuit decides the delay amounts based on the number of signal changes. |
| US08856572B2 |
Computer that reduces power consumption while maintaining a specific function
A laptop PC is enabled to operate with small power consumption while maintaining a specific function. A laptop PC is provided with a HDD and can operate in a normal mode and a doze mode as a new operating mode. In the doze mode, the computer can operate with power consumption less than in the normal mode while executing a process to implement a specific function. In the doze mode a shift event is created, and a process existing at that time is force-suspended or an I/O processing completion notification is suspended to a process that makes an I/O request to the HDD. As a result, the laptop PC is enabled to operate with small power consumption by stopping the HDD while maintaining a specific function. |
| US08856570B2 |
Energy efficiency ethernet with low power active idle transmission mode
Energy efficient Ethernet with a low power active idle transmission mode. A low power active idle transmission mode is defined for the transmission of idle signals during inter-packet gaps. The low power active idle transmission mode can provide energy savings in those instances that preclude the use of a low power idle mode and/or subrating to produce greater energy savings. |
| US08856569B2 |
Microarchitecture controller for thin-film thermoelectric cooling
A device having multiple cores executes an algorithm to control Thin-Film Thermoelectric Coolers (TFTEC) that employ the Peltier effect to remove heat from the various cores of the multi-core processor. The algorithms may combine Thread Migration (TM) and Dynamic Voltage/Frequency Scaling (DVFS) to provide Dynamic Thermal Management (DTM) and TFTEC control. |
| US08856567B2 |
Management of thermal condition in a data processing system by dynamic management of thermal loads
A method, system, and computer program product for dynamic management of thermal load in a data processing system are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A component of the data processing system is identified whose temperature has reached a temperature threshold, the component forming a critical component. A workload is selected from a set of workloads that is using the critical component. The workload is modified such that work performed by the critical component is reduced, the modifying further causing the temperature of the critical component to reduce below the temperature threshold. A power consumption of a cooling system associated with the thermal zone is reduced responsive to the temperature reducing below the temperature threshold. |
| US08856566B1 |
Power management scheme that accumulates additional off time for device when no work is available and permits additional power consumption by device when awakened
In one embodiment, a system includes a power management controller that controls a duty cycle of a processor to manage power. By frequently powering up and powering down the processor during a period of time, the power consumption of the processor may be controlled while providing the perception that the processor is continuously available. Before powering the processor up, the power management control may determine whether or not there is work for the processor to perform. If there is no work to perform, the power management control may delay powering the processor up until there is work to perform, saving additional power. This additional power savings may be tracked, and may serve as a “credit” for the processor when subsequently powered up again. |
| US08856564B2 |
Method and apparatus for power profile shaping using time-interleaved voltage modulation
Embodiments of an apparatus, system and method are described for dynamically time-interleaving supply voltage modulation to shape a power profile. An apparatus may comprise, for example, a power management module to monitor power information received from a plurality of devices and send a power control signal including delay information to each device having power information that exceeds a power threshold, the delay information comprising information for time-interleaving power usage among the devices having power information that exceeds the power threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08856563B2 |
Remote power down control of a device
In remote power down control of a device configured for externally initiated remote power down, such as over a network, activity of all externally connected sources of valid power down requests for the device is monitored; and the device is powered down in response to a combination of one of a received power down request and an inactivity time out with respect to each of the sources of valid power down requests for the device. |
| US08856562B2 |
Switched capacitor voltage regulator with high efficiency over a wide voltage range
In some embodiments, a voltage regulator device may include a switched capacitor voltage regulator to receive an input voltage and to provide an output voltage to a load, and a control unit to receive information related to a desired output voltage for the switched capacitor voltage regulator and to determine a desired input voltage for the switched capacitor voltage regulator based on the desired output voltage and selected operation mode or modes of switched capacitor voltage regulator. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed. |
| US08856561B2 |
Allocating and distributing power
Example apparatus and methods to allocate and distribute power are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an availability calculator to determine first and second power allocations based on an available power. The example apparatus includes a distributer to supply a first power to a first device and to supply a second power to a second device. The example apparatus includes a power identifier provider to send an identifier of the second power allocation to the second device. |
| US08856556B2 |
System and method for verifying and maintaining consistency between an intended power mode and an actual power mode in a semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor integrated circuit design support system having a partial power control mechanism includes a partial power control simulation program configured to perform a partial power control simulation on the basis of a circuit description of the semiconductor integrated circuit and a power specifications description, a power mode transition detection program configured to detect a power mode which is run during execution of the partial power control simulation and record power mode information of an examined power mode, and a power mode transition check program configured to check whether the examined power mode recorded at the time of execution of partial power control is used and output a check result. |
| US08856548B2 |
Public cloud data at rest security
An encryption switch which is used in a cloud environment to secure data on the LUNs used by the clients. A client provides a certificate to the cloud service. The encryption switch develops a cloud crypto domain (CCD) as a secure area, with the data at rest on the LUNs encrypted. The encryption switch develops a master key for client use in the CCD, which is provided to the client encrypted by the client's public key. Data encryption keys (DEKs) are created for each LUN and provided to the client. The DEKs are stored in a key vault by the client for use if needed. The cloud service provisions a client VM to be used with the encrypted LUN and develops a nexus between the LUN and the client VM for the encryption switch to use in data operations. The client communicates through the client VM to access the LUN. |
| US08856547B2 |
Speed up secure hash algorithm (SHA) using single instruction multiple data (SIMD) architectures
A processing apparatus comprises logic to, according to a selected secure hash algorithm (SHA) algorithm, generate hash values by preparing message schedules for a plurality of message blocks in parallel using single instruction multiple date (SIMD) instructions and performing compression in serial, and logic to generate a message digest conforming to the secure hash algorithm (SHA) algorithm. |
| US08856544B2 |
System and method for providing secure virtual machines
The present invention provides improved security in a virtual machine. By extending the capabilities of modern secure processors, privacy of computation is provided from both the owner of the equipment and other users executing on the processor, which is an advantageous feature for rentable, secure computers. In addition to the hardware extensions required to secure a virtualizable computer, an infrastructure for the deployment of such processors is also provided. Furthermore, a signaling flow to establish the various relationships between the owner, user and manufacturer of the equipment is disclosed. |
| US08856543B2 |
User identification with biokinematic input
Systems and methods for user identification based on biokinematic input are disclosed herein. The system may include a multi-touch sensitive display including a sensor configured to receive biokinematic input including data representing detected positions of digit touches made by digits of a user, in each of a series of successive time intervals during a defined identification gesture. The system may further include a user identification module executed by a processor of the computing device. The user identification module may be configured to receive the biokinematic input from the sensor, and to compare relative positions of the digit touches and/or relative rates of change in said positions of the digit touches to a stored user template of verified biokinematic data for the user. If a match is determined, an indication that the user has been successfully identified may be displayed. |
| US08856542B2 |
System and method for detecting malware that interferes with the user interface
System and method for detecting ransomware. A current user behavior pattern is monitored based on user input via a user input device. The user behavior is compared against a reference set of behavior patterns associated with user frustration with non-responsiveness of the user interface module. A current status pattern of the operating system is also monitored. The current status pattern is compared against a reference set of operating system status patterns associated with predefined ransomware behavior. In response to indicia of current user frustration with non-responsiveness of the user interface, and further in response to indicia of the current status pattern having a correlation to the predefined ransomware behavior, an indication of a positive detection of ransomware executing on the computer system is provided. |
| US08856538B2 |
Secured flash programming of secondary processor
A system and method for securely flashing a controller, where the controller includes at least one main processor and at least one secondary processor, and where the processing duties are distributed between the processors. A programming tool provides a content file to be flashed and a digital signature to the controller. The controller calculates a hash value of the content file, decrypts the digital signature using a public key to generate a decrypted hash value, compares the decrypted hash value to the calculated hash value, and determines that the content file is valid if the decrypted hash code matches the calculated hash value, where one or more of the steps of calculating the hash value, decrypting the digital signature, comparing the decrypted hash value to the calculated hash value and determining that the content file is valid, is performed by the main processor for the secondary processor. |
| US08856535B2 |
Determining response signature commonalities
An analyzer can obtain data regarding signal characteristics in each of multiple communication channels within an access network. The analyzer can use that data to create signatures corresponding to each of the multiple channels. Based on similarities between signatures, the analyzer may then identify clusters of signatures associated with devices that share channels or portions of channels. |
| US08856533B2 |
Device, system and method for determining authenticity of an item
This invention relates to physical uncloneable function (PUF) devices for determining authenticity of an item, systems for determining authenticity of a physical item, and methods for determining authenticity of an item. A PUF pattern of the PUF device is damaged when using the item for the first time. |
| US08856532B2 |
Digital signatures of composite resource documents
An embodiment of the disclosure can receive a composite resource document containing at least one resource. An updated manifest resource can be obtained. The updated manifest resource can list all resources in the composite resource document. A set of zero or more (0 . . . N) resources can be indicated. Each indicated resource is one that is to be subtracted from the list of resources in the updated manifest resource in order to create a generated signature reference list of identified resources to be signed. A hash token can be generated using the resources identified in the generated signature reference list to form a signature hash token. The signature hash token can be encrypted with a secret key. |
| US08856527B1 |
Graphical user interface for digital certificate profile configuration
A graphical user interface can be provided for creating a digital certificate profile for a digital certificate. In one embodiment, a security metric is determined using a first subset certificate profile attributes selected by a user, and a usability metric is determined using a second subset of certificate profile attributes. Graphical representations of the security metric and a graphical representation of the usability metric can then be provided the graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the first subset of certificate profile attributes is the same as the second subset. |
| US08856524B2 |
Cryptographic methods, host system, trusted platform module, computer arrangement, computer program product and computer program
A cryptographic method is provided for a host system having an associated trusted platform module. A first contribution to a message is computed by the TPM based on a first secret parameter stored in the TPM. The host system computes a second contribution to the message based on a second secret parameter stored in the host system outside the TPM. The first and second contributions to the message are then combined by either the host or the TPM and a first proof is conducted, proving to the host system that the contribution of the TPM was computed correctly or proving to the TPM that the contribution of the host was computed correctly. |
| US08856523B2 |
Method and device for communication on a communication link between an aircraft and a ground station
A communication method on a communication link between an aircraft and a ground station, the communication capable of being configured according to a plurality of safety levels in which, when the aircraft sends a request to a ground station to modify the safety level of the communication from a previous safety level to a new safety level and the aircraft does not receive an acknowledgement of the request by the ground station, the aircraft still accepts messages from the ground station according to the new security level. |
| US08856521B2 |
Methods and systems for performing secure operations on an encrypted file
The invention discloses a file protecting method and a system therefor, relating to the information security field. The method includes: an application receives an instruction for opening a protected file sent by a user and invokes an upper interface of an operation system, and the upper interface sends an instruction for opening the protected file sent by a file system, and a filter driver intercepts the instruction for opening the protected file sent by the upper-layer interface to the file system, if the filter driver determines that the application is valid, it creates an image file on a virtual disk for the protected file, and returns a handler of the image file and reads or writes the protected file by the handler, which avoids a possible disclosure of plain text of the protected file in a buffer in prior art. |
| US08856520B2 |
Secure key management
Secure key management includes populating a section of information associated with a key, the section of information being populated with information relating to a level of protection of the key accumulated over time. Secure key management further includes securely binding the section of information to the key, wherein the key is encrypted. |
| US08856519B2 |
Start method for application cryptographic keystores
Provided are techniques for encrypting a resource associated with an application with a first key; generating, at an install time of the application, a first hash code for an executable daemon associated with the application; encrypting the first key with the first hash code to produce a protected first key; generating, at a load time of an application, a second hash code for the executable daemon; deriving the first key by decrypting the protected first key using the second hash code to produce a derived first key; and accessing the resource by the executable daemon by employing the derived first key. Examples of protected resource include, but are not limited to, databases, communication devices and a lightweight directory access protocol server. |
| US08856518B2 |
Secure and efficient offloading of network policies to network interface cards
Techniques for efficient and secure implementation of network policies in a network interface controller (NIC) in a host computing device operating a virtualized computing environment. In some embodiments, the NIC may process and forward packets directly to their destinations, bypassing a parent partition of the host computing device. In particular, in some embodiments, the NIC may store network policy information to process and forward packets directly to a virtual machine (VM). If the NIC is unable to process a packet, then the NIC may forward the packet to the parent partition. In some embodiments, the NIC may use an encapsulation protocol to transmit address information in packet headers. In some embodiments, this address information may be communicated by the MC to the parent partition via a secure channel. The NIC may also obtain, and decrypt, encrypted addresses from the VMs for routing packets, bypassing the parent partition. |
| US08856517B2 |
Access management system using trusted partner tokens
A method of using an access manager server to establish a communication session between a resource and a user device may include receiving a request from the user device to access the resource, determining that the client system is registered as a trusted partner, sending the client system a first encrypted token that includes a resource identifier where the client system has access to a first cryptographic key that decrypts the first encrypted token. The method may also include receiving a second encrypted token that signifies that access to the resource has been granted by the client system where the second token comprises a user identifier and the access manager server has access to a second cryptographic key that decrypts the second token. The method may additionally include decrypting the second token and establishing the communication session between the user device and the resource using the user identifier. |
| US08856514B2 |
Renewal processing of digital certificates in an asynchronous messaging environment
A renewed digital certificate is obtained within an asynchronous messaging environment from a certificate server of an issuer of an existing digital certificate to replace the existing digital certificate. The renewed digital certificate includes an extended attribute that stores a serial number value of the existing digital certificate. A message is received with a symmetric key that is encrypted using the existing digital certificate. The symmetric key is identified within the message by the serial number value of the existing digital certificate. The message is processed using the renewed digital certificate. |
| US08856513B2 |
Programming on-chip non-volatile memory in a secure processor using a sequence number
An improved secure programming technique involves reducing the size of bits programmed in on-chip secret non-volatile memory, at the same time enabling the typical secure applications supported by secure devices. A technique for secure programming involves de-coupling chip manufacture from the later process of connecting to ticket servers to obtain tickets. A method according to the technique may involve sending a (manufacturing) server signed certificate from the device prior to any communication to receive tickets. A device according to the technique may include chip-internal non-volatile memory to store the certificate along with the private key, in the manufacturing process. |
| US08856512B2 |
Method and system for enterprise network single-sign-on by a manageability engine
A manageability engine (ME) receives an authentication response from a user during pre-boot authentication and registers the user with a key distribution center (KDC), indicating that the user has successfully authenticated to the PC. The KDC supplies the ME with single-sign-on credentials in the form of a Key Encryption Key (KEK). The KEK may later be used by the PC to obtain a credential used to establish secure access to Enterprise servers. |
| US08856509B2 |
System and method for cognizant transport layer security (CTLS)
A method of authentication and authorization over a communications system is provided. Disclosed herein are systems and methods for creating a cryptographic evidence, called authentication/authorization evidence, AE, when a successful authentication/authorization between a client and an authentication server is complete. There are a variety of methods for generating AE. For instance, the AE can be data that is exchanged during the authentication signaling or data that results from it. A distinctive point being that AE results from the authentication process and is used as prior state for the following TLS exchange. An example for creation of AE, is as follows: EAP authentications typically result in an Extended Master Session Key (EMSK). The EMSK can be used to create an Evidence Master Key (EMK) that can then be used to create AE for a variety of servers. |
| US08856507B2 |
Secure identity and personal information storage and transfer
The invention presented herein consists of systems and methods of secure storage for sensitive and confidential data, such as personal identity data, along with methods of securely accessing that data, and transferring information from that data, as necessary. |
| US08856506B2 |
Process for joining a computer to a directory based on either a newly created computer account or renewed computer account depending on a unique identifier associated with an end-user
A user-friendly system, method, and program product for installing an image on a computer, the method comprising: booting the computer (400) from an image source; receiving first information from an end-user of the computer (400), wherein the first information is at least one unique identifier associated with the end-user; obtaining automatically second information associated with the end-user based on the first information; determining automatically if there is an existing record associated with the computer based on the second information; renewing automatically, if there is an existing record associated with the computer, a computer account in a directory service based on the existing record; creating automatically, if there is not an existing record associated with the computer, a new computer account in the directory service; installing automatically the image to the computer; and joining automatically the computer to directory service domain based on the newly created computer account or based on the renewed computer account. |
| US08856504B2 |
Secure virtual machine bootstrap in untrusted cloud infrastructures
Techniques are described for securely booting and executing a virtual machine (VM) image in an untrusted cloud infrastructure. A multi-core processor may be configured with additional hardware components—referred to as a trust anchor. The trust anchor may be provisioned with a private/public key pair, which allows the multi-core CPU to authenticate itself as being able to securely boot and execute a virtual machine (VM) image in an untrusted cloud infrastructure. |
| US08856499B1 |
Reducing instruction execution passes of data groups through a data operation unit
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an instruction mapping table, which includes a plurality of instruction counts and a plurality of instruction pointers each corresponding with one of the instruction counts. Each instruction pointer identifies a next instruction for execution. Further, each instruction count specifies a number of instructions to execute beginning with the next instruction. The apparatus also has a data operation unit adapted to receive a data group and adapted to execute on the received data group the number of instructions specified by a current instruction count of the instruction mapping table beginning with the next instruction identified by a current instruction pointer of the instruction mapping table before proceeding with another data group. |
| US08856496B2 |
Microprocessor that fuses load-alu-store and JCC macroinstructions
A microprocessor receives first and second program-adjacent macroinstructions of the microprocessor instruction set architecture. The first macroinstruction loads an operand from a location in memory, performs an arithmetic/logic operation using the loaded operand to generate a result, and stores the result back to the memory location. The second macroinstruction jumps to a target address if condition codes satisfy a specified condition and otherwise executes the next sequential instruction. An instruction translator simultaneously translates the first and second program-adjacent macroinstructions into first, second, and third micro-operations for execution by execution units. The first micro-operation calculates the memory location address and loads the operand therefrom. The second micro-operation performs the arithmetic/logic operation using the loaded operand to generate the result, updates the condition codes based on the result, and jumps to the target address if the updated condition codes satisfy the condition. The third micro-operation stores the result to the memory location. |
| US08856495B2 |
Automatically routing super-compute interconnects
A mechanism is provided for automatically routing network interconnects in a data processing system. A processor in a node of a plurality of nodes receives network topology from neighboring nodes in the plurality of nodes within the data processing system. The processor constructs a system node map that identifies a physical connectivity between the node and the neighboring nodes. The processor programs a switch in the node with a connectivity map that indicates a set of point-to-point connections with the neighboring nodes. The set of point-to-point connections comprise locally-connected connections and pass-through connections. |
| US08856492B2 |
Method for vector processing
The present application relates to a method for processing data in a vector processor. The present application relates also to a vector processor for performing said method and a cellular communication device comprising said vector processor. The method for processing data in a vector processor comprises executing segmented operations on a segment of a vector for generating results, collecting the results of the segmented operations, and delivering the results in a result vector in such a way that subsequent operations remain processing in vector mode. |
| US08856481B1 |
Data processing system having host-controlled provisioning of data storage resources
A data processing system includes a host computer that executes a storage-aware component which (1) dynamically determines a need of the host computer for data storage resources of a necessary size and a necessary class, and (2) generates a storage allocation request message representing a request by the host computer that data storage resources of the necessary size and the necessary class be allocated to the host computer. The necessary class is one of a set of classes of a predetermined class-of-storage (CoS) scheme by which storage resources in the data processing system are classified. The details and complexity of the CoS scheme may vary from system to system. A data storage system communicatively coupled to the host computer includes available data storage resources of at least the necessary size and the necessary class which can be allocated for use by the host computer. The data storage system is operative to (1) receive the storage allocation request message from the host computer, and (2) in response to the storage allocation request message, allocate data storage resources of the necessary size and the necessary class from the available data storage resources to the host computer. |
| US08856475B1 |
Efficient selection of memory blocks for compaction
A method for storing data in a memory that includes multiple memory blocks, includes running a compaction process that selects one or more memory blocks containing both valid data and invalid data, copies the valid data from the selected memory blocks to other storage locations, and then erases the selected memory blocks. At least one memory block, which meets a criterion predictive of imminent invalidation of at least some of the data in the block, is identified. Selection of the identified memory block in the compaction process is inhibited. |
| US08856473B2 |
Computer system protection based on virtualization
Embodiments of the present invention provide a virtualization protection system (VPS) that leverages virtual machine monitor (VMM) technology. In some embodiments, a computer system contains a host operating system and one or more virtual machines that run on “guest” operating systems. The VPS makes certain areas of memory of the computer system read-only, making it essentially impossible for the virtual machines or other component to compromise the system. |
| US08856456B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices for cache block coherence
Systems, methods, and devices for efficient cache coherence between memory-sharing devices are provided. In particular, snoop traffic may be suppressed based at least partly on a table of block tracking entries (BTEs). Each BTE may indicate whether groups of one or more cache lines of a block of memory could potentially be in use by another memory-sharing device. By way of example, a memory-sharing device may employ a table of BTEs that each has several cache status entries. When a cache status entry indicates that none of a group of one or more cache lines could possibly be in use by another memory-sharing device, a snoop request for any cache lines of that group may be suppressed without jeopardizing cache coherence. |
| US08856453B2 |
Persistent prefetch data stream settings
A prefetch unit includes a transience register and a length register. The transience register hosts an indication of transient for data stream prefetching. The length register hosts an indication of a stream length for data stream prefetching. The prefetch unit monitors the transience register and the length register. The prefetch unit generates prefetch requests of data streams with a transient property up to the stream length limit when the transience register indicates transient and the length register indicates the stream length limit for data stream prefetching. A cache controller coupled with the prefetch unit implements a cache replacement policy and cache coherence protocols. The cache controller writes data supplied from memory responsive to the prefetch requests into cache with an indication of transient. The cache controller victimizes cache lines with an indication of transient independent of the cache replacement policy. |
| US08856451B2 |
Method and apparatus for adapting aggressiveness of a pre-fetcher
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for adapting aggressiveness of a pre-fetcher in a processor-based system. One embodiment includes modifying a rate for pre-fetching data from a memory into one or more caches by comparing a first address of a memory access request to addresses in an address window that includes one or more previously fetched addresses and one or more addresses to be fetched. |
| US08856445B2 |
Byte caching with chunk sizes based on data type
Methods and apparatus are provided for performing byte caching using a chunk size based on the object type of the object being cached. Byte caching is performed by receiving at least one data packet from at least one network node; extracting at least one data object from the at least one data packet; identifying an object type associated with the at least one data packet; determining a chunk size associated with the object type; and storing at least a portion of the at least one data packet in a byte cache based on the determined chunk size. The chunk size of the object type can be determined, for example, by evaluating one or more additional criteria, such as network conditions and object size. The object type may be, for example, an image object type; an audio object type; a video object type; and a text object type. |
| US08856437B2 |
System, method and computer program product for optimization of tape performance using distributed file copies
A tape performance optimization method may include accumulating data in a memory, monitoring the accumulation of data, determining whether a certain amount of data has been accumulated in the memory, causing the accumulated data to be migrated to a tape in a tape library, and tracking physical locations of files stored on tape. In one embodiment, the amount of data to be accumulated is set to be two wraps or a multiple thereof. In one embodiment, two copies of data are written to two tapes in an alternating fashion. When a file is to be read, a tape is accessed if it has a copy of the file whose physical location is determined to be closest to beginning of tape. Since file location on tape determines the time it takes to position the tape, this method can shorten the amount of time required to retrieve a file from tape. |
| US08856435B1 |
External, self-initializing content addressable memory free index storage device
A method, apparatus and computer program product for an external, self-initializing FIFO containing indexes of free CAM memory locations is presented. When data is sent to the CAM for a lookup, this external FIFO provides the CAM with the index of a free memory location within the CAM so that if the data word is not found in the CAM (i.e. a CAM miss), the data can be written to the designated available free entry in the CAM. Thus, if the same data word is searched in the CAM in the following cycle it will result in a hit. |
| US08856434B2 |
Memory system and method
In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a memory controller configured to control a plurality of daisy chained memory components connected over a daisy chained bus. The daisy chained bus includes a direct connection from the transmit interface of the memory controller to a receive interface of an initial memory component, and a daisy chain connection from a transmit interface of the initial memory component to a receive interface of a next memory component. A bus extends from a transmit interface of a last memory component directly to a receive interface of the memory controller. |
| US08856433B2 |
Data transfer in memory card system
A memory card system includes a host that issues a read command and a memory card that upon receiving the read command sends read data to the host in synchronism with a read clock signal generated within the memory card. In addition, the memory card sends the read clock signal to the host, and the host receives the read data in synchronism with the read clock signal, for increasing the allowable setup time period at the host. |
| US08856428B2 |
Nonvolatile memory device and nonvolatile memory system and random data read method thereof
A random data reading method of a nonvolatile memory device includes receiving an initial seed corresponding to a selected page of the nonvolatile memory device and relative location information of read-requested random data in the selected page. The method further includes generating a seed for randomizing the random data by subjecting the initial seed and the location information to a finite field arithmetic operation, and de-randomizing the random data based on a random sequence generated from the seed. |
| US08856425B2 |
Method for performing meta block management, and associated memory device and controller thereof
A method for performing meta block management is provided. The method is applied to a controller of a Flash memory having multiple channels, where the Flash memory includes a plurality of blocks respectively corresponding to the channels. The method includes: utilizing a meta block mapping table to store block grouping relationships respectively corresponding to a plurality of meta blocks, where blocks in each meta block respectively correspond to the channels; and when it is detected that a specific block corresponding to a specific channel within a meta block does not have remaining space for programming, according to the meta block mapping table, utilizing at least one blank block corresponding to the specific channel within at least one other meta block as extension of the specific block, for use of further programming. An associated memory device and a controller thereof are also provided. |
| US08856420B2 |
Multi-protocol I/O interconnect flow control
Described are embodiments of methods, apparatuses, and systems for multi-protocol tunneling across a multi-protocol I/O interconnect of computer apparatus. A method for managing flow across the multi-protocol I/O interconnect may include providing, by a first port of a switching fabric of a multi-protocol interconnect to a second port of the switching fabric, a first credit grant packet and a second credit grant packet as indications of unoccupied space of a buffer associated with a path between the first port and a second port, and simultaneously routing a first data packet of a first protocol and a second data packet of a second protocol, different from the first protocol, on the path from the second port to the first port based at least in part on receipt by the second port of the first and second credit grant packets. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. |
| US08856419B2 |
Register access in distributed virtual bridge environment
Systems and methods to perform a register access are described. A particular method includes receiving a data frame at a bridge element of a plurality of bridge elements in communication with a plurality of server computers. The data frame may include a register access request and may be forwarded from a controlling bridge in communication with the plurality of bridge elements. A register may be accessed and execution of the register access request may be initiated in response to receiving the data frame. |
| US08856418B2 |
Receiving station for mobile host equipment, and method of sharing resources using the station
The invention relates to a receiving station (10) comprising a first physical connection port (20) intended for a first host equipment item and at least one second physical connection port (22) intended for at least one second host equipment item, detection means (24, 34) of host equipment connected to the ports, and the means (30) of automatic selection of combined use modes of the resources of the receiving station and/or connected host equipment, controlled by the detection means (24, 34). Application to handheld portable equipment. |
| US08856413B2 |
Device and method for addressing a slave unit
The invention relates to a dynamically addressable slave unit, comprising a bus interface, an enable circuit having a switch and two control ports which are connected via the enable circuit. The enable circuit only releases the slave unit for assigning an address by an address signal provided at the bus interface when a control signal is provided at one of the control ports and when the switch of the release signal is open. Otherwise, the enable circuit locks the slave unit for the assigning of an address. The switch locks depending on whether a switching signal is provided at the bust interface directed to the address assigned to the slave unit. The invention further relates to a master unit for use with one or more dynamically addressable slave units, to slave units according to the invention, and to a method for dynamically addressing slave units according to the invention. |
| US08856409B2 |
Systems and methods for compression of data for block mode access storage
Systems and methods for creating, reading, and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit while maintaining de-fragmented structure of the LU. |
| US08856406B2 |
Peripheral trigger generator
A microcontroller includes a central processing unit (CPU); a plurality of peripheral units; and a peripheral trigger generator comprising a user programmable state machine, wherein the peripheral trigger generator is configured to receive a plurality of input signals and is programmable to automate timing functions depending on at least one of said input signals and generate at least one output signal. |
| US08856401B2 |
Universal controller for peripheral devices in a computing system
An integrated controller is provided for controlling communications with a plurality of peripheral devices. The integrated controller includes a bus interface for processing communications with a processor; a switch for routing communications between the processor and one or more of the peripheral devices; and a plurality of controllers, where each of the controllers provide an interface to at least one peripheral device. The controllers include at least one PHY controller for a corresponding peripheral device that provides an electrical interface to a connection, such as a network connection. The controllers also include at least one MAC controller that stores and forwards packets to and from a network connection. |
| US08856394B2 |
Method and apparatus for a dockable display module
An electronic device comprising a plurality of onboard displays, wherein at least one of the onboard displays is removable from the electronic device, and wherein the at least one of the onboard displays aggregates and displays information received from a plurality of electronic devices. |
| US08856389B1 |
Efficient data transfers over serial data streams
Various techniques are provided to support efficient data transfers over serial data streams. In one example, a serial device may be used to efficiently transfer data between a host device and the serial device over a data stream of a serial interface. A data stream value identifying the data stream may be stored in a register indexed by a tag associated with a command received from the host device. The command may be passed to a storage media device, wherein the passing is controlled by a processor of the serial device. The tag may be extracted from an address value received from the storage media device in response to execution of the command by the storage media device. The data stream value may be retrieved from the register using the extracted tag as an index without requiring an interrupt to the processor to determine the data stream value. |
| US08856386B2 |
Cloud resource placement using placement pivot in physical topology
In one embodiment, a method comprises retrieving a request graph specifying request nodes identifying respective requested cloud computing service operations, and at least one request edge specifying a requested path requirements connecting the request nodes; identifying a placement pivot among feasible cloud elements identified in a physical graph representing a data network having a physical topology, each feasible cloud element an available solution for one of the request nodes, the placement pivot having a maximum depth in the physical topology relative to the feasible cloud elements; ordering the feasible cloud elements, according to increasing distance from the placement pivot to form an ordered list of candidate sets of feasible cloud elements; and determining an optimum candidate set, from at least a portion of the ordered list, based on the optimum candidate set having an optimized fitness function in the physical graph among the other candidate sets in the ordered list. |
| US08856385B1 |
Image display method and apparatus
Embodiments of the present invention provide an image display method, apparatus, and system. After an image display instruction is obtained, an application program that triggers the image display instruction is determined, and an image is processed according to the application program and is sent to a client for display. Because image processing is performed according to an application program currently triggered by the client, a determined image processing policy meets current application requirements of the client, which avoids the problem in the prior art that an image finally displayed on the client does not meet current application requirements of the client when an image processing policy is determined according to image type recognition. |
| US08856384B2 |
System and methods for managing network protocol address assignment with a controller
A controller may help reduce network traffic that is associated with broadcasting of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) packets by converting broadcast DHCP packets into unicast DHCP packets and forwarding the unicast DHCP packets to appropriate DHCP servers. The servers may be identified from a database of servers that is updated with DHCP server address information based on DHCP reply packets that are received by the controller from servers in the network. To convert DHCP request packets into unicast packets, the controller may modify address header fields of the packets such as Ethernet addresses and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. The controller may forward the modified DHCP request packets to the server by providing packet forwarding rules such as flow table entries to the switches or by forwarding the modified DHCP request packets through the controller. |
| US08856377B2 |
Field communication test device and field communication test system using the same
A field communication test device is provided on a field bus, to which a plurality of field equipments are connected, and also connected to a debug network to apply a communication test to respective field equipments. The field communication test device transmits/receives cooperation data, which is used to apply the communication test in cooperation with each other, to and from other field communication test device provided on the field bus, via the debug network, and transmits test data for the communication test to the respective field equipments via the field bus base on the cooperation data. |
| US08856376B1 |
Stabilization tool for a high-capacity network infrastructure
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a system and method to stabilize high-capacity network infrastructures by monitoring and regulating concurrent connections between a server and various service provider systems in a network. Based on the attributes of the concurrent connections, the connections are logically grouped to form adapters that represent particular combinations of connection attributes. The concurrent connections to an adapter are monitored and regulated to help identify failing components and to manage the load on the network through the use of autonomic computing to optimize network performance and automatically adapt to changing conditions. The regulation of the concurrent connections to an adapter includes the calculation and assignment of a timeout value to new connections to make certain that service provider system response times are low in terms of a success or failure to respond in a timely fashion. |
| US08856369B2 |
Systems and methods for IIP address sharing across cores in a multi-core system
In a multi-core system, multiple packet engines across corresponding cores may be working concurrently processing data packets from data flows of SSL VPN sessions. For example, a first core may establish a SSL VPN session with a client. Any one of the other cores, such as a second core, may received packets related to the session owned by the first core. Embodiments of the systems and method described below provide management of IIP addresses for the multi-core/multi-packet engine approach to providing SSL VPN service. In some embodiments, the approach to managing IIP addresses is to have one packet engine on a core act as a master or controller of the IIPs for the remaining packet engines and cores. The packet engines/cores use a protocol for communications regarding IIP management. |
| US08856368B2 |
Method for distributing a plurality of data portions
A method and computer system are provided for distributing a plurality of data portions from a server system to one or more client systems. The method includes receiving one or more first requests at the server, each first request being submitted by a client system and including a portion identifier, wherein a portion identifier is assigned to each data portion; in response to receiving the first request(s), transmitting a list of chunk identifiers to the requesting client systems, wherein the list of chunk identifiers specifies the data chunks whose meta-data includes the portion identifier contained in the first request; and transmitting some or all data chunks of a data chunk library to each of the requesting client systems. At the requesting client system, the client specifically selects the data chunks of the transmitted data chunks which are specified by the received list of chunk identifiers. |
| US08856365B2 |
Computer-implemented method, computer system and computer readable medium
The present application relates to a computer implemented method for processing a request to connect to a server from an application residing on a client device. The method may comprise, among other operations, receiving the request to connect to the server from the application residing on the client device. In response, the method determines a matched service interface and an access indicator of the matched service interface. The access indicator of the matched service interface is sent to the application residing on the client device in response to the request to connect to the server. If more than one matched service interface is determined, a best matching service interface may be determined. In some instances, the best matching service interface is the newest version of the matched service interface. |
| US08856363B2 |
Content delivery system where in a content marker information registered by one user may be viewed and/or requested by a user other than a specific user
This system 1 accepts content marker information including content identifier information, and executes a process of causing a storing device to store the content marker information. The system accepts sharing-user identifier information for identifying a user/users who shares/share the stored content marker information. Upon acceptance of a content marker output request, the system transmits content marker information extracted based on the accepted sharing-user identifier information, to user equipment 2a, 2b. Upon acceptance of the content transmission request based on the content marker information, the system determines whether to transmit content data to the user equipment based on stored viewing permission information. |
| US08856362B2 |
Application integrated gateway
In one embodiment, a network application may offload stateful operations to a user-plane application. In one embodiment, the network application receives state information for a user device. The network application then sends the state information to a user-plane application, which can maintain the state information. The network application may then offload a stateful operation to the user-plane application. For example, the network application may have the user-plane application perform stateful operations. Also, the network application may use the state information maintained at the user-plane application for error recovery after the network application fails. For example, the network application may recover the state information from the user-plane application after failure. |
| US08856360B2 |
Automatically identifying dynamic internet protocol addresses
Dynamic IP addresses may be automatically identified and their dynamics patterns may be analyzed. Multi-user IP address blocks are determined as candidates for further analysis. An entropy score is determined for each IP address in every candidate block to distinguish between a dynamic IP and a static IP shared by multiple users. IP addresses with high entropy scores are grouped, and then analyzed, and may be used in various applications, such as spam filtering. |
| US08856359B2 |
Caller-callee association of a plurality of networked devices
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for establishing and maintaining communication between two or more communication devices coupled to communication networks. Some specific aspects relate to communication between a plurality of communication devices each of which is coupled to a respective network. Other aspects relate to establishing such communication by way of contact lists maintained and facilitated on systems coupled to the networks. Users of multiple communication networks, such as VoIP, PSTN and wireless, employ multiple communication devices to communicate with their contacts. For example, a VoIP enabled computer is necessary to access contacts on a VoIP network and a mobile or cellular telephone is used to access contacts on wireless and PSTN networks. A contact list, stored on one communication device, in some instances, cannot be accessed from another communication device. For example, a contact list stored in a VoIP enabled computer cannot be accessed from PSTN or wireless phone devices. Various embodiments described herein provide a convenient solution that can integrate contacts stored on different communication devices and make them accessible from a single device. |
| US08856356B2 |
Non-IMS Rich communication suite
This invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to a Rich Communication Suite (RCS) and RCS-e (“e” for enhanced) messaging infrastructure within a network without the need to deploy an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) core within the network. |
| US08856352B2 |
System and method for supporting one-way remote method invocation for session replication in a server cluster
A system and method can support one-way Remote Method Invocation (RMI) session replication in a middleware machine environment, such as a server cluster. The server cluster can include a primary application server and a secondary application server. The primary application server receives a request with a session from a client, maintain the session information, and replicate the session information to a secondary application server using one-way Remote Method Invocation (RMI). The primary application server can then respond to the client based on the session information after receiving a return message of the one-way RMI from a network socket associate with the primary application server. The benefit of using one-way RMI is that the primary application server does not have to wait for an acknowledgment from the secondary application server instance, since the underlying transport protocol guarantees that the session data has been successfully transmitted to the second server instance. |
| US08856349B2 |
Connection priority services for data communication between two devices
A digital media player device includes, without limitation, a processor and a communication module coupled to the processor and configured to support data communication with a digital media place-shifting device. The processor and the communication module cooperate to attempt to establish data communication with the digital media place-shifting device in accordance with a connection mode sequence that identifies a plurality of different data communication modes supported by the digital media player device, until one of the plurality of different data communication modes can be used to initiate a data communication session between the digital media player device and the digital media place-shifting device. The processor and the communication module also cooperate to perform data communication with the digital media place-shifting device, using the one of the plurality of different data communication modes. |
| US08856341B2 |
Balancing management duties in a cloud system
A method for balancing management duties in a cloud system can include determining a relationship between a number of configuration items (CI) in a cloud system. The number of CIs are grouped into a number of cluster levels based on the relationship of the number of CIs. To balance management duties in the cloud system, one of the number of cluster levels is assigned to a management cloud server based on a capacity of the management cloud server. |
| US08856339B2 |
Automatically scaled network overlay with heuristic monitoring in a hybrid cloud environment
Techniques are provided for a management application in a first virtual network to start a first cloud gateway in the first virtual network. First messages are sent to a second virtual network, the first messages comprising information configured to start a second cloud gateway and a first virtual switch in the second virtual network. A connection is established between the first cloud gateway and the second cloud gateway, where the first cloud gateway, the second cloud gateway, and the first virtual switch form a first scalable cloud network element. One or more second messages are sent to the second virtual network, the one or more second messages comprising information configured to start a virtual machine and a first virtual machine interface configured to allow the virtual machine to access processing resources in the second virtual network. Data are stored that associates the virtual machine with the first virtual switch. |
| US08856338B2 |
Efficiently relating adjacent management applications managing a shared infrastructure
A linkage controller analyzes, for a first management application managing at least one common resource with a second management application adjacent to the first management application within a computing environment comprising multiple resources and relationships, a resource and relationship model known by the first management application of a selection of resources and relationships managed by the first management application from among the plurality of resources and relationships in the computing environment. The linkage controller identifies, for the first management application, only a minimal set of resources and relationships within the resource and relationship model providing at least one optimal linkage point between the first management application and the second management application as to the at least one common resource. The linkage controller outputs the minimal set of resources and relationships to the second management application for relating to the first management application. |
| US08856337B2 |
Method and apparatus of cluster system provisioning for virtual maching environment
A method relates to provisioning a cluster system in a virtual machine environment in a storage system. The storage system has a plurality of hosts, a fabric network, a storage array, and a management server. The method includes inputting information on a first cluster system to be defined, the information including selecting a scale unit wherein the first cluster system is to be defined. An inventory database including resource information for the scale unit selected is provided. A virtual I/O (“vIO”) information is provided. The vIO information assigns each of hosts selected for the first cluster system with a vIO device, at least one virtual computer network address, and at least one virtual storage network address. A first cluster definition for the first cluster system in the selected scale unit is created using the vIO information. |
| US08856336B2 |
Moving a partition between computers
In an embodiment, a request is received that requests to move a first partition from a source computer to a destination computer. In response to the request, charging is halted for a resource used by the first partition at the source computer while the first partition is executing at the source computer. In response to the request, a resource is allocated to a second partition at the destination computer. In response to the request, use of the resource is charged at the destination computer. In response to the request, execution of the second partition is started at the destination computer. |
| US08856335B1 |
Managing service level objectives for storage workloads
Described herein is a system and method for dynamically managing service-level objectives (SLOs) for workloads of a cluster storage system. Proposed states/solutions of the cluster may be produced and evaluated to select one that achieves the SLOs for each workload. A planner engine may produce a state tree comprising nodes, each node representing a proposed state/solution. New nodes may be added to the state tree based on new solution types that are permitted, or nodes may be removed based on a received time constraint for executing a proposed solution or a client certification of a solution. The planner engine may call an evaluation engine to evaluate proposed states, the evaluation engine using an evaluation function that considers SLO, cost, and optimization goal characteristics to produce a single evaluation value for each proposed state. The planner engine may call a modeler engine that is trained using machine learning techniques. |
| US08856334B2 |
Resource lending control apparatus and resource lending method
A resource lending control apparatus stores an assignment time and a deletion time in association with each other for each customer. The assignment time indicates a time for assigning an application used by each customer to provide a service to a server. The deletion time indicates a time for deleting the application from the server. The resource lending control apparatus calculates a lendable period of a remaining fixed resource of a lending customer by subtracting the deletion time and the assignment time of the lending customer from a remaining fixed period. The resource lending control apparatus calculates a total borrowing period, i.e., a period during which a borrowing customer is to use a borrowed resource, by adding the deletion time and the assignment time of the borrowing customer to a borrowing request period. Then, the resource lending control apparatus determines whether the calculated total borrowing period is covered by the calculated lendable period to determine to lend the remaining fixed resource. |
| US08856330B2 |
System for determining whether to block internet access of a portable system based on its current network configuration
A system for monitoring a portable system external to an enterprise network is provided that includes a network monitoring system that monitors any changes to the network configuration of the portable system. If a change is detected the network monitoring system determines if the portable system is not currently connected to the enterprise network and has access to Internet so as to block access to the Internet until the portable system is properly connected to the enterprise network. An event logger receives notification from the network monitoring system and logs the status as to whether the portable system has Internet access. |
| US08856327B2 |
Device and method for controlling dissemination of contents between peers having wireless communication capacities, depending on impatience reaction functions
A method is intended for controlling dissemination of content in a peer-to-peer mode between peers having wireless communication capacities. This method consists, each time a peer receives a content item it had requested and which is associated to a request counter, in creating at least one set of instructions intended for allowing replication of this content item by this peer, and in authorizing this peer to generate at most N replications of this content item for other peers it will meet and which does not possess it, where N is an integer value depending on the current value of this request counter and of an impatience reaction function which is representative of the mean time these peers are ready to wait for obtaining this content item. |
| US08856319B1 |
Event and state management in a scalable cloud computing environment
A scalable cloud infrastructure serves two or more customers, where each customer is associated with at least one unit of virtual resources. The virtual resources are established by apportioning physical resources in the cloud infrastructure that are partitioned into pods within one or more zones in a scalable manner. Additionally, the cloud infrastructure establishes one or more management server clusters each comprising one or more management servers. The two or more customers create a number of virtual machines within pods in one or more zones. As customers interact primarily with the management server cluster to manage their virtual machine, a state and event handling method is devised to centralize the management of a potentially vast number of customer and supporting system virtual machines. |
| US08856318B2 |
Network system, data processing method, and computer readable storage medium on which is stored a computer program
A delivery server association button of a Web screen 1103 for a monitoring center host computer is depressed to start a Web browser, opening a Web screen for a delivery server. A request from the Web screen for the delivery server and a retrieval request including retrieval conditions are transmitted to the monitoring center host computer. The monitoring center host computer retrieves an image forming apparatus according to the retrieval conditions and transmits the results of retrieval along with information for detecting the interpolation thereof from the monitoring center host computer to the delivery server via a PC with the delivery server as a redirection destination. |
| US08856317B2 |
Secure data transfer in a virtual environment
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving at one of a plurality of servers, a request from a client for a secure communication session, storing context information associated with the secure communication session at a virtual context server in communication with the servers, and establishing the secure communication session between one of the servers and the client. The context information includes a session identifier, a secret, and a session state. The stored context information is available to the servers to allow the secure communication session to move between the servers. An apparatus for secure data transfer in a virtual environment is also disclosed. |
| US08856316B2 |
Recommendation of network object information to user
Recommending network object information to a user includes, for each of a plurality of network objects, a respective plurality of behavior frequencies by the user is determined; a network object among the plurality of network objects that is of interest to the user is identified, the identification being based at least in part on the respective plurality of behavior frequencies that corresponds to each of the plurality of network objects; and additional information relating to the identified network object is provided to the user. |
| US08856313B2 |
Systems and methods for using provenance information for data retention in stream-processing
A system and method for determining data usage based on provenance information, in a stream-processing system, includes progressively setting usage information for output stream data objects (SDOs), determining input SDOs that an output SDO depends on, based on a provenance dependency function; recursively feeding back the usage information for a subset of SDOs that can be discarded; and discarding the subset of SDOs. A system and method for data retention based on usage information, in a stream-processing system, includes managing retention of SDOs by deleting SDOs that are determined to be of null usage; and enhancing retention characteristics of SDOs that are deemed to have usage. |
| US08856312B2 |
Method and system for monitoring transaction based system
A method for monitoring transaction based systems monitoring their system resource and transaction performance data with thresholds on metrics, said method comprising the steps of collecting system resource data and transaction performance data on a period basis and each time a transaction performance metric is passed, triggering the collection of the system resource and storing an identifier correlating the transaction performance data and the system resource data; merging the collected system resource and transaction performance data; calculating the mean value for each system resource or transaction performance metric of merged data; identifying the metrics for which there is a significant difference between mean value obtained with triggering or without triggering; according to the identified metric mean value, calculating new thresholds of system resource metrics to be used for monitoring. |
| US08856308B1 |
Cloud scale automatic identity management
Embodiments are directed to towards cloud scale automatic identity management. A floating network may be established using agents operative on hosts across one or more networks. Each node of the floating network is resident on host (computer or cloud instance) that includes an agent configured to perform one or more networking tasks that establish the floating network. Parent nodes may be nodes designated as points in the floating network for adding additional nodes. Accordingly, each parent node includes at least one parent agent that includes at least parent credentials. Agent installers provided to a host may generate a child agent for the host that includes child credentials generated based on its parent credentials. An unambiguous identity value for the new child node may be determined by tracing a trust relationship path from the child node to the root node of the floating network. |
| US08856306B2 |
Determining an active zone manager based on disruption prediction metrics
Examples disclosed herein relate to determining an active zone manager based on disruption prediction metrics. Examples include providing a first disruption prediction metric of a first fabric to a second fabric, acquiring a second disruption prediction metric from a second fabric, and determining the active zone manager based on the first and second disruption prediction metrics. |
| US08856304B2 |
Accelerating UDP traffic
Systems and methods are disclosed for the acceleration of UDP traffic. tive action may be taken. Dynamic TCP tunnels may be established as the traffic flows from a source to a destination device. As the present approach is dynamic, the operational complexities are drastically reduced/eliminated. High availability systems become much easier to implement with acceleration that is dynamic and adapts to the traffic flow. |
| US08856303B2 |
Server virtualization
A resource requirements method and system is provided. The method includes identifying dependencies and calculating a utilization value for a source server. The source server is mapped to an application and a source infrastructure is compared to a target infrastructure. Deficiencies and differences associated with the target infrastructure are determined and dependency requirements for fulfillment in the target infrastructure are generated. The utilization value is compared to a resource capability of the target server and resource requirements for fulfillment on the target server are generated. |
| US08856295B2 |
System and method for providing an enterprise deployment topology with thick client functionality
In accordance with an embodiment, one or more software application products, such as Oracle Fusion Applications, can be installed and/or configured according to an integration and deployment design/blueprint that is built or optimized for use within a multi-tiered deployment topology at an organization's (i.e., customer's) data center. Based on the customer site topology, provisioning of the software applications can be optimized; and application life cycle operations performed. This enables each product to be aware of the topology, which in turn provides customers with an “out-of-the-box” solution. The topology can also be optimized for security, performance and simplicity. In accordance with an embodiment, the deployment topology can include thick client functionality. |
| US08856292B2 |
Managing command compliance in internetworking devices
In an embodiment, an internetworking device is configured with compliance proxy logic that is configured for sending, to a compliance server, a request to determine whether the command conforms to one or more compliance policies, wherein the request includes the command; receiving a compliance response from the compliance server; in response to determining whether the compliance response indicates success, executing the command only when the compliance response indicates that the command conforms to the one or more compliance policies. Thus the device can determine actively whether a proposed user command or configuration change will violate established standards or policies, before the command or change is applied to the device. |
| US08856291B2 |
Providing configurable workflow capabilities
Techniques are described for providing clients with access to functionality for creating, configuring and executing defined workflows that manipulate source data in defined manners, such as under the control of a configurable workflow service that is available to multiple remote clients over one or more public networks. A defined workflow for a client may, for example, include multiple interconnected workflow components that are specified by the client and that each are configured to perform one or more types of data manipulation operations on a specified type of input data. The configurable workflow service may further execute the defined workflow at one or more times and in one or more manners, such as in some situations by provisioning multiple computing nodes provided by the configurable workflow service to each implement at least one of the workflow components for the defined workflow. |
| US08856284B2 |
Processing a spreadsheet for storage in a database
Generally, systems, methods and media for processing a spreadsheet for storage in a database are disclosed. Embodiments may include a method for processing records of a spreadsheet by receiving a request to process a spreadsheet having a plurality of records for storage in a database. Embodiments may also include accessing a configuration file associated with the spreadsheet and, for each record of the spreadsheet, creating a new business object and populating the new business object based on the record and the configuration file associated with the spreadsheet. Embodiments may also include passing each new business object to a back-end business component for processing. The configuration file may include a name of a business object associated with a record of the spreadsheet, metadata for one or more columns of the spreadsheet, and/or a name of a back-end business component associated with the spreadsheet. |
| US08856283B2 |
Playlists for real-time or near real-time streaming
Methods, systems and machine readable storage medium for allowing playback of streaming media at playback rates of other than 1× are described. In one embodiment, a method can determine different sets of I-frames that are available before a display deadline, where each set can have a different cadence, and one of the sets can be selected for download and display to achieve playback at other than 1×. Byte range requests from a client device can be used to retrieve each of the I-frames. Other methods, system and media are also described. |
| US08856281B2 |
Internet protocol version 6 content routing
A content delivery system includes a cache server, a domain name server, and a redirector. The domain name server is configured to receive a request for a cache server address, and provide an IPv6 anycast address. The redirector is configured to receive a content request addressed to the IPv6 anycast address from a client system, receive load information from the cache server, and determine if the cache server is available. The redirector is further configured to forward the content request to the cache server when the cache server is available. The cache server is configured to receive the content request forwarded from the redirectors, send a response to the content request to a client system, the response including an IPv6 unicast address of the cache server as a source address, an IPv6 unicast address of the client system as a destination address, and the IPv6 anycast address as a home address, and provide the content to the requestor. |
| US08856279B2 |
Method and system for object prediction
A method including communicating with a content server, wherein the communication includes transmitting request data to the content server and receiving first response data associated with the request data; identifying response object data within the first response data; determining whether the response object data is to be downloaded; querying the content server for second response data that corresponds to the response object data based on the determination; transmitting the first response data to a user agent; and storing the second response data, wherein the second response data can be provided to the user agent in a subsequent request. |
| US08856275B2 |
Optimized peer-to-peer file transfers on a multi-node computer system
A method and apparatus performs peer-to-peer file transfers on a High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster such as a Beowulf cluster. A peer-to-peer file tracker (PPFT) allows operating system, application and data files to be moved from a pre-loaded node to another node of the HPC cluster. A peer-to-peer (PTP) client is loaded into the nodes to facilitate PTP file transfers to reduce loading on networks, network switches and file servers to reduce the time needed to load the nodes with these files to increase overall efficiency of the multi-node computing system. The selection of the nodes participating in file transfers can be based on network topology, network utilization, job status and predicted network/computer utilization. This selection can be dynamic, changing during the file transfers as resource conditions change. The policies used to choose resources can be configured by an administrator. |
| US08856266B2 |
Apparatus and associated method for downloading an application with a variable lifetime to a mobile terminal
Apparatus, and associated method, provides for downloading an application with a selectable lifetime from an application database to a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal user's identification information and the selected lifetime for the application are stored in an application-license database. When the user seeks to download the same application on a subsequent occasion the user is able to download that application for a reduced fee if lifetime remains from when the application was first downloaded. In addition, the application may be configured to delete or uninstall itself from the mobile terminal when the selected lifetime for the application expires. |
| US08856262B1 |
Cloud-based image hosting
Data including information regarding a display of the host device may be received. A display of a client device may correspond to the display of the host device. Information regarding the display of the host device may be received and evaluated identify the images in the display. The identified images may be stored in memory and associated with a uniform resource locator (URL). A bitstream describing the display may be generated in which each image is referenced using the associated URL. The bitstream may then be provided to a client device, where rendering of the bitstream results in a display corresponding to the host device. Rendering the display may include retrieving the images associated with the URLs in the bitstream. |
| US08856259B2 |
Multi-domain co-browsing utilizing localized state management
A master and a slave computing device within a co-browsing session can be identified. The devices can be associated with a first Unified Resource Identifier (URI) where a portion of the URI is a fully qualified domain name of a Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. The devices can be associated with a co-browsing application. A request associated with a second URI from the master computing device can be detected. The second URI can share a root domain with the first URI. A portion of a master artifact associated with the master device can be conveyed to the slave device. The master artifact can be associated with state information of the session. A portion of a slave artifact linked to the slave device can be modified with the portion of the master artifact. The devices can be navigated to the second URI in response to the request. |
| US08856258B2 |
Host device and slave device controlling method
A host device is provided, which includes a network communication unit connected to network; a local communication unit locally connected to a slave device; a virtualization unit to virtualize the slave device as a network device within the network; and a controlling unit to control the virtualized slave device as the network device. Therefore, a developer may implement an application in consideration of a single type of network without considering various physical input and output ports. |
| US08856252B2 |
Method and apparatus for locating communities over an ad-hoc mesh network
An approach is provided for locating communities over an ad-hoc mesh network. Community identifiers are used to locate communities and community members over an ad-hoc mesh network. The community identifiers are also associated with keys to authenticate members of the community and to protect the privacy and anonymity of information exchanged between the members. |
| US08856251B2 |
Picture processing method and apparatus for instant communication tool
A method and an apparatus for processing a picture of an instant messenger are disclosed, which belong to the field of computers comprising: obtaining related information of an edit region, wherein the related information comprises at least a horizontal coordinate range and a vertical coordinate range; obtaining and recording position information of an initial cursor when a start notice is received, wherein the position information comprises at least coordinates; and obtaining position information of a current cursor in real time, generating a line segment according to the position information of the current cursor, the recorded position information and the related information, and updating the recorded position information into the position information of the current cursor. The apparatus comprises a first obtaining module, a second obtaining module and a generation module. The present disclosure can draw a line according to the movement path of the cursor. |
| US08856247B2 |
Communicating electronic mail
Proposed is the use of an email-stamp for representing an email address. By comprising information about one or more email addresses of a recipient, an email stamp may be processed in accordance with an optical recognition process so as to identify the email address of the recipient and enable an email to be automatically sent to the recipient. |
| US08856244B2 |
Mechanism for implementing reminders in an electronic messaging system
A mechanism is disclosed for generating a composite email for an email conversation. The composite email includes content automatically extracted from a plurality of the emails in the email conversation, and may be generated in response to a user accessing just one of the emails in the email conversation. A mechanism is also disclosed for discovering and recovering lost emails in an email conversation. A mechanism is further disclosed for automatically moving emails from one container to another after an email has been read. These and other advantageous email generating, manipulation, and organization mechanisms are disclosed herein. |
| US08856240B2 |
Method, system and computer program to provide support for sporadic resource availability in SIP event environments
Disclosed is an event notification system and a method to operate an event notification system that has servers and a subscriber unit. The method includes associating with a particular event subscription an “available” event template subscription; sending an initial notify message to the subscriber unit with a current availability of an event state of the event subscription and, for the duration of the particular event subscription, upon detecting a change in the availability of the event state sending an “available” event template notification to the subscriber unit from the event server for informing the subscriber unit of the change in the availability of the event state. The change can be from available to unavailable, or from unavailable to available. |
| US08856237B2 |
Systems and methods for providing a client-server infrastructure for asynchronous and synchronus collaboration including co-editing activity collision prevention
In some embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods provide a client-server infrastructure capable of supporting a variety of asynchronous and synchronous collaboration activities in a so-called collaboration place. Some of these activities include chatting, viewing and/or editing one or more data files, and sharing one or more applications, data files, and/or displays. The client-server infrastructure supports seamless navigation between the supported asynchronous and synchronous activities in the collaboration place. Additionally, the client-server architecture supports data persistence, so that data files associated with the collaboration place can be stored for subsequent access. |
| US08856233B2 |
Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods
Peer-to-peer redundant file server system and methods include clients that determine a target storage provider to contact for a particular storage transaction based on a pathname provided by the filesystem and a predetermined scheme such as a hash function applied to a portion of the pathname. Servers use the same scheme to determine where to store relevant file information so that the clients can locate the file information. The target storage provider may store the file itself and/or may store metadata that identifies one or more other storage providers where the file is stored. A file may be replicated in multiple storage providers, and the metadata may include a list of storage providers from which the clients can select (e.g., randomly) in order to access the file. |
| US08856232B1 |
Social network automation
Methods and systems for social network automation are disclosed. A system can generate a user interface that permits a user to provide criteria for posting particular content to the social network at a first time. The system can receive from the user one or more criteria for posting the particular content to the social network. The system can determine at a second time, after the first time, that a condition satisfying the one or more criteria has occurred. The system can post the particular content to the social network and attribute the post to the user. |
| US08856231B2 |
Information processing device and method, recording medium, and program
An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a recording medium, and a program for allowing communicating parties at remote locations to view the same displayed content and to point to desired positions on the displayed image of the content. A user A and a user B viewing themselves and the content on a cross-faded mode may point to desired positions on the content image with their fingertips. Motion vectors of the fingertips are then detected in particular areas extracted from the image in a manner containing the detected positions. The detected motion vectors are translated into a pointer for the user A and a pointer for the user B, the pointers being alpha-blended with the content image. The two pointers extracted from a single image are associated with the users A and B by use of different Cyber Codes attached to the fingertips of each user, for example. |
| US08856230B2 |
In browser real time collaboration lists and forms
Real time collaboration is enabled by providing a notification to users attempting access to an item, such as a document or a resource, that another user has currently access to the item. The users may be notified automatically when the other user is done accessing the item or periodically as the item is being accessed by the other user. The notification(s) may also include a summary or complete list of changes such that any user accessing the item after the other user has the latest version. |
| US08856229B2 |
System and method for social networking
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for social networking. In one method, a network builder receives a digital object from the user. The digital object contains information associated with the user. The network builder extracts the information associated with the user from the digital object. The network builder further access the strength of relationships between the user and a plurality of other users, each associated with one or more social networks. The relationships strength is extracted based at least in part on the extracted information. The network builder then adds the user to one or more social networks based on the information associated with the user and the strength of the relationships between the user and the plurality of other users. |
| US08856228B2 |
System and method for comparison of physical entity attribute effects on physical environments through in part social networking service input
A method includes, but is not limited to: obtaining status information about one or more physical attributes associated with one or more first physical entities and one or more second physical entities, the one or more physical attributes each being perceived by one or more humans as being capable of having one or more effects upon one or more physical environments, obtaining input information from at least one of the one or more humans through at least in part one or more social networking services, the input information associated with at least one of the one or more physical attributes, and determining assessment information comparing the one or more first physical entities with the one or more second physical entities based at least in part upon the status information and based at least in part upon the input information. In addition to the foregoing, other related method/system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure. |
| US08856225B2 |
System and method of automatic entry creation for blogs, web pages or file-sharing sites based on game events
Systems and methods are provided for at least partially automating content generation of blog entries chronicling an entity's interaction with a multiuser environment. The same may combine automatic data generation with user-generated and/or user-edited or created narrative. The systems and methods may be employed for automatically generating and publishing descriptions, such as posting blog articles. In one implementation, a system automatically posts blog articles with automatic screenshots and automatically-generated descriptive copy of events that occur within a video game, such as in a massive multiplayer online role-playing game. |
| US08856220B2 |
Shared analytics and forecasting system
A first server may receive first sets of data from multiple second servers and may receive a query from a client device. The query may include an identifier associated with one of the one or more second servers, a timeframe, and a request for forecast information relating to the timeframe and relating to a first set of data received from the one of the one or more second servers. The first server may determine a second set of data associated with the one of the one or more second servers associated with the identifier. The first server may also determine subsets of the first sets of data that relates to the historical data for the timeframe; determine the forecast information based on the subsets of the first sets of data and the second set of data; and provide, to the client device, a query response including the forecast information. |
| US08856208B2 |
Method and apparatus for forming image
A method of forming an image includes displaying a list of one or more editing items to be used in editing the image; selecting at least one editing item from the displayed list; and converting the image t using the at least one selected editing item and processing the image. An apparatus for forming an image includes a display unit that displays a list of one or more editing items to be used in editing the image; an input panel unit that receives a selection of at least one editing item from the displayed list of editing items; and a control unit that converts the image using the at least one selected editing item. The editing items may be stored in the apparatus for forming an image or may be registered to a server. Therefore, the editing items having an image editing function can be shared between users and thus an image desired by a user can be easily and conveniently obtained. |
| US08856207B2 |
Click detection method, apparatus and system
A click detection method, apparatus and system is provided. An embodiment includes a method that receives a request from a client destined for a server and a unique identifier for the client. The method of the method also includes generating a representation of the unique identifier, and forwarding the unique identifier and the request to the server. |
| US08856206B2 |
Maintaining message versions at nodes in a network
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for maintaining message versions at nodes in a network. The nodes in the network maintain version information of nodes in the network. The version information for the nodes indicates a message version number of messages supported at the node. The nodes supporting one message version number can receive messages having that message version number. The nodes use the version information to determine whether there is at least one common message version number among the nodes The nodes supporting the at least one common message version number negotiate to join a quorum of the nodes having the at least one common message version number. |
| US08856193B2 |
Merge monitor for table delta partitions
At runtime first and second cost functions associated with a request for a merge of a main partition of a table with a delta partition of the table can be calculated. The first and second cost functions can respectively quantify an urgency of the merge relative to availability of system resources required to perform the merge and an urgency of the merge relative to other merges. Determining whether the merge should occur can include comparing the calculated first and second cost functions with calculations of other first and second cost functions for other merge requests of one or more other tables. If the merge should occur, a merge thread can be assigned to execute the merge, and execution of the merge by the merge thread can be commenced if at least one merge token representing system resources usable for merge operations is available. |
| US08856192B2 |
Method and apparatus for updating composition database by using composition pattern of user, and digital photographing apparatus
A method and apparatus update a composition database for storing information for setting a composition. The method includes extracting and displaying at least one composition stored in the composition database, counting a composition selected by a user from among the at least one composition, and updating the composition database according to the result of the count. According to the method, compositions selected by a user from among compositions displayed on a screen are counted, and the result of the count is reflected on the composition database. Accordingly, compositions are displayed in a user-centered manner and photographing convenience is increased, a digital photographing apparatus automatically learns compositions preferred by a user during photographing so as to automatically display the compositions preferred by the user, and a composition based on a pattern of the user is suggested instead of a composition according to a certain place or scene. |
| US08856188B2 |
Electronic linkage of associated data within the electronic medical record
The present invention provides a mechanism to define an association between different data elements from disparate sources of data and databases, and different database elements, and track that association over time. This mechanism track multiples related data elements throughout the continuum of an individual patient's medical record and identifies consistent data relationships across large patient populations. |
| US08856186B1 |
Object grouping for garbage collecting
Methods, systems, and computer program products for memory garbage collection via object grouping are disclosed. Normative objects are allocated in a non-native memory referencing respective one or more native objects in a native memory. The non-native objects are grouped into non-native object groups based upon information regarding object references associated with respective ones of the native objects. Objects in respective ones of the one or more non-native object groups are provided one or more references to other said objects of the non-native object groups to create connected object groups. Unused ones of the connected object groups are detected. And objects of the detected unused ones of the connected object groups are de-allocated. |
| US08856185B2 |
Method and system for attribute management in a namespace
A computer-based method and system for managing attributes of objects in a namespace and for allowing multiple views into the namespace. The namespace system allows the objects identified by the names of the namespace to be hierarchically organized. The namespace system allows for attributes of various objects, including directory objects and data objects, to be dynamically defined after creation of an object. The namespace system also allows for the querying of objects based on their dynamically defined attributes. When the namespace system receives a query specification that includes a newly defined attribute, it identifies the objects that match that query specification. |
| US08856184B1 |
Methods and systems for encoding the maximum resolution data level for a quadtree
A method and system for searching for data covered by nodes in a quadtree are disclosed. Nodes at a selected level of the quadtree are encoded with an index. The index nodes store data related to the level of descendants and ancestors of each index node. To search for data covered by a particular desired node, the index node ancestor or descendant of the desired node is determined. Based on the data in the index node, the desired node can be located without a full traversal of the quadtree. The quadtree nodes store elevation data for points on the Earth. |
| US08856183B2 |
Database access using partitioned data areas
To provide an information processing apparatus, a database system, an information processing method, and a program which ensure efficient database accesses by partitioning. The apparatus includes a partition generating unit (222) which generates a value partition in which a unit subtree including target data to be partitioned is separated and registered according to the target data, and a base partition which includes an index for uniquely identifying the unit subtree, an XML parser (224) which identifies positions of a start tag and an end tag defining an attribute value of the structured document and generates a cutting position list corresponding to the hierarchical structure of the attribute value for registration in a storage area, an XML cutting unit (226) which identifies the start tag position and the end tag position of the unit subtree to be cut, and separates the unit subtree and its index from the structured document, and a cut-XML registration unit which registers the unit subtree and the index in the separate partitions. |
| US08856181B2 |
Semantic matching
In a method, system, and computer-readable medium having instructions for semantic matching, a configuration for one or more ontologies is determined with an ontology that has one or more concepts and a representation for the one or more concepts, and the configuration has an assignment of concepts to positions and one or more relationships between concepts in accordance with the representation. The configuration is optimized in accordance with one or more constraints, and a constraint has a relationship defined in a representation for an ontology and a judgment on a similarity of a plurality of concepts from the one or more ontologies, and an estimate is calculated for a similarity between a first concept and a second concept using the configuration. |
| US08856180B2 |
System and method for formatting multifunctional electronic books for electronic readers
A platform agnostic digital publication format that supports rendered and resizable text, illustrations and graphics, “read to me” features and interactive functionality. The format takes advantage of the alternate renditions feature of the OCF of the EPUB® specification and includes both a ShockWave Flash (SWF) based rendition and a HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Java Script (JS), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) based implementation. In order to avoid duplicating large components (graphics, audio, etc.), files containing those components are not embedded in the SWF files, but are rather externally referenced by both the SWF and the HTML files. A strict and consistent folder structure and file-naming convention improves efficiency and reduces the potential for error. |
| US08856174B2 |
Asset managing apparatus and asset managing method
A search extend setting unit that identifies a layer made to correspond to an asset specified by referencing a first database for recording assets made to correspond to each of users by relating each of the assets to a first layer that is a layer related to a virtual system individually used by each of the users, or to a second layer that is a layer related to hardware and software, and to set an extent for extracting information about other assets having a relationship with the specified asset according to a layer of the specified asset, and an extracting unit that extract other assets that have a relationship with the specified asset and are present in the extent set by referencing the first database and a second database for recording information indicating a relationship among the assets, and the first database based on the first asset. |
| US08856171B2 |
Locating and executing objects in a distributed network
The subject disclosure relates to interaction and execution of objects in a distributed network or in the cloud. Each object comprises a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) path that names the object in the cloud through a distributed object directory. A client device can directly interface with a live instance of an object based on the URI path. The object can be agnostic to remote procedure call semantics. In some aspects, the object can be connected to an interacted with either remotely or locally. Further, single instances or multiple instances of the object can exist at substantially the same time. |
| US08856169B2 |
Multi-modality, multi-resource, information integration environment
A multi-modality, multi-resource, information integration environment system is disclosed that comprises: (a) at least one computer readable medium capable of securely storing and archiving system data; (b) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to permit and facilitate web-based access of the at least one computer readable medium containing the secured and archived system data; (c) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to permit and facilitate resource scheduling or management; (d) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to monitor the overall resource usage of a core facility; and (e) at least one computer system, or program thereon, designed to track regulatory and operational qualifications. |
| US08856162B2 |
Cross language search options
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for cross-language image search. One method includes receiving an image search query and image search results responsive to the image search query. Translations of the image search query into other languages are obtained, and search results responsive to each of the translations are received. Instructions are provided to a client device. The instructions cause the client device to present a user interface that includes one or more of the image search results responsive to the image search query and a cross-language search option for each of the translations. Each cross-language search option includes the translation and a preview of the image search results responsive to the translation. |
| US08856156B1 |
Ontology mapper
Systems, methods and computer-readable media are provided for facilitating patient health care by providing discovery, validation, and quality assurance of nomenclatural linkages between pairs of terms or combinations of terms in databases extant on multiple different health information systems that do not share a set of unified codesets, nomenclatures, or ontologies, or that may in part rely upon unstructured free-text narrative content instead of codes or standardized tags. Embodiments discover semantic structures existing naturally in documents and records, including relationships of synonymy and polysemy between terms arising from disparate processes, and maintained by different information systems. In some embodiments, this process is facilitated by applying Latent Semantic Analysis in concert with decision-tree induction and similarity metrics. In some embodiments, data is re-mined and regression testing is applied to new mappings against an existing mapping base, thereby permitting these embodiments to “learn” ontology mappings as clinical, operational, or financial patterns evolve. |
| US08856153B2 |
Creating data in a data store using a dynamic ontology
In one embodiment, a method comprises creating and storing an ontology for a data store in response to receiving first user input defining the ontology, wherein the ontology comprises a plurality of data object types and a plurality of object property types; creating one or more parser definitions in response to receiving second user input defining the parser definitions, wherein each of the parser definitions specifies one or more sub-definitions of how to transform first input data into modified input data that is compatible with one of the object property types; and storing each of the one or more parser definitions in association with one of the plurality of object property types. |
| US08856144B2 |
Typed relevance scores in an identity resolution system
Techniques are disclosed for configuring an identity resolution system to support distinct relevance types. Identity records are accessed that are assigned relevance scores of distinct relevance types. Upon determining that the identity records refer to a common individual, the identity records are resolved into an entity representing the common individual. Relevance scores of the distinct relevance types are then determined for the entity, based on the identity records. |
| US08856143B2 |
Classification of ambiguous geographic references
A location classifier generates location information based on textual strings in input text. The location information defines potential geographical relevance of the input text. In determining the location information, the location classifier may receive at least one geo-relevance profile associated with at least one string in the input text, obtain a combined geo-relevance profile for the document from the at least one geo-relevance profile, and determine geographical relevance of the input text based on the combined geo-relevance profile. |
| US08856142B2 |
Systems and methods for graphical search interface
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a graphical user interface as a means of inputting search parameters to database search engines. In some embodiments, two or three dimensional projections spatially represent relationships between search parameters, located along the periphery of the projections and search hits whose significance are represented by position relative to the center of the projection and comparative distance from each of the search parameters. As the user manipulates the overall shape of the search projection, the weighting of search parameters adjusts, reconfiguring the search. The present disclosure also provides, in some embodiments, an intuitive means of assimilating search parameter weightings based on peer or social network preferences with global search results. |
| US08856139B2 |
File managing system
A correspondence table 0121 for recording the correspondence relationship of file titles, file IDs and managing IDs, hash tables 0122 for recording the correspondence relationships of hash values of files and managing IDs and a file memory 0123 for keeping managing IDs and files are provided. When registering files, a file with any registered same title file is managed as a separate file by giving a separate managing ID. File content comparison with registered files is done, and a file with any registered same content file is registered as single file even if it has been registered with a separate file ID. When calling out a file, the file to be called is specified by the combination of the file title and the file ID. |
| US08856134B2 |
Aircraft maintenance data retrieval for portable devices
In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system for facilitating transfer of data and information over a network includes a database component, a communication component adapted to communicate with a user via a portable communication device over the network, and a processing component adapted to receive a request for data and information from the user via the portable communication device over the network and process the request by accessing one or more documents from the database component related to at least one component of a machine specified by the user passed with the request. The communication component transfers the one or more documents from the database component to the portable communication device for viewing by the user. |
| US08856133B2 |
Information providing apparatus and method, terminal apparatus and information processing method, and program
An information providing apparatus, including a storage configured to store registration information as related with a category; recognition means configured to recognize the category corresponding to acquisition information acquired from a terminal apparatus; and communication means configured to transmit the registration information corresponding to the category of the acquisition information to the terminal apparatus. |
| US08856127B2 |
Method of visualizing the collective opinion of a group
A computerized method of visualizing the collective opinion of a group regarding one or more qualitative issues. The group initially selects N issues from the universe of potential issues and often assigns the issues images and titles. The system presents each user with graphical user interface screens wherein individual users vote on the relative importance and degree of relationship between the N aspects (Data Points) and issues, often using drag and drop methods. The software computes N×N similarity matrices based on users voting input and clusters various aspects into groups of greater and lesser similarity and importance, and presents results of users qualitative ranking in easy to read relationship tree diagrams where the relative importance and qualitative relationship of the issues may be designated by size and other graphical markers. The software may reside on a network server and present display screens to web browsers running on user's computerized devices. |
| US08856125B1 |
Non-text content item search
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting labels for a non-text content item. In one aspect, a method receives a set of initial labels for a non-text content item, wherein the set of initial labels specifies text that has been identified as descriptive of the non-text content item and a web page to which the text corresponds. Initial labels corresponding to sets of matching web pages are grouped into separate initial label groups that correspond to each set of matching web pages. Sets of matching labels are grouped into other separate initial label groups that correspond to the sets of matching labels. One or more words that are included in at least a threshold number of the separate label groups are selected as final labels for the non-text content item. |
| US08856123B1 |
Document classification
Provided are, among other things, systems, methods and techniques for classifying a collection of documents. A term is identified based on an indication of ability of the term's presence within a given document to predict whether the given document should be classified into an identified category. A document index is then queried using the identified term and, in response, search results that define a candidate set of documents are received. Finally, a classifier is applied to documents within the candidate set to determine which of the documents should be classified into the identified category. |
| US08856119B2 |
Holistic disambiguation for entity name spotting
A method resolves ambiguous spotted entity names in a data corpus by determining an activation level value for each of a plurality of nodes corresponding to a single ambiguous entity name. The activation levels for each of the nodes may be modified by inputting outside domain knowledge corresponding to the nodes to increase the activation value of the nodes, spotting entity names corresponding to the nodes to increase the activation value of the nodes, searching the data corpus to spot newly posted entity names to increase the activation value of the nodes, and searching the data corpus to reduce or deactivate the activation value of the nodes by eliminating false positives. The ambiguous entity name is assigned to the node determined to have the highest activation level and is then outputted to a user. |
| US08856116B2 |
Method and apparatus for information exchange
A method and apparatus includes a portable electronic memory storage device and a plurality of exhibitor computers, each having at least one specifically identified electronic uploadable file and a port adapted to selectively interface with the portable device. When a portable device engages a port, electronic content corresponding to the port is uploaded from the computer to the portable device. In another embodiment, data from the portable device, such as demographic data, is also downloaded to the exhibitor computer. |
| US08856110B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing a response to a query
Providing a response to a query comprising receiving a query request, to which a response containing a numerical value is expected, from a querying device, identifying at least one input series as relating to the query request, the or each input series having at least one numerical input measurement, assigning a weighted score to the or each input series identified as relating to the query request, selecting at least one input series from among the input series identified as relating to the query request, the selection being dependent on the weighted score assigned to the or each input series identified as relating to the query request, generating a response to the query request, the response containing a numerical value based on the or on one of the numerical input measurements of the selected at least one input series, thereby providing said response to the querying device. |