| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08857304B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging compatible catheter
A method, consisting of passing a cylindrical carbon fiber through a press so as to produce a flat ribbon. The method further includes weaving multiple strands of the flat ribbon together to create a cylindrical braid. |
| US08857303B2 |
Locking mechanism for miter saw with hinge linkage linear guide
A power saw includes a table configured to receive a workpiece, a saw blade and motor assembly, and a linear guide mechanism operatively connected to the table and being configured to pivotally support the saw blade and motor assembly. The linear guide mechanism enables movement of the saw blade and motor assembly along a predetermined linear path in a forward or a rearward direction at a constant level, and includes a first link and a second link pivotally connected by a first hinge connection. The first and second links enable the linear guide mechanism to maintain the saw blade and motor assembly at the constant level. The power saw further includes a locking mechanism which is fixed to the first hinge connection for locking the linear guide mechanism to prevent the saw blade and motor assembly from being moved along the predetermined linear path. |
| US08857302B2 |
Laterally adjustable blade cover for use with a cutting tool
A cutting tool includes a tool unit having a rotary circular blade, a movable cover mounted to the tool unit and having a cover body movable in a moving direction to cover and uncover a part of the rotary circular blade by the cover body, and a position adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the position of the cover body of the movable cover in an adjusting direction different from the moving direction. |
| US08857300B2 |
Joint recognition member
A joint recognition member is revealed. The joint recognition member includes a joint body formed by a cylinder connected with a polygonal prism. A polygonal hole with a magnet part is set on the cylinder so as to attract driver bits by magnetic force. The device features on that: a narrow neck part with a ring groove is arranged at one end of the cylinder near the polygonal prism. The ring is wrapped around the narrow neck part and outside diameter of the ring is no smaller than that of the cylinder. A protruding ring on the ring is mounted and moved freely in the ring groove. An outer surface of the ring is labeled with words such as size. According to the corresponding polygonal hole, the ring has different shapes and sizes in various colors for fast recognition. |
| US08857294B2 |
Engagement control assembly for a bi-directional overrunning clutch
A bi-directional overrunning clutch differential for controlling torque transmission between a pinion input shaft and at least one output hub. The clutch having a clutch housing and the roll cage mounted within the housing. An engagement control assembly is provided for controlling the relative position of the roll cage with respect to a cam surface on the clutch housing. The engagement control assembly includes an electronically controlled actuation device, such as a coil or solenoid, which when activated causes the roll cage to rotate into a second position relative to the clutch housing to engage the rolls with the cam surface and an outer surface of the hub. A spring is engaged with the clutch housing and has an end engaged with the roll cage for biasing the roll cage into a neutral position when the roll cage is in its second position. |
| US08857293B2 |
Power transmitting component with multi-part housing assembly having continuous sealing flange
A housing assembly for a power transmitting component that includes first and second housing structures, which define a cavity and a shaft bore, and a gasket. The first housing structure includes a pair of first end walls, a first seal flange, and a pair of saddles. The first seal flange extends about the cavity. The saddles are arch-shaped and coupled to the first end walls. The shaft bore is formed through the first end walls and the saddles. The second housing structure includes a pair of second end walls, and a second seal flange. The second seal flange extends about the cavity and is configured to abut the first seal flange. The second end walls define saddle recesses into which the saddles are received. The gasket is received between the first and second seal flanges and between the saddles and surfaces of the saddle recesses. |
| US08857289B2 |
Transmission cable assembly for high temperature environments
Automotive push-pull type transmission shift cable assemblies are disclosed that meet new specifications for extended performance at high temperatures, including certain embodiments suitable for use at elevated temperatures of at least 165° C. The cable comprises a conduit and a core wire extending through the ends of the conduit to a shifter end portion and transmission end portion. The transmission end portion comprises a core wire length adjuster and a conduit end fitting. The core wire length adjuster comprises a core wire adjuster isolator and a retainer cap. At least certain embodiments of the transmission shift cable assemblies pass one or a combination of the following tests: a. Lash 200,000 Cycles Test, b. Attachment Pin Installation 200,000 Cycles Test, c. Attachment Pin Extraction 200,000 Cycles Test, and d. Cable Efficiency Test e. In-Vehicle Routing 165° C. Cable Strength Test. |
| US08857285B2 |
Saddle type vehicle and vehicle power unit
A saddle type vehicle having mounted thereon a power unit is provided with a twin clutch type transmission including a pair of main shafts and a pair of clutches along different axes, to enable a compact layout of axes and a reduction in size of the unit and its surroundings. The axis center (first main axis) of a first main shaft is disposed rearwardly of the axis center (crank axis) of a crankshaft and forwardly of the axis center (counter axis) of a counter shaft, whereas the axis center (second main axis) of a second main shaft is disposed rearwardly of the axis center (counter axis) of the counter shaft and forwardly of the axis center (pivot axis) of a pivot shaft. |
| US08857280B2 |
Screened inline flow-through (SIFT) sediment trap apparatus
An improved sediment trap is adapted for inline placement in a pipe. The sediment trap includes a housing body defining two chambers with an intermediate screen member disposed therebetween. The first chamber includes at least one sidewall coupled to a partial front wall wherein the partial front wall, which is disposed at an end opposite from the intermediate screen member. The second chamber includes at least one sidewall and a rear mesh screen. When placed in-line, the effluent stream deposits solids of a first size in the first chamber and deposits solids of a second size in the second chamber. |
| US08857279B2 |
Analyte screening and detection systems and methods
Methods of concentrating an analyte that is in liquid and method of detecting an analyte in a liquid are disclosed. Methods of screening a liquid for the presence of an analyte are also disclosed. Processes comprising continuously collecting a sample of fluid throughout the process and analyzing the sample are disclosed as are processes comprising treating ultrafilter membranes. Devices and systems for concentrating an analyte that is in liquid and for screening a liquid for an analyte are disclosed as well as devices and systems for concentrating an analyte from a continuous sample are disclosed. |
| US08857275B2 |
NEMS sensors for cell force application and measurement
An apparatus, system, device, and method provide the ability to measure forces a cell exerts on its surroundings. A platform is suspended across an opening using support legs. The platform is able to move horizontally in a plane of the opening. A piezoresistive strain sensor is integrated into the platform and measures strain induced in the support legs when the platform moves horizontally thereby measuring displacement of the platform. |
| US08857272B2 |
Method for determining the torque of an electric motor
Method for determining torque of an electric motor on a vehicle, a torque being generated by an electric motor rotor and being transmitted from a drivetrain to at least one drive wheel, including: measuring the rotor rotation angle, determining the torque generated by the rotor, the at least one drive wheel driven by the rotor being fixed, the stationary rotor not generating any torque and a first rotation angle of the stationary rotor being measured, subsequently a torque applied by the rotor to the drivetrain, so that the rotor performs rotational movement due to the drivetrain stiffness, and subsequently, in an equilibrium state between the torque generated by the rotor and a counter torque of the drivetrain, a second rotation angle of the rotor being measured, the torque generated by the rotor and/or the total stiffness of the drivetrain being ascertained from the measured values of the rotor rotation angles. |
| US08857270B2 |
Method for detecting plugging in a Coriolis flow measuring device
A method for detecting plugging of a measuring tube. Heat is supplied to a medium conveyed in a first measuring tube by means of at least one heating element, or heat is removed from the medium conveyed in a first measuring tube by means of at least one cooling element. At least one temperature sensor, which is thermally coupled to the medium conveyed in the first measuring tube, temperature is registered. Additionally, a first comparison variable, which is characteristic for heat transport by the medium in the first measuring tube, is determined based on the supplying of heat or removing of heat, as well as on the temperature registering, and this comparison variable is compared with a reference variable. Plugging of at least one measuring tube of the measuring transducer is detected if the first comparison variable deviates from the reference variable by more than a limit value. |
| US08857266B2 |
Tensometer for simultaneously evaluating polymerization stresses, shrinkage and modulus development
The present invention relates to apparatus and method for evaluating the development of PS during polymerization of dental restorative composites, which includes using a tensometer for measuring deflection of a calibrated cantilever beam induced by PS and calculating PS from the measured deflection. A tensometer according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used to quantify PS at varying beam locations and heights, and determine trend in PS development as a function of beam length. More importantly, in the present invention, the development of polymerization shrinkage and the elastic modulus can be simultaneously obtained in real time. |
| US08857259B2 |
Reading circuit of gyroscope
A reading circuit of a gyroscope is provided. The reading circuit includes a driving unit, a high pass filter, a signal processing unit, and a low pass filter. The driving unit generates a resonance signal for a resonator of the gyroscope and generates a demodulation signal for the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit provides a modulation signal to a Coriolis accelerometer of the gyroscope. An input terminal of the high pass filter receives an output signal of the Coriolis accelerometer. The signal processing unit processes and demodulates an output of the high pass filter according to the demodulation signal and outputs a demodulation result to the low pass filter. |
| US08857256B2 |
Micromonitoring apparatus and method
An apparatus and method for monitoring sanitary sewer systems designed to carry away wastewater through a system of buried pipes, often referred to as “sewer lines”, to a sewage treatment facility, the apparatus and method use a weir which facilitates the collection of flow rate data in the sewer lines which in turn facilitates the determination of infiltration and inflow (“I/I”) of rain water, or clear water, into the sewer system in a manner which further allows the identification of specific I/I locations so that repair and construction of sewer systems can be efficiently coordinated. |
| US08857255B2 |
Moisture resistant air data probes
An air data probe includes a probe head. The probe head defines a longitudinal axis with a forward tip and aft base and includes a wall tap port inlet defined in the probe head aft between the forward tip and the aft base. The wall tap port inlet opens on an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein the wall tap port inlet has an elongated inlet perimeter configured to resist the formation of a meniscus, or otherwise reduce moisture induced pressure errors. |
| US08857254B2 |
Methods and systems for acquiring acceleration waveforms in a borehole
Methods and apparatus for acquiring acceleration waveform measurements while deploying a tool along a borehole. A conveyance and a sensor section are configured to deploy the sensor section in the borehole. At least one multi-axis receiver is configured to detect acceleration waveform signals while the sensor section is being deployed in the borehole. |
| US08857250B2 |
Combustion chamber pressure sensor for recording a pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine
A combustion chamber pressure sensor is provided for recording a pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the combustion chamber pressure sensor has a housing having an inner space that is at least partially enclosed by the housing. At least one mechanical-electrical transducer element, for recording the pressure, is accommodated in the housing. The housing has at least one housing opening. The housing opening is sealed by at least one diaphragm. The diaphragm has at least one convex curvature towards the inner space. |
| US08857248B2 |
Piezoelectric microcantilevers and uses in atomic force microscopy
The invention is direct to a piezoelectric microcantilever for static contact and dynamic noncontact atomic force microscopy which may be carried out in solution. The piezoelectric microcantilever, which includes a piezoelectric layer and a non-piezoelectric layer is capable of self actuation and detection. The piezoelectric layer may be constructed from a lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3)0.65—(PbTiO3)0.35(PMN0.65-PT0.35) (PMN-PT), zirconate titanate (PZT)/SiO2 or from any lead-free piezoelectric materials such as doped sodium-potassium niobate-lithium niobate. The piezoelectric layers of the microcantilevers may have dielectric constants of from 1600-3000 and thicknesses below 10 μm. Also disclosed are methods for fabricating microcantilever sensors and methods for atomic force microscopy employing the microcantilevers. |
| US08857247B2 |
Probe for a scanning probe microscope and method of manufacture
A probe assembly for an instrument and a method of manufacture includes a substrate and a cantilever having a length that is independent of typical alignment error during fabrication. In one embodiment, the probe assembly includes a buffer section interposed between the substrate and the cantilever. The cantilever extends from the buffer section and a portion of the buffer section extends beyond an edge of the substrate. The portion of the buffer section is more stiff than the cantilever. The corresponding method of producing the probe assembly facilitates batch fabrication without compromising probe performance. |
| US08857246B2 |
Portable polymer tester
The present invention provides a polymer indentation method and tester that includes measuring the time taken by a polymeric material to recover a set portion of an initial deformation and use this duration as a material degradation indicator. The recovery time was found to be more sensitive to cable degradation than the specific compressive stiffness (or indenter modulus) measured during the indentation phase, and this high sensitivity was achieved for both thermally aged and irradiated polymer samples. |
| US08857244B2 |
Cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, a corresponding measuring system, and a corresponding method
The present invention is directed to a cartridge device for a measuring system for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid, in particular a blood sample, comprising a cartridge body having at least one measurement cavity formed therein and having at least one probe element arranged in said at least one measurement cavity for performing a test on said sample liquid; and a cover being attachable on said cartridge body; wherein said cover covers at least partially said at least one measurement cavity and forms a retaining element for retaining said probe element in a predetermined position within said at least one measurement cavity. The invention is directed to a measurement system and a method for measuring viscoelastic characteristics of a sample liquid. |
| US08857243B2 |
Methods of measuring porosity on unconventional rock samples
Embodiments disclose methods of estimating porosity from a pore volume and bulk density. The porosity is obtained by multiplying the pore volume and bulk density. Methods disclosed in the subject disclosure are minimally affected by errors in the bulk density measurement. |
| US08857242B2 |
Photoacoustic gas sensor and its use
The invention relates to a gas sensor having a mechanical microresonator, which has an excitation apparatus for optically exciting a mechanical oscillation of the microresonator as well as a reading apparatus for detecting the oscillation of the microresonator, wherein the reading apparatus comprises a waveguide which is implemented together with the microresonator on a dielectric or semiconducting substrate and is intended to optically read the oscillation of the microresonator, and wherein the excitation apparatus has an optical waveguide which is implemented on the same substrate and optically connects an excitation light source to the immediate surroundings of the microresonator. The invention also relates to a use of such a sensor to analyse a gas composition. |
| US08857240B2 |
Liquid-dissolved gas characterization facility and method
The invention particularly relates to a facility for characterizing liquid-dissolved gas.In its most complete embodiment, this facility comprises a liquid collecting capsule (1) and a circuit of fluid with two branches (2, 3) including a plurality of valves (41-47), the first branch (2) making it possible to retain the liquid, and the second branch (3) making it possible to extract vacuum gases and including in particular a sealed joint section (31), a pumping facility (32), a variable volume enclosure (33), and pressure and temperature measurement means (34-37). |
| US08857236B2 |
Forging device
A forging device capable of producing a high-quality forged article while simplifying the structure is provided. The forging device of the present invention includes a punch 1, a die 2 having a shaping hole 22 and a helical blade portion 23 formed on an inner peripheral surface of the shaping hole, a back pressure generation mechanism 15, and a back pressure transmission mechanism. The back pressure transmission mechanism includes a rotation-side transmission member having a back pressure plate 40 and a non-rotation-side transmission member. The back pressure plate 40 is arranged in the shaping hole 22 in a fitted manner. When a forging material W1 is driven into the shaping hole 22 and the back pressure plate 40 is pressed downward by the metallic material, the back pressure plate 40 is guided by the blade portion 23 of the shaping hole 22 and thereby descends while rotating about the axis and a back pressure by the back pressure generation mechanism 15 is applied to the metallic material via the back pressure transmission mechanism. |
| US08857234B2 |
Continuous microscale forming of metal-based microchannels and other microchannel devices
A process is disclosed for producing metal-based, high-aspect-ratio microscale structures (HARMs), for example microchannels in a heat exchanger. The preferred manufacturing method operates in a continuous mode, and employs low-temperature rolling of metals. A process is disclosed for bonding metal microchannel sheets or plates to flat metal sheets or plates to form single-, double-, and multiple-layered microchannel structures. The process can operate at much lower temperatures than prior methods of compression microscale molding of metals, at room temperature or even lower. |
| US08857232B2 |
Method of forming a vessel
A system and method of forming a vessel may include providing multiple operation wheels configured in opposing facing pairs. Each operation wheel may include multiple work zones, each work zone of an operation wheel being configured in an opposing facing pair with a work zone of another operation wheel to engage the vessel and perform a forming operation on the vessel. Opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels may be linearly pushed to a closed position to engage the vessel, and pulled to an open position. The work zone(s) may perform least one forming operation on the vessel. The vessel may be indexed through the operations at a rotational timing coordinated to index the vessel when opposing facing pairs of the operation wheels are in the open position, the indexing may be clockwise or counterclockwise based on whether a decoration operation is to be performed on the vessel. |
| US08857229B2 |
Padlock with key retention or non-retention (and snap-lock) facility
The invention provides a padlock assembly (10) which can be convertible between a “snap lock” configuration and a configuration where a key is required to lock the padlock. Padlock assembly (10) includes a cam (62) with asymmetrical driver engaging means (64). Cam (62) can be inserted in the padlock assembly (10) in either of two positions to provide dual functionality. The invention also provides the cam (62), a driver (50) and a shackle (36) for a padlock assembly. |
| US08857222B2 |
Washing machine
A washing machine including a vibration reduction member formed in a stator is provided. Therefore, when a motor rotates according to operation of the washing machine, delivery of a vibration due to a repulsive force of the stator to a bearing housing can be efficiently reduced. Further, a vibration of a tub fastened to the bearing housing due to the vibration is prevented and noise due to the vibration of the tub is reduced. |
| US08857221B2 |
Optical fiber and method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber
An optical fiber includes a bare optical fiber portion, to which elastic torsion is applied, and a coating layer, which coats the bare optical fiber portion, is formed of curable resin, and causes elastic repulsion against resilience occurring in the bare optical fiber portion so that the elastic torsion applied to the bare optical fiber portion is held. |
| US08857220B2 |
Methods of making a stub lens element and assemblies using same for optical coherence tomography applications
Methods of making a stub lens element and assemblies for coherence tomography (OCT) applications are disclosed. The method of making the stub lens element includes drawing a rod of optical material and processing the drawn rod to form a lens integrally connected to a stub section. The methods also include operably supporting an optical fiber and a stub lens element in a cooperative optical relationship to form a stub lens sub-assembly. The methods also include operably supporting the stub lens sub-assembly and a light-deflecting member in a cooperative optical relationship to form a probe optical assembly that has a folded optical path. |
| US08857210B1 |
Food chilling system
A food chilling system for keeping food items and beverages cold features a flexible circular base for wrapping a serving container. The circular base features a plurality of chilling components containing a freezable liquid or gel in a sealed cavity. The circular base features a plurality of spacing components alternatingly located between the chilling components. The circular base features a plurality of flexible handles pivotally located on a base outside periphery. The circular base features a plurality of rings pivotally located on a base sidewall. An elastic cord having a first hook and a second hook is designed to alternately pass through or engage the plurality of rings. The system features a pliable outer shell, having a cinchable opening designed to encompass the base and the cord after the base has been secured to the container via the cord. |
| US08857207B2 |
Refrigerant dryer
A refrigerant dryer, in particular a compressed air refrigerant dryer, is provided for drying a gaseous fluid while cooling the gaseous fluid using a refrigerant. The dryer includes a pressure fluid-refrigerant agent-heat exchanger (30) in which a cooling of the gaseous fluid takes place directly or indirectly by a refrigerant conveyed in a primary loop (16), one or more refrigerant compressor/compressors (24) for operating the primary loop, and a cold accumulator (13) with an accumulator-side heat exchanger (20) which couples an accumulator discharge fluid to a cold accumulator medium (14). The pressure fluid-refrigerant agent-heat exchanger (30) and the cold accumulator (13) are fluidically connected or can be brought into fluidic connection via a discharge loop (15) for an accumulator discharge fluid. The cold accumulator (13) is arranged, relative to gravity, above the pressure fluid-refrigerant agent-heat exchanger (30), in such a manner that the heated accumulator discharge fluid is conveyed through the discharge loop (15) for cooling in the cold accumulator (13), is cooled there, and subsequently re-conveyed to the pressure fluid-refrigerant agent-heat exchanger (30). |
| US08857206B2 |
Multifunction dispenser actuation pad
A refrigerator includes refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, an ice and water dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing ice and water through the door, the ice and water dispenser including a multifunction dispensing actuation pad having a plurality of actuation points and wherein ice or water is dispensed upon selectively applying a pressure to one of the plurality of actuation points on the dispensing actuation pad. A method of operating a refrigerator includes the steps of providing a refrigerator and selectively applying pressure to at least one of a plurality of actuation points on a dispensing actuation pad of the refrigerator to select an ice and water dispenser function. |
| US08857205B2 |
Rapid fluid freezing device
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for freezing an alcoholic beverage, including placing an alcoholic beverage into a beverage receptacle; dispensing a predetermined amount of the alcoholic beverage into a plurality of freezing cavities; transferring liquid nitrogen from a coolant reservoir to a plurality of coolant chambers; exposing the plurality of freezing cavities to the liquid nitrogen to freeze the alcoholic beverage; and removing the frozen alcoholic beverage from the freezing chamber. |
| US08857200B2 |
Compressor having capacity modulation or fluid injection systems
A compressor may include a fluid-injection source, a shell, and first and second scroll members. The shell may define a suction pressure region. The first scroll member may include a first end plate and a first scroll wrap extending therefrom. The second scroll member may include a second end plate and a second scroll wrap extending therefrom. The first and second scroll wraps may cooperate to define a plurality of fluid pockets. The second end plate may include a first passage and a second passage. The second end plate may also include a first port and a second port extending through the second end plate and communicating with at least one of the fluid pockets. The first passage may be in communication with the suction pressure region. The second passage may be in communication with the fluid-injection source. |
| US08857198B2 |
Icemaker shut off method for premature harvest reduction
A system and method for controlling an icemaker assembly to prevent premature ice harvests is provided. In particular implementations, normal icemaker operations, including ice cube harvesting, can be suspended when an ice cube level in an ice cube storage bin is detected to exceed a predetermined threshold or when a command is received to prevent harvesting. When a command to prevent harvesting is received, communication from an ice cube storage bin sensor can be disconnected, for instance, after a current harvesting cycle is complete. The communication from the ice cube storage bin sensor can be reconnected following a time interval or after receiving a command to re-start the normal operations. |
| US08857197B1 |
Device and method for mixing viscous substances
Systems and methods of producing a frozen food product include dosing ingredients with a liquefied gas while mixing the ingredients using self-cleaning interlocking beaters. The beaters are optionally also disposed to clean a container in which the ingredients are frozen. The rate and amount of cooling is controlled by measuring the quantity of liquid nitrogen, measuring viscosity of the frozen food product, measuring temperature, and/or the like. |
| US08857195B2 |
Absorbent for spray can, process for producing absorbent sheet for spray can, and spray can product
An absorbent adapted to be used in a spray can charged with a liquefied gas, which exhibits excellent absorbing performance and excellent liquid retention. The absorbent is composed of an assembly of pulverized cellulose fibers that includes at least 45 mass % of fine cellulose fibers having a fiber length of 0.35 mm or less. The absorbent is formed into a sheet-shaped or a columnar configuration, or a surface sheet is laminated on a surface of the absorbent. The absorbent composed of 70 through 90 mass % of cellulose fibers that include 45 mass % or more of fine cellulose fibers having a fiber length of 0.35 mm or less, and 5 through 30 mass % of a fusion-bondable resin exhibits good formability. |
| US08857192B2 |
Accessory gearbox with a starter/generator
An assembly for a gas turbine engine comprising an accessory gearbox comprising a drive gear and a starter/generator mechanically mounted to the accessory gearbox. The starter/generator comprising a rotatable shaft, a pinion gear carried by the shaft, a main machine carried by the shaft, a permanent magnet generator (PMG) carried by the shaft and an exciter carried by the shaft. |
| US08857191B2 |
Hybrid propulsive engine including at least one independently rotatable propeller/fan
A hybrid propulsive technique includes providing at least some first thrust associated with a flow of a working fluid through at least a portion of an at least one axial flow jet engine. The hybrid propulsive technique includes extracting energy from the working fluid that is at least partially converted into electrical power, and converting at least a portion of the electrical power to torque. The hybrid propulsive technique further includes rotating an at least one independently rotatable propeller/fan of at least one rotatable propeller/fan assembly at least partially responsive to the converting the at least a portion of the electrical power to torque, wherein the rotating of the at least one independently rotatable propeller/fan of the at least one rotatable propeller/fan assembly is arranged to produce at least some second thrust. |
| US08857190B2 |
Heat shield element, in particular for lining a combustion chamber wall
A highly durable, high-strength thermal shield element is provided for the interior lining of the combustion chamber of a gas turbine. For this purpose, the thermal shield element comprises a base produced from a solidified cast ceramic material into which a plurality of reinforcing elements are integrated, to increase the tensile strength of the thermal shield element. |
| US08857189B2 |
Gas turbine combustion burner
In a gas-turbine combustion burner which is provided, at a distal end thereof, with a fuel spraying hole that sprays fuel into a combustion region formed inside a combustion cylinder of a gas-turbine combustor and in which a fuel flow path that guides the fuel, which is supplied from a fuel source, to the fuel spraying hole is formed in the interior thereof, the impedance of a fuel supply system that guides the fuel from the fuel source to the fuel spraying hole is set so that propagation of pressure fluctuations from the combustion region to the fuel supply system becomes an allowable level or less. |
| US08857184B2 |
Method for starting a turbomachine
A method for increasing the operational flexibility of a turbomachine during a startup phase is provided. The turbomachine may include a first section, a second section, and a rotor disposed within the first section and the second section. The method may determine an allowable range of a physical parameter associated with the first section and/or the second section. The method may modulate a first valve and/or a second valve to allow steam flow into the first section and the second section respectively, wherein the modulation is based on the allowable range of the physical parameter. In addition, the physical parameter allows the method to independently apportion steam flow between the first section and the second section of the turbomachine, during the startup phase. |
| US08857178B2 |
Nozzled turbocharger turbine and associated engine and method
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a center housing, a shaft rotatably supported in the center housing, and a turbine wheel connected at one end of the shaft. A turbine housing is connected to the center housing and disposed around the turbine wheel. A bore formed in the turbine housing extends from a gas outlet end of the turbine housing to an annular stop surface of the turbine housing disposed adjacent the turbine wheel. A nozzle ring disposed in the bore surrounds a portion of the turbine wheel. An outlet cone is disposed at least partially in the bore and surrounds a remaining portion of the turbine wheel. The outlet cone is connected to the gas outlet end of the turbine housing. |
| US08857175B2 |
Two-stage submersible actuators
The present invention provides an improved two-stage actuator (20) that broadly includes: a first cylinder (21); an intensifier piston (22) mounted in the first cylinder for sealed sliding movement therealong, the intensifier piston having a large-area surface (26) exposed to ambient pressure, and having a small-area surface (30); a second cylinder (23) having an end wall (36); an actuator piston (24) mounted in the second cylinder for sealed sliding movement therealong; an actuator rod (39) connected to the actuator piston for movement therewith and having an intermediate portion sealingly penetrating the second cylinder end wall; the actuator piston having a large-area surface (27) and a small-area surface (37), an intermediate chamber (35) communicating the intensifier piston small-area surface with the actuator piston large-area surface; and an incompressible fluid in the chamber; whereby ambient pressure (i.e., the pressure of sea water at the depth at which the device is submerged) will create pressure in the intermediate chamber for urging the actuator piston to move toward the second cylinder end wall. |
| US08857174B2 |
Vehicle energy harvesting device having discrete sections of shape memory alloy
An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region having a second temperature. A heat engine is configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a plurality of discrete elements of a shape memory alloy each having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite in response to a temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one member of the heat engine is driven to rotate about a first axis by the phase change of the plurality of discrete elements. |
| US08857173B2 |
Two piston, concentric cylinder, alpha free piston Stirling machine
A two piston, free piston, alpha Stirling cycle machine has a compression piston with a cylindrical bore that is coaxial with the cylinders in which the pistons reciprocate. An expansion piston sealingly extends into both an expansion cylinder and into the cylindrical bore in the compression piston. The expansion piston has the same diameter within both the expansion cylinder and the cylindrical bore. A spring, preferably a gas spring, drivingly connects the pistons. The reciprocation of the expansion piston varies only the volume of the expansion space and the reciprocation of the compression piston varies only the volume of the compression space. The spring that drivingly connects the pistons allows the two pistons to be properly phased without a mechanical linkage so that they can operate in a thermodynamically effective phase over a range of strokes. |
| US08857168B2 |
Overrunning pump protection for flow-controlled actuators
A hydraulic system includes an actuator, a pump, rod side and cap side fluid connections between the pump and the rod and cap side chambers, respectively, at least one selectively actuatable regeneration valve that selectively provides flow from the cap side fluid connection to the rod side fluid connection, and a controller. The controller controls the pump to selectively vary the flow rate of the pump in response to a commanded motion to control movement of the piston. The controller actuates the regeneration valve during a retraction of the piston into the cylinder when pump is acting as a motor. |
| US08857157B2 |
Temperature estimation systems and methods
A system for a vehicle includes a steady-state (SS) temperature module and a mass temperature module. The SS temperature module generates a SS temperature of a downstream-most catalyst of an exhaust system at a predetermined location between upstream and downstream faces of the downstream-most catalyst. The predetermined location is a predetermined distance upstream from the downstream face. The mass temperature module generates an instantaneous temperature of the downstream-most catalyst at the predetermined location as a function of the SS temperature. |
| US08857156B2 |
Engine utilizing a plurality of control valves, and a related method thereof
In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, an engine is disclosed. The engine includes at least one donor cylinder and at least one non-donor cylinder coupled to an intake manifold feeding intake air and an exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold is configured to carry an engine exhaust emission from the donor cylinder and the non-donor cylinder. The engine also includes an exhaust gas recirculation manifold extending from the donor cylinder to the intake manifold for recirculating a donor cylinder exhaust emission from the donor cylinder to the donor, and non-donor cylinders via the intake manifold. The engine further includes an after-treatment system and a sensor configured to sense a temperature of the engine exhaust emission and a device configured to receive a sensing signal from the sensor and to control a parameter of the engine and a component of the engine in response to the sensing signal. |
| US08857154B2 |
Exhaust aftertreatment for NOx-containing exhaust from an internal combustion engine
A method of treating NOx-containing exhaust from an internal combustion engine. An exhaust aftertreatment system has the following devices arranged in the following order downstream the exhaust manifold: a lean NOx trap (LNT), a particulate filter (PF) and a selective reduction catalyst (SCR) device. At least the LNT is located in the engine compartment. The SCR temperature at the input to, or in, the SCR is monitored to determine whether the aftertreatment system is to be operated in a cold mode or warm mode. Only during warm mode is reductant provided to the SCR, and during warm mode the LNT is not regenerated. |
| US08857150B2 |
Monitoring of a high-pressure pump in a turbine engine fuel supply circuit
A device and method for monitoring a high-pressure pump in a turbomachine fuel supply circuit by detecting opening of a pressurizing and shut-off valve mounted on an outlet side of a fuel flow regulating valve, by measuring rotational speed of the turbomachine corresponding to the opening of the pressurizing and cut-off valve, and by monitoring change in a value of the rotational speed to propose replacement of the high-pressure pump when the measure value rotational speed reaches a predetermined threshold. |
| US08857143B2 |
Frame for harvesting header with continuous section
A frame for a harvesting header has a top beam extending across substantially a full width of the harvesting header and has ends arranged adjacent respective ends of the harvesting header and a midpoint in a center area of the harvesting header. The header frame has a bottom beam substantially parallel to the top beam extending less than the full width of the harvesting header and having a midpoint in the center area of the harvesting header. Vertical main structures connect the top and bottom beams. Diagonal truss members connect the ends of the top beam and interfaces of the bottom beam and vertical main structures. The vertical main structures form a feederhouse interface at the center area of the harvesting header. The top beam and bottom beam are continuous through the center area of the harvesting header. Header drive assemblies are mounted at the ends of the bottom beam. |
| US08857142B2 |
Door prop in a lawn mower
A mower for cutting grass includes a platform with a motor located thereon. A door on the platform has a first position blocking a discharge and a second door position away from the discharge. A bag has an inlet that mates to a discharge. A support is connected to the platform and a door prop is movably mounted on the support. The door prop has a first position not in engagement with the door to permit the door to be in the first position and having a second position in which a segment of the door prop engages with the door to retain the door in the second position. A handle extends up from the platform. An operable member is mounted on the handle. A connector extends between the door prop and the operable member to transmit force to move the door prop. |
| US08857141B2 |
Flexible draper header with relatively rigid center section
A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a flexible cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a fore-and-aft draper and side drapers, with at least part of the draper assembly being rigidly supported on the header frame. A center section of the cutterbar assembly is rigidified so as to be restricted from flexing, while the side sections of the cutterbar assembly flex and follow the changes in terrain. |
| US08857139B1 |
Method and apparatus for stalk shear reduction
Four (4) methods to reduce stalk shear in a corn head row unit utilize a non-variable or dependent drive system. The four methods described include altering the gearbox ratio, increasing the lengths of the fluted portion of the stalk roll, increasing stalk roll diameter or reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket. A method for reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket includes the steps of providing a kit with a kit gathering chain drive sprocket of reduced size and replacing the gathering chain drive sprocket with the kit gathering chain drive sprocket. |
| US08857138B2 |
Starter system for an engine
A lawn mower includes an internal combustion engine, an electric motor configured to start the engine, a blade driven by the engine, and an assembly for stopping at least one of the blade and the engine. The assembly includes a brake mechanism, a release mechanism movable to an engaged position to release the brake mechanism, an interlock configured to selectively prevent the release mechanism from moving to the engaged position, and an interface allowing an operator to release the interlock to allow the release mechanism to move to the engaged position. The lawn mower further includes a switch actuated by the release mechanism and a control module coupled to the switch so that the switch provides a signal to the control module when the release mechanism is in the engaged position and the control module turns on the electric motor in response to the signal to start the engine. |
| US08857137B2 |
Robotic lawn mower for cutting around conveyance member
A vegetation cutting apparatus including a movable carriage having a conveyance system for facilitating conveyance of the carriage over ground. The conveyance system can have conveyance members for facilitating such conveyance. A cutting system can be mounted to the carriage for cutting vegetation. The cutting system can include at least one cutting member which is positionable laterally around the periphery of at least one conveyance member for enabling cutting of vegetation laterally around the at least one conveyance member. |
| US08857136B2 |
Device for arranging a sleeve-like foil envelope around an object
The invention relates to a device for arranging a sleeve-like foil envelope around an object, comprising supply means for supplying said sleeve-like foil envelope around at least one spreading element (190), as well as discharge means for discharging the sleeve-like foil envelope from the device and arranging it around the object. The object of the invention is to provide a device which on the one hand requires less installation space and which, in addition, is suitable for use as a multiple enveloping device, in which several envelopes can be arranged around objects simultaneously or in succession. In order to accomplish that object, the discharge means are disposed within said at least one spreading element. Not only does this lead to a significant reduction of the required installation space, but it also makes it possible to operate the device at a higher speed and as a multiple device. |
| US08857135B2 |
Medicine packaging device and cart for changing packaging unit
There is provided a medicine packaging device that can resolve the problem in which fine mechanical adjustments are needed for changing setting conditions of a packaging part or when the packaging part fails. The medicine packaging device has a device body 3 having an accommodation space 5, a slide unit 8 reciprocally attached to the accommodation space 5 of the device body 3, and a packaging unit 4 removably attached to the slide unit 8. The packaging unit is allowed to package medicines with a package paper 23 by moving the slide unit 8 a packaging position in the accommodation space 5. The packaging unit is moved to a drawn-out position drawn out from the packaging position. The packaging unit is replaceable by being moved to a replacement position drawn out from the device body 3. |
| US08857134B2 |
Multi-handled sealed bag
A sealed multi-handled bag is provided that includes a first handle at a first end and a second handle at a second end. In one embodiment, the handles are on substantially opposite ends of the bag. The sealed bag may be made from plastic and may contain loose materials, such as a salt. In some embodiments, one or more of the handles are formed from heat-sealed layers of bag material having a grip cut therein. A method for filling and sealing the multi-handled sealed bag includes filling a bag having a first closed end through a second open end, and sealing the second open end to form a handle. In one embodiment, sealing the second open end includes heat-sealing opposing layers of bag material together and cutting a handle through the layers. In another embodiment, the method includes folding-over the layers of bag material. |
| US08857133B2 |
Purlin construction for roof structures
An elongated purlin for use in roof structures includes an elongated mounting wall designed to be mounted to and supported on roof beams, an upright wall affixed to the mounting wall and extending longitudinally approximately the length of the mounting wall, and first and second horizontally outwardly opening channels affixed to the upright wall and extending approximately the length of the upright wall. The first and second channels open outwardly in opposite directions and each of the first and second channels is designed to receive an edge of a solar panel or roof section engaged therein. |
| US08857131B2 |
Method for erecting a tower, and tower
A method of erecting a pylon of a wind power installation is provided. The method includes providing a foundation and placing a plurality of height adjusting units on the foundation. The height adjusting units are made substantially from a plastic material. A load distribution ring is placed on the plurality of height adjusting units. The load distribution ring is straightened and leveled by adjustment of the height adjusting units. A gap between the foundation and the load distribution ring is filled with a grouting material. A pylon segment is placed on the load distribution ring after the grouting material has reached a predetermined strength. The height adjusting units are configured to jointly bear the weight of the load distribution ring, and are configured to yield under a selected load that is greater that a weight of the load distribution ring. |
| US08857129B2 |
Frame assembly having a corner key
In one embodiment, a frame assembly includes at least two frame members, each frame member comprising two mitered ends and defining an interior space divided into at least three longitudinal cavities, wherein one of the at least three cavities is a corner key cavity. The frame assembly further includes at least one corner key, wherein each half of each corner key is configured to fit into one end of one of the corner key cavities to form a corner. When the at least two frame members are joined using the corner key, the corner key cavity is adjacent to the outer perimeter of the frame assembly system. The outer perimeter of the frame assembly includes a contact portion configured to contact another frame assembly or a structure, wherein the corner key cavity extends across at least 90% of the contact portion of the outer perimeter of the frame assembly. |
| US08857128B2 |
Reinforced device housing
A housing for an electronic device or other object formed from a fiber-in-matrix material. A layered fiber-in-matrix type material, such as CFRP, may be used. A spine made from CFRP may support, and be attached to, a CFRP skin. The CFRP spine may be a unitary frame that imparts strength and rigidity to the overall housing and also form at least some of the corners of the frame. In some embodiments, the spine may be rectangular. The skin may be formed from multiple layers of CFRP type material stacked atop each other. Each layer may be cut at one or more corners to expose at least a portion of the layer beneath. The skin may thus have an overall cross shape, such that each arm of the cross may be wrapped around a different side of the aforementioned rectangular spine. |
| US08857125B2 |
Wood flooring with sealed joints for truck trailers and containers
Floor boards and wood flooring for truck trailers and containers as well as methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example wood floor for truck trailers and containers may include a wood member including a plurality of floor boards. Each of the floor boards may include a plurality of wood strips joined together. Opposing side surfaces of the wood strips may be attached together. Opposing end surfaces of the wood strips may be secured together with an end joint. The end joint may include a sealer disposed within the end joint. |
| US08857122B2 |
System of tying, cleaning and re-cementing masonry using port anchors
A port anchor system and method for anchoring and cementing adjacent and often separated leaves (layered structures) of masonry. The method and various embodiments have the capability of being used for anchoring, cleaning and flushing of old mortar, and injecting grout into internal masonry voids, thereby tying and re-cementing or cementing the masonry mass back together. Various embodiments of anchor systems are provided for performing the various methods, more particularly, some of the embodiments describe port anchors which are used to clean and flush the old mortar and then grout fill the void between adjacent masonry leaves while other embodiments are used to grout fill the void. |
| US08857121B2 |
Linear surface covering system
The invention relates to a surface covering system, and, more specifically, to an improved linear surface covering system. The improvement includes each plank of the system having multi-directionally cut grooves. The improvement further includes clip projections which conform substantially to a notch formed by the multi-directional grooves. The system also includes an improved splice plate for stabilizing two adjacent planks positioned in end-to-end relation. |
| US08857119B2 |
Wooden member assembly
Wooden member to be easily joined to another member, with good appearance of decreased size fixation structure for tensile member to improve the load bearing performance. Metal screw members including cylindrical shaft portions having an axial direction through hole and blade spirally protruding from the shaft portion are axially threaded into wooden member at two locations. Groove or hollow hole is between the two screw members, and steel rod extends from the through hole of one of the screw members through the groove or hollow hole into the through hole of the other. Both ends of the steel rod with tensioning force are locked to the screw member by nuts. Cutout recesses are formed in the wooden member, and the screw members are threaded into the wooden member through the recesses and the steel rod is locked to the screw members. |
| US08857118B2 |
Hydraulic cements comprising carbonate compound compositions
Hydraulic cement compositions that include a carbonate compound composition, e.g., a salt-water derived carbonate compound composition containing crystalline and/or amorphous carbonate compounds, are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydraulic cements, as well as settable compositions, such as concretes and mortars, prepared therefrom. The cements and compositions produced therefrom find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications. |
| US08857115B2 |
Composite step tread
A step for ingress and egress from a swimming pool and/or a spa includes a tread including opposing side edges, a riser coupled with and extending substantially perpendicular from one of the side edges of the tread and an upper flange substantially perpendicular to said tread and coupled with and extending upwardly or downwardly from one of the opposing side edges of the tread opposite the riser. The upper flange is configured to be coupled with the riser of another step or a wall of the swimming pool or spa to form a stairway. |
| US08857111B2 |
Composite damper
A composite damper includes a first connector, a second connector and at least a dampening device. The first connector and the second connector are relative movable to each other, and the at least one dampening device is received between the first connector and the second connector. The dampening device comprises at least a rigid member and at least a dampening member, wherein the rigid member has the properties of high stiffness and low damping, while the dampening member has the properties of low stiffness and high damping. With such design, the composite damper could absorb vibrations during earthquakes. |
| US08857104B2 |
Vehicle door opening device
A vehicle door opening device comprises a drive unit, an opening cable and a closing cable. The drive unit comprises a housing, a motor mounted to the housing and having armature, and a drum rotated by the motor. At a vertex of the housing, an exterior angle was approximately right angles. The axis of the armature is perpendicular to a side of the housing having the vertex at the end. The drive unit can be made smaller. |
| US08857103B1 |
Planter with adjustable support stakes
A planter with adjustable support stakes to support a growing houseplant, including a pot and length adjustable stakes each of which include at least one section rod having a bottom end inserted into a receptacle within a pot upper end and couplers which to vertically attach section rods together and a length of string attached to directly opposite couplers to prevent plant breakage and to support fruit produced by the houseplant. |
| US08857100B2 |
Weedless fishing lure device and related method
A weedless fishing lure device. The device has a single piece soft bodied lure material having a first end and a second end. An air ballast formed by at least one cavity region provided within one or more portions of the single piece soft bodied lure material and extending from a vicinity of the first end of the single piece soft bodied lure material toward the second end of the single piece soft bodied lure material. The device has a lower portion of the soft bodied lure member bordering a lower portion of the cavity region and an upper portion of the single piece soft bodied lure member bordering an upper portion of the cavity region. An outer region is formed from the single piece soft bodied lure material. An opening is within the upper portion of the single piece soft bodied lure member. The device also has hook member having an eyelet and a shank, which extends from the eyelet to at least one bend section configured in an annular manner and having at least one portion extending back toward a direction of the eyelet and terminating at a point. The hook member is substantially enclosed within the outer region of the single piece soft bodied lure member. The shank is embedded within the lower portion of the single piece soft bodied lure member, and the point is substantially snag proof or weedless. |
| US08857098B2 |
Mark I lobster net
Sport fishing for lobsters by divers is done with a hand held net. Lobsters in a net try to escape through the large net opening by flipping their tails. It is accordingly an object of the invention to trap a lobster and prevent it from escaping. The Mark I lobster net closes by flipping a lever with the thumb, preventing the lobster from escape. The overall density of the net is greater than that of sea water. If the net is dropped, it will fall to the bottom and not drift off. The handle is painted a florescent yellow so that it can be seen on the ocean floor. |
| US08857097B2 |
Quick detachable firearm accessory mount
A quick detachable mount is disclosed, wherein the quick detachable mount can be operated with one hand for mounting or detaching the mount from a mounting location (e.g. picatinny rail). The quick detachable mount has a button that can be depressed with the user's thumb while the user's index or middle finger are on the opposite side of the mount (or vice versa). The button when depressed moves a wedge to allow for a pivoting jaw to rotate toward a disengaged position. When the button is released, the wedge contacts the pivoting jaw to traverse the pivoting jaw toward the engaged position. |
| US08857096B2 |
Forward pistol mount
A forward pistol mount for mounting a pistol to a rifle. The forward pistol mount has an external mount structure that attaches to the lower tactical rail of the rifle. The pistol is attached to an internal mount structure of the forward pistol mount. The internal mount structure is positioned within the external mount structure and clamps around the lower tactical rail of the pistol. A securing mechanism that can be positioned on either side of the forward pistol mount allows for the quick release or insertion of the pistol within the internal mount structure. The present invention allows the pistol to provide the same grip as a pistol grip accessory but with the actual firing power of a gun, thus allowing for zero transition time between weapons. |
| US08857095B2 |
Firearm with rectangular barrel having non-smooth interior surface
A firearm is provided that includes a receiver, a stock, an elongated barrel and a muzzle. The barrel extends from the receiver to the muzzle and has a rectangular internal bore extending from the receiver to the muzzle. The internal bore has two short sides and two long sides. A plurality of teeth extends along one of the short sides within the internal bore. The internal bore has an interior barrel surface that is a high friction surface. |
| US08857090B2 |
Firing mechanism for a firearm
The invention relates to a firing mechanism for a firearm, comprising a housing in which a spring-loaded firing pin is guided in a guide, which firing pin can be held in a cocked position by means of a firing pin lug which latches on a latching tab of a latching piece and lies radially on one side of the firing pin, with the firing pin being guided in the guide via at least one roller, and wherein the roller lies on that side of the firing pin that is located radially opposite to the firing pin lug. |
| US08857087B1 |
Label holder and sign holder system for merchandise display shelves
A label holder and sign holder system for attachment along the front face of a merchandise display shelf. The label holder has a forwardly projecting, downwardly opening sign grip extending along its upper edge for receiving and gripping upper edges of sign cards, which can be positioned along the length of the label holder. A sign holder, which is narrow in relation to the label holder, has a mounting clip at its upper edge which snaps over the sign grip and releasably locks the sign holder to the label holder, while permitting the sign holder to be laterally adjusted along the label holder. The sign holder has a panel extending downward from the mounting clip and carrying a sign clip for displaying a sign at right angles to the label holder. When no sign is displayed, the sign holder can be left in position or moved to an inconspicuous location. |
| US08857084B2 |
Mobile advertising displays
Mobile advertising displays configured to mount to a bicycle having a frame and a wheel, the mobile advertising displays including a mounting mechanism configured to mount to the frame of the bicycle proximate the wheel, a brace coupled to the mounting mechanism, and a display retained on the brace. In some examples, the mobile advertising display is bilaterally mounted to the frame of the bicycle and includes identifying information. In some further examples, the mobile advertising display includes a stabilizer. |
| US08857083B2 |
Message in a bottle
Embodiments of the invention relate to a container with one or more secondary objects housed in the container and configured with indicia to communicate a message. One or more secondary objects in communication with a weight are housed in the container. A combination of the weight and buoyancy characteristics of the secondary object(s) supports floating of the secondary object in the fluid. |
| US08857081B2 |
Quick hitch coupler
A quick hitch coupler having an arrangement for releasably coupling a tool such as an excavator tool to the quick hitch coupler. The arrangement for releasably coupling the tool to the quick hitch coupler has tool pin engaging members on spaced apart portions of the main body of the quick hitch coupler. One of the tool pin engaging members has an associated latching member movably mounted on the main body of the quick hitch coupler between a tool pin locking position and a tool pin releasing position. The latching member has a lock movably mounted on the latching member for locking a tool pin onto the latching member quick hitch coupler in normal use. |
| US08857079B2 |
Snow groomer and relative control method
A snow groomer has a first and second track; an internal combustion engine; a plurality of working devices; a user interface; a power transmission; a first computing block for determining a total power demand of the working devices; and a second computing block for determining a work point in a characteristic graph of the internal combustion engine as a function of total power demand and the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine. |
| US08857076B2 |
Article of footwear with an adaptive fluid system
An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use. |
| US08857075B2 |
Production of smoking products by thermal extrusion
The invention relates to a method for producing a smoking product from a tobacco material, wherein the tobacco material is treated using at least one extrusion process, which comprises compaction with an increase in pressure and temperature and a mechanical treatment and sudden flash drying of the material at an outlet of an extruder (1), wherein a heated process fluid (7) is supplied as a heat transfer medium to the tobacco material in the extruder (1) to supply process heat. The invention further relates to a device for producing a smoking product from a tobacco material using an extruder (1) which performs a compaction of a tobacco material with an increase in pressure and temperature and a mechanical treatment and sudden flash drying of the material at the extruder outlet, wherein the extruder (1) is associated with a heater (11), which heats a process fluid (7) that is supplied to the extruder (1) for supplying process heat as a heat transfer medium. |
| US08857074B2 |
Bio-thermal method and system for stabilizing timber
A thermal method for stabilizing a load of wood, in particular timber, including: a phase of treatment of the load of wood in a treatment kiln by a gaseous treatment flow; generation of a gaseous treatment flow at high temperature from a heat generator independent of the treatment kiln and recovery of the loaded gaseous flow after treatment. |
| US08857073B2 |
Method for vacuum concentration
Vacuum concentrator, comprising a vacuum chamber with a closure which may be sealed in an airtight manner, a centrifuge rotor arranged in the vacuum chamber with at least one receiver for at least one vessel for samples to be dried, a drive motor arranged outside the vacuum chamber for driving the centrifuge rotor, a vacuum pump connected to the vacuum chamber, a tempering device associated with the vacuum chamber for tempering the at least one sample in the vacuum chamber, a pressure sensor associated with the vacuum chamber for detecting the pressure inside the vacuum chamber and an electrical control and evaluating device which is connected to the drive motor, the vacuum pump, the tempering device and the pressure sensor, for detecting the end point of the vacuum concentration by means of the pressures detected by the pressure sensor in the vacuum chamber and terminating the vacuum concentration when the end point is determined. |
| US08857072B1 |
Mitten and boot dryer for use with a residential furnace
The mitten and boot dryer for use with a residential furnace includes a vent plate made of a ferrous material, which is mounted either one a forced air residential furnace or down line therefrom. The vent plate features a plurality of holes upon which a vent may be attached via an angled base support. The angled base support features a magnet embedded therein, which attaches itself onto the hole of the vent plate, and can rotate there about. Alternatively, the angled base support may feature a winged end that slides into a winged hole on the vent plate, and is rotated therein so as to lock into the vent plate. The vent has a cap on a farthest distal end and features a plurality of holes along the length. The angled base support includes a friction hinge to enable rotation of the vent with respect to the vent plate. The vents are ideally oriented at angles to enable a boot or mitten to rest thereon. The vent plate may include a plurality of holes not covered by a vent, which enables heated air to dry out the exterior of the boot, mitten, or object hung thereon. The vents may include telescoping bodies that can extend and retract in length. |
| US08857069B2 |
Tilt detecting device and laser surveying instrument
The present invention provides a tilt detecting device (1), comprising a first tilt sensor (2) for detecting a tilting with respect to direction of gravity with high accuracy, a second tilt sensor (3) for detecting the tilting with respect to direction of gravity and for detecting the tilting with lower accuracy than that of the first tilt sensor and in a range wider than that of the first tilt sensor, wherein the first tilt sensor and the second tilt sensor are fixed relatively to each other, and the tilting is detected by the second tilt sensor by using a reference position and a detecting direction as detected by the first tilt sensor as reference. |
| US08857067B2 |
Saw assembly with floating bearing for worm drive and motor shaft
A saw assembly includes a housing, a motor, a worm gear, and a drive member. The housing defines an interior space. The motor is positioned in the housing and has a motor shaft, the motor being configured to rotate the motor shaft about a first axis. The worm gear is positioned in the housing and has a worm gear shaft. Rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the worm gear shaft. The drive member is operatively coupled to the worm gear. Rotation of the worm gear shaft causes movement of the drive member in a repeating pattern. The worm gear shaft includes a bore structure defining a blind bore and an opening leading to the blind bore. The bore structure defines a set of internal threads that are spaced apart from the opening. The motor shaft includes a set of external threads. |
| US08857064B2 |
Safety cutter apparatus
A cutter apparatus includes a housing sized to be hand-held, the housing including a channel and openings adjacent to the channel at three different sides of the housing, and a blade carrier sized to fit within and slide along the channel, the blade carrier including three engaging portions that extend from the openings such that a force bearing upon any of the portions can cause the blade carrier to slide along the channel. |
| US08857062B2 |
Sealed rolling bearing
A sealed rolling bearing is proposed which makes it possible to reduce the torque loss while ensuring high sealing performance. Seal lips of seal members secured to the outer ring of the bearing at both ends thereof are in sliding contact with both ends of the outer periphery of the inner ring of the bearing. These portions of the inner ring that are in sliding contact with the seal lips are subjected to minute shot peening in which minute shots of molybdenum disulfide having a particle diameter of 20 to 200 micrometers are struck against these portions at a high speed of 50 meters per second. This decreases the friction torque attendant to sliding contact of the seal lips and makes it possible to decrease the torque loss of the bearing even if the contact pressure of the seal lips is increased sufficiently to ensure high sealing performance. |
| US08857057B2 |
Apparatus and method for facilitating servicing of a liquid-cooled electronics rack
An apparatus for facilitating servicing of a liquid-cooled electronics rack is provided. The apparatus includes a coolant tank, a coolant pump in fluid communication with the coolant tank, multiple parallel-connected coolant supply lines coupling the coolant pump to a coolant supply port of the apparatus, and a coolant return port and a coolant return line coupled between the coolant return port and the coolant tank. Each coolant supply line includes a coolant control valve for selectively controlling flow of coolant therethrough pumped by the coolant pump from the coolant tank. At least one coolant supply line includes at least one filter, and one coolant supply line is a bypass line with no filter. When operational, the apparatus facilitates filling of coolant into a cooling system of a liquid-cooled electronics rack by allowing for selective filtering of coolant inserted into the cooling system. |
| US08857053B2 |
Compressor housing remanufacturing method and apparatus
A compressor housing defines an inlet bore having a first inlet collar disposed therein. The inlet collar is connected to the housing with a first plurality of radially extending posts. The first plurality of posts is removed to detach the inlet collar from the housing, and the inlet collar is removed from the housing. The same or another inlet collar is concentrically located within a liner. The liner can be located at a radial distance around at least a portion of the inlet collar. The inlet collar is connected to the liner by radially inserting a second plurality of posts through the liner and into the inlet collar. An assembly of the liner containing the inlet collar is inserted into the inlet bore of the housing such that the inlet collar forms the inducer bore of the compressor housing. |
| US08857052B2 |
Method of forming a flexure assembly
A flexure assembly includes two metallic flexure arrays molded into a thermoplastic support base. The two flexure arrays are positioned in parallel in the thermoplastic support base to allow rotational movement about one axis while providing high stiffness with respect to off-axis movement. Flexible supports in the two flexure arrays may be interleaved to form a cross flexure configuration. Off-axis stiffness of the flexure assembly prevents harmonic resonance in directions that cannot be compensated for in a single-axis actuator. |
| US08857051B2 |
System and method for coupling lead-in conductor to insulated conductor
A method for coupling a lead-in cable to an insulated conductor includes exposing an end portion of a core of the insulated conductor by removing at least a portion of a jacket and an electrical insulator surrounding the end portion of the core. A recess is formed in the electrical insulator at the end of the electrical insulator surrounding the end portion of the core. An end portion of a conductor of the lead-in cable is exposed by removing at least a portion of a sheath and insulation surrounding the end portion of the conductor. The end portion of the core is coupled to the end portion of the conductor. The end portion of the core and the end portion of the conductor are placed in a body filled with electrically insulating material. |
| US08857049B2 |
Apparatus and methods for environmentally sealing terminal blocks
A method for environmentally protecting a terminal block includes providing a sealing device including: a base substrate having an anchoring surface; and a gel sealant body having an engagement surface. The gel sealant body is secured to the anchoring surface and extends forwardly from the anchoring surface to the engagement surface. The method further includes: applying the sealing device to the terminal block such that the gel sealant body is interposed between the terminal block and the base substrate and the engagement surface engages the terminal block; and wrapping a retainer member around the terminal block and securing the sealing device to the terminal block using the retainer member. |
| US08857044B2 |
System for manufacturing a field emission structure
An system for manufacturing a field emission structure is provided that involves a magnet supplying device and a magnet placement device for placing each of a plurality of magnets at a corresponding location of a plurality of locations of the field emission structure. The corresponding location and a corresponding orientation of each of the magnets relative to each other are defined in accordance with a code that specifies at least one magnet of the plurality of magnets having a first polarity orientation and at least one other magnet of the plurality of magnets having a second polarity orientation that is opposite from the first polarity orientation. |
| US08857042B2 |
Method for producing stator for rotary electric machine
Disclosed is a method for producing a stator for a rotary electric machine, which involves preparing a stator core having a plurality of slots. Each of a plurality of coils is provided with a pair of coil ends, a first side, and a second side. The first side and/or the second side is inserted into the retaining groove of a jig, and each coil is set on the jig in a manner such that both coil ends extend further to the outside than the end surfaces of the jig in the axial direction thereof. The jig is disposed inside the stator core in the diameter direction. The space between the first side and the second side of the coil is expanded by applying pressing force to both coil ends from the axial direction of the stator core by means of a pressing member. |
| US08857035B2 |
Method for cold loading an article
A method of loading an article, such as a self-expanding stent, into a structure, such as a delivery catheter, including the steps of chilling the article to a predetermined temperature, reducing article size a predetermined amount, inserting fluid into the article, whereby the fluid forms a substantially solid plug with respect to the article, and moving the frozen article. Also provided is an apparatus for loading an article into a structure including: an article size reduction element, a chiller connected to the size reduction element, a cold source communicatively connected to the chiller, and a fluid supply communicatively connected to the size reduction element. |
| US08857031B2 |
Method for producing an objective
Method for producing an objective, in which the outer mounting includes an outer surface that is, at least in sections, limited by a plane which extends inclined toward the optical axis or which extends at a distance from the optical axis. |
| US08857030B2 |
Leverage tool for opening cargo containers
A leverage hand tool for opening doors of a conventional cargo container provided with a latch mechanism having locking brackets and pivotal levers engaged with the locking brackets. The leverage tool is designed to amplify the lever arm formed by the pivotal container handle and make it easier to release the arm from the locking bracket. The tool has an elongated tool handle with a longitudinal axis and an engaging member secured to the tool handle at an acute angle in relation to the longitudinal axis. The engaging member has a through opening of sufficient size to slide over a pivotal lever of the cargo container while transmitting pivotal force from the tool handle to the pivotal lever. |
| US08857025B2 |
Apparatus and method for repairing the junction of a sewer main and lateral pipe
The present invention is directed to methods for repairing pipes or pipe junctions. The methods include providing a launcher device having a bladder and a liner impregnated with a material capable of curing and hardening. The bladder includes a first end, a closed second end, and an opening proximal the closed second end. A portion of the bladder is positioned within the launcher device, a rope or a line is connected to the liner, and the rope or line is threaded through the opening in the bladder. The rope or the line is pulled until the liner is at least partially within the bladder, and the rope or line is removed. The pipe is repaired by positioning the liner against the wall of a pipe, and allowing a material capable of curing and hardening to cure and harden. The methods allow for the rapid reuse of the bladder. |
| US08857020B2 |
Actuators and methods of making the same
A method of forming an actuator includes depositing a photoimageable material to form a first photoimageable layer on a piezoelectric layer; patterning the first photoimageable layer to form an aperture; and disposing a first conductive layer on the first photoimageable layer. An actuator device formed by this method includes the photoimageable material. The first conductive layer partially overlies the first photoimageable layer such that a first portion of the first conductive layer contacts the first photoimageable layer and a second portion of the first conductive layer electrically contacts the piezoelectric layer in the aperture. |
| US08857019B1 |
Service belt buckle
A belt buckle primarily for law enforcement or military personnel, for a relatively wide service belt, is of low profile, i.e. narrow from left to right so as to occupy minimal belt span to provide maximum space for equipment to be supported on the belt. |
| US08857018B2 |
Clip for fastening surface skin material
A cover-material fixing clip includes: a chuck that pinches a locking hem formed on a back surface of a cover material; a hook that locks a wire provided in a groove of a cushion material; and a guide lever that is provided facing an opening of the hook. A proximal end of the hook is connected to a bottom of the chuck opposite to the cover material. The guide lever is connected to a side surface of the chuck. |
| US08857017B2 |
Magnetic tape device for magnetic encoder and methods for manufacturing and mounting said device
Magnetic tape (1) device (4) for magnetic encoder and manufacturing and installation procedures for this device (4). The magnetic tape (1) has a magnetized surface and a non-magnetized surface in the device (4), which also comprises a clamp (2) with fastening means, such that when the device (4) is mounted on a rotating shaft (5) then the magnetic tape (1) is located between the outer surface of the shaft (5) and the inner surface (7) of the clamp (2) on which the magnetic tape (1) is adhered by its magnetized surface. A manufacturing procedure for this device (4) and an installation procedure for this device (4) on a rotating shaft (5) is also described. |
| US08857016B2 |
Hinge assembly
A hinge assembly for a trunk lid of an automotive vehicle. The hinge assembly includes a mounting plate secured to the vehicle and a hinge arm having first and second ends. The first end of the connecting arm is mounted to the mounting plate such that the second end of the hinge arm is pivotally movable between a lowered position and a fully raised position. A friction plate is provided adjacent to the mounting plate and hinge arm and includes a portion biased into contact with the hinge arm. The contact between the friction plate and the hinge arm provides frictional resistance to movement of the hinge arm between the lowered position and the fully raised position. |
| US08857014B2 |
Damping device for furniture parts
A damping device for damping a motion of a movably mounted furniture part or of a movably mounted furniture fitting component of a furniture fitting includes a piston arranged in a fluid chamber. A damping effect is caused by a relative motion between the fluid chamber and the piston and the piston assumes a pressed-in end position relative to the fluid chamber at the end of the damping stroke. The damping device has a locking device which has a locking element that can be operated manually or by means of a tool in order to deactivate the damping effect. The relative position between the fluid chamber and the piston can be releasably locked in the pressed-in end position by the locking element of the locking device. |
| US08857013B2 |
Vacuum cleaning device, comprising a unit with a movable surface for generating an oscillating airflow
A vacuum cleaning device comprises a unit (1) in which an oscillating airflow is generated which substantially zero net flow and an asymmetry between the suction and the blowing phases, such that in the blowing phase a jet is generated. A generator (31) which is needed for generating the oscillating airflow comprises a movable surface (30) which is integrated in a wall (12) of a housing (10) having an internal space (11) and at least one opening (13) for allowing air to flow to and from the internal space (11). The jet can be generates when the so-called Strouhal number, being the frequency of the movement of the movable surface (30) multiplied by a characteristic dimension of the opening (13) and divided by the velocity of the air in the opening (13), is not higher than a predetermined maximum. |
| US08857011B2 |
Pet vacuum cleaner
A hand-held cleaning device that utilizes a low-power, low-torque motor coupled to an impeller for creating a vacuum. The device includes a contact head having a plurality of protrusions formed on its top surface. The contact head contacts the surface to be cleaned, for example, the coat of a pet. The protrusions are sized and spaced to avoid tangling or clumping of pet hair. The device includes a container for collecting hair and debris. The impeller includes ribs on a disk portion thereof for increasing the efficiency of the vacuum system. |
| US08857009B2 |
Beam blade wiper assembly having self-locking end cap
A beam blade windshield wiper assembly including a wiping element and at least one elongated beam. A pair of end caps are operatively mounted to the longitudinal ends of the beam. The end caps include a body and inwardly extending legs that together with the body define a central channel that is adapted to receive the longitudinal ends of the wiping element and the beam. The legs include a retention tab that extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the beam and defines a terminal end. The beam includes a notch that corresponds with the retention tab such that the beam is received in the central channel. The retention tab is biased away from the channel until the terminal end of the tab comes into abutting engagement with the notch such that removal of the end cap is prevented. |
| US08857005B2 |
Brush with structure for hair removal
A hair brush that permits quick and easy removal of hair has a handle attached to a head. The head is made up of at least two frames that are mounted to the handle through cantilevers that permit movement of the frames relative to one another. The bristles are mounted to the frames, preferably in single rows. A force applied to one frame moves that frame relative to the other frame and the handle, thereby permitting the user to reach between the frames to remove any hair that is caught in the bristles. The brush allows a gap between the bristles to be enlarged, thereby making removal using human fingers much easier. Repeated movement and return of the frames to their resting position can cause the hair fibers to work away from the bristle bases and make removal much easier. |
| US08857003B2 |
Contouring toothbrush head
The present invention discloses a toothbrush having a handle and an articulated head coupled to the handle. The articulated head includes two sections and each of the head sections has a bottom surface and a side surface. Each of the head sections includes a plurality of bristles extending from the bottom surface of that head section and at least one of the head sections includes a plurality of elastomeric fingers partially defining the side surface of that head section and partially extending from the bottom surface of the head section. The head section most remote from the handle, in a normal configuration of the articulated head, is angled with respect to the other head section. |
| US08857002B2 |
Cleaning sheet and cleaning implement
Cleaning sheets and cleaning tools that provide a wide cleaning area in a wetted state. A representative cleaning sheet includes a hydrophilic inner layer sheet and hydrophobic outer layer sheets. The inner layer sheet is disposed between the outer layer sheets and impregnated with cleaning solution. Fusion bonded layers are formed on inner sides (sides facing the inner layer sheet) of the outer layer sheets. |
| US08856999B2 |
Machine for scratching the removable paint off the scratch tickets
The machine is made up of an upper scraping device R (FIG. 7) and a lower contrast and drawing device T (FIG. 7), both independent even in motorization, and connected to each other by respective side frames FI and FS (FIG. 7) through a contrast screw and spring system 2,8 (FIG. 1); wherein both the scraping device and the contrast and drawing device are simultaneously operated, wherein when the ticket passes between them, the simultaneous interaction of the two devices R and T clean the ticket 20 of its removable paint. |
| US08856996B2 |
Laundry treating device and method of controlling the same
A laundry treating device includes two separate laundry washing mechanisms. Methods of controlling such a laundry treating device include steps for supplying water to a first tub provided in the first laundry treating device and to a second tub provided in the second laundry treating device. The water can be supplied to the two tubs simultaneously or separately. Also, the water supply steps can be alternated. Further individual hot and cold water supply steps can include simultaneously or sequentially supplying the hot and cold water. |
| US08856993B2 |
Temperature and moisture regulating topper for non-powered person-support surfaces
A person-support surface comprises a non powered mattress and a coverlet positionable on the non powered mattress. The coverlet includes an entry positioned at a first end of the coverlet, an exit positioned at a second end of the coverlet opposite the entry, an upper air impermeable layer, and a lower air impermeable layer coupled to the upper air impermeable layer to form an air flow path along the coverlet between the entry and the exit. The upper air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable and the lower air impermeable layer is a vapor permeable. |
| US08856982B1 |
Motion bed
A bed assembly (1) has a stationary frame (2), which sits on a floor and supports the entire bed assembly. A central frame (4) moves in a first horizontal direction relative to the stationary frame, and is moveably supported by the stationary frame. An outer frame (8) moves in a second horizontal direction relative to the second frame, and is moveably supported by the second frame. |
| US08856981B1 |
Stability controlled assistive lifting apparatus
A stability controlled assistive lifting harness apparatus is provided which includes a frame, an actuator attached to said frame, a lifting harness configured to support a user and to be raised and lowered by said actuator, said lifting harness being provided with at least one surface pressure sensor located within the lifting harness which measures a force applied to a user by the lifting harness, a harness tension sensor which measures a force applied to the lifting harness by said motor, and a controller which receives outputs from said surface pressure sensor and said harness tension sensor and controls operation of said actuator based on the outputs of the surface pressure sensor and the harness tension sensor. The controller controls operation of the actuator from moving a user between said positions. |
| US08856980B2 |
Under mud shower pan
The invention relates to a one-piece shower pan with no openings for water leakage, other than the drain hole, and designed for easy installation of tiles of various thicknesses. The shower pan comprises a drain hole designed to fit a conventional drain pipe such that when the conventional drain pipe is fastened to the shower pan, the conventional drain pipe extends ½ to 2 inches above the bottom of the shower pan. In this way, when cement or other adhesive is floated on the interior surface of the shower pan, tiles of varying thickness can be installed in such a manner that the top surface of the tiles are substantially flush with the top portion of the conventional drain pipe. The shower pan also has a waterdam with a fin extending vertically on the outer edge of the waterdam as added protection against water migration outside the shower pan. |
| US08856975B2 |
Headband device for an oxygen mask, and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a headband means (1) used for applying a breathing mask (2) in a user's facial area. Said headband means (1) comprises a flexible band body that is provided with upper and lower band portions (3, 4) and is used for transmitting the mask holding forces required for applying the breathing mask. At least some portions of the band body are made of a foamed plastic material. The invention further relates to an application device (102) for a breathing mask, comprising a headband means which extends around the back of a user's head. The headband means encompasses a supporting structure (S) made of a material that can at least once be temporarily brought into a state in which at least some portions of the headband means can be individually adjusted to the shape of the back of the user's head. |
| US08856971B2 |
Energy absorbing blends
A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming. |
| US08856970B2 |
Garment pocket for carrying an object in a concealed state
A pocket for a garment is disclosed. The pocket comprises a first layer and a second layer, which is attached to the first layer to form a partially enclosed space. The partially enclosed space comprises a region defined by a first line corresponding substantially to a line of flexion of a hip joint of a wearer of the garment and a second line corresponding substantially to a centerline of a thigh of a wearer of the garment. The region is configured and disposed to substantially conceal an object stored in the region from a person viewing the garment. |
| US08856969B2 |
Selectively feltable garment
Garments are provided that include feltable fibers in selected areas to provide high durability. Garments are manufactured with feltable fibers is selected areas, such as high wear or high impact areas, and are then subjected to the felting (or fulling) process to produce a garment having partially felted fibers on the selected areas. Such a garment may be a sock with felted areas selected in the heel and toe areas. Such socks have enhanced resistance to wear in these high wear areas, and therefore are useable for longer periods of time for the user of the sock. |
| US08856967B2 |
Glove with improved finger areas
A glove including a wrist region, a palm region, and digit regions. A band zone is defined in a back surface of one or more digit regions and grippingly engages a back of the user's digit received in that region. The band zone includes C-shaped elastomeric bands disposed at right angles to a longitudinal axis of the digit region. Each band extends around less than one half of the circumference of the digit region. The band zone extends from proximate the palm region to an area disposed adjacent a nail of the user's digit. A smooth zone is provided in a surface of the digit region opposite the band zone. The smooth zone is free of elastomeric bands and contacts a front surface of the user's digit. This configuration aids in gripping the user's digit while preserving tactile sensitivity therein when the glove is used for long periods of time. |
| US08856966B2 |
Scratching device
Embodiments of a scratching device are provided herein. In one embodiment, a scratching device includes a hand cover and a means for scratching disposed proximate a terminal end of the hand cover. The hand cover may be configured as a glove, a mitten, or the like and may further be configured to resemble a human hand, an animal's paw, or an element of nature. The means for scratching generally includes a scratching element that extends from a terminal portion of the hand cover. The means for scratching may further comprise a body coupled to the scratching element and having one or more holes configured for the fingers of the user. Optionally, an insert having one or more holes configured for the fingers of the user may be placed within the hand cover to facilitate control of the means for scratching. |
| US08856964B2 |
Articles of apparel including zones having increased thermally insulative and thermally resistive properties
Thermal garments with reduced weight and bulk and improved packability include targeted zones of increased thermal resistive properties. Such garments may include: (a) a first garment region extending along a central back portion of the garment from the waist area of the garment to the neck area; (b) second and third garment regions extending along the sides of the garment from the waist area to the underarm area; and (c) a fourth garment region extending between the first and second garment regions, between the first and third garment regions, and between the second and third garment regions. The fourth garment region includes a thermal material having a lower thermal resistive value than the thermal resistive values of the thermal materials associated with the first, second, and third garment regions. Methods of making such garments also are described. |
| US08856962B2 |
Surface-treated water sports garment
A surface-treated water sports garment with the outer rubber glue layer and a surface treating method thereof is provided. The rubber glue layer can closely join a rubber sponge layer to provide water-repellence and wear-resistance to the surface-treated water sports garment. |
| US08863309B2 |
Selectively unlocking a core root of trust for measurement (CRTM)
A computer system is provided that comprises a processor and a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) module coupled to the processor. The BIOS module stores a Core Root of Trust for Measurement (CRTM), wherein the CRTM selectively unlocks itself. |
| US08863308B2 |
System and methods for providing identity attribute validation in accordance with an attribute disclosure profile
A method of identity attribute validation at a computer server involves the computer server receiving an identity attribute validation request from a communication terminal. The computer server further receives a credential, and is configured with an attribute disclosure profile of attributes authorized for disclosure to the communication terminal. The computer server determines the validity of the credential, and provides the communication terminal with a response to the identity attribute validation request based on an outcome of the credential validity determination. The attribute validation response includes attributes data associated with the credential authorized for disclosure by the attribute disclosure profile but excludes attributes data associated with the credential not authorized for disclosure by the attribute disclosure profile. |
| US08863304B1 |
Method and apparatus for remediating backup data to control access to sensitive data
A method and apparatus for remediating backup data to control access to sensitive data is described. In one embodiment, the method for facilitating sensitive data remediation from backup images without a separate data store includes examining the backup images to identify sensitive data and modifying remediation information associated with the sensitive data, wherein the remediation information restricts access to the sensitive data to at least one corresponding access group. |
| US08863302B2 |
Method and apparatus for importing content having plurality of parts
A digital content protection apparatus and method for digital rights management (DRM) are provided in which a content file including a plurality of content parts is imported such that a header is included which stores location information required for decoding each of the content parts. Therefore, the number of content parts constituting the content file can be recognized, and a license that is required for the use of each of the content parts can be acquired by analyzing header information without necessitating the parsing of the transport packets of the content file. Accordingly, preparation time for using content can be reduced. |
| US08863294B2 |
Digital content management method and apparatus for mobile terminal
A mobile terminal includes an apparatus configured to perform content management method. When a DRM content that is not playable owing to license expiration is found during the content playback mode, the non-playable DRM content can be removed, moved to a pre-specified folder, or license-renewed according to settings. The content management method includes: playing back a content selected from a given content list during a content playback mode; finding, during the content playback mode, an expired DRM content that is not playable owing to license expiration; determining, when an expired DRM content is found, a handling option for the expired DRM content; and performing one of deleting the expired DRM content, moving the expired DRM content, and renewing the license associated with the expired DRM content, according to the determined handling option. |
| US08863292B2 |
Interactive analysis of a security specification
Analyzing a security specification. An embodiment can include identifying a downgrader in a computer program under test. Testing on the downgrader can be performed in a first level of analysis. Responsive to the downgrader not passing the testing performed in the first level of analysis, a counter example for the downgrader can be automatically synthesized. Further, a test unit can be created for the downgrader using the counter example as an input parameter to the downgrader. The test unit can be executed to perform testing on the downgrader in a second level of analysis. Responsive to the downgrader passing the testing performed in the second level of analysis, a user can be prompted to simplify a model of the downgrader. |
| US08863291B2 |
Reputation checking of executable programs
The reputation of an executable computer program is checked when a user input to a computing device initiates a program launch, thus triggering a check of a local cache of reputation information. If the local cache confirms that the program is safe, it is permitted to launch, typically without notifying the user that a reputation check has been made. If the local cache cannot confirm the safety of the program, a reputation check is made by accessing a reputation service in the cloud. If the reputation service identifies the program as safe, it returns an indication to the computing device and the program is permitted to be launched, again without notifying the user that a reputation check has been made. If the reputation service identifies the program as unsafe or potentially unsafe, or does not recognize it at all, a warning is displayed to the user. |
| US08863289B2 |
Portable security device and methods for detection and treatment of malware
Disclosed is a portable security device and method for detection and treatment of computer malware. The security device includes a communication interface for connecting to a computer, a memory for storing a set of data for use in malware detection experiments, and an antivirus engine configured to perform one or more malware detection experiments on the computer. A malware detection experiment includes simulating a connection to the computer of a data storage device containing a predefined set of data. The antivirus engine further configured to identify modifications in the set of data contained in the data storage device after termination of one or more malware detection experiments, analyze a modified set of data for presences of computer malware, determine a treatment mechanism for the detected malware, perform treatment of the detected malware on the computer, and generate user reports. |
| US08863288B1 |
Detecting malicious software
In systems and methods of detecting malicious software, a software agent comprising at least one scan module is assembled by a source system and is transferred by the source system to a target system. In response to a connection request from the software agent a connection is established to the software agent and a file is received from the target system. At the source system, a static analysis is performed on the transferred file to generate a static threat score, and a dynamic analysis is performed to generate a dynamic threat score. Based on the static threat score and the dynamic threat score an aggregate threat score is generated for the transferred file. |
| US08863278B2 |
Grid security intrusion detection configuration mechanism
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture are provided to support security in a distributed grid computer cluster. Each non-node root node in the cluster is configured with a local security agent, and the root node is configured with a security controller to manage each of the security agents of each non-root node. The security agent of each non-root node is in communication with an associated configuration file that contains data private to the respective non-root node, to allow the security agent to manage security local to the node. The security controller of the root node is in communication with a controller configuration file that contains data that applies to all security agents in the grid cluster, to allow the controller to manage the security agents. |
| US08863273B2 |
Method of using an account agent to access superuser account shell of a computer device
A method of using an account agent to access a superuser account shell of a computer device is disclosed. The method includes receiving an authentication request; verifying whether an identity authentication is passed; when the identity authentication is passed, establishing a secure channel between the account agent and a normal user account shell; and allowing controlling the superuser account shell of the computer device through the normal user account shell. |
| US08863270B2 |
User interface for providing voice communications over a multi-level secure network
According to one embodiment, a computer system executing a computer program is coupled to multiple secure network domains configured in a multi-level security architecture. The computer program simultaneously establishes a voice connection with a first terminal configured on a first secure network domain and a second terminal configured on a second secure network domain. The computer program may then selectively couple an electroacoustical transducer to the first terminal or the second terminal, and generate an indicator on a user interface indicating the security level of the selected terminal. |
| US08863263B2 |
Server apparatus and program for single sign-on
A server apparatus includes an analyzer unit which analyzes log-in information for a server received from a client, determines an authentication scheme of the server, and extracts, from the log-in information, provisional authentication information in a form representative of variable information. The analyzer unit stores, in the storage device, information representative of the authentication scheme and the provisional authentication information as the variable information. The analyzer unit also stores, in the storage device, as the variable information, authentication information of a user for the server that is associated with representative authentication information of the user. |
| US08863260B2 |
Enhancing password protection
A mechanism is provided for enhancing password protection. A combination password that comprises dynamic text interspersed within a static user password is received from a user. A determination is made as to whether the combination password is to be verified without the dynamic text. Responsive to identifying that the combination password is to be verified without the dynamic text, the dynamic text is filtered from the combination password based on an identified dynamic suggestion issued to the user prior to the combination password being received thereby forming a filtered password. The filtered password is then authenticated using information stored for the user. Responsive to validating the filtered password, access is granted by the user to a secured system. |
| US08863259B2 |
Method of controlling biometric authentication system, non-transitory, computer readable storage medium and biometric authentication system
A control method for controlling a biometric authentication system including a server that stores reference biometric data, and a client that acquires biometric authentication data of the user, has saving in the server a table in which identification information identifying the user and a previous authentication result of the user are associated with each other, transmitting the identification information to the server, referring to the identification information and acquiring a previous authentication result of the user corresponding to the identification information from the table, calculating, an authentication success rate of the user from the acquired previous authentication result, transmitting the reference biometric data to the client when the authentication success rate is less than or equal to a certain value, calculating, a degree of matching between the biometric authentication data and the reference biometric data, and determining, whether or not the authentication of the user has succeeded. |
| US08863257B2 |
Securely connecting virtual machines in a public cloud to corporate resource
Securely connecting a virtual machine in a public cloud to corporate resources. A cloud computing system is coupled to an enterprise computing system via a network. The enterprise computing system includes a management server, an authentication server and a virtual private network (VPN) server. A cloud engine runs on the management server. The cloud engine starts an exchange with the authentication server that leads to a state in which both parties know a one-time password (OTP) and an identifier (ID) of a virtual machine (VM) hosted by the cloud computing system. The cloud engine sends the OTP and the ID to the VM. The VPN server then receives credentials from the VM. If the credentials are successfully authenticated against the OTP and the ID, a secure connection is established between the enterprise computing system and the VM. |
| US08863251B1 |
On-demand service security system and method for managing a risk of access as a condition of permitting access to the on-demand service
There are provided mechanisms and methods for managing a risk of access to an on-demand service as a condition of permitting access to the on-demand service. These mechanisms and methods for providing such management can help prohibit an unauthorized user from accessing an account of an authorized user when the authorized user inadvertently loses login information. The ability to provide such management may lead to an improved security feature for accessing on-demand services. |
| US08863250B2 |
Logout from multiple network sites
Disclosed are various embodiments for logging out from multiple network sites using an authentication client that manages sessions for the network sites. Account data is maintained for multiple accounts of a user for multiple network sites. The account data includes a respective security credential for each of the accounts. An authentication client automatically authenticates with multiple authentication services corresponding to multiple network sites using multiple accounts in response to the user accessing each network site. A respective session is established for each network site. A logout is performed by ending each one of the sessions. |
| US08863245B1 |
Nextdoor neighborhood social network method, apparatus, and system
A method and system an online neighborhood social network designed to create private websites to facilitate communication among neighbors and build stronger neighborhoods. The private websites are embodied in a website having a domain name of nextdoor.com. In one embodiment, a method verifies that a user lives at a residence associated with a residential address claimed by the user of an online neighborhood social network. The method restricts access to a particular neighborhood to the user and to neighboring users living within the neighborhood boundary of the residence. A social network page of the user is created once verified and access privileges are determined. A message is distributed to neighboring users that are verified to live within a neighborhood boundary of the residence. The method may designate the user (e.g., as a lead user) with an additional privilege based on a participation level of the user in the online community. |
| US08863239B2 |
Method of and system for generating an authorized domain
This invention relates to a system and a method of generating an Authorized Domain (AI)), the method comprising the steps of selecting a domain identifier (Domain ID) uniquely identifying the Authorized Domain, binding at least one user (P1, P2, . . . , PN1) to the domain identifier (Domain ID), and binding at least one device (D1, D2, . . . , DM) to at least one user (P1, P2, . . . , PN1), thereby obtaining a number of devices (D1, D2, . . . , DM) and a number of users (P1, P2, . . . , PN1) that is authorized to access a content item (C1, C2, CN2) of said Authorized Domain (100). Hereby, a number of verified devices (D1, D2, . . . , DM) and a number of verified persons (P1, P2, . . . , PN1) that is authorized to access a content item of said Authorized Domain (100) is obtained. Additionally, it is possible to enable automatic assignment of imported content being imported on a device belonging to the Authorized Domain (AD) since it now is given to which person a given authorized device belongs to. Further, a simple and efficient way of implementing domain boundaries is enabled. |
| US08863236B2 |
Prefix reachability detection in a communication
There is disclosed a method, and a communication system, and a communication node for implementing the claimed method, for attempting to enhance legitimacy assessment and thwart a man-in-the middle or similar false-location attack by evaluating the topology of a communication-session requesting node relative to the proposed communication path through a network between the requesting node and the requested node. Upon receiving the request, a PRD (Prefix Reachability Detection) protocol is initiated, either after or during a secure key exchange, if any, which if performed preferably includes an ART (address reachability text). The PRD is executed by sending a message to the communication node challenging the location-authenticity of the requesting device. The communication node, which may be for example an access router through which the requesting node accesses the network, determines if the requesting node is positioned behind the communication node topologically, and reports the result to the requested node. The requested node may then make a decision on whether to permit the communication. If so, the PRD may be repeated one or more times while the communication session is in progress. |
| US08863228B2 |
Energy management apparatus and energy management system
An energy management apparatus includes: a communicator capable of communicating with at least a meter apparatus among the meter apparatus and a server apparatus that collects measurement information from the meter apparatus; a device registration processor configured to determine whether the direct communicator to the server apparatus can communicate with the server apparatus; if the direct communication is possible, transmit to the server apparatus a device registration message that requests to register a device identifier of the meter apparatus and a device identifier of the energy management apparatus; and, if the direct communication to the server apparatus is not possible, transmit the device registration message for the server apparatus to the meter apparatus; a communication processor configured to obtain energy control information of the device transmitted from the server apparatus; and a control executor configured to control the used energy amount of the device based on the energy control information. |
| US08863224B2 |
System and method of managing data protection resources
Herewith disclosed a method and system for computerized managing a plurality of data protection (DP) resources. The computerized management comprises obtaining data related to at least part of the DP resources among said plurality of DP resources, wherein at least part of data is obtained by automated collecting; accommodating the obtained data in a data repository thus giving rise to accommodated data; processing the accommodated data, said processing resulting in at least one of the following: a) identifying one or more data protection (DP) schemes characterizing DP resources and/or relationship thereof; and b) identifying one or more data protection (DP) gaps. |
| US08863220B2 |
Systems and methods for rendering text onto moving image content
A method for rendering text onto moving image content. The method comprises receiving a request to translate dialog associated with moving image content, transmitting an interface, transmitting a time-stamped transcription, and receiving a translation of the dialog. |
| US08863211B2 |
Method and system for performance metric analysis of video assets
A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to obtain remote control response metrics, along with internal performance data, for client systems in the ETMP. Historical metrics and historical data may be logged along with the release version for the client systems, which may then be used to correlate operational performance when analyzing client system characteristics. |
| US08863210B2 |
Cable broadcast program receiver and a diagnostic method of the cable broadcast program receiver
The present invention relates to a cable broadcast program receiver and a diagnostic method of the cable broadcast program receiver. In an aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic method of a cable broadcast program receiver may include transmitting, at a cablecard, a diagnostic request containing diagnostic information regarding DiiVA connection status to a host according to a protocol of an interface between the cablecard and the host; and receiving, at the host, the diagnostic request and transmitting diagnostic confirmation information containing a diagnostic status report regarding the DiiVA connection status to the cablecard according to the protocol of the interface between the cablecard and the host in response to the diagnostic request. |
| US08863206B2 |
Automatically populating content anticipating failure
A content provider computing device that transmits content to receivers at scheduled air times receives information regarding conditions relating to the transmissions. The computing device also receives data regarding content that a receiver will record. The computing device evaluates the information and compares it with the data to determine that there is a risk of interrupted transmission. As a result, the computing device transmits the content to the receiver prior to the scheduled air time. The conditions may include weather conditions, power outage conditions, and/or any other conditions that may affect transmission. In various implementations, the computing device may include content controls prior to transmission that prevent the content from being accessed prior to specified times. In some cases, the content control may prevent all access. In other cases, the content control may prevent some kinds of access to the instance of content prior to particular times and allow others. |
| US08863202B2 |
System and method for voice driven cross service search using second display
Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently enter search terms and other commands for control of their IPTV device directly from a second display device using voice commands. Such is particularly convenient when the second display is a device such as a smart phone or tablet computer with limited display space for user data entry. |
| US08863199B1 |
Method and device for displaying information with respect to selected image elements of images of a video sequence
The invention relates to a method for displaying information with respect to selected image elements. The aim of the invention is to simplify the interactive work via, for example, a frame. To this end, an image element is selected from the images of a video sequence with which an information is associated. The selection proceeds partially via an additional image element or signal element that is likewise presented on the display unit that displays the frame. |
| US08863197B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs. |
| US08863193B2 |
Information processing apparatus, broadcast receiving apparatus and information processing method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a first receiver, a second receiver, an extractor and a display module. The first receiver is configured to receive first program information for a plurality of programs from a first external apparatus connected via a network. The second receiver is configured to receive a channel identifier of a first program from a second external apparatus. The extraction module is configured to extract, from the first program information, second program information for a single program associated with a channel indicated by the channel identifier, and a time point. The display module is configured to display information that is based on the second program information. |
| US08863192B2 |
Adaptive monitoring method for update detection in a mobile broadcast network
Information included within metadata broadcast within an overhead flow of a mobile broadcast network enables receiver devices to determine when metadata updates will occur. The mobile broadcast network can include within metadata messages information related to a time for the next metadata update. Using this information, receiver devices can determine when the next metadata update will occur and de-energize the receiver until that time. Enabling mobile devices to remain de-energized until the next metadata update improves their power efficiency. Synchronizing mobile devices to access the overhead flow for updated metadata reduces the content delivery latency that the system must accommodate, thereby improving system flexibility and bandwidth efficiency. Specify the time of a next metadata update enables the broadcast system to change the rate and timing at which metadata updates are performed. |
| US08863191B2 |
Method for operating image display apparatus
A multifunctional display device displays a first area containing a program received through a channel, a second area containing card objects, and a third area containing additional information of a downloadable applications selected in association with one of the card objects. |
| US08863189B2 |
System for configuring soft keys in a media communication system
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. |
| US08863187B2 |
System and method for presenting multiple pictures on a television
Provided is a method and system for displaying video from a plurality of video streams on a display. It includes an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. The frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display, and each frame occupying an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. A system for displaying video from a plurality of video stream using the correct aspect ratio and resolution is also provided. |
| US08863186B2 |
Management and delivery of audiovisual content items that corresponds to scheduled programs
A method is provided to designate visual content that is accessible from a computer readable storage device and that correspond to programs distributed according to a predetermined schedule comprising: comparing attribute information of a respective program metadata record with respective attribute information of multiple respective content metadata records to measure similarity between corresponding attributes; determining respective program-content attribute match scores for each of the compared content metadata records as a function of the measure of similarity between the program attributes of the respective compared program metadata record and corresponding visual content attributes of respective content metadata records and of relative weighting of respective attribute comparisons; and selecting a respective visual content based upon the determined program-content attribute match score. |
| US08863183B2 |
Server system for real-time moving image collection, recognition, classification, processing, and delivery
Provided is a server system in which real-time communication based on a moving image group is performed between a number of users. The moving image collection/delivery server system accumulates moving images sequentially uploaded in real time via a network in a database, generates moving image thumbnails used to simultaneously display a plurality of moving images on a single display screen in real time, allocates the moving image thumbnails to a channel group adaptively generated from sequentially uploaded moving images, and delivers the moving image thumbnails to a terminal having a display and operating unit in real time via a network, and the sequentially generated moving image thumbnails are stored in an allocated channel in ascending order of shooting times and delivered to a plurality of terminals. |
| US08863180B1 |
Interactive episodes
Interactive audio-video episodes may be provided in which progression of storylines is contingent upon user interactions with the episodes. User activities may be facilitated during presentation of an episode. The user activities may be contextually related to the storyline of the presented episode. A given user activity may include a visual and/or audio queue to prompt the user to participate in the given user activity. Progression of the storyline of the presented episode may be suspended during the given user activity. One or more user interactions may be received during individual user activities facilitated during presentation of the episode. The storyline may continue to progress after the given user activity responsive to receipt of a given user interaction prompted by the given user activity. |
| US08863177B2 |
System for controlling automatic exposure of broadcast advertisement data and method for same
A system for inserting advertisement data into broadcast data and method thereof are provided. The system and method can output advertisement data to a certain portion of a lower end of a screen image of the new channel for a certain time when a current channel is changed to a different broadcast channel according to a viewer's intention while the viewer is viewing a broadcast program, thus minimizing viewer's reluctance to the advertisement output, reducing the burden of an advertiser, and guaranteeing a visual continuity of a broadcast program desired to be searched. Using the present invention, when channels are switched for searching for broadcast programs or when power is turned on or off, advertisement data can be output to the same screen while outputting a pertinent broadcast program, thereby exposing the advertisement data without interrupting the broadcast program. |
| US08863172B2 |
Emergency alert system methods and apparatus
Methods and apparatus for delivering emergency alert system message content to customer premise devices without requiring them to tune to an emergency message channel and having to encode information into frames of regular program content being delivered to customer premise devices, e.g., set top boxes, are described. An emergency management server receives emergency alert messages from a federal government system and generates emergency alert control messages which are sent to one or more switching devices located at one or more regional hubsites/headends to which the emergency alert message applies. The emergency alert control message instructs the switching device to output an emergency alert content stream in place of a standard program. The switching device outputs the emergency content message stream in place of the standard program content to, e.g., a QAM modulator, which modulates the content stream on the frequency being used to deliver the standard program content being replaced. |
| US08863167B2 |
System providing sponsored content
A system receives an indication of selection of an item in a broadcast segment from an end device. A broadcast segment is identified by the selection and a broadcast segment schedule. An item ID is determined using the identified broadcast segment and the broadcast segment schedule, and a corresponding sponsor of the item is determined using the item ID and the identified broadcast segment. An anonymized message, including the item ID and a request for information, is sent to the corresponding sponsor. A reply is received from the corresponding sponsor, and forwarded to an end user contact. |
| US08863165B2 |
Method and system for presenting additional content at a media system
A media system, receives a received sequence of media content, for presentation at the media system and generates a comparison fingerprint of the received sequence of media content. The comparison fingerprint is for comparison with a plurality of reference fingerprints so as to identify the received sequence of media content. The media system sends a request for identification of additional content to a server system. The request is based at least in part on the comparison fingerprint. The media system receives a response to the request, including information enabling additional content to be selected for display at the media system based at least in part on the identification of the received sequence of media content, and presents a displayed sequence of media content that includes at least a portion of the received sequence of media content and at least a portion of the additional content. |
| US08863162B2 |
System and method of content and merchandise recommendation
A method includes receiving a user selection of an option related to a first content item and sending data to a server to enable the server to update a user profile. The method also includes receiving a channel selection during or after playback of the first content item. The method further includes sending a content recommendation channel request to the server in response to the channel selection corresponding to a content recommendation channel selection and receiving a list of recommended content items from the server. The list of recommended content items is based on the user profile. The method also includes sending a merchandise recommendation channel request to the server in response to the channel selection corresponding to a merchandise recommendation channel selection and receiving a list of recommended merchandise items from the server. The list of recommended merchandise items is based on the user profile. |
| US08863160B2 |
Disc device having a carrier for retaining a plurality of discs in a stacked state
A disc device supplies a disc to each of a plurality of disc drives. The disc device includes a carrier which retains a plurality of discs being stacked in such a stacked state, which separates one disc from the retained plurality of discs above a tray ejected from an arbitrary one of the disc drives, and which places the separated disc on the tray. The carrier includes a plurality of claw portions holding the inner circumferential portion of the bottommost disc out of the plurality of discs, and a disc press pressing the topmost disc out of the plurality of discs so as to be in parallel to the disc placing face of the tray. |
| US08863159B2 |
System, method and computer program product for inserting an emulation layer in association with a COM server DLL
A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, a COM server dynamic link library is identified. Further, an emulation layer is inserted in association with the COM server dynamic link library to emulate interfaces exported by the COM server dynamic link library. As an option, it may be determined whether the COM server DLL is loaded, and the emulation layer may be inserted in response to the determination. |
| US08863157B2 |
Method, device, and mobile terminal for API interception
The present invention discloses an application programming interface interception method and device, and a mobile terminal. The method includes: monitoring, based on a process identifier of an API process, the API process in a virtual machine corresponding to a system in real time; when the API process is activated, obtaining a virtual machine instance corresponding to the API process from a memory according to the process identifier; according to identifier information of an API to be intercepted, replacing an address pointing to the code of a first API written in a first computer language corresponding to the API process with a stored address pointing to the code of a second API (or a replacement function) corresponding to the first API and written in a second computer language different from the first language; and implementing control on the API process through a second API function. |
| US08863155B2 |
Associating rules with messages and using the rules for message processing
A processing device executing a rules engine receives a message with one or more associated rules, wherein each of the one or more associated rules is provided as an attachment to the message or within a body of the message, and wherein each of the one or more associated rules in the received message affect processing of the received message. The rules engine processes the one or more associated rules in the received message, wherein each of the one or more associated rules comprises a conditional element and an action to be performed that affects processing the received message when the conditional element is satisfied. Processing the one or more associated rules comprises, for each associated rule, determining whether the conditional element is satisfied, and responsive to determining that the conditional element is satisfied, performing the action that affects the processing of the received message. |
| US08863150B2 |
Device connectivity framework
A system and method for providing a device agnostic framework between two or more computing platforms. The system includes a protocol for creating device agnostic messages including data from a message generated by an application on the first computing platform, as well as identification and targeting data to enable the message to be sent to the intend target computing platform. The intended target computing platform responds via a callback, thereby establishing a communication protocol between the first and second computing platforms regardless of different computing languages or hardware being used. |
| US08863146B1 |
Efficient index folding using indexing expression generated using selected pair of indices for parallel operations based on the number of indices exceeding a pre-determined threshold
A method comprising receiving data, where the data includes one or more elements, the data is associated with a first set of indices, and the first set of indices references the one or more elements. The method may further include folding a plurality of indices into a single index, where the single index references the one or more elements of the received data that were referenced by the plurality of indices, the folding generates a second set of indices, and the folding is performed when concurrent process threads are not generated based on the first set of indices. The method may further include determining whether concurrent process threads should be generated based on the second set of indices and generating the concurrent process threads for the second set of indices when the determining determines that the concurrent process threads should be generated based on the second set of indices. |
| US08863145B2 |
Storage apparatus and load distribution method
A storage apparatus having plural control processors that interpret and process requests sent from a host computer includes a distribution judgment unit for judging, after a control processor receives a request sent from the host computer, whether or not to allocate processing relevant to the request from the control processor that received the request to another control processor, and a control processor selection unit for selecting an allocation target control processor if the distribution judgment unit judges to allocate the processing to another control processor. |
| US08863142B2 |
Image forming apparatus
An MFP is provided with a main CPU for controlling operation of the MFP according an operating condition set to the MFP, a job management table for sequentially registering input jobs by priority, and a job execution control portion for determining whether or not to permit execution of the job according to the order of registration from a job with high priority that is registered in the job management table. The job execution control portion calculates, based on a job condition of a job intended for permission determination, utilization of the CPU associated with execution of the job, then restricts an operating condition of the MFP in a case where the calculated CPU utilization exceeds a predetermined value, and permits execution of the job according to the restricted operating condition in a case where the CPU utilization when the operating condition is restricted becomes the predetermined value or lower. |
| US08863140B2 |
Method for resource management allocating and freeing credits from and to a resource credit tree
A resource credit tree for resource management includes leaf nodes and non-leaf nodes. The non-leaf nodes include a root node and internal nodes. Resource management includes initializing a operation corresponding to a resource pool, selecting, using a hash function, a leaf node of a resource credit tree, and identifying a number of available credits of the leaf node. Resource management may further include traversing, using a backward traversal path, from the leaf node to a non-leaf node based on determining that the number of available credits is less than a required number of credits or determining that capacity of the leaf node is less than the summation of the number of credits to free to the resource credit tree and the number of available credits. Resource management may further allocating and freeing credits from and to the resource credit tree. |
| US08863137B2 |
Systems and methods for automated provisioning of managed computing resources
Systems and methods are provided for automated provisioning of managed resources in a distributed computing environment. Automated provisioning of managed resources is realized by systems and methods that support automated execution of provisioning workflows through programmatic invocation of provisioning tasks (sequentially and/or parallel invocation) supported by a provisioning system, as well as automated control and coordination of task execution and exception handling through automated message exchange. Systems and methods support automated provisioning through seamless integration of provisioning and change management systems, whereby provisioning systems can automatically interpret and execute reusable change plans that are generated (on-the-fly) by change management systems. The change plans comprise provisioning workflow processes that are described using a standard, platform-independent workflow language. |
| US08863136B2 |
Lock control in multiple processor systems
A computer system comprising a plurality of processors and one or more storage devices. The system is arranged to execute a plurality of tasks, each task comprising threads and each task being assigned a priority from 1 to a whole number greater than 1, each thread of a task assigned the same priority as the task and each thread being executed by a processor. The system also provides lock and unlock functions arranged to lock and unlock data stored by a storage device responsive to such a request from a thread. A method of operating the system comprises maintaining a queue of threads that require access to locked data, maintaining an array comprising, for each priority, duration and/or throughput information for threads of the priority, setting a wait flag for a priority in the array according to a predefined algorithm calculated from the duration and/or throughput information in the array. |
| US08863131B2 |
Transaction load reduction for process completion
The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for reducing transaction load for process instance completion. One process includes identifying an end event triggered by an initial token of a process instance, determining a type of the end event, performing a search for additional tokens associated with the process instance that are distinct from the initial token, and performing a termination action based on the type of end event and a number of additional tokens identified in the search. The end event type may be non-terminating or terminating, and the end event type can determine the termination action to be performed. If the end event is non-terminating, then the termination action includes joining each finalization action for each process instance variable to a completion transaction if no additional tokens are found and executing the completion transaction to terminate the process instance. |
| US08863130B2 |
Exception handling in a concurrent computing process
A system initiates multiple instances of a concurrent computing process, establishes a communication channel among the multiple instances, initiates execution of a computational job on the multiple instances, detects an interrupt request on one of the multiple instances, and terminates execution of the computational job while maintaining communication among the multiple instances via the communication channel. |
| US08863127B2 |
Virtual machine utility computing method and system
An analytics engine receives real-time statistics from a set of virtual machines supporting a line of business (LOB) application. The statistics relate to computing resource utilization and are used by the analytics engine to generate a prediction of demand for the LOB application in order to dynamically control the provisioning of virtual machines to support the LOB application. |
| US08863126B2 |
Java virtual machine embedded in a native mobile application
A native application built for a mobile device can embed non-native JAVA code that may be executed by a JAVA virtual machine also embedded as a library within the native application. Enterprise applications may be extended for use by mobile devices. Business logic for an application may be constructed just once and then used in both enterprise applications and mobile device applications. |
| US08863125B2 |
Optimization of virtual appliance deployment
In an embodiment for deploying a new virtual appliance (225) on a data processing center (100) structure information of the new virtual appliance is determined (509-521). The structure information of the new virtual appliance includes an indication of the new virtual machines and an indication of the new software programs of each new virtual machine. Configuration information indicative of a current configuration of the data processing center is retrieved (527). License condition information indicative of license conditions applicable to the data processing center is also retrieved (530-533). A deployment scheme of the virtual appliance on the data processing center is then determined (539,548). The determination of the deployment scheme is performed by optimizing a cost function based on the license condition information, the configuration information and the structure information, and the new virtual appliance may be deployed (551) according to the deployment scheme. |
| US08863124B1 |
Architecture for managing I/O and storage for a virtualization environment
Disclosed is an improved approach to implement I/O and storage device management in a virtualization environment. According to some approaches, a Service VM is employed to control and manage any type of storage device, including directly attached storage in addition to networked and cloud storage. The Service VM implements the Storage Controller logic in the user space, and can be migrated as needed from one node to another. IP-based requests are used to send I/O request to the Service VMs. The Service VM can directly implement storage and I/O optimizations within the direct data access path, without the need for add-on products. |
| US08863122B2 |
Remote control of a plurality of virtual machines using actions facilitated through a graphic user interface
A system is operatively coupled to a remote computer via a network. The system comprises service processing logic and a server executing a virtual machine. The service processing logic controls the virtual machine as directed by the remote computer. |
| US08863121B2 |
Method and terminal for loading picture resources by JAVA virtual machine
The present invention provides a method and a terminal for loading picture resources by a JAVA virtual machine. The method includes: obtaining the picture resources required by the JAVA virtual machine, decoding the picture resources into original data and then storing the original data; and reading the original data of the picture that requires loading to load the picture after receiving a loading picture event in normal operation of the JAVA virtual machine. According to the present invention, the picture loading speed of the JAVA virtual machine can be controlled, thereby guaranteeing the start speed of the JAVA virtual machine. |
| US08863111B2 |
System and method for providing a production upgrade of components within a multiprotocol gateway
A production upgrade is described for a multiprotocol gateway. This upgrade allows various modules and components within the gateway to be upgraded independently without impacting traffic flow in the gateway. The upgrade can be performed by deploying a new version of the module alongside an older version of the same module. New client requests can then be directed to the new version, while requests requiring the older module can be continued to be serviced by the prior version. A distinction is made between stateless and stateful conversation during the upgrade of various components. For stateful conversations, request traffic can be versioned according to the session to which each request belongs. A highly available state storage scheme allows new versions of the module to consume state information used by the older versions. For stateless conversations, all new requests can be immediately routed to the new version of the module. |
| US08863110B2 |
Firmware updating system and method
A computing system and method updates firmware to a baseboard management controller (BMC) of a motherboard. The computing system updates firmware of the BMC according to the parameters, wherein the parameters includes a predetermined number of times to update the firmware of the BMC. The computing system counts a number of successful updates, in response to a determination that a current update of the firmware is successful. The computing system records information of each of the successful updates and generates a log file for storing the information, in response to a determination that counted number of the successful updates equal to the predetermined number of times. |
| US08863109B2 |
Updating secure pre-boot firmware in a computing system in real-time
Updating secure pre-boot firmware in a computing system in real-time, including: storing in a secure firmware memory region a firmware update module configured to update the secure pre-boot firmware; responsive to a user request to update the secure pre-boot firmware: entering a processor management mode, including suspending operating system and user-level data processing operations; executing the firmware update module; and determining whether the secure pre-boot firmware was successfully updated; and exiting the processor management mode, including resuming operating system and user-level data processing operations and notifying the user of the successful update. |
| US08863107B2 |
Workflow-based user interface system for mobile devices management
Embodiments of a workflow-based user interface for defining and managing functions implemented on mobile devices are described. A method under an embodiment utilizes a workflow-based mobile device management user interface. The method utilizes a pluggable workflow framework to achieve mobile device management externalization. The mobile device management platform is required to implement a set of basic action blocks that are used as primitives for further management policy composition. The method provides a development environment integrated with a mobile device management platform that allows assembling management (monitoring) primitives into meaningful management policies without changes to a core management platform infrastructure. The method claims addition of new primitives deployed as add-on products to enable new and advanced management policies, best integration practices with a carrier operational support system. The method enables debugging and tracing mobile device management policies in real time to minimize development and testing efforts. |
| US08863100B2 |
Application services source refactoring
An embodiment of the disclosure can compile source of an interactive application with debug options enabled. Execution activity of the interactive application can be enabled. A code path of a selected service of the interactive application can be executed in a debug environment using a user interface of the selected service to identify execution data associated with the selected service. Unresolved branch conditions in the execution data can be addressed for each code path of the selected service. A source extraction of the selected service can be performed. |
| US08863095B2 |
Recording and playback of system interactions in different system environments
A system includes a recording interface configured for receiving tagged information for recording system interactions. A recording module is configured for communicating with the recording interface and for recording the system interactions from a first computing environment between at least one application and a common component based on the tagged information. A repository is configured for storing the recorded system interactions. A playback interface is configured for retrieving a portion of the stored system interactions from the repository and playing back the retrieved portion of system interactions for simulating system interactions for a second computing environment. |
| US08863093B1 |
Load-time instrumentation of virtual machine program code
A method to instrument program code for a virtual machine that comprises, in the course of loading a class to a virtual machine, adding code to the class to declare a field that corresponds to a field declared in a first bootstrap class. |
| US08863090B2 |
Fake check-in entries posted on behalf of social network users
An approach is provided in a fake check-in event is received at a software application corresponding to a user of the software application. Fake check-ins are initiated on behalf of the user in response to the fake check-in event. The software application posts a set of fake check-in entries on behalf of the user while the user is away. The posted fake check-ins are visible by other users of the software application and are used to obfuscate others that the user is out-of-town. In one embodiment, check-in entries that are received from the user after fake check-ins have been initiated are cached. In this embodiment, a local check-in event is received when the user is within the user's geographical local area and the cached check-in entries are posted so that they are now visible by the other users of the software application. |
| US08863087B2 |
Comprehensively testing functionality of a computer program based on program code changes
A computer identifies one or more program functions within program code of a computer program affected by a program code change. The computer identifies program function calls made by the one or more program functions to other program functions. The computer adds the one or more program functions and program function calls to a program code database. The computer generates a mapping of relationships between the program functions of the program code. The computer selects one or more test scripts based on the mapping of relationships. |
| US08863085B1 |
Monitoring web applications
Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring web applications are provided. An exemplary method for monitoring a web application includes executing a first test on a first browser residing on a server. The exemplary method also includes executing a second test on a second browser residing on the server. The first and second browsers are heterogeneous browsers and run in heterogeneous browser environments. |
| US08863082B2 |
Transformational context-aware data source management
Porting between local, cluster, and cloud execution is aided by using the same source code for multiple data sources. A data source identifier recited in source code maps to data sources at different execution targets. Executable codes tailored to successive targets are produced using a resolution API without changing the developer's source code. An editable data source mapping is per-project, maintained in a file or project property, and placed in a distributable software package with executable code. Burdens on developers to determine execution targets in their source code and explicitly handle different execution locations in the source code are reduced. Source code can be freed of absolute path data source identifiers or code for detecting execution location. Source-to-source translation injects calls to create a folder, file, or cloud container. Data source resolution can be based on a relative path rooted at the data source identifier. |
| US08863081B2 |
Computer readable medium for translating protocols
The disclosed subject matter presents a method for translating between protocols using an extended scripting language. In one embodiment ECMA-262 scripting language is extended to enable one with ordinary skill in the art to create scripts which may be used to perform diverse data manipulation including, but not limited to: file input/output, database manipulation, data identification, data translation, XML functionality, SMB functionality, email, etc. Additionally provided for is running the extended scripting language along side a binary to manipulate data such that changes can be implemented without requiring the recoding and/or recompiling of the binary. In other embodiments, the disclosed subject matter enables the transmission of information via a webservice, with information able to be viewed and/or manipulated on a variety of GUI's. |
| US08863074B2 |
Software modeling framework
A system and method for providing a software modeling framework which supports different types of dependency injection and other software modeling or software development frameworks, and which allows software developers to develop models that strategically layer different components for different implementations. A service provider interface (SPI) enables different DI frameworks to be incorporated into the system; while an application provider interface (API) enable machines or implementations to be constructed. Extenders can be modeled so that, for example a particular bundle requires a handler for a particular configuration manifest entry; while a particular module provides handling of that manifest entry. |
| US08863073B2 |
Software factory health monitoring
A method, system, and computer-readable medium for maintaining a health of a software factory that creates custom software in a standardized manner is presented. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps of: defining work packets to perform sub-functions of a custom software; tracking a transmission of the work packets to an assembly line in a software factory; monitoring any retrieval of software artifacts that are used to create the work packets; monitoring any on-going changes of work activities that are contained in the work packets; determining if execution of the work packets conforms to governance guidelines for the software factory; monitoring the software factory to ensure that the work packets comply with an architecture of the software factory; tracking quality metrics for an execution of the work packets in an assembly line in the software factory; and transmitting all tracked and monitored information to a dashboard. |
| US08863070B2 |
Thermal-analysis-model generating apparatus, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, thermal-analysis-model generating method, and thermal analysis apparatus
A thermal analysis apparatus calculates an area of a predetermined range including an electronic component mounted on a printed-circuit board. The thermal analysis apparatus counts the number of via holes included in the predetermined range of which the area is calculated. The thermal analysis apparatus calculates a first physical property value using the area calculated, the number of via holes counted, and a preset physical property value of a conductor. The thermal analysis apparatus generates a thermal analysis model subject to thermal analysis in which a preset physical property value is set in the electronic component and a heat release path having the first physical property value calculated is provided in the printed-circuit board so as to extend from the electronic component in a layer direction of the printed-circuit board. |
| US08863062B2 |
Methods and apparatus for floorplanning and routing co-design
Methods and apparatus of performing floorplanning and routing for function blocks within a die and among multiple die are disclosed. Multiple die together with function blocks within each die may be represented by a flexible hierarchical (FH) tree. An initial floorplan for multiple die may be generated and hot spots between die or among function blocks within a die may be identified. Spacer blocks may be inserted between die, and block inflation may be performed, to remove hot spots. More perturbation of the block positions can be performed on the FH tree to rearrange the blocks and die. After the multiple die floorplanning, a plurality of micro bumps may be mapped to a plurality of pins of blocks of the plurality of die, placement and routing may be performed for the plurality of blocks within each die and connections for the plurality of dies. |
| US08863061B2 |
Application-specific integrated circuit equivalents of programmable logic and associated methods
Providing ASIC equivalents of FPGAs is facilitated and made more efficient and economical by using an ASIC architecture including a plurality of so-called hybrid logic elements (“HLEs”), each of which can provide a portion of the full functionality of an FPGA logic element (“LE”). The functionality of each FPGA LE implementing a user's logic design can be mapped to one or more HLEs without re-synthesis of the user's logic. Only as many HLEs as are necessary are used to perform the functions of each LE. The one-for-one equivalence between each LE and either (1) one HLE or (2) a group of HLEs facilitates mapping (without re-synthesis) in either direction between FPGA and ASIC designs. |
| US08863047B1 |
Photolithography capacity planning system and non-transitory computer readable media thereof
The present invention relates to a photolithography capacity planning system and a non-transitory computer readable media thereof. The photolithography capacity planning system includes a cost calculation module, a capacity calculation module, a demand calculation module, and a data processing module. The cost calculation module calculates a production cost, an unfulfilled demand cost, and a mask cost of the photolithography manufacturing process. The capacity calculation module calculates a capacity of light sources, a capacity of shared equipments, and a capacity of specified equipments of the photolithography manufacturing process. The demand calculation module calculates a quantity of unfulfilled demand. The data processing module produces a planning result. |
| US08863043B1 |
Inspection data generator, inspection data generating method and pattern inspecting method
An inspection data generator generates inspection data used to inspect a pattern transferred onto the same material layer using exposure processes. An input part of the generator receives first layout data for a mask used in a first exposure process and second layout data for a mask used in a second exposure process, and receives a measured value of a misalignment between a first transfer pattern actually transferred onto the material layer in the first exposure process and a second transfer pattern actually transferred onto the material layer in the second exposure process. A processor unit generates the inspection data by shifting the first layout data and the second layout data from each other by an amount corresponding to the measured value and then combining the first layout data with the second layout data. An output part outputs the inspection data to inspect the pattern transferred onto the material layer. |
| US08863042B2 |
Handheld device with touch controls that reconfigure in response to the way a user operates the device
A system is described for reconfiguring touch controls on a device, such as a cell phone, in reaction to a user's changing mode of operation. For example, a standard display of icons that works well in two-handed operation may not work as well for one-handed operation where the user tries to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand. A device can detect that the user is trying to operate the controls with a thumb of the holding hand and the controls can be reconfigured to be more suitable for thumb operation. Reconfiguration can also occur in other modes of operation, such as when the user is using a stylus, multiple fingers of a second (non-holding hand), fingers on both hands, etc. In some embodiments, detection of the mode of operation can be automatic such as where a camera takes an image to determine the mode. |
| US08863038B2 |
Multi-panel electronic device
Methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for displaying an image at an electronic device are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, an electronic device is disclosed that includes a first panel having a first display surface to display a graphical user interface element associated with an application. The electronic device also includes a second panel having a second display surface. The first display surface is separated from the second display surface by a gap. A processor is configured to execute program code including a graphical user interface. The processor is configured to launch or close the application in response to user input causing a movement of the graphical user interface element in relation to the gap. |
| US08863037B2 |
Keypad navigation selection and method on mobile device
A handheld electronic communication device includes a plurality of text entry keys arranged in a keyfield. A user navigates among alphabetic selections shown on a display by moving his fingers across keys lying within a navigation travel region and other wise generally used to effect text entry into the device. |
| US08863034B2 |
3D tag clouds for visualizing federated cross-system tags
A sphere is displayed on an interactive graphical user interface with a central circular disk that represents a current computer system, and a second circular disk that represents a second computer system as part of the sphere positioned parallel above or below the central circular disk. A current tag representing a first resource stored in a current storage of the current computer system is displayed on the interactive graphical user interface on a surface of the central circular disk. A second tag representing a second resource stored in a second storage of the second computer system is displayed on the interactive graphical user interface on a surface of the second circular disk. |
| US08863033B2 |
Method and system for inspecting an asset
This disclosure describes embodiments of systems and methods for performing inspections of an asset. The systems can include an inspection apparatus that executes a menu directed inspection (MDI) protocol to direct an inspector that performs the inspection. The MDI protocol includes, in one example, reference material that is associated with areas of the asset that the inspector will inspect. This reference material can include data and information (e.g., technical manuals, operating manuals, images, etc.). In one embodiment, the method includes one or more steps for building an inspection tree with inspection points that correspond to the inspection areas on the asset. The method can also comprise steps for assigning or associating the reference material to inspection points, which is then available to the inspector on the inspection apparatus during execution of the MDI protocol. |
| US08863026B2 |
Device and method for displaying information on a graphical user interface
To control display or hiding of windows simultaneously available based on a configuration used by a user. An information-processing device according to the present invention identifies applications that the device is able to execute; and when an instruction to display a window (a subject window) is performed, the device obtains a relevance information list of applications to display the subject window (subject applications). In the relevance information list, information for determining an application relating to the subject application is described. The information-processing device determines whether an application described in the relevance information list is included in the executable applications, and if it is included in the executable applications, the device displays a window of the application (a simultaneous display window) together with the subject window. Also, when the information-processing device receives an instruction to hide the subject window, the device hides the subject window and the simultaneous display window. |
| US08863021B1 |
Scheduling calendar events for tasks
A system and method for scheduling tasks in a calendar of a user. Multiple task entries are received from the user, and the task entries are ranked based on a deadline of each of the task entries. A length of time required to complete each task entry is determined, and a time-consuming calendar entry for each task entry is created in the calendar of the user based on the ranking of each task entry, the determined length of time required to complete each task entry, and existing calendar entries in the calendar of the user. The created time-consuming calendar entries are provided to the user. Machine-readable media are also provided. |
| US08863017B2 |
Electronic apparatus, program, and control method for displaying access authority for data files
An electronic apparatus includes an input unit and a controller. The input unit is configured to detect a user operation and output a signal corresponding to the user operation. The controller is configured to cause a data icon to be displayed on a screen of a display unit, judge a drag operation with respect to the data icon based on the signal from the input unit, and cause an icon to be displayed on the screen according to the drag operation, the icon indicating a state of an access authority of data related to the data icon. |
| US08863012B2 |
Map-linked fertilization design system
The present invention aims to provide a system that automatically shows multiple fertilization design patterns suitable for the soil and crop, in linkage with map data and in accordance with fertilization design conditions each including a different fertilizer pattern and priority condition so as to allow the user to compare the multiple fertilization patterns on the same screen. The system includes units configured to receive designation of an agricultural field on the map, then to receive a fertilization design condition including a fertilizer pattern and a priority condition, to design fertilization patterns for the agricultural field, and to display the designed fertilization patterns on the same screen. |
| US08863011B2 |
System and method for handling arbitrary types of software objects
A system and method are provided for handling different types of objects within a software framework. In an embodiment, an object handler keeps track of information associated with objects, and information needed to implement a user interface. The software framework employing the object handler uses that information to create the user interface so as to get user input/action. A user may select an object type and enter an associated one or more identifiers via the user interface. In response to the entering of the information, a method call of the object handler is made to determine whether the object associated with the object type and identifiers exists, and depending upon that determination, an action or further method call may be initiated and/or requested. |
| US08863008B2 |
Automatic removal of sensitive information from a computer screen
A method for automatic censoring of a graphical user interface (GUI) screen includes receiving a censoring trigger by a censoring module; identifying information present in the GUI screen by a object recognition module; comparing the identified information with a set of preferences stored in a censoring preferences module to determine content to be removed from the GUI screen; and removing the determined content from the GUI screen by the censoring module. |
| US08863006B2 |
Inter-service applications
Methods and apparatus for providing an inter-service application, wherein connections of a network service are accessed to facilitate the transfer of an article to a list of participants. The article is transferred to and displayed on the desktop environment of a participant. In some embodiments, a timer is initiated on the first transfer, whereupon expiration of the timer, a termination sequence is performed. The termination sequence terminates transfer of the article to the participant list and further displays a graphical presentation to the current participant. Additional methods and apparatus are described. |
| US08863005B2 |
Propagating business object extension fields from source to target
A system and method for creating extension fields for business objects are described. In various embodiments, a system includes modules to display business processes and business objects thereof in graphical user interface screens. In various embodiments, the system propagates created extension fields to other business objects via metadata derived from selections in the graphical user interface. In various embodiments, a method for propagating extension fields from one business object to another business object via a data flow between the two business objects is presented. In various embodiments, the method receives instructions from a graphical user interface for the propagation of an extension field and sends instructions to a backend module to propagate the extension field from the source business object to the other business object. |
| US08862994B2 |
Method and device for composing a menu
Multimedia content of exchangeable storage media, such as optical discs, may be extended by bonus content that is downloaded via Internet connection and stored on a local storage device. An improved method for integration of different menu items relating to on-disc content and downloaded content provides flexibility and a simple, low cost solution. The method for integration of downloaded bonus content into a menu comprises defining one or more placeholders within a menu, determining a storage location or naming convention for bonus content, declaring for each placeholder an attribute providing a unique association to a specific type of bonus content, providing a button image, detecting presence of bonus content data, replacing the associated placeholder by the associated button image and enabling an associated action to be taken when said button is selected. |
| US08862993B2 |
Audio device control method and apparatus
A method of controlling an audio output device at a user terminal connected to a communication network and executing a communication client is provided. The method comprises: establishing a connection between a user of the user terminal and a further user over the communication network; responsive to establishing the connection, analyzing the status of the audio output device with the communication client; in the case that the communication client determines that the audio output device is in a muted state, controlling the audio output device to deactivate the muted state such that audio information transmitted from the further user via the connection can be heard by the user of the user terminal. |
| US08862992B2 |
Method and system for guiding user selection of a replacement watercraft propeller
A computer implemented system automatically launches a video to assist a computer user in navigating through a set of menus on a graphical user interface (GUI) without separately requiring the computer user to select a link to a video file or launch a software program designed to playback the video. The system executes a two-phase process for assisting the computer user in determining a replacement part for an OEM part. In the first phase, the system selectively presents a series of menus to the computer user to allow the computer user to identify the OEM part. A video is automatically played during the first phase of the process to assist the user in completing the first series of menus. After the computer user has completed the first menus, the system launches a second set of menus and begins playing a video to assist the computer user in determining options for the replacement part. |
| US08862991B2 |
Multi-versioned documents and method for creation and use thereof
The optimal version of a document can depend on the user's need and the presentation device, and can govern choices of content as well as style. The content needed for multiple versions of a document can be included in a single document structure and identified by means of tags or by a content selection node. Tags allow the user to specify a desired version, while selection nodes allow the content to be automatically selected, styled and formatted to optimize a set of constraints. Content alternatives may be generated automatically from original content. |
| US08862990B2 |
Information processing apparatus and data processing method for generating print information based on a print instruction from a browser
According to the present invention, even if information on a page displayed on a browser browsed by a user shifts to another page, the user can select and store a necessary page. An information processing apparatus according to the present invention generates, when displaying information obtained via a network on a display unit, print information of the information displayed on the display unit based on a print instruction from the browser, and further stores the generated print information in a storage unit. When a destination from which the information is obtained is different from a just primarily preceding destination, the display unit displays a list of the information stored in the storage unit. |
| US08862989B2 |
Extensible input method editor dictionary
An extensible reading system is described that provides a method of extending the readings supported by an IME application without updating the entire application. The extensible reading system separates the IME reading dictionary from the IME application, so that the user can update or supplement the dictionary with new readings without modifying the IME application. The extensible reading system receives custom readings from a user that include a sequence of keyboard characters and a selection of a language character that is to be inserted into a document when a user inputs the sequence of keyboard characters. Thus, the extensible reading system allows the user to update the readings for mapping keyboard characters to language characters much more frequently. |
| US08862988B2 |
Pictorial keyboard with polysemous keys for Chinese character output
An apparatus, method and computer readable medium are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a keyboard including keys, a plurality of the keys each being associated with a polysemous symbol relating to a concept represented by a Chinese radical; and a processor, to determine whether or not a plurality of symbols, associated with a plurality of selected keys, form a sequence of symbols associated with at least one Chinese character, and, in response to determining that the plurality of selected symbols form a sequence of symbols associated with at least one Chinese character, to instruct output of the at least one Chinese character. A plurality of the keys may include each of a polysemous symbol, a Chinese radical, a Chinese measure word character and a Pinyin/Bopomofo letter, each associated with one another. |
| US08862986B2 |
Arranging graphic objects on a page with relative position based control
A user-specified layout of graphic objects is received. A relative layout specification is derived from the user-specified layout. The relative layout specification describes relative positions of the graphic objects. A final layout of the graphic objects is determined in accordance with the relative layout specification. The final layout includes a specification of size dimensions and positions of the graphic objects on a page. The final layout of graphic objects is output. |
| US08862984B1 |
Data contracts for network page generation code
Disclosed are various embodiments for using data contracts in connection with network page generation code. A network page request is obtained from a client. Data is aggregated from multiple data sources in response to the request, and data is marshalled based at least in part on a data contract. Page generation code is executed to generate at least a portion of the network page in response to the request. The aggregated data is provided to the page generation code as one or more predefined variables. Access to the predefined variables by the page generation code complies with the data contract. |
| US08862976B1 |
Methods and systems for diagnosing document formatting errors
In one aspect of a computer-implemented method of diagnosing formatting errors in document renderings, first and second renderings of a document are generated that correspond respectively to first and second locales. A first difference in a display characteristic of a first textual element of the document in the second rendering as compared to the first rendering is identified based on a first predefined criterion. A report is generated specifying the first textual element as having the first difference. In another aspect of the method, a rendering of a document is generated that corresponds to a locale. It is determined that a first element of the document having a first element type has a format in the rendering distinct from a format associated with the first element type in the locale. A report is generated specifying that the first element has a potential formatting error. |
| US08862975B2 |
Web-based workflow service visualization and navigation
Web workflow service information may include implementations, contracts, addresses, bindings, and other information that is sprinkled throughout source files, configuration files, and other locations. A service explorer extracts service information, and visualizes service information in a form that supports navigation, thereby helping developers understand and use workflow service information. A workflow service structure underlying the visualization is constructed with the extracted service information. A hierarchical node visualization of the service structure is displayed in a service explorer GUI. A developer navigates by expanding/contracting nodes, searching nodes, selecting nodes, and running tools with node-specific information, e.g., for testing, tracing, publication, workflow design, and so on. The visualization is automatically updated after service configuration changes. Node-specific source code is displayed for contract and implementation classes, and pertinent sections of configuration files are displayed for bindings and addresses. Derivation of endpoints, bindings, and addresses are displayed for implicitly set endpoints. |
| US08862970B1 |
Low power LDPC decoding under defects/erasures/puncturing
This disclosure relates generally to low power data decoding, and more particularly to low power data decoders for use under defects, erasures, and puncturing, with a low density parity check (LDPC) encoder. Systems and methods are disclosed for decoding a vector with punctured, detected defect and/or erased bits. Systems and methods are also disclosed for decoding a vector with undetected defects and/or unknown error patterns. Low power decoding may be performed in an LDPC decoder during the process of decoding an LDPC code in the case of defects, erasures, and puncturing. The low power techniques described herein may reduce power consumption without a substantial decrease in performance of the applications that make use of LDPC codes, or the devices that make use of low power LDPC decoders. |
| US08862969B2 |
Memory quality monitor based compensation method and apparatus
In one embodiment, an encoder reads a set of data from memory cells to obtain retrieved data influenced by one or more distortion mechanisms as a result of having been stored. A quality metric is generated responsive to the retrieved data that changes in value responsive to differences between the user data and the associated retrieved data. A quality monitor establishes a relationship between a current value of the quality metric and a threshold value and monitors the relationship as being indicative of a degradation of the quality of the retrieved data, and selectively initiates an error response. In another embodiment, a correction value is iterated through a set of values as a quality metric is monitored such that the value of the quality metric which most closely approaches the value of the quality metric immediately subsequent to an initial writing of the data can be selected. |
| US08862968B1 |
Circuit for forward error correction encoding of data blocks
In one embodiment, an encoder circuit is provided. The encoder includes an input circuit having a plurality of finite field subtraction circuits, each configured to receive a respective one of the sequence of symbols and subtract the symbol from a respective symbol of an intermediate polynomial to produce a respective feedback symbol. For each coefficient of a code generation polynomial, a first circuit is configured to multiply each feedback symbol by a respective constant corresponding to the coefficient to produce a first set of intermediate results. Each first set of intermediate results is summed to produce a second intermediate result. A buffer circuit of the encoder is configured and arranged to store the second intermediate results produced by the first circuit as the intermediate polynomial. |
| US08862963B2 |
Nonvolatile memory, memory controller, nonvolatile memory accessing method, and program
Disclosed herein is a nonvolatile memory including: a nonvolatile memory cell device including at least a nonvolatile memory cell array accessible in units of a word and further accessible at least with a fixed latency in a first access mode and with a variable latency in a second access mode; a first access path used in the first access mode; a second access path used in the second access mode; a first ECC processing part configured to be connected to the first access path and to perform error detection and correction using an ECC on the data output from the nonvolatile memory cell array in the first access mode; and a second ECC processing part configured to be connected to the second access path and to perform error detection and correction using the ECC on the data output from the nonvolatile memory cell array in the second access mode. |
| US08862962B2 |
Layered decoder enhancement for retained sector reprocessing
A system is described for recovering data from a number of sectors, such as the sectors of a hard disk drive (HDD) disk platter, and so forth. The system receives data from the sectors via a read channel and uses a layered data decoder to recover data from the sectors. A memory is coupled with the processor and configured to retain data received from one or more of the sectors, e.g., in retained sector reprocessing (RSR) embodiments. The system is configured to update messages in different circulant layers of the data decoder's parity-check matrix. The system uses one message update order in a processing iteration, and different message update orders in subsequent reprocessing iterations. In some embodiments, layer reordering is used for RSR. In some embodiments, circulant reordering is used for RSR. |
| US08862961B2 |
LDPC decoder with dynamic graph modification
The present inventions are related to systems and methods for an LDPC decoder with dynamic Tanner graph modification, and in particular, to a non-erasure channel LDPC decoder that implements a probabilistic approach to Tanner graph modification. |
| US08862959B1 |
Sign equalization in iterative decoding of sparse graph codes
A method includes, in an Error Correction Code (ECC) decoder that includes variable nodes and check nodes, receiving in a given variable node Check-to-Variable (C2V) messages from a subset of the check nodes. Magnitudes for respective Variable-to-Check (V2C) messages to be sent to the check nodes in the subset are computed based on the received C2V messages. A single sign is computed, for use in all the V2C messages to be sent from the given variable node to the check nodes in the subset. The V2C messages are sent from the given variable node to the check nodes in the subset, such that each V2C message includes a respective magnitude and the single sign. |
| US08862958B2 |
Methods and apparatus to compute CRC for multiple code blocks
A method and a circuit for generating cyclic redundancy checks. The method calculates a plurality of cyclic redundancy checks for a transport block with a plurality of information bits. At least one cyclic redundancy check among the plurality of cyclic redundancy checks is calculated based on a subset of information bits, and at least one information bit among the plurality of information bits is not within said subset of the information bits. In addition, a transport block cyclic redundancy check may be calculated based on all the information bits. |
| US08862946B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus receives a request transmitted from a client to a server and a response transmitted from the server to the client. The information processing apparatus includes a processor. The processor counts a first number of first requests having no corresponding response within a first time period, counts a second number of second requests having a corresponding response, and detects a failure in the server on the basis of the first number and the second number. |
| US08862945B2 |
System and method for measuring the effect of interruptions on software application usability
An exemplary embodiment of the present techniques may request a user to execute a task using a software application under test. An interruption may be generated that interrupts the user while the user is attempting to complete the task, and measuring an effect of the interruption on the ability of the user to successfully complete the task. |
| US08862943B2 |
Connectivity fault notification
Connectivity fault notification is provided by generating an alarm indication signal at a device that is logically adjacent to the fault, and forwarding the alarm indication signal upward through various levels to at least one client level entity. The alarm indication signal may be suppressed at any level for a service instance if service is restored at that level, or if a protection path prevents disruption of the service instance at that level, or auto-suppressed at an originating node based on number of times transmitted or elapsed time. The alarm indication signal may include a point of failure indicator such as the MAC address of the device that generates the alarm indication signal, or a failed resource identity such as an IEEE 802.1AB LLDP MAC Service Access Point (“MSAP”). Further, the alarm indication signal may be employed to trigger use of the protection path. |
| US08862941B2 |
Methods and apparatus for remediation execution
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and articles associated with remediation execution. In embodiments, a set of policy test failures may be selected for remediation. The set of policy test failures may be associated with a computer network with a number of nodes. For each failure within the set of policy test failures, a remediation script may be obtained to remediate a corresponding policy test failure. The remediation scripts may be selectively provided to nodes that are affected by policy test failures, for execution by the nodes. A remediation script result for each remediation script executed may be received. Based upon the remediation script results, it may be determined whether or not execution of the remediation scripts was successful. |
| US08862936B2 |
Apparatus and method of managing databases of active node and standby node of main memory database management system
Databases of an active node and a standby node of a main memory database management system (MMDBMS) are managed so as to prevent loss of a transaction caused by failure of any one of the active node or the standby node. The MMDBMS is configured to prevent data mismatch between the active node and the standby node when failure of any one of the active node and the standby node occurs. In case of failure of one of the nodes, log information from the other node is obtained to recover the failed node. |
| US08862934B2 |
Redundant computing system and redundant computing method
A redundant computing system is composed of two systems: a first arithmetic processing unit (A-system) and a second arithmetic processing unit (B-system) having the same functions. A diagnosis control unit performs diagnosis of one system while the other system is performing arithmetic processing operation. The diagnosis control unit controls the input to the first and second arithmetic processing units by way of an input control unit according to the diagnosis operation, and an output control unit controls the output from the first and second arithmetic processing units according to the diagnosis result. After termination of the diagnosis, a value is copied from a storage unit of the system which has not been diagnosed to a storage unit of the system which has been diagnosed, and the redundant computing system resumes the redundant operation. |
| US08862925B2 |
Pseudo synchronous serial interface synchronization method
Primary serial interface logic is synchronized by cycling through a plurality of delays upon power up of the serial interface until a synchronization bit pattern is located. A minimum delay and a maximum delay are determined for the primary serial interface logic, and a delay is set to a midpoint between the minimum delay and the maximum delay. Secondary serial interface logic is synchronized by cycling through a plurality of delays until the output of the secondary serial interface logic equals the output of the primary serial interface logic. A minimum delay and a maximum delay are determined for the secondary serial interface logic, and a delay is set to a midpoint between the minimum delay and the maximum delay. |
| US08862924B2 |
Processor with power control via instruction issuance
Methods and apparatuses are provided for power control in a processor. The apparatus comprises a plurality of operational units arranged as a group of operational units. A power consumption monitor determines when cumulative power consumption of the group of operational units exceeds a threshold (e.g., either or both of the cumulative power threshold and the cumulative power rate threshold) during a time interval, after which a filter for issuing instructions to the group of operational units suspends instruction issuance to the group of operational units for the remainder of the time interval. The method comprises monitoring cumulative power consumption by a group of operational units within a processor over a time interval. If the cumulative power consumption of the group of operational units exceeds the threshold, instruction issuance to the group of operational units is suspended for the remainder of the time interval. |
| US08862922B2 |
Data center power adjustment
A power cap agent establishes a power cap. The power cap agent throttles a first power priority virtual machine. The power cap agent determines that the first power priority virtual machine and the additional power priority virtual machine contribute to power consumption above the power cap among the plurality of servers. The power cap agent throttles the additional power priority virtual machine, wherein the first power priority virtual machine has a first power priority lower than an additional power priority of the additional power priority virtual machine. The power cap agent determines that the first power priority virtual machine and the additional power priority virtual machine contribute to power consumption above the power cap, responsive to throttling the first power priority virtual machine and throttling the additional virtual machine. |
| US08862919B2 |
Power control method for image forming apparatus to selectively control switching circuit unit to manage power supply according to last known power status when power is resumed after an abnormal power failure
An image forming apparatus and a power control method thereof are provided. The image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit which forms an image; a power supply which supplies operating power for the image forming apparatus; a switching circuit unit which switches to selectively supply the operating power; a memory unit which stores information about power status of the switching circuit unit; and a controller which outputs a power control signal for controlling a switching operation of the switching circuit unit in accordance with the information about the power status stored in the memory unit if power is abnormally shut off and then supplied again from the power supply to the switching circuit unit. With this, the image forming apparatus operates in a last power status, so that power can be prevented from being wastefully consumed or data can be prevented from being lost. |
| US08862917B2 |
Dynamic sleep for multicore computing devices
The aspects enable a multi-core processor or system on chip to determine a low power configuration that provides the most system power savings by placing selected resources in a low power mode depending upon acceptable system latencies, dynamic operating conditions (e.g., temperature), expected idle time, and the unique electrical characteristics of the particular device. Each of the cores/processing units treated in a symmetric fashion, and each core may choose its operating state independent of the other cores, without performing complex handshaking or signaling operations. |
| US08862916B2 |
Wireless control of power sockets based on host and signal quality
The present disclosure illustrates a power controller adapted for controlling the operation of a power socket. The power controller includes a first signal transmission interface and a first micro-control unit. The first signal transmission interface receives power control flow data and a mode signal for the peripheral devices of a host computer. The first micro-control unit outputs a control signal in accordance with the received periphery power control flow data and the received mode signal from a host computer. Further, the first micro-control unit through the communication established between a first communication unit and the second communication unit of the power socket outputs a control signal to the power socket, in order to control the power socket to power or not to power the peripheral devices after a predetermined time delay. |
| US08862912B2 |
Power distribution inside cable
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide for the powering of active components in connector inserts at each end of a cable may in various ways. For example, where a host is coupled to a device that is not self-powered, the host may provide power for circuitry at each end of the cable. In various embodiments of the present invention, the device may request higher voltage from the host, such that more power can be delivered. In these cases, the device may regulate the voltage received from the host to a lower voltage, and then provide the lower voltage to circuitry at one or both ends of the cable. Where the host is connected to a device that is self-powered, the host and the self-powered device may power their respective connector insert circuits. |
| US08862911B2 |
Information processing apparatus, method for avoiding a time-out error
An information processing apparatus includes a processing unit, a power supply control unit configured to control powering on and off of the processing unit, and a controller unit configured to access the processing unit irrespective of a power supply state of the processing unit. The power supply control unit powers off a processing unit that is not in use, powers on a processing unit that is accessed by the controller unit, and outputs a predetermined control signal to the controller unit. The controller unit recognizes that an error occurs in a case where, after accessing a processing unit, the controller unit does not receive a response from the accessed processing unit until a time-out time elapses, and delays recognizing the error when the control signal is received. |
| US08862909B2 |
System and method for determining a power estimate for an I/O controller based on monitored activity levels and adjusting power limit of processing units by comparing the power estimate with an assigned power limit for the I/O controller
A system and method for efficient management of operating modes within an IC for optimal power and performance targets. On a same die, an SOC includes one or more processing units and a input/output (I/O) controller (IOC). The multiple interfaces within the IOC manage packets and messages according multiple different protocols. The IOC maintains an activity level for each one of the multiple interfaces. This activity level may be based at least on a respective number of transactions executed by a corresponding one of the multiple interfaces. The IOC determines a power estimate for itself based on at least the activity levels. In response to detecting a difference between the power estimate and an assigned I/O power limit for the IOC, a power manager adjusts at least respective power limits for the one or more processing units based on at least the difference. |
| US08862903B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method and program
An information processing apparatus, including: a data processing section reproducing contents stored in a medium having a general purpose area in which encrypted contents and utilization controlling information corresponding to the contents are stored, and a protected area configured from a plurality of blocks to which access limitation is set and which include a block in which an encryption key for decrypting the contents and information of a plurality of validity periods indicative of content utilization permission periods applied to the application contents of the encryption key are stored, wherein the data processing section acquires the utilization controlling information of a reproduction object content, extracts selection information of validity period information to be applied to the content, and decides whether or not content reproduction is to be permitted by comparison between the validity period information selected from within the block and current date information in accordance with the selection information. |
| US08862902B2 |
Cascaded data encryption dependent on attributes of physical memory
Apparatus and method for providing data security through cascaded encryption. In accordance with various embodiments, input data are encrypted in relation to a first auxiliary data value to provide first level ciphertext. The first level ciphertext are encrypted using a second auxiliary data value associated with a selected physical location in a memory to produce second level ciphertext, which are thereafter stored to the selected physical location. In some embodiments, migration of the stored data to a new target location comprises partial decryption and re-encryption of the data using a third auxiliary data value associated with a new target physical location to produce third level ciphertext, and the storage of the third level ciphertext to the new target physical location. |
| US08862900B2 |
Secure distributed storage system and method
Moving from server-attached storage to distributed storage brings new vulnerabilities in creating a secure data storage and access facility. The Data Division and Out-of-order keystream Generation technique provides a cryptographic method to protect data in the distributed storage environments. In the technique, the Treating the data as a binary bit stream, our self-encryption (SE) scheme generates a keystream by randomly extracting bits from the stream. The length of the keystream depends on the user's security requirements. The bit stream is encrypted and the ciphertext is stored on the mobile device, whereas the keystream is stored separately. This makes it computationally not feasible to recover the original data stream from the ciphertext alone. |
| US08862898B2 |
Secure environment management during switches between different modes of multicore systems
The invention relates to the switching from a first mode of operation to a second mode, of a first and a second cores of a processor of a processing device further comprising a controller. The controller sends a first message to the cores. Upon reception of the first message, sensible data handled by the cores are stored securely. The second core sends, to the first core, a second message indicating the completion of the step of storing its sensible data. Upon reception of the second message, the first core stores securely, in a storage unit, other sensible data, and, when finished, sends to the controller a third message. Upon reception of the third message, the controller sends to the first core a fourth message. Then, the first core sends a fifth message to the second core. Upon reception of the fourth and the fifth messages, the cores enter into the second mode. |
| US08862883B2 |
System and method for secure cloud service delivery with prioritized services in a network environment
An example method includes receiving a request for a cloud capability set during an Internet Key Exchange negotiation associated with a virtual private network (VPN) tunnel between a subscriber and a cloud, wherein the cloud capability set comprises one or more cloud capabilities, mapping the request to one or more cryptographic modules that can support the cloud capability set, and offloading the VPN tunnel to the one or more cryptographic modules. The request can be an Internet Security Association and Key Management Protocol (ISAKMP) packet listing the one or more cloud capabilities in a private payload. The method may further include splitting the VPN tunnel between the cryptographic modules if no single cryptographic module can support substantially all the cloud capabilities in the cloud capability set. In some embodiments, the request is compared with a service catalog comprising authorized cloud capabilities. |
| US08862882B2 |
Systems and methods for authenticating devices by adding secure features to Wi-Fi tags
Systems and methods are described herein for authenticating a user device that uses a wireless local area network. The user device may generate an encrypted authentication block and/or digitally signed block that includes a variety of information associated with the user device. The user device may attach the encrypted authentication block to periodic messages that are being monitored by the network. The messages may include an unencrypted portion in addition to the encrypted authentication block. A network server may extract the authentication block and decrypt the user device information to verify the identity or the digital signature of the user device. If the network server verifies the identity of the user device, the network server may continue to communicate and provide services with the user device. If the user device identity is not verified, the network server may cease communicating with or providing the user device. |
| US08862881B2 |
Method and system for mutual authentication of wireless communication network nodes
A method and system for mutually authenticating a first node and a second node operating in a wireless communication network enables mutual authentication when the first node and the second node are unable to directly authenticate each other. The method includes identifying, at the first node, a third node that can authenticate both the first node and the second node (step 215). Authentication data for authenticating the first node with the third node is then transmitted from the first node to the third node (step 220). Keying material that is received from the third node is then processed at the first node (step 225). A shared secret mutual authentication protocol is then processed, whereby the first node and the second node are mutually authenticated by proving that they each have authenticated with the third node and each have the keying material (step 230). |
| US08862876B2 |
Method and system for deleting data
A computer system having at least first and second documents, a plurality of decryption keys, and a plurality of data segments stored therein, is provided. Each of the plurality of data segments is decryptable by a selected one of the decryption keys. The decryption keys include a first set of decryption keys associated with the first document and not associated with the second document, a second set of decryption keys associated with the second document and not associated with the first document, and a third set of decryption keys associated with the first document and the second document. The first document is deleted, and in response, the first set of decryption keys is rendered unusable, and the second set of decryption keys and the third set of decryption keys are not rendered unusable. |
| US08862871B2 |
Network with protocol, privacy preserving source attribution and admission control and method
A device implemented, carrier independent packet delivery universal addressing networking protocol for communication over a network between network nodes utilizing a packet. The protocol has an IP stack having layers. At least some of the layers have privacy preserving source node attribution and network admission control. The packet is admitted to the network only if a source node of the network nodes admits the packet. |
| US08862864B2 |
Information device storing state restoration software
An information device has a storage medium storing information items which includes a first program provided on a first partition, a second program and data provided on a second partition to restore the first program on the first partition to a predetermined state, a boot block which causes system activation from one of the first partition and the second partition, and an active-partition switching program which indicates, to the boot block, one of the first and second partitions. An input/output system activates the active-partition switching program when a specific operation is performed. The active-partition stitching program indicates to the boot block that system activation is to be executed from the second partition. |
| US08862863B2 |
Methods and apparatuses for master-slave detection
Apparatuses, master-slave detect circuits, memories, and methods are disclosed. One such method includes performing a master detect phase during which a memory unit in a memory group is determined to be a master memory unit, determining at each memory unit its location relative to other memory units, and determining at each memory unit its location in the memory group based on a total number of slave memory units and its location relative to other memory units. |
| US08862859B2 |
Efficient support of multiple page size segments
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for improved support of MPS segments in a microprocessor. The virtual address is used to generate possible TLB index values for each of the supported page sizes of the MPS segment associated with the virtual address. The possible TLB index values may be a hash generated using the virtual address and one of the supported page sizes. The TLB is searched for actual TLB index values that match the possible TLB index values calculated using the different supported page sizes. TLB entries associated with those actual TLB index values are checked to determine whether any TLB entry is associated with the virtual address. If no match is found, the real address is retrieved from the PT. The actual page size in the PT is used to generate an actual TLB index value for the virtual address and the TLB entry is inserted into the TLB. |
| US08862850B2 |
Storage system, storage control apparatus, and storage control method
In a storage system, a processor accepts designation of export data that is to be written to a first portable record medium. The designated export data is divided into first export data and second export data. The first export data is already in the storage apparatus, while the second export data is still in second portable record mediums. The second export data is read out of the second portable record mediums and entered to the storage apparatus. The processor detects the current amount of the first export data in the storage apparatus, as well as the current amount of the second export data still unread from the second portable record mediums. The processor determines when to start writing the export data to the first portable record medium, based on the current amount of the first export data and the current amount of the second export data. |
| US08862845B2 |
Application profiling in a data storage array
Method and apparatus for application profiling in a multi-device data storage array. In accordance with various embodiments, a storage array is formed of independent data storage devices that form a fast pool and a slow pool of said devices, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) and hard disc drives (HDDs). A controller is adapted to migrate a distributed data set stored across a first plurality of the devices in the slow pool to a second plurality of said devices in the fast pool. The controller carries out the migration responsive to a hint that a selected application is about to be executed that utilizes the distributed data set, and responsive to a return on investment (ROI) determination that an estimated cost of said migration will be outweighed by an overall improved data transfer capacity of the storage array over a predetermined minimum payback period of time. |
| US08862844B2 |
Backup apparatus, backup method and computer-readable recording medium in or on which backup program is recorded
Upon production of a backup of a first generation, all of an operation volume is stored. However, upon production of a backup of a second or later generation, an update situation of the operation volume is confirmed, and a physical region of a capacity corresponding to a capacity of an update region of the operation volume is secured. Then, only data of the update region is stored into the secured physical region. |
| US08862843B2 |
Storage system, backup storage apparatus, and backup control method
A storage system includes a first storage apparatus and a second storage apparatus including a second controller for sequentially transferring a copy of the part of the segments of data from a second buffer into a second storage device segment by segment in the same sequence as the second buffer have received a copy of the part of segments of data from a first buffer of the first storage apparatus. The second controller producing a backup copy in a backup data storage portion by copying a copy of one of the segments of the data stored in the second storage device that has been transferred from the second buffer into the second storage device while transferring a copy of the subsequent segment of the data next to said one of the segments of the data in the sequence from the second buffer to the second storage device. |
| US08862842B2 |
Method and apparatus for maximizing data recoverability using coupling updates by parties
A data recovery system is disclosed that permits recovery of data in a computer memory. The system includes an update storage system, a long-term storage system, a coupling functional circuit, and a parity register. The update storage system is for providing backup storage of recently updated data. The long-term storage system is for providing backup storage of data that has not been recently updated. The coupling functional circuit is for providing a bit-wise commutative binary operation of data from the update storage system and from the long term storage system. The parity register is for maintaining parity snapshots of the output of the coupling functional circuit. |
| US08862840B2 |
Distributed storage system, apparatus, and method for managing distributed storage in consideration of request pattern
A distributed storage management apparatus includes a monitoring unit configured to monitor a request pattern of each storage node of a plurality of storage nodes configured to distributively store data and at least one replica of the data; a group setting unit configured to receive a request and classify the plurality of storage nodes into a safe group and an unsafe group based on the monitored request pattern of each storage node; and a request transfer unit configured to transfer the received request to the safe group. |
| US08862839B2 |
Storage system and storage management method for controlling off-line mode and on-line mode of flash memory
A storage system which has flash memories constituting a storage area and a function of placing and handling the flash memories in on-line mode and off-line mode, and which stores and manages management information of the flash memories in on-line mode. The storage system includes: when some or all of flash memory in on-line mode is placed in off-line mode, creating a management area in off-line mode in the flash memories by moving existing data in an area used as the management area to an area other than the management area; writing the management information of the flash memories to the created management area; and placing the flash memories in off-line mode. |
| US08862837B1 |
Techniques for automated data compression and decompression
Described are techniques for automated compression and/or decompression of data. Idle counters are received for data portions which indicate a level of inactivity with respect to idle criteria for the data portions. Compression criteria is received specifying conditions for determining whether a data portion is a candidate for data compression. The compression criteria includes a time compression threshold indicating a minimum amount of time that a data portion has been deemed idle with respect to said idle criteria. A data portion that qualifies as a candidate for data compression has an associated idle counter indicating an inactivity level that is greater than the time compression threshold. Processing determines whether a first data portion is a candidate for data compression in accordance with the compression criteria. If the first data portion is determined as a candidate for data compression, compression processing is performed for the first data portion. |
| US08862836B2 |
Multi-port register file with an input pipelined architecture with asynchronous reads and localized feedback
In an embodiment of the invention, a multi-port register file includes write port inputs (e.g. write address, write enable, data input) that are pipelined and synchronous and read port inputs (e.g. read address) that are asynchronous and are not pipelined. Because the write port inputs are pipelined, they are stored in pipelined registers. When data is written to the multi-port register file, data is first written to the pipelined registers during a first clock cycle. On the next clock cycle, data is read from the pipelined registers and written into memory array registers. Which bits of data from a pipelined synchronous data register are written into the multi-port register file is determined by a pipelined synchronous bit-write register. The output of the pipelined synchronous bit-write register selects which inputs of multiplexers contained in registers in the multi-port register file are stored. |
| US08862832B1 |
Techniques for global memory management and request processing
Described are techniques for processing a request to access global memory. For a first processor included on a first of a plurality of boards connected by a fabric, a logical address is determined for a global memory location in a system global memory. A first physical address for the logical address is determined. It is determined whether the first physical address is included in a first global partition of the first board. If so, first processing is performed including updating a memory map to map a window of the first processor's logical address space to a physical memory segment located within the first global partition. Otherwise, if the first physical address is included in a second of the plurality of global partitions physically located on one of the plurality of boards other than said first board, second processing is performed to issue the request over the fabric. |
| US08862831B2 |
Method and apparatus to facilitate shared pointers in a heterogeneous platform
A method and apparatus to facilitate shared pointers in a heterogeneous platform. In one embodiment of the invention, the heterogeneous or non-homogeneous platform includes, but is not limited to, a central processing core or unit, a graphics processing core or unit, a digital signal processor, an interface module, and any other form of processing cores. The heterogeneous platform has logic to facilitate sharing of pointers to a location of a memory shared by the CPU and the GPU. By sharing pointers in the heterogeneous platform, the data or information sharing between different cores in the heterogeneous platform can be simplified. |
| US08862827B2 |
Efficient multi-level software cache using SIMD vector permute functionality
A cache manager receives a request for data, which includes a requested effective address. The cache manager determines whether the requested effective address matches a most recently used effective address stored in a mapped tag vector. When the most recently used effective address matches the requested effective address, the cache manager identifies a corresponding cache location and retrieves the data from the identified cache location. However, when the most recently used effective address fails to match the requested effective address, the cache manager determines whether the requested effective address matches a subsequent effective address stored in the mapped tag vector. When the cache manager determines a match to a subsequent effective address, the cache manager identifies a different cache location corresponding to the subsequent effective address and retrieves the data from the different cache location. |
| US08862824B2 |
Techniques for managing power and performance of multi-socket processors
Examples are disclosed for managing power and performance of multi-socket processors. In some examples, a utilization rate of a first processor circuitry in a first processor socket may be determined. An active memory ratio of a cache for the first processor circuitry may be compared to a threshold ratio or a data traffic rate between the first processor circuitry and a second processor circuitry in a second processor socket may be compared to a threshold rate. According to some examples, a first power state of the first processor circuitry may be changed based on the determined utilization rate. The first power state may also be changed based on the comparison of the active memory ratio to the threshold ratio or the comparison of the data traffic rate to the threshold rate. |
| US08862823B1 |
Compression status caching
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a compression status cache configured to store compression information for blocks of memory stored within an external memory. A data cache unit is configured to request, in response to a cache miss, compressed data from the external memory based on compression information stored in the compression status bit cache. The compression status for active buffers is dynamically swapped into the compression status cache as needed. Different compression formats may be specified for one or more tiles within an active buffer. One advantage of the disclosed compression status cache is that a lame amount of attached memory may be allocated as compressible memory blocks, without incurring a corresponding die area cost because a portion of the compression status stored off chip in attached memory is cached in the compression status cache. |
| US08862821B2 |
Portable device for managing memory cards
A portable device includes n (n≧2) electrical sockets, each of which is configured to accommodate and to electrically engage a removable external memory card; an input device for selecting accommodated and electrically engaged external memory cards for data reading; and an output device for outputting information that is derived from or related to data read from such selected electrically engaged external memory cards. The information may pertain to digital content of the selected external memory card, to the identity of the selected external memory card, or to the storage capacity of the selected external memory card. |
| US08862819B2 |
Log structure array
A storage system, comprising: (a) a primary storage entity utilized for persistently storing an entire data-set; (b) a secondary storage entity; and (c) a secondary storage controller (“SSC”) responsive to a destage stream pending to be written to the second storage entity for identifying a succession of physical locations on the secondary storage entity formed by non-protected locations in an extent that is sufficient to accommodate the destage stream and one or more intervening protected locations between two or more of the non-protected locations; wherein said SSC is adapted to retrieve from said primary storage entity protected data associated with the intervening protected location(s), pad the stream of data with the protected data and write the padded stream of data to said secondary storage entity as a single successive write sequence over said succession of physical locations. |
| US08862817B2 |
Switch-based hybrid storage system
The present invention relates to semiconductor storage systems (SSDs). Specifically, the present invention relates to a switch-based hybrid storage system. In a typical embodiment, a first RAID controller is coupled to a system control board, and a double data rate semiconductor storage device (DDR SSD) module is coupled to the first RAID controller. The DDR SSD module typically includes a set of DDR SSD units. Also coupled to the system control board are a first switch and a second switch. A second RAID controller is coupled to the first switch, while a hard disk drive (HDD) module coupled to the second RAID controller. The HDD module typically includes a set of HDD/Flash SDD units. Also coupled to the second switch is a communications module having a set (at least one) of ports. |
| US08862809B2 |
Memory device, control method for the memory device, and controller
During normal power operation, an erased free block is prepared in nonvolatile memory so that at least one erased free block is continuously available as a standby block. If a power failure occurs, volatile data and its address conversion information are written into the standby block in the nonvolatile memory. |
| US08862806B2 |
Semiconductor storage device and method of throttling performance of the same
A semiconductor storage device and a method of throttling performance of the same are provided. The semiconductor storage device includes a non-volatile memory device configured to store data in a non-volatile state, and a controller configured to control the non-volatile memory device. The controller calculates a new performance level, compares the calculated performance level with a predetermined reference, and determines the calculated performance level as an updated performance level according to the comparison result. |
| US08862804B2 |
System and method for improved parity determination within a data redundancy scheme in a solid state memory
Embodiments of the invention are directed to improving parity determination in a data redundancy scheme. In a block oriented storage system, where the storage element block size is an integer multiple of the block size used on the host interface, parity can be calculated on clean boundaries of the host block. However, this is not always the case and storage inefficiency occurs as a result. Embodiments of the invention optimize RAID parity calculation in a non-volatile solid state device by allowing the RAID stripe depth (also termed a “strip”) to be a non-integer multiple of the size of the individual storage element, i.e., the non-volatile memory program granularity. This enables efficient use of storage space where the host data size does not match the storage element size of the non-volatile memory while providing a straightforward way of handling parity generation and data recovery. |
| US08862801B2 |
Handling atomic operations for a non-coherent device
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a non-coherent atomic request from a device coupled to an agent via a non-coherent link, accessing a mapping table of the agent to convert the non-coherent atomic request into a coherent atomic request, and transmitting the coherent atomic request via a coherent link to a second agent coupled to the agent to cause the second agent to be a completer of the non-coherent atomic request. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US08862799B2 |
Technique for implementing virtual fabric membership assignments for devices in a storage area network
A technique is provided for facilitating fabric membership login for an N_Port of a storage area network. A communication from a network node is received. The communication may include a portion of criteria associated with the N_Port. Using at least a portion of the portion of criteria, a virtual fabric identifier corresponding to a virtual fabric which is associated with the N_Port may be automatically identified. Fabric configuration information, which includes the virtual fabric identifier, may be automatically provided to the network node. A fabric login request from the N_Port to login to the virtual fabric may then be received. According to a specific embodiment, the communication may be transmitted from a network node to an F_Port on a Fiber Channel switch. When the N_Port received the fabric configuration information from the F_Port, the generating, using at least a portion of the received fabric configuration information, a fabric login request message may be generated by the N_Port which includes a fabric login request for the N_Port to login to the virtual fabric corresponding to the virtual fabric identifier. In at least one implementation, the N_Port and/or F_Port may be configured or designed to support trunking functionality. |
| US08862797B2 |
Reducing delay and delay variation in a buffer in network communications
There are disclosed systems and methods for reducing the average delay and the average delay variation of network communication data in a buffer. The buffer comprises a plurality of memory entries, and associated with the buffer is a read point and a write pointer. The buffer has a depth defined as the number of memory entries in the buffer between the memory entry pointed to by the read pointer and the memory entry pointed to by the write pointer. In one embodiment, at least one of the read pointer and the write pointer is initially set to establish the depth of the buffer to be a first value. The variation of the depth of the buffer is then monitored for a predetermined period of time as network communication data flows through the buffer. The depth of the buffer is then reduced based upon this monitoring. |
| US08862793B2 |
Storage system, control device, and storage system control method of controlling storage system
A storage system includes a disk and a controller module (CM). The CM includes a main control unit and a sub control unit that distribute and execute processing in the CM. Further the CM includes a plurality of channel adapters (CAs) that receive commands related to the input and the output of the data stored in the disk from a host computer. The main control unit requests the sub control unit to copy dump data of a first CA among the plurality of CAs when detecting abnormality of the first CA while copying dump data of a second CA among the plurality of CAs according to abnormality of the second CA. |
| US08862791B2 |
Electronic device and digital interface determining method of connected external device
An electronic device to determine a type of digital interface between a source device and a sink device. A control unit of the sink device may include a determining unit which determines whether or not the source device is connected to this sink device, and whether or not the digital interface of a data transmission unit of the source device is a HDMI standard or a new standard. When a data reception unit can handle both the HDMI standard and new standard, based on the determination result of the determining unit, a control unit may switch the operation of the data reception unit so as to perform an operation in accordance with the digital interface of the data transmission unit of the source device. A connector unit for connecting the devices which may operate using the digital interfaces of HDMI and the new standard can be shared. |
| US08862790B2 |
Method for identifying version type of windows operating system on a host by a USB device
The invention provides a method for identifying version type of a Windows operating system on a host by USB device, relating to operating system field and including steps: A, USB device is powered on and initialized; B, the USB device performs USB enumeration, determines whether a first predetermined instruction is received in process of USB enumeration, if yes, determines the operating system is a first operating system and goes to Step D, if no, goes to C; C, the USB device determines the device type returned in process of USB enumeration, if it is a CCID device, determines whether the received instruction includes a second predetermined instruction, if yes, determines the operating system is a second operating system, if no, determines the operating system is a third operating system; when the device is an SCSI device, the USB device determines whether the second received SCSI instruction is a third predetermined instruction or fourth predetermined instruction, if it is the third predetermined instruction, determines that the operating system is a second operating system, if it is the fourth predetermined instruction, determines that the operating system is a third operating system; D, the USB device establishes communication with the host, waits for instruction sent by the host and returns related information to the host according to the determined type of the host operating system. |
| US08862787B2 |
Method and apparatus for integrating driver(s) of a portable device into the portable device
A portable device may be connected to a host system using a connection technology such as the universal serial bus (USB) or the IEEE 1934, either via wire or wirelessly. A driver that enables the portable device to properly interact with the host system may be stored in a non-volatile memory inside the portable device. When the portable device is connected to the host system, the portable device may automatically install the driver stored therein in the host system if it is determined that the host system does not have driver for the portable device or the driver in the host system are outdated by the driver stored in the portable device. When connected to the Internet, the portable device may further search the Internet for the latest driver. The portable device may download and install in the host system the latest driver found in the Internet and update the driver stored in the portable device accordingly, if appropriate. |
| US08862784B2 |
Network interface device
A network interface device in a manufacturing system may receive communications from remote users in a database query language. The network interface device may translate or forward commands and queries in a pump-supported language. The network interface device may communicate the commands and queries to pumps and other components on the manufacturing process using the pump-supported language. The results of the command or query may be returned to the network interface device, which may send the information to a database. A GUI allows the remote user to check states of pumps or other functions. |
| US08862779B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for integrating advertising within web content
Systems, methods, and computer program products that facilitate the integration and accounting of advertising within audio Web content requested by users via telephone devices are provided. Upon receiving a request from a user for Web content via a telephone device, a Web server retrieves an advertisement from an advertisement server, inserts the retrieved advertisement within the user requested Web content, and forwards the user requested Web content and advertisement to a text-to-speech transcoder for conversion to an audio format. The text-to-speech transcoder converts the Web content and advertisement from a text-based format to an audio format and serves the Web content and advertisement in the audio format to the user client device via a telephone link established with the user client device. If an advertisement is interactive, a text-to-speech transcoder may be configured to notify an advertisement server of user interaction with the advertisement. Information such as an identification of a requesting client device, user, as well as time and date information, may be recorded by an advertisement server for use in measuring effectiveness of a particular marketing and/or advertising campaign. Information associated with providing a user with additional information associated with an advertisement may also be stored. |
| US08862778B2 |
Method and terminal for improving domain name resolution efficiency
A method and terminal for improving domain name resolution efficiency is provided. The method is implemented in a terminal supporting IPv4/IPv6 dual stack and comprises: the terminal initiating a domain name resolution request to a domain name system server (S11); and when obtaining a normal response, the terminal recording a first format corresponding to the initiated domain name resolution request as a default initiation format of the current domain name resolution request (S12). The method and terminal provided herewith are used to adapt network environments dynamically to a certain extent so as to increase the domain name request efficiency, thereby improve the fluency for the entire service access. |
| US08862773B2 |
Scalable network apparatus for content based switching or validation acceleration
A network apparatus is provided that may include one or more security accelerators. The network apparatus also includes a plurality of network units cascaded together. According to one embodiment, the plurality of network units comprise a plurality of content based message directors, each to route or direct received messages to one of a plurality of application servers based upon the application data in the message. According to another embodiment, the plurality of network units comprise a plurality of validation accelerators, each validation accelerator to validate at least a portion of a message before outputting the message. |
| US08862772B2 |
System and method for implementing a multilevel data center fabric in a network environment
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes determining whether a first network element with which a second network element is attempting to establish an adjacency is a client type element. If the first network element is determined to be a client type element, the method further includes determining whether the first and second network elements are in the same network area. If the first network element is a client type element and the first and second network elements are determined to be in the same network area, the adjacency is established. Subsequent to the establishing, a determination is made whether the first network element includes an inter-area forwarder (IAF). |
| US08862769B2 |
Object-based transport protocol
Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate providing an object-based transport protocol that allows transmission of arbitrarily sized objects over a network protocol layer. The object-based transport protocol can also provide association of metadata with the objects to control communication thereof, and/or communication of response objects. Moreover, the object-based transport protocol can maintain sessions with remote network nodes that can include multiple channels, which can be updated over time to seamlessly provide mobility, increased data rates, and/or the like. In addition, properties can be modified remotely by network nodes receiving objects related to the properties. |
| US08862768B2 |
Method and system for packetizing data for servicing traffic end-to-end
Aspects of a method and system for packetizing data for servicing traffic end-to-end are provided. In this regard, a networking subsystem may receive, from an application, one or more values of one or more parameters associated with data generated by the application. The networking subsystem may packetize the data into one or more packets. The networking subsystem may translate the received one or more values into one or more corresponding OSI layer 2 tags. The networking subsystem may tag the one or more packets with the corresponding OSI layer 2 tags and transmit the tagged packet(s) to one or more link partners. The link partners may thus process and forward the tagged packet(s) by inspecting only OSI layer 2 information of the tagged packet(s). The one or more corresponding OSI layer 2 tags may indicate, for example, quality of service required by, and/or protocols associated with, the data. |
| US08862765B2 |
Fair bandwidth redistribution algorithm
A process of managing bandwidth in a computer network having normal users and users that consume a disproportionate amount of bandwidth includes creating bandwidth gates for m users causing disproportionate traffic on the network, each bandwidth gate providing a bandwidth of y, and setting m to a minimum and y to a maximum for the set m. |
| US08862763B2 |
Downloading video using excess bandwidth
A method may include downloading a first segment of a video in a first bit-rate quality at the first bit rate and storing the downloaded first segment of the video in the first bit-rate quality. The method may further include downloading a second segment of the video in a second bit-rate quality at the second bit rate, wherein the second bit rate is greater than the first bit rate and storing the downloaded second segment of the video in the second bit-rate quality. The method may also include downloading the first segment of the video at the second bit-rate quality using excess bandwidth while downloading the second segment of the video in the second bit-rate quality at the second bit rate and storing the downloaded first segment of the video in the second bit rate-rate quality. |
| US08862759B2 |
Multiplexing binary encoding to facilitate compression
Methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture for receiving a stream of data, splitting the stream of data into a plurality of substreams based on one or more criteria, and selectively recombining the substreams based on one or more additional criteria, to improve overall effectiveness in compressing the stream of data, are described herein. |
| US08862758B1 |
System and method for controlling one or more media stream characteristics
The invention provides controllers systems and methods that apply techniques for determining media stream characteristics that propagate through a sequence of buffers. One of the buffers represents buffering characteristics of a network through which the media stream propagates. The media stream may include packets of a media stream and the network may include a wireless network. |
| US08862754B2 |
Global access control for segmented streaming delivery
Various arrangements for controlling access to streaming media assets are presented. Transmission of segments of a media asset to a first user device may be commenced. During transmission of the media asset to the first user device, beaconing data from the first user device may be received and stored as session information. The first user device may no longer be permitted to receive the media asset at least partially due to the first user device no longer being authenticated. Transmission of a remainder of the plurality of media segments to the first user device may be ceased such that the first user device does not receive the media asset in its entirety. |
| US08862751B2 |
System and method of controlling application level access of subscriber to a network
The invention is a system and method of controlling an access of a subscriber to a network. The method includes sending an identification of the subscriber and a level of access to be provided to the subscriber from a visited network of a plurality of networks (12, 14, 16) connected to a home network (10); in response to the identification of the subscriber and a level of access to be provided to the subscriber, storing a subscriber profile of the authorized of access to be provided to the subscriber; and controlling access of the subscriber to any network dependent upon a comparison of access to be provided to the subscriber and the stored subscriber profile. |
| US08862746B2 |
Systems and methods for integrating applications on user equipment utilizing special URI control messages
Methods for integrating an application on a user equipment (UE) utilizing a special URI (S-URI) control message over a communications network are presented including: registering a secondary application server on the communications network such that a primary application server responsive to the UE is notified of the secondary application server, wherein the secondary application server is configured to provide the application; selecting the application on the UE; sending an INVITE message containing the S-URI to the primary application server by the UE, the S-URI configured to provide access information corresponding with the secondary application server; locating the secondary application server by the communications network; establishing a session between the secondary application server and the UE, wherein the application is provided to the UE by the secondary application server. |
| US08862744B2 |
Optimizing traffic load in a communications network
A system and method that facilitates the migration of one or more Virtual Machines (VMs) throughout a communications network, such as a cloud network, is disclosed. A management system monitors a current traffic matrix to determine if the network is congested. If the network is congested, the management system determines a minimum number of VMs that must be migrated to unused VM sites to ease the congestion and optimize the distribution of traffic in the network. Additionally, the management system also identifies which VMs should be migrated to which unused VM sites, and a sequence in which the migration should be performed to return the bandwidth distribution in the network to an acceptable level. In addition, the management system may determine which unused VM site or sites is best for the addition of one or more new VMs or groups of VMs. |
| US08862742B2 |
Communications service broker for orchestration of services in a telecommunications network
A service broker is described that performs orchestration of services to enable compilations of multiple applications for a single call or session. In particular, the service broker is extended with charging orchestration which allows the service broker to receive a single charging event and to orchestrate between activation of multiple charging services in response to the charging event. |
| US08862738B2 |
Reallocating resource capacity among resource pools in a cloud computing environment
In general, the embodiments of the present invention provide an approach for rebalancing/reallocating cloud resource capacities between resource pools that provide variable customer assurances and delivery penalties when assurances are not met. The variables that are considered hereunder include, overall ‘reservations’, total current capacity, remaining capacity against unused reservations and penalties that apply for failing to satisfy ‘reservation’ commitments. The approach uses a rate of capacity consumption to calculate the risk of consuming the available capacity in each resource pool (e.g., resource pools allocated to satisfy different levels of service with different SLA failure penalties). Based on the relative available capacity in each pool (as determined by the pool rate of consumption), resources are reallocated to maximize revenue (e.g., reduce financial penalty) across a resource pool set. |
| US08862729B2 |
Forecast-less service capacity management
A computer implemented method, system, and/or computer program product manages capacity in a service-provider system. A software model of a physical service-provider system is created and stored in memory. A parameter for running the software model with real-time metrics from the physical service-provider system as inputs to the software model is established. If the parameter is met, then the software model is run using the real-time metrics from the physical service-provider system as inputs. A pre-determined action, which adjusts policies for, and capacity in, the service-provider system and is prescribed by a specific model output, is established. If the specific model output, which resulted from using the real-time metrics from the physical service-provider system as inputs for running the software model, is output from the software model, then the pre-determined action is executed. |
| US08862728B2 |
Problem determination and diagnosis in shared dynamic clouds
Techniques for problem determination and diagnosis in a shared dynamic cloud environment. A method includes monitoring each virtual machine and physical server in the shared dynamic cloud environment for at least one metric, identifying a symptom of a problem and generating an event based on said monitoring, analyzing the event to determine a deviation from normal behavior, and classifying the event as a cloud-based anomaly or an application fault based on existing knowledge. |
| US08862727B2 |
Problem determination and diagnosis in shared dynamic clouds
An apparatus and an article of manufacture for problem determination and diagnosis in a shared dynamic cloud environment include monitoring each virtual machine and physical server in the shared dynamic cloud environment for at least one metric, identifying a symptom of a problem and generating an event based on said monitoring, analyzing the event to determine a deviation from normal behavior, and classifying the event as a cloud-based anomaly or an application fault based on existing knowledge. |
| US08862723B2 |
System and method for monitoring handheld devices in a user testing mode
A system and method are presented for monitoring handheld devices in a testing environment. At least one handheld device is provided, typically several, that is capable of performing a first plurality of functions in a non-test mode, and a more limited number of functions in a test mode. In a test environment the handheld device should be set to perform in the test mode. In the event of the handheld device mode being changed from the test mode to non-test mode, the handheld device generates a non-test mode signal. A monitoring software application records the non-test mode signal. In one aspect, the monitoring application is embedded in a remote proctor device. The remote proctor device monitoring application may send a mode interrogation message to the handheld device, and the handheld device generates the non-test mode signal in response to the mode interrogation message. |
| US08862715B1 |
Context-based sensor selection
Pending execution of a sensor function for use in operation of an application executing on a computing device may be determined. At least a first sensor and a second sensor associated with the computing device may be identified, the first sensor and the second sensor both providing at least a portion of the sensor function. A current context associated with the pending execution of the sensor function may be determined, the current context being defined in terms of context parameters. Selection criteria defined in terms of the context parameters may be accessed, and the first sensor may be selected to execute the sensor function for the application, based on the selection criteria and the current context. |
| US08862713B2 |
Method and apparatus of performing remote command dispatching
Disclosed are an apparatus and methods of remotely managing a managed machine over a communication network. One example method of operation may include identifying the managed machine operating in a communication network and transmitting a connection establishment message to the managed machine over the communication network. In response, an acceptance message may be received from the manage machine. Once a secure channel has been established, the administrator may begin transmitting a command prompt command over the communication network to be executed on the managed machine. The management operations may be performed from a browser-based application. |
| US08862711B2 |
Management server having function confirming status information of devices, method for confirming status information of devices, and device and system capable of providing status information
A management server having a function of confirming status information of devices, a method of confirming status information of devices, and a device capable of providing status information. A first writer writes a status information request list necessary to confirm statuses of devices if the management server is turned on. A first communicator transmits the status information request list to the devices and receives status information response lists from the devices. A first parser parses the status information response lists. A server controller confirms statuses of the devices using parsing results. Thus, a list necessary to confirm statuses of devices can be written in an XML file, parsed, and provided to a manager. |
| US08862710B2 |
Dynamic configuration of mobile station location services
On startup, a mobile station application will determine the current carrier network and submit a query to an application server that will return the correct location server configuration for the specified network. This information will be used on the mobile station to dynamically configure the device through the available GPS chipset API. |
| US08862704B2 |
Dynamic fusion management
A system and method for managing a network of nodes that share sensor data is presented. In one embodiment, the system and method clusters groups of nodes into subnets. Nodes in a common subnet share sensor data with other nodes in the subnet at one rate, while nodes that are not in a common subnet share sensor data at a second substantially reduced rate. |
| US08862699B2 |
Reputation based redirection service
A reputation based redirection service is usable to build URL wrappers for un-trusted and unknown URLs. Such URL wrappers can be used to protect Web users by, for example, redirecting traffic to interstitial Web pages. Additionally, reputation decisions can be made by the service to further protect users from malicious URLs. |
| US08862696B2 |
Interconnecting applications on personal computers and mobile terminals through a web server
Methods of communicatively connecting a local application on a mobile terminal to a Web application on a personal computer and related Web servers and mobile terminals are disclosed. A first session ID for the Web application and a corresponding first code may be communicated from a connector application on a Web server to the personal computer. A second code and user ID may be communicated from the mobile terminal to the connector application on the Web server. The connector application on the Web server may be operated to determine whether the first code from the personal computer matches the second code from the mobile terminal and, if so, to communicatively connect the local application on the mobile terminal to the Web application on the personal computer. |
| US08862693B2 |
Remote access and administration of device content and configuration using HTTP protocol
A mobile device supports a mobile server hosting an HTML web site. The mobile device has an identifier and receives dynamically updated IP addresses from a network connected through a firewall to the Internet. The mobile device reports received updates of the IP address to an HTTP server in the network that interfaces with the Internet. The HTTP server updates a redirect address record associating the identifier of the mobile device with the reported IP address. The HTTP server receives, from a web browser in the Internet, an HTTP request having the identifier of the mobile device. The HTTP server, using the redirect address record, redirects the web browser to the mobile device. The web browser sends an HTTP request directly to the mobile device. |
| US08862690B2 |
System and method for creating topic neighborhood visualizations in a networked system
A computer-implemented system and method for creating topic neighborhoods and a visualization for related topic neighborhoods in a networked system are disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes a neighborhood generator configured to receive an explicit identification of a topic for association with a neighborhood; create a neighborhood in association with the explicitly identified topic; gather neighborhood information related to the neighborhood from sources related to the topic; and provide access to the neighborhood via a neighborhood visualization on a webpage. |
| US08862688B1 |
Downloading web-based email
Web-based email methods and systems for downloading emails from an email service provider's servers to a user's local system and/or other local storage medium are provided. The user can select the emails to download and the systems and methods can retrieve the selected emails from storage. The text of the emails can be reformatted into a text file. The systems and methods can present a web page to the user from which the email text file can be downloaded. The web page can include attachments to the emails. The text files can be concatenated into a one or more text files and the attachments can be compressed into one or more files. Optionally, the text file(s) and the compressed file(s) can be emailed to an alternate email address. Optionally, the email text and attachments can be formatted for viewing by a local email client. |
| US08862687B1 |
Method and system for secure digital file sharing
A system and method for securely storing, retrieving and sharing data using PCs and mobile devices and for controlling and tracking the movement of data to and from a variety of computing and storage devices. |
| US08862669B2 |
Apparatus and method for improved electronic mail
An E-mail apparatus and method are provided. The e-mail apparatus includes a memory that stores display names and e-mail addresses corresponding to the display names, and a controller that extracts an e-mail address from a received e-mail message, retrieves from the memory a display name corresponding to the extracted e-mail address, modifies the display name of the received e-mail message to the retrieved display name, and outputs the modified display name. |
| US08862667B2 |
Network based audience measurement
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing network-based audience measurement are provided. Data packets are intercepted between a client computer and a content server. Unique subscribers and content names are identified based on the data packets. One or more audience measurement metrics are computed based on the unique subscribers and the content names. |
| US08862665B2 |
Automated file distribution
Automated file distribution is described. A member of a peer-to-peer network receives from a file server, a file to be distributed. The file is then distributed via the peer-to-peer network to other members of the peer-to-peer network. Members of the peer-to-peer network can choose whether or not to receive a file from another member based on a trust level or reputation associated with the member. The trust level may be based, at least in part, on a number of degrees of separation between the members. Furthermore the file is verified, for example, by validating a digital signature associated with the file. |
| US08862664B1 |
Using a digital image in a social networking system
Systems and methods for using a digital image in a social networking system may use digital image to identify a physical entity. Information about the identified physical entity may be provided to an electronic display for review by a user. The user may perform a social networking action with the identified physical entity or a website associated with the physical entity. Social networking actions may include rating or commenting about the physical entity or the associated website via a social networking system. Social networking actions may also include sharing information about the physical entity or associated website with another user via the social networking system. |
| US08862661B2 |
Processing content in a plurality of languages
A method for processing content in a plurality of languages which comprises generating, by an application program at a client computer, a request to a server computer for first content which is in a first language, if the first content is not stored in an embedded database of the client computer. The method comprises automatically receiving from the server computer updated first content in the first language, if there is a change in second content which is content in a second language translated from the first language. |
| US08862660B1 |
System and method for facilitating processing of communication
Computer-implemented method is disclosed. Method includes initiating connection to client side in first client-server protocol between client side and server side. First client-server protocol is application layer protocol in OSI model. Method also includes receiving indication of data sink for first client-server protocol. Data sink is configured to receive and process output data of first client-server protocol. Method also includes receiving indication of data source for first client-server protocol. Data source is configured to provide input data for first client-server protocol. Method also includes receiving indication of communication pathway between two or more of data source, data sink, client side, and server side. Method also includes facilitating transmitting input data from data source to client side via communication pathway for transmission of input data from client side to server side. Method also includes facilitating transmitting output data, of server side, from client side to data sink via communication pathway. |
| US08862655B2 |
Services cloud system and service realization method
A services cloud system and a service realization method are provided. In the services cloud system, a service processing module processes a core service logic part of an application service and calls a data processing module. The data processing module calls a tool and algorithm library of an open service logic module to process the service data and stores the results into a distributed file system module. The system and service realization method implement unified service products and save network resources. |
| US08862650B2 |
Calculation of trigonometric functions in an integrated circuit device
Circuitry for computing a tangent function of an input value includes first look-up table circuitry that stores pre-calculated tangent values of a limited number of sample values, circuitry for inputting bits of the input value of most significance as inputs to the first look-up table circuitry to look up one of the pre-calculated tangent values as a first intermediate tangent value, circuitry for calculating a second intermediate tangent value from one or more ranges of remaining bits of the input value, and circuitry for combining the first intermediate tangent value and the second intermediate tangent value to yield the tangent function of the input value. |
| US08862645B1 |
Multi-path file system with block cache between client and storage array
A storage system comprises a storage array, a network file system configured to communicate with the storage array, a server associated with the network file system, a client configured to communicate over a first path with the network file system via the server and to communicate directly with the storage array over a second path that bypasses the network file system, and a block cache arranged in the second path between the client and the storage array. The server may comprise a multi-path file system (MPFS) server and the client may comprise an MPFS client, with the MPFS server and the MPFS client being configured to communicate using a file mapping protocol. The block cache is illustratively implemented using a VFCache or other type of server flash cache. |
| US08862639B1 |
Locking allocated data space
Locking allocated data space is disclosed. An indication is received that certain previous version data is required to be retained. A map of metadata records, each associated with a journaling process write of previous version data which write includes previous version data required to be retained beyond the protection window, is built. In some embodiments, the map associates a write time with each record in the map. A reclamation process checks to determine whether any storage proposed to be reclaimed is included in the map of record identifiers. In some embodiments, the determination is made based at least in part on the write time associated in the map with at least a first record identifier in time sorted order. |
| US08862638B2 |
Interpolation data template to normalize analytic runs
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for generating an interpolation data template to normalize analytic runs. A database can store sets of operational data, such as financial, medical, climate or other information. For given data, a portion of the input data can be known or predetermined, while for a second portion can be unknown and subject to interpolation. The interpolation engine can generate a conformal interpolation function and interpolated input sets that map to a set of target output data. In aspects, an interpolation history database can stores results of a variety of interpolation studies or results, from which a set of interpolation templates can be derived. The templates can reflect trends or patterns discovered or displayed in the historical interpolation results, for instance, to produce expected values for different variables based on averages, thresholds, or other criteria applied to the historical results. New interpolation studies can apply data-selected templates chosen to match their operative data, and produce normalized data as the interpolation results themselves, or provide a starting point for further interpolation processing. |
| US08862634B2 |
Apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for assigning patient studies for peer review
An apparatus is provided that includes a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to perform a number of functions, including identification of a target number that indicates a number of reported image studies for peer review. The apparatus is caused to identify users having user characteristics that match properties of the reported image studies. The user characteristics include a specialty (modality specialty and body-region specialty) that matches the reported image studies, or an associated medical facility that matches an associated medical facility of the reported image studies. The apparatus is caused to assign the target number of reported image studies to the identified users. The apparatus may be further caused to identify users that have previously performed a user-initiated peer review of a reported image study, and reduce their assigned image studies accordingly. |
| US08862633B2 |
System and method for efficiently building virtual appliances in a hosted environment
A system and method for efficiently building virtual appliances in a hosted environment is provided. In particular, a plurality of image archives may be stored in a build database, with each image archive including a file system having a directory structure and a plurality of files installed within the directory structure. In response to a build request containing an image description, a build engine may create a file system layout defining a directory structure for an image. The build engine may then copy the file system from one of the image archives to the file system layout of the image, wherein the copied file system may provide a subset of the file system for the image. The build engine may then build the image, which may include a file system having various files installed within various directories in accordance with the directory structure defined for the image. |
| US08862632B2 |
Customizing standard formula fields in a multi-tenant database system environment
In a method, system, and computer-readable medium having instructions for customizing standard formula fields, at least a portion of a formula is received for a standard database field of a standard database entity in a multi-tenant database and the standard database entity is used by a plurality of tenants, a date range is stored for maintaining at least the portion of the formula, information on one or more variables of the formula is received, a value is calculated for the standard database field with at least the portion of the formula and information on the one or more variables of the formula and one or more database entities depend on the value for the standard database field, and the value is stored for the standard database field. |
| US08862626B2 |
Text-based information transmission
The navigation overhead and/or the content managing/updating overhead is reduced by providing link objects with condition data being associated with the link items of the link objects so that, depending on a check as to whether the condition data is fulfilled or not, an automatic handling of a link object may be performed. For example, the automatic handling may have an automatic appointing an object ID referred to by a link item of the link object that has condition data associated therewith which is fulfilled, as a newly-selected object ID. |
| US08862623B2 |
Communication terminal and search method using communication terminal
A communication terminal provides at least two modes of operation. When a first mode (child mode) is selected, predetermined functions such as search queries are restricted. In a second (normal, adult mode), a search query is transmitted from the communication terminal to an external search server that returns results of the search query to the communication terminal for display. In the first mode, the search query is not transmitted to the external search server. Instead, information associated with the search query is extracted from dictionary data that is stored in a memory within the communication terminal. The extracted data is displayed on the communication terminal as the search result. The dictionary data may include general terms and information that is biographic, geographic, pictorial, encyclopedic, etc., that is installed as an initial setting or is later downloaded with administrative permission. |
| US08862622B2 |
Analysis, inference, and visualization of social networks
A method and system for automated generation of social networks. A graphical user interface receives a user query for an entity of interest, and outputs a graphical network showing entities and associations related to the entity of interest. A search engine interface transmits the query to a search engine, and receives references to documents. A named entity extractor downloads a selection of the documents, and generates a list of named entities referenced in the downloaded documents. A network inference module receives each list of named entities, and generates associations between the named entities in each list. An entity matcher operates on the associations to consolidate them in instances wherein differently named entities are determined to be the same named entity, and provides a consolidated list of named entities and associations to the user interface for display as a graphical network. |
| US08862617B2 |
System and method for replicating objects in a distributed storage system
A system and method for inserting an object into a distributed database is provided. An object to be inserted into a priority queue is received, wherein the object includes a unique identifier and a priority. Next, an index for the object is generated. A row name for the object is then generated based on the index, the priority of the object, and the unique identifier of the object, wherein a lexicographical order of the row name for a higher priority object is smaller than the lexicographical order of the row name for a lower priority object. The object is then inserted into a row of a distributed database using the row name. |
| US08862615B1 |
Systems and methods for providing information discovery and retrieval
This invention relates generally to software and computers, and more specifically, to systems and methods for providing information discovery and retrieval. In one embodiment, the invention includes a system for providing information discovery and retrieval, the system including a processor module, the processor module configurable to performing the steps of receiving an information request from a consumer device over a communications network; decoding the information request; discovering information using the decoded information request; preparing instructions for accessing the information; and communicating the prepared instructions to the consumer device, wherein the consumer device is configurable to retrieving the information for presentation using the prepared instructions. |
| US08862613B2 |
Extensibility of business process and application logic
A core system including different program components performing distinct tasks in a workflow sequence that are initiated through status field updates of objects in database may be modified to define a new status triggering additional processes in an action management system. Once the additional processes are completed, the status field may be changed to an original status provided by the core system to trigger a second program component in the workflow sequence. The action management system may contain user customized processes that may be modified and changed independent of the functionality provided by the core system. |
| US08862610B2 |
Method and system for content search
Method, system, and programs for content search are disclosed. A user interface configured based on context information is presented within a host application. A plurality of selectable search results are then fetched based on the context information and a query received from a user through the user interface. An input associated with a selection of one or more selectable search results is received from the user through the user interface. The user interface is updated based on the plurality of selectable search results. In response to the selection, the one or more selected search results are provided to the host application with the context information. |
| US08862606B1 |
Executing correlated and multi-row subqueries in a MPP database
The invention enables a correlated or multi-row subquery (CSQ) to be performed on distributed MPP and shared-nothing databases by broadcasting intermediate results, prior to a correlation operation, from subquery execution on one segment to all other segments in the distributed database so that the respective CSQs of each segment will have access to the necessary results to permit correct execution of the CSQ. Additionally, the intermediate results are saved to disk to avoid the necessity of replicating the same intermediate results multiple times during execution of a subquery plan. |
| US08862605B2 |
Systems, methods and computer program products for discovering a text query from example documents
Discovering a keyword query corresponding to an input collection of documents taken from a candidate pool includes selecting a document from a working set as the input set, and extracting a list of snippets in the selected document. For each snippet, executing a set of proximity queries based on selected terms in that snippet, and finding all possible proximity queries that return less than N query results from the candidate pool. A query is selected from said proximity queries, based on the selected query returning the greatest number of working set documents, and returning the smallest number of documents not in the working set. Documents returned by the selected query are removed from the working set, and the above steps are repeated until no documents remain in the working set. The disjunction of selected queries is returned as the discovered query. |
| US08862604B2 |
Method and apparatus of ordering search results
Ordering search results may include obtaining an exposed log file from a log system, computing a Bayesian posterior probability for relevancy between the log file and a search request, computing an expected value of the relevancy between the log file and the search request based on the Bayesian posterior probability, storing the search request and an identifier of the log file as a key and the expected value of the relevancy between the log file and the search request as a value into a search data structure, in response to receiving a search request submitted by a user, finding expected values of relevancy between the submitted search request and log files that are relevant to the submitted search request from the search data structure, and ordering the found log files in a descending order of the expected values. |
| US08862603B1 |
Minimizing state lists for non-deterministic finite state automatons
A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining whether an input string of characters matches a pattern. The pattern has the form of an activator expression, a counter expression, and a tail. The method involves monitoring one or more active states associated with the pattern, and comparing each character to the activator expression and the counter expression for each of the one or more active states. An input character match to the activator expression comprises an activator match, and a character match to the counter expression without matching the activator expression comprises a non-activator match. The number of one or more active states corresponds to the number of non-activator to activator character transitions between adjacent received matching characters. |
| US08862602B1 |
Systems and methods for improved readability of URLs
Methods and systems for improved readability of URLS includes receiving a query requesting a universal resource locators relating to the query; parsing the query based on parsing criteria to determine keywords for the query; identifying a plurality of words in the universal resource locator; inserting space between at least two of the plurality of words; and generating display data comprising the result having the plurality of words and the inserted space therebetween. |
| US08862599B2 |
Content storage mapping
A data storage method and system. The method includes defining, by a computing system, a meta-object, a schema based structured definition for the meta-object, and a taxonomy with configuration data. The computing system creates content associated with the taxonomy and associates topics of the content with a logical storage room representations. Reference coordinates associated with the logical storage room representations are associated with the taxonomy. The computing system generates updated configuration data that includes the reference coordinates and a uniform resource identifier associated with the content is generated. The computing system generates an account associated with the meta-object for a user. Metering charges for usage of the account and a report associated with the account and usage are generated. |
| US08862598B1 |
Providing an online forum as a search result
Systems and methods for providing an online forum as a search result are provided. In some aspects an indication of a search query from a first user is received. A search result for the search query is determined, where the search result is associated with an online forum. That one or more users of the online forum include one or more social contacts of the first user in a social networking service is determined. A ranking of the search result is changed based on the users of the online forum comprising the one or more social contacts. An indication of the search result is provided for display, where displayed information associated with the search result indicates at least one of the one or more social contacts. |
| US08862594B2 |
Searching digital information and databases
This application describes methods for searching digital information such as digital documents (e.g., web pages) and computer databases, and specific search techniques such as authority ranking and information retrieval (IR) relevance ranking in keyword searches. In some implementations, the technique includes analyzing digital information viewed as a labeled graph, including nodes and edges, based on a flow of authority among the nodes along the edges, the flow of authority being derived at least in part from different authority transfer rates assigned to the edges based on edge type schema information. In some implementations, the system includes an object rank module configured to generate multiple initial rankings corresponding to multiple query keywords, each of the multiple initial rankings indicating authority of nodes in a graph with respect to each respective query keyword individually; and a query module configured to combine the multiple initial rankings in response to a query. |
| US08862593B1 |
System and method for creating, managing, and publishing audio microposts
A system and method for creating, managing, and publishing audio microposts is provided. An audio micropost comprises a short audio segment recorded and/or captured based on voice, speech, and/or other sound, which may be shared with and/or published to subscribers and/or other users. The system may enable creating a discussion and playlist based on the audio microposts. The discussion may be generated by identifying and/or selecting an audio micropost that may pose a question and/or topic for a discussion and/or debate. The system may further enable granting the ability to participate in the discussion to a selected group of participants. The playlist of audio microposts may be created by adding individual posts into the playlist and/or by using hashtags and/or keywords to search for audio microposts of interest. |
| US08862592B2 |
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. Finally, the present disclosure provides a means of using search output itself as an input for refinement of search. |
| US08862590B2 |
Flexible namespace prioritization
Access to resources on a computer may be provided by using a first namespace of resources and a second namespace of resources, where one or more names are common to both namespaces and those names refer to different respective instances of resources. A request is received for a first resource name from an application, where the first resource name exists in the first resource namespace and in the second resource namespace. In response to the request, whether to obtain a resource from the first namespace or from the second namespace is determined by applying one or more resource policies to the first resource namespace and to the second resource namespace. |
| US08862589B2 |
System and method for predicting a geographic origin of content and accuracy of geotags related to content obtained from social media and other content providers
A system and method for managing geotag data associated with content within a geofeed is provided. The content may be tagged with metadata such as geotag data that may specify a location where the content was created. The generated content may be geotagged by one or more geotag sources including a GPS-enabled device, a user input, a content provider, a user profile, or other sources. The system may determine the geotag data for the content that is not already associated with geotag data. The system may determine a confidence level of the geotag data, whether already geotagged or not. The confidence level may be indicative of a likelihood that the geotag data accurately describes a location where the content was actually created. |
| US08862585B2 |
Encoding non-derministic finite automation states efficiently in a manner that permits simple and fast union operations
Deterministic Finite Automatons (DFAs) and Nondeterministic Finite Automatons (NFAs) are two typical automatons used in the Network Intrusion Detection System (NIDS). Although they both perform regular expression matching, they have quite different performance and memory usage properties. DFAs provide fast and deterministic matching performance but suffer from the well-known state explosion problem. NFAs are compact, but their matching performance is unpredictable and with no worst case guarantee. A new automaton representation of regular expressions, called Tunable Finite Automaton (TFA), is described. TFAs resolve the DFAs' state explosion problem and the NFAs' unpredictable performance problem. Different from a DFA, which has only one active state, a TFA allows multiple concurrent active states. Thus, the total number of states required by the TFA to track the matching status is much smaller than that required by the DFA. Different from an NFA, a TFA guarantees that the number of concurrent active states is bounded by a bound factor b that can be tuned during the construction of the TFA according to the needs of the application for speed and storage. A TFA can achieve significant reductions in the number of states and memory space. |
| US08862584B2 |
Method for privately filtering and partitioning a set of photographs of a social media site user
A method for enabling a user to submit proposed photos of the user, remotely, and in confidence, to a peer user to have the peer user review and rank each of the photos in order of preference, and to receive the results of the review and ranking made by the peer user. The peer user feedback may be then considered in assisting the user in determining which photos the user should upload to a given social media website to portray the user. |
| US08862583B2 |
Processing a reusable graphic in a document
A method and apparatus are provided for processing a graphic in a document so that the graphic may be reused in a different application than the one it was originally used in. For a given document, a graphic may be identified from within the document and extracted from the document. The extracted graphic may be stored in a suitable storage medium, such as a reusable graphic repository. A structural feature associated with the extracted graphic may also be extracted. The extracted graphic may then be classified based on the extracted structural feature. Furthermore, a method and apparatus are provided for generating a reusable graphic from a document. |
| US08862582B2 |
System and method of organizing images
Disclosed are a system, method and computer-readable medium for organizing images. A method aspect relates to receiving an image into a device, receiving incidental information associated with the image, organizing the image and the incidental information into a data structure such as a sparse array, classifying the received image with an image classifier and storing the classified image in an image database, receiving a search query and responding to the search query by searching for and retrieving matching images in the image database based on a comparison of the image search query to the data structure. |
| US08862579B2 |
Search and search optimization using a pattern of a location identifier
Systems and methods for search and search optimization using a pattern in a location identifier is disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method, which may be implemented on a system, of search and search optimization. The method includes, detecting a set of location identifiers that have a pattern that matches a specified pattern and identifying a set of search results as having content related to the semantic type. The specified pattern can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium and corresponds to a semantic type. The set of search results can include objects associated with the set of location identifiers having the specified pattern. |
| US08862576B2 |
Device, method, and graphical user interface for mapping directions between search results
A method includes: displaying a map, a first field configured to receive a first query input, and a second field configured to receive a second query input; receiving the first query input in the first field; receiving the second query input in the second field; initiating a search that uses the first query input and a search that uses the second query input; concurrently displaying on the map a first plurality of search results for the first query input and a second plurality of search results for the second query input; detecting selection of a first search result in the first plurality of search results; detecting selection of a second search result in the second plurality of search results; and displaying a route on the map from the first search result to the second search result. |
| US08862572B2 |
Sharing user distributed search results
A universal distributed search system allows users to find and distribute search results (possibly including advertisements) to those with whom they communicate. The search results can be easily distributed by the user via a simple interface that allows the search results to be easily added to the user's content. In one implementation, a content creation application includes a first interface configured to facilitate composition of a message by a user and a second interface configured to receive a search query from the user, display search results relating to the search query, and receive selections of the search results from the user. The messaging application automatically incorporates, in response to the selections, the selected ones of the search results into the message in the first interface. |
| US08862569B2 |
Method and techniques for determining crawling schedule
Methods, systems and computer-readable storage medium for determining a crawling schedule. In an aspect, a method includes obtaining crawl history data for a Web site having Web pages, determining a status of the Web pages, determining a total quantity of Web pages that have a status of deleted, calculating a probability that another Web page of the Web site will be removed based on the total quantity, and storing data associating the calculated probability with the Web site. The method can further include determining, for a plurality of sets of the previous time periods, a respective crawl penalty as a combination of a penalty for crawling the Web site and a penalty for showing a deleted Web page based on the calculated probability, and determining a re-crawl schedule based on the crawl penalties. |
| US08862568B2 |
Time-multiplexing documents based on preferences or relatedness
A system and method for time-multiplexing the display of a plurality of electronic documents are provided. Time-multiplexing criteria for displaying a plurality of selected documents associated with a concept on a time-multiplexed basis is determined. The plurality of selected documents are caused to be displayed at an output device in a predetermined sequence according to the time-multiplexing criteria. The time-multiplexing criteria may be a variety of criteria related to the selected documents, the source of the selected documents, or other factors such as a relevance to a concept and one or more preferences associated with the selected documents. |
| US08862565B1 |
Techniques for web site integration
Disclosed is a method and device for finding documents, such as Web pages, for presentation to a user, automatically or in response to a user expression of interest, which documents are part of a Web site being accessed by the user, and which documents relate to a document, such as a Web page, being accessed in the Web site. The method takes advantage of information retrieval techniques. The method generates the search query to use to find documents by reference to the text of the document in the Web site being accessed by the user. The method further uses a weighting function to weigh the terms used in the search query. |
| US08862563B2 |
Getting dependency metadata using statement execution plans
An execution plan for a database statement can be retrieved from a database server. References to objects can be identified in the execution plan, and metadata from the references can be assembled in a data structure on computer readable storage media. The metadata can reflect dependencies on the objects. Additionally, other dependency metadata can be augmented with the metadata from the references. |
| US08862562B2 |
File management apparatus, method, and program product thereof for sending a file-saving related notice that indicates the contents of the saved file
A file management apparatus, file management method, and file management program product are provided in which a user who receives a file-saving related notice from a system can easily grasp the contents of the notified file. Accordingly, a designated notice destination that the end of a save period of a file recorded in a file saving apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a save-period counter, a save-period monitoring section for monitoring an end of a save period of each file basing on timing by the save-period counter, an attachment-file making section for making a partial file composed of a part of file contents, a notice transmitting section for notifying a notice destination of a fact that there is a file at the end of a save period, and a notice-file making section for attaching a partial file of the file to the notice of the notice transmitting section. |
| US08862559B2 |
Scalable mechanism for detection of commonality in a deduplicated data set
Mechanisms are provided for efficiently determining commonality in a deduplicated data set in a scalable manner regardless of the number of deduplicated files or the number of stored segments. Information is generated and maintained during deduplication to allow scalable and efficient determination of data segments shared in a particular file, other files sharing data segments included in a particular file, the number of files sharing a data segment, etc. Data need not be expanded or uncompressed. Deduplication processing can be validated and verified during commonality detection. |
| US08862549B2 |
Data management method and apparatus of portable terminal
A data management method and apparatus of a portable terminal improves memory utilization efficiency using a data move/copy function which allows moving or copying the user data preserved in the non-volatile memory region of the memory of a portable terminal. A data management method for a portable terminal includes selecting at least one user data item in response to a selection request. An extended region for backup of the user data item is checked in response to a backup request. Transfer data corresponding to the user data item is created. The transfer data is stored in the extended region as a backup of the user data item. |
| US08862544B2 |
Grid based replication
Provided are techniques for replication in a grid based environment. Grid control structures, including a grid command structure, are created. At an authorized node in a grid of nodes, a Data Definition Language (DDL) operation is received, the DDL operation is inserted into the grid command structure, and the DDL operation is propagated from the authorized node to one or more other nodes in the grid of nodes at the end of a transaction that inserted the DDL operation into the grid command structure. |
| US08862541B1 |
N-site asynchronous replication
A computing system includes at least one source data center that generates data and a plurality of recovery groups, coupled to the at least one source data center, where each of the recovery groups includes a synchronous data center that receives synchronous data from the at least one source data center and includes an asynchronous data center that receives asynchronous data from the at least one source data center. Cycle switching for asynchronous data transfer is coordinated by the at least one source data center for a first subset of recovery groups containing at least two of the recovery groups. The computing system may also include a second subset of the recovery groups, different from the first subset, where cycle switching for asynchronous data transfer is coordinated by the at least one source data center for the second subset. |
| US08862540B2 |
Replica placement strategy for distributed data persistence
Methods and systems are described that involve replica placement strategy for distributed systems. At the time of index creation, initial index replica placement is decided. The first index replica is placed locally on the current processing server node. This server node operates as a master host for the first replica. The other index replicas are placed on different hosts depending on the index type, split index or non-split index, and a set of criteria. For non-split indexes, the set of criteria includes: a number of recently created replicas per host, resource usage per host, and a total number of replicas per host. For split indexes, the set of criteria includes: a number of replicas of any split index part per host and a number of local first replicas of split index parts. If all criteria re equal, the first host in alphanumeric ordering receives a next replica. |
| US08862539B2 |
Statistical applications in OLTP environment
The present disclosure provides a method of statistical application in an OLTP environment to reduce the intensive computational load of invoking SQL statements for statistical calculations. The method introduces a time element into statistical records, and use the time element to determine the time status of previously computed statistical records. Upon receiving a query for a statistical record, the system first searches for an existing copy of the statistical record, and checks the time status of the statistical record if found. The system sends the statistical record to the inquirer if the record exists and is unexpired, and invokes an SQL statement to compute the statistical record only if the record does not exist or has expired. The statistical records may be placed in statistical table in a database and/or a cache of an application server. The disclosed strategy may also increase attack resistance of the system. |
| US08862537B1 |
Selective structure preserving obfuscation
Obfuscating data is disclosed. A processor identifies structured information in log data. The structured information is transformed in a manner that preserves the structure to form transformed raw data. The transformed raw data is sent to a remote analysis engine. The remote analysis engine receives a query and responds to the query by providing as results at least a portion of the transformed raw data. A processor is configured to de-transform the transformed raw data. |
| US08862536B2 |
Graphical user interface
The present invention relates to systems and methods that facilitates rendering of data in an industrial automation environment. According to an aspect of the invention, a device analyzer can determine properties associated with a plurality of devices intended for delivery of data. An HMI generator can format the data respectively in accordance with the determined properties of the devices and deliver the formatted data to the respective devices. |
| US08862535B1 |
Method of predicting an impact on a storage system of implementing a planning action on the storage system based on modeling confidence and reliability of a model of a storage system to predict the impact of implementing the planning action on the storage system
In the area of storage management, service automation can be realized through the use of “MAPE” loop(s). A Planner (P) interacts with the Monitoring (M), Analysis (A) and Execution (E) components in a closed loop. For each new option or potential planning action the Planner (P) invokes the Analysis (A) component. The correctness, as well as effectiveness, of the planning decision is dependent on the Analysis (A) component. Embodiments can utilize an adaptive Analysis (A) component (i.e., an analysis component that can be retrained) that also associates a value of confidence and a corresponding error in the evaluation along with a predicted impact. The Planner (P) component uses this additional information for quoting the final impact of a particular planning action as part of an adaptive MAPE loop to provide improved resource utilization and resource management. |
| US08862527B2 |
Neural networks and method for training neural networks
Methods (30) for training an artificial neural network (NN) are disclosed. An example method (30) includes: initializing the NN by selecting an output of the NN to be trained and connecting an output neuron of the NN to input neuron(s) in an input layer of the NN for the selected output; preparing a data set to be learnt by the NN; and, applying the prepared data set to the NN to be learnt by applying an input vector of the prepared data set to the first hidden layer of the NN, or the output layer of the NN if the NN has no hidden layer(s), and determining whether at least one neuron for the selected output in each layer of the NN can learn to produce the associated output for the input vector. |
| US08862522B1 |
Incremental machine learning for data loss prevention
A computing device receives a document that was incorrectly classified as sensitive data based on a machine learning-based detection (MLD) profile. The computing device modifies a training data set that was used to generate the MLD profile by adding the document to the training data set as a negative example of sensitive data to generate a modified training data set. The computing device then analyzes the modified training data set using machine learning to generate an updated MLD profile. |
| US08862515B2 |
Geographic internet asset filtering for internet video client
A device is enabled to display Internet TV by accessing a management server with a secret unique ID and receiving back from the server, assuming the ID is approved, a user token and a service list of content servers with knowledge of the user token. A user can select a content server which causes the device to upload its user token and in response receive a content list from the content server, from which content can be selected for display. Neither list may be modified by the device and the device can access only content on a content list. The service list may be tailored for the geographic location of the device. |
| US08862507B2 |
System and method for conducting web-based financial transactions in capital markets
The present invention provides a system and method that enables users, such as institutional investors and financial institutions, to interactively engage in capital market transactions, including the trading of Over-the-Counter financial products, via the Internet (including the World Wide Web). The system includes a variety of servers, applications, and interfaces that enable users to interactively communicate and trade financial instruments among one another. Interactive communications supported by the system include: requesting price quotes, monitoring and reviewing quote requests, issuing price quotes, monitoring and reviewing price quotes, negotiation between users, acceptance of price quotes, reporting, portfolio management, analysis of financial information and market data, and communications among users via an automated processor. Such automated communications enable connectivity with users' internal, back-end systems to execute automated, straight-through processing, including transaction pricing, payment scheduling and journaling, derivatives trading, trade confirmation, and trade settlement. |
| US08862506B2 |
User controlled system and method for collecting, pricing, and trading data
A method for user directed collection and pricing data for trading or sale. The method enables the user to capture field labels and entries for assignment to one or a plurality of domain categories and processing classes. The user retains control over the data as it is captured, categorized, priced, and packaged for sale to participants in a data supply chain. |
| US08862501B2 |
System, method and apparatus for banner advertising capable of allowing easy handling of a banner advertisement
A banner advertisement system includes an advertisement terminal, a banner advertisement server, and an image forming apparatus. The advertisement terminal generates a banner advertisement. The banner advertisement server distributes the banner advertisement generated by the advertiser terminal. The image forming apparatus includes a displaying mechanism for displaying the banner advertisement distributed by the banner advertisement server and a response sending mechanism for sending to the advertiser terminal at least one of an order and an inquiry for at least one of a product and services offered by the banner advertisement displayed on the displaying mechanism. |
| US08862500B1 |
Automated billboard tagging and selling
Information pertaining to billboards and similar advertising spaces can be obtained using a plurality of capture devices positioned in vehicles traveling along various roadways. Information regarding the advertising spaces is determined from the images and stored in at least one data store. Image analysis and manipulation can be used to isolate images or image portions that potentially correspond to the advertising spaces, and these image portions can be presented to users who are able to quickly identify whether the image portion contains a billboard and, if so, the contents of that billboard. The information then can be analyzed in order to provide a billboard advertising system wherein advertisers can view billboard information and purchase advertising space without having to contact a broker or other intermediary. |
| US08862499B2 |
Information distribution system and method for distributing content information
This invention provides an information distribution system comprising an image data processing device (11), a server (12), and a portable telephone unit (15 having image data acquisition means for acquiring image data with a destination address attached thereto and display means for displaying the image data, wherein the image data is distributed from the image data processing device (11) to the portable telephone unit (15), and advertisement information based on user information is extracted from an advertisement information storage unit (29) and appended to image/text data by an advertisement information appending unit (30) provided in the server 12. |
| US08862497B2 |
Method and system of determining and issuing user incentives on a web server via assessment of user-generated content relevance and value
Provided are computer implemented methods for rewarding a user of a web-based application, comprising: providing a web-based application accessible by a plurality of users via an interface, wherein the application interface provides for user-directed posting and retrieval of content relating to the application; monitoring use by the plurality of users of user-specific content; assessing a value of the user-specific content; determining an incentive or reward, based on the assessed value of the user-specific content; and providing the specific user with the determined incentive or reward. Also provided is a computer network apparatus or system for rewarding a user of a web-based application. Further provided are methods of data mining, comprising: providing a web-based application (e.g., geospace, E-marketing, E-photo) for sharing posted application information accessible by a plurality users using client-server interfaces; monitoring use by the plurality of users of posted data content; and identifying a subset of users thereby. |
| US08862496B2 |
Incentive-based website architecture
The present invention applies gaming theory and well-understood sales processes and techniques to allow the operator of an interactive sales medium to control what is displayed to a user of the medium in a manner that signals their intentions (e.g., looking for a lower price, looking for a particular incentive, etc.) so that the “strategies” being used by the consumer can be identified and exploited to lead the consumer to a desired end choice. In particular, upon identification of the strategies being used by the consumer, incentives (e.g., gradually increasing rewards and/or decreasing “punishments”) are presented to the consumer in such a way that the margins achieved by an eventual sale are slowly decreased with each presentation of the incentives to the consumer. Since the presentation of each incentive increases the likelihood the consumer will make a purchase, margins are maximized for the seller. |
| US08862494B2 |
Parking meter and a device therefor
A single bay parking meter device is provided which accepts payment by means of a credit or debit card, an electronic purse, or coins. The device has a power supply unit, a solar power charging arrangement and power management, such that it does not need power supply cables to be installed for each meter. The parking meter device also transmits financial data to a financial institution in a wireless manner, also to avoid the need for cabling. The parking meter device is receivable in the base of a conventional single bay parking meter, such that the new parking meter device may be retrofitted to existing coin operated installed single bay parking meters, using a new cover that is also engageable with the conventional housing base. |
| US08862488B2 |
Method and system for providing and administering online rental vehicle reservation booking services
A system and method is disclosed herein for customizing pages of a rental vehicle reservation booking website with deep-links for specialized rental vehicle reservations. The specialized rental vehicle reservations may comprise reservations for a division of a customer entity and/or promotional offer reservations. Multi-division and multi-offer pages can also be defined for the website through an administrative tool. |
| US08862487B2 |
Method and system for providing and administering online rental vehicle reservation booking services
A system and method is disclosed herein for customizing pages of a rental vehicle reservation booking website with deep-links for specialized rental vehicle reservations. The specialized rental vehicle reservations may comprise reservations for a division of a customer entity and/or promotional offer reservations. Multi-division and multi-offer pages can also be defined for the website through an administrative tool. |
| US08862483B2 |
Data capture and workflow management technique
Data capture and workflow management devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a data processing system having a processor and a storage device. The storage device may include application instructions encoded therein, and the application instructions may include a workflow engine to facilitate healthcare delivery to a patient. The system may further a data capture device to communicate data to the data processing system over a network. The data capture device may be provided in the form of a magnet board including a plurality of magnetic sensors to detect user-placement of a magnet within a region associated with a magnetic sensor. |
| US08862482B2 |
Managing connections between real world and virtual world communities
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product manage connections between a virtual world and a social network. A set of virtual world information and a set of social network information are analyzed. A graph including a plurality of vertices is generated. Each vertex represents one of virtual world information and social network information. Each vertex is coupled to at least one other vertex by a respective edge. At least one edge of the graph couples a first vertex representing virtual world information and a second vertex representing social network information. At least one vertex is determined to be an articulation point having a respective edge. The removal of the respective edge of the articulation point causes a disconnection of the virtual world information from the social network information within the graph. A user is notified via a graphical user interface that the graph comprises the articulation point. |
| US08862481B2 |
Method and system for collecting, managing and reporting feedlot data and feed additive consumption data
Methods and systems for collecting, managing and reporting feedlot data and feed additive consumption data are provided. More particularly, methods of determining effects of feed additives on livestock and methods of determining a number of doses of animal health product provided to livestock are disclosed. One method of determining effects of a feed additive on livestock includes steps: determining feed additive consumption by correlating feed consumption data to additive levels contained in feed; and matching feed additive consumption to a live performance record, a harvest performance record, and/or an animal health performance record. In another embodiment, a method of determining a number of doses of animal health product provided to livestock includes steps: determining a total quantity of animal health product provided to the livestock; determining a dose amount for the animal health product; and dividing the total quantity of animal health product provided by the dose amount. |
| US08862480B2 |
Audio encoding/decoding with aliasing switch for domain transforming of adjacent sub-blocks before and subsequent to windowing
An apparatus for encoding an audio signal includes the windower for windowing a first block of the audio signal using an analysis window having an aliasing portion and a further portion. The apparatus furthermore includes a processor for processing the first sub-block of the audio signal associated with the aliasing portion by transforming the sub-block from a domain into a different domain subsequent to windowing the first sub-block to obtain the processed first sub-block, and for processing a second sub-block of the audio signal associated with the further portion by transforming the second sub-block from the domain into the different domain before windowing the second sub-block to obtain a processed second sub-block. Thus, a critically sampled switch between two coding modes can be obtained. |
| US08862479B2 |
Encoder, encoding system, and encoding method
An encoding device includes, an estimation unit to estimate a decoded signal of a plurality of channels based on a down-mix signal obtained by down-mixing an input signal of the plurality of channels, similarity between the channels of the input signal, and an intensity difference between the channels of the input signal; an analysis unit to analyze a phase of the input signal and a phase of the decoded signal; a calculation unit to calculate phase information based on the phase of the input signal and the phase of the decoded signal; and a coding unit to encode the similarity between the channels of the input signal, the intensity difference between the channels of the input signal, and the phase information. |
| US08862478B2 |
Speech translation system, first terminal apparatus, speech recognition server, translation server, and speech synthesis server
In conventional network-type speech translation systems, devices or models for recognizing or synthesizing speech cannot be changed in accordance with speakers' attributes, and therefore, accuracy is reduced or inappropriate output occurs in each process of speech recognition, translation, and speech synthesis. Accuracy of each processing of speech translation, translation, or speech synthesis is improved and appropriate output is performed in a network-type speech translation system by, based on speaker attributes, appropriately changing the server to perform speech recognition or the speech recognition model, appropriately changing the translation server to perform translation or the translation model, or appropriately changing the speech synthesis server or speech synthesis model. |
| US08862477B2 |
Menu hierarchy skipping dialog for directed dialog speech recognition
A method and a processing device for managing an interactive speech recognition system is provided. Whether a voice input relates to expected input, at least partially, of any one of a group of menus different from a current menu is determined. If the voice input relates to the expected input, at least partially, of any one of the group of menus different from the current menu, skipping to the one of the group of menus is performed. The group of menus is different from the current menu include menus at multiple hierarchical levels. |
| US08862463B2 |
Adaptive time/frequency-based audio encoding and decoding apparatuses and methods
Adaptive time/frequency-based audio encoding and decoding apparatuses and methods. The encoding apparatus includes a transformation & mode determination unit to divide an input audio signal into a plurality of frequency-domain signals and to select a time-based encoding mode or a frequency-based encoding mode for each respective frequency-domain signal, an encoding unit to encode each frequency-domain signal in the respective encoding mode, and a bitstream output unit to output encoded data, division information, and encoding mode information for each respective frequency-domain signal. In the apparatuses and methods, acoustic characteristics and a voicing model are simultaneously applied to a frame, which is an audio compression processing unit. As a result, a compression method effective for both music and voice can be produced, and the compression method can be used for mobile terminals that require audio compression at a low bit rate. |
| US08862459B2 |
Generating Chinese language banners
Embodiments are disclosed for automatically generating a banner given a first scroll sentence and a second scroll sentence of a Chinese couplet. The first and/or second scroll sentence can be generated by an automatic computer system or by a human (e.g., manually generated and then provided as input to an automated banner generation system) or obtained from any source (e.g., a book) and provided as input. In one embodiment, an information retrieval process is utilized to identify banner candidates that best match the first and second scroll sentences. In one embodiment, candidate banners are automatically generated. In one embodiment, a ranking model is applied in order to rank banner candidates derived from the banner search and generation processes. One or more banners are then selected from the ranked banner candidates. |
| US08862453B2 |
Techniques for incorporating timing jitter and/or amplitude noise into hardware description language-based input stimuli
Methods for generating waveforms with realistic transitions, controllable timing jitter, and controllable amplitude noise in a computer-based simulation environment are disclosed. A first method includes obtaining signal information for one or more parallel data signals. In one embodiment, signal information for the one or more parallel data signals is mapped from an HDL format to a new time scale, and during this operation, timing jitter is added independently to the parallel data signals. These jittery parallel data signals may then be returned to the original HDL format, or another format, for simulation. In another embodiment, rather than mapping to a single time vector, information from each signal is modified to have a time scale commensurate with noise and jitter to be added. Timing jitter is superimposed onto each transition, rise and fall times are incorporated, and missing voltage and timing information for each data signal is interpolated into vectors representing the signals. Each data signal may additionally be scaled to one or more true voltage values and filtered. Finally, amplitude noise is added to each signal, and one or more final signals are output to a desired format for simulation. |
| US08862449B1 |
Execution of a target system that includes a component model
Methods and systems for the design and execution of an aerospace or aeronautic system are provided. The aerospace or aeronautic system may incorporate planetary environment models and models of equations of motion. The planetary environment models mathematically represent planetary environment specifications, such as atmosphere and wind. Atmosphere models include standard day atmosphere models and non-standard day atmosphere models, and wind models include continuous wind turbulence models and discrete wind turbulence models. The models of equations of motion include models of three-degree-of-freedom equations of motion with variable mass and models for six-degree-of-freedom equations of motion with variable mass. As a result, the present invention can design and execute a target system more accurately than the conventional system that provides only standard day planetary environment models, continuous wind turbulence models, or fixed mass equations of motion models. |
| US08862448B2 |
Integrated health data capture and analysis system
The present invention provides an integrated health care surveillance and monitoring system that provides real-time sampling, modeling, analysis, and recommended interventions. The system can be used to monitor infectious and chronic diseases. When faced with outbreak of an infectious disease agent, e.g., influenza virus, the system can identify active cases through pro-active sampling in high risk locations, such as schools or crowded commercial areas. The system can notify appropriate entities, e.g., local, regional and national governments, when an event is detected, thereby allowing for proactive management of a possible outbreak. The system also predicts the best response for deployment of scarce resources. |
| US08862447B2 |
Apparatus, system and method for predictive modeling to design, evaluate and optimize ophthalmic lenses
An apparatus, system and method for predictive modeling to design, evaluate and optimize ophthalmic lenses is disclosed. Ophthalmic lenses may include, for example, contacts, glasses or intraocular lenses (IOLs). The apparatus, system and method may include a design tool for designing a lens for implantation in an eye having a plurality of characteristics, a simulator for simulating performance of the lens in at least one modeled eye having the plurality of characteristics, at least one input for receiving clinical performance of the lens in the eye having the plurality of characteristics, a comparator for comparing outcomes of the clinical performance and the simulated performance, and an optimizer for optimizing a subsequent one of the outcome of the clinical performance responsive to modification of the lens in accordance with modification to the simulated performance. |
| US08862445B2 |
Selecting spectral elements and components for optical analysis systems
Methods of selecting spectral elements and system components for a multivariate optical analysis system include providing spectral calibration data for a sample of interest; identifying a plurality of combinations of system components; modeling performance of a pilot system with one of the combinations of system components; determining optimal characteristics of the pilot system; and selecting optimal system components from among the combinations of system components. |
| US08862444B2 |
Task-based design evaluation
A proposed feature vector for a first deign is received and an existing feature vector for an existing design is retrieved for a given task. The proposed design is evaluated against the existing design using task-based scores associated with each design and based on their performances for the given task. |
| US08862442B1 |
Preview of an object in graphical modeling environments
Graphical programming or modeling environments in which a preview window of an object is provided are disclosed. The preview window may be provided when the pointer of a pointing device hovers over an object and automatically disappear when the pointer of the pointing device is placed out of a predetermined region relating to the object. The object can be hierarchical so that the object includes a subsystem. Another preview window may be provided when the pointer of the pointing device hovers over the subsystem and automatically disappear when the pointer of the pointing device is placed out of a predetermined region relating to the subsystem. The subsystem of the object may also include another subsystem. |
| US08862439B1 |
General numeric backtracking algorithm for solving satifiability problems to verify functionality of circuits and software
In one embodiment of the invention, a design verifier is disclosed including a model extractor and a bounded model checker having an arithmetic satisfiability solver. The arithmetic satisfiability solver searches for a solution in the form of a numeric assignment of numbers to variables that satisfies each and every one of the one or more numeric formulas. Conflict in the search, results in the deduction of one or more new numeric formulas that serve to guide the search toward a solution. If the search finds a numeric assignment that satisfies each and every one of the one or more numeric formulas, it indicates that a functional property of the system is violated. |
| US08862438B2 |
Method for improving the prediction of polymer properties
A method for improving the prediction of polymer properties and a system having improved polymer property prediction capabilities is provided. The method for improving the prediction of polymer properties comprises: (1) providing a polymer; (2) providing a prediction model; (3) utilizing said prediction model to define an average polymer property prediction value; (4) determining a feasible range; (5) measuring one or more properties of said polymer; (6) determining whether said one or measured polymer properties are within said feasible range: (7) validating said one or more measured polymer properties if said one or more measured polymer properties fall within the feasible range or invalidating said one or more measured polymer properties if said one or more measured polymer properties fall outside of the feasible range; (8) optionally updating said prediction model; (9) repeating said previous steps at least one or more times; and (10) thereby improving the prediction of polymer properties. |
| US08862437B1 |
Multi-scale modeling of composite structures
A method, apparatus, and computer program product are present for creating a composite structure. A number of characteristics for a number of components for the composite structure is obtained from a simulation of the composite structure using a model of the composite structure. A number of changes in the number of characteristics needed to meet a desired level of performance for the number of characteristics is ascertained. A number of attributes for a number of composite materials used to form the number of components corresponding to the number of characteristics having the number of changes is identified. The number of attributes for the number of composite materials for the number of characteristics having the number of changes based on the desired level of performance is changed. |
| US08862436B2 |
Systems and methods for modeling wellbore trajectories
Systems and methods for modeling wellbore trajectories using curvature bridging functions. The systems and methods use a clothoid spiral as a bridging curve in the transition zones to reduce tubular stresses/failures in the design of multilateral well paths and extended reach well paths. |
| US08862434B2 |
Maintenance expert system for measuring instrument
Provided is a measuring instrument for measuring an object to be measured, including: a CPU (9) including a plurality of internal timer counters and having a function of calculating a measured value of the object to be measured based on detection values of various sensors; a power supply circuit (3) for supplying power to the CPU (9); a detector (4) for detecting a state of the object to be measured; a display unit (5) for displaying detection input data input from the various sensors and the state of the object to be measured, which is obtained through a calculation; a real-time clock IC (RTC) (11) for measuring an elapsed time; an EEPROM (12) for storing data input to the CPU (9); and an FeRAM (13) for storing input values from the various sensors, and storing a calculation result obtained through a calculation performed by the CPU (9) based on the input values from the various sensors. |
| US08862433B2 |
Partitioning of turbomachine faults
An example method of partitioning turbomachine faults includes using a modeling computer to model a system, to establish a modeled gas path parameter, and to establish a modeled subsystem parameter. The method then determines a gas path condition representing a difference between an actual gas path parameter and the modeled gas path parameter. The method also determines a subsystem condition representing a difference between an actual subsystem parameter and the modeled subsystem parameter. The method diagnoses a sensor failure based on the gas path condition and the subsystem condition. |
| US08862430B2 |
Method of estimating position of mobile node in wireless sensor network
There is provided a method for estimating a position of a mobile node in a wireless sensor network. The method includes estimating a frequency offset between anchor nodes and estimating a difference between times when ranging frames from a mobile node are received by two anchor node, without use of a separate synchronization unit, such as a network synchronized clock supply unit that supplies a network synchronized clock via a cable, in a wireless sensor network, unlike a conventional method of estimating Time of Flight (TOF) using Two-Way Ranging (TWR) and Symmetric Double Sided-TWR (SDS-TWR) schemes. The estimated receiving time difference is directly applied to a Time Difference Of Arrival (TDOA) algorithm in order to estimate the position of the mobile node. |
| US08862420B2 |
Multi-axis tilt sensor for correcting gravitational effects on the measurement of pressure by a capacitance diaphragm gauge
A system and method compensate for effects of gravity on the diaphragm of a capacitance diaphragm gauge (CDG). The CDG generates a measured absolute pressure value in response to an applied absolute pressure on an input of the CDG. The CDG is subjected to a variable orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface that can cause inaccurate pressure measurements. A pressure measuring circuit generates a measured value of an applied absolute pressure provided to an input of the CDG. A tilt sensor generates at least one tilt sensor output value that is responsive to an orientation of the CDG with respect to the earth's surface. A processing system adjusts the measured absolute pressure value by a calibration factor to generate a calibrated absolute pressure value representing the applied absolute pressure, wherein the calibration factor is selected in response to the at least one tilt sensor output value. |
| US08862415B1 |
Method and system for calculating energy metrics of a building and one or more zones within the building
A method and system can provide building energy performance metrics that can help identify specific zones within a building which may have energy efficiency problems. The method and system can collect data from: indoor temperature sensors and humidity sensors present in each zone of a building; one or more temperature sensors and humidity sensors present outside of the building; one or more utility meters; and one or more HVAC devices. This data from the sensors can be aggregated and formed into a first profile. The energy efficiency calculation system can analyze the first profile to provide various energy performance metrics which can include, but are not limited to, energy efficiency ratios for air conditioners, the R-value or thermal resistance of the building, an amount of heat loss for the building, energy consumption by the building, current HVAC performance parameters, and utility usage comparisons. |
| US08862414B2 |
Detection of high voltage electrolysis of coolant in a battery pack
An apparatus and method providing for detecting and responding to high voltage electrolysis within an electric vehicle battery enclosure to limit possible excessive thermal condition of the battery cells and modules. The present invention includes embodiments directed towards detection algorithms and apparatus for promoting the use of voltage, current, humidity, temperature, and pressure sensors for the purpose of detecting high voltage electrolysis. Additionally, the present invention includes response processes and structures to address high-voltage electrolysis. |
| US08862411B2 |
Velocity and impingement method for determining parameters of a particle/fluid flow
A method and apparatus for determining at least one flow parameter of a fluid flowing within a pipe, which fluid contains particles entrained within the fluid flow is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) determining a velocity of the fluid flow within the pipe; 2) sensing the impingement of particles on a surface wetted with the fluid flow, and producing a signal relating to the impingement; and 3) determining the at least one flow parameter of the fluid flow utilizing the determined fluid flow velocity and the sensor signal relating to impingement of the particles on the surface wetted with the fluid flow. |
| US08862408B2 |
Determining one or more target positions in an acquisition domain for processing survey data
In response to at least one input criterion, one or more target positions in an acquisition domain are determined for processing of survey data, where the survey data is acquired by survey equipment in the acquisition domain having a first set of dimensions, and where the processing of the survey data is to be performed in a processing domain having a second set of dimensions different from the first set of dimensions. |
| US08862407B2 |
Method and apparatus utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance measurements for estimating residual carbon dioxide saturation in aquifers
Percolation theory is applied to establish a connection between magnetization decay of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements and residual carbon dioxide saturation (Scr). As a result, estimations of Scr are obtained through use of an NMR tool in a formation and appropriate processing. Data may be displayed as a log. |
| US08862399B2 |
Generic object exchange profile message
In a method for generating a generic object exchange profile message, navigation data is inserted into the generic object exchange profile message. |
| US08862395B2 |
Coded marker navigation system and method
A navigation system and method for determining a location of a navigator in a navigation environment using coded markers located within the navigation environment. In one example, the navigation system includes a camera apparatus configured to obtain an image of a scene containing images of at least one coded marker in a navigation environment, video analytics configured to read the at least one coded marker, and a processor coupled to the video analytics and configured to determine a position fix of a navigator based on a known location of the at least one coded marker. |
| US08862394B2 |
System and method for tracking and locating a person, animal, or machine
A system and method for estimating the position of an object, such as a person, animal, or machine. The system includes first and second inertial measurement units, a first and second originator antennas, and a first and second transponder antennas. The system uses data from the inertial measurement units to estimate a position of the object. The system also calculates a range measurement between the first originator antenna and first transponder antenna. The system calculates a first CPD measurement between the second transponder antenna and the first originator antenna, and a second CPD measurement between the second originator antenna and the first transponder antenna. The range measurement and at least one CPD measurement are used to update a Kalman filter for estimating the position of the object. The system determines also updates the Kalman filter when one of the inertial measurement units is in a zero-velocity condition. |
| US08862388B2 |
Apparatus, method and article for providing locations of power storage device collection, charging and distribution machines
A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Locations of collection, charging and distribution machines having available charged portable electrical energy storage devices are communicated to or acquired by a mobile device of a user or a navigation system of a user's vehicle. The locations are indicated on a graphical user interface on a map relative to the user's current location. The user may select particular locations on the map to reserve an available portable electrical energy storage device at a particular collection, charging and distribution machine location. The collection, charging and distribution machine locations displayed may also be based on a physical distance or driving time from the current location of the user mobile device or vehicle. |
| US08862382B2 |
Collision monitoring for a motor vehicle
A method for collision monitoring for a motor vehicle, in which a surrounding area is monitored, including: providing a reference state for at least one first object situated in the surrounding area, as reference object in a first stop operation, the reference state including reference position data of the at least one first object; in a second stop operation, determining whether the motor vehicle has traveled a predefined minimum distance between the first and second stop operations, and/or whether a predefined minimum time has elapsed; if it is determined that the motor vehicle has traveled a distance that is greater than the predefined minimum distance between the first and second stop operations, and/or that a time that is greater than the predefined minimum time has elapsed, the reference state is updated with position data of at least one second object situated in the surrounding area, as reference object; if subsequent drive-off is intended, determining actual position data of the at least one second object as actual state; and detecting a potential collision when the actual state and the reference state indicate a distance of more than a predefined value. |
| US08862380B2 |
System and method for alarming front impact danger coupled with driver viewing direction and vehicle using the same
Featured are a system and a method for alarming a front impact danger coupled with a driver viewing direction and a vehicle Such a system includes: a driver viewing direction recognition unit recognizing a driver viewing direction; an obstacle sensing unit sensing obstacles existing in directions that a driver does not view; and an engine control unit. The engine control unit receives and analyzes the driver face direction data from the driver viewing direction recognition unit to identify the driver viewing direction when the vehicle enters in the crossroads, requests the obstacle sensing unit perform obstacle sensing for another direction than the driver's viewing direction and analyzes analyze an obstacle sensing result. Such methods advantageously warns a driver to the presence of obstacles when a vehicle enters in crossroads to prevent a traffic accident. |
| US08862377B2 |
Method and system for detecting forces on aircraft
A system for sensing a force applied to an aircraft includes a first sensor, a second sensor, and a processor operative to define a first velocity vector as a function of a first velocity due to a rotation motion of the aircraft, define a second velocity vector as a function of a second velocity due to the rotation motion of the aircraft, define an instant axis of rotation of the aircraft as a function of the first velocity vector and the second velocity vector, determine whether a force has been exerted on a first portion of the aircraft, and output an indication that a force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft responsive to determining that the force has been exerted on the first portion of the aircraft. |
| US08862370B2 |
NOx control during engine idle-stop operations
Methods and systems are provided for improving engine exhaust emissions while enabling exhaust catalyst regeneration following an engine lean event. Prior to a VDE event, or prior to an engine idle-stop, ammonia is produced and stored on an exhaust underbody SCR catalyst. Then, during the engine restart after the VDE mode or the idle-stop, the stored ammonia is used to treat exhaust NOx species while an upstream exhaust underbody three-way catalyst is regenerated. |
| US08862369B2 |
Method for controlling an EGR circuit of a motor vehicle engine, valve for implementing said method, and engine having said valve
The invention relates to a method for controlling an exhaust gas recirculation circuit (2c) for an internal combustion engine (M) of a motor vehicle. The engine (M) is linked to an air intake circuit (2a) and to a gas exhaust circuit (2b) linked to the air intake circuit (2a) by the recirculation circuit (2c). A first valve (15) controls the flow of air upstream from the recirculation circuit (2c), and gases that are recirculated within the a second valve (16) controls the flow of exhaust recirculation circuit (2c). In the method of the invention, the recirculation of the exhaust gases is in particular controlled by means of measuring a pressure difference across the terminals of the second valve (16). The method comprises the following steps: a) the first and second valves (15, 16) are closed, the first valve (15) being arranged so as to allow, in a closed position, the passage of an air leak current; b) the first and second valves (15, 16) are concomitantly opened so as to provide a sufficient pressure difference across the terminals of the second valve (16) so as to enable the measurement of the pressure difference in the terminals thereof. Due to the invention, the pressure difference across the terminals of the second valve (16) remains sufficiently high so as to allow the efficient measurement of said pressure difference. |
| US08862360B1 |
Cruise control system
A control system for a machine having a transmission system is provided. The control system includes a wheel speed sensor, a cruise control module and a controller. The wheel speed sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a wheel speed. The cruise control module is configured to maintain a desired wheel speed of the machine. The controller is in communication with the wheel speed sensor and the cruise control module. The controller is configured to selectively deactivate the cruise control module based, at least in part, on a comparison of the wheel speed and a localized speed of the machine near the wheel. |
| US08862357B2 |
Motion stabilizer for combined vehicle
A motion stabilizer for a combined vehicle includes a pendular motion determination unit configured to determine whether or not a pendular motion caused by a swaying motion of the trailer is imparted to the tractor, a braking control unit configured to exercise a braking control upon detection of the pendular motion, and an engine torque control unit configured to exercise an engine torque control for regulating an engine torque produced by an engine, which engine torque control includes placing a limitation on the engine torque upon detection of the pendular motion. A start of the engine torque control unit relaxing the limitation on the engine torque is timed to occur prior to a start of the braking control unit bringing the braking control to an end. |
| US08862355B2 |
Method and system for engine control
Systems and methods are provided for restarting an engine that can be selectively deactivated during idle-stop conditions. In one embodiment, current is directed to a starter motor and an electric brake sequentially by limiting the current supplied to one while current is supplied to the other, an order of delivering the current based on a timing of a restart request relative to an electric brake request, as well as vehicle operating conditions at the time the requests were received. By coordinating the operation of a starter motor with the operation of an electric brake, loading of the engine system's electrical supply can be reduced. |
| US08862353B2 |
Process for detecting tuning measures
The invention relates to a process for detecting tuning measures through which the actual output power of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle is increased relative to design output power value, whereby, to detect the tuning measures, deviations of actual output power value from a nominal output power value are evaluated, the latter being provided by a control device.The invention is distinguished in that measures are initiated to protect a clutch device from overload as soon as torque to be transmitted by the clutch device exceeds a critical value. |
| US08862352B2 |
System and method for improved double transition shift operations for automatic transmissions
A control system for an automatic transmission includes a double transition shift detection module and first and second clutch control modules. The double transition shift detection module detects whether a double transition shift operation is requested. The first clutch control module controls two of four transitioning clutches of the transmission during an inertia phase of the double transition shift operation. The second clutch control module controls each of the four transitioning clutches of the transmission during a torque phase of the double transition shift operation. |
| US08862351B2 |
System and method for controlling shift hunting in variable transmissions
A method of controlling a transmission (100) for a machine is disclosed. The transmission includes a variator (104). The transmission is operated in a first operating range (301). It is determined whether a current speed ratio is within a first predetermined range of a speed ratio associated with a first synchronous point (304) lying between the first operating range (301) and the second operating range (302). A desired speed ratio is determined and it is determined if the desired speed ratio is within a second predetermined range of the speed ratio. A shift between the first and second operating ranges (301, 302) is prevented and the variator (104) is controlled to hold the current speed ratio if the desired speed ratio is within the second predetermined range or the rate of acceleration of the machine is below the threshold acceleration. |
| US08862348B2 |
Control of a continuously variable transmission
A method is described for operating a vehicle fitted with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and having a lever for varying the transmission ratio of the CVT to permit the vehicle operator to vary the vehicle wheel speed. In the invention, the transmission ratio of the CVT is limited to a value dependent upon at least one of the prevailing engine speed and the rate of change of the engine speed. |
| US08862347B2 |
Motor vehicle performance monitoring system and method
A vehicle performance system and method for determining and displaying vehicle performance data includes a display device in communication with a transmission controller, an engine controller, and a plurality of vehicle condition sensors. The transmission controller calculates vehicle performance data from data signals sent by the plurality of vehicle condition sensors and from stored performance maps. The display device communicates the vehicle performance data to a user of the vehicle performance system. |
| US08862345B2 |
Double gearchange prevention
A method for prevention of unwanted double gear changes for a gearbox in a motor vehicle. The vehicle comprises an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The gearbox also effects a manual gear change in an automatic mode if a mode selector connected to the gearbox is activated. The manual gear change is barred if the mode selector is only activated a first time during a gear change period, which represents a period of time during which an automatic gear change is effected in the automatic mode. A system, a computer program, a computer program product and a motor vehicle, which prevent an unwanted double gear change, are disclosed. |
| US08862342B2 |
Driving assistance device
An object of the driving assistance device is to provide a driving assistance device capable of preventing the driver from experiencing discomfort. The driving assistance device includes a target deceleration pattern generating unit that generates a target deceleration pattern for deceleration driving and a start position determining unit that determines a deceleration start point where the deceleration driving starts on the basis of the target deceleration pattern. The target deceleration pattern unit generates the target deceleration pattern including a first deceleration pattern in which deceleration in a section from a predetermined position to a target stop position is set and a second deceleration pattern in which deceleration in a section to the predetermined position is set. The deceleration in the first deceleration pattern is more than the deceleration in the second deceleration pattern. |
| US08862336B2 |
Method for controlling a headlamp system for a vehicle, and headlamp system
In a method for controlling a headlamp system of a vehicle, road users are detected in front of the vehicle in the driving direction, and a total light pattern produced by the headlamp system is controlled such that it provides an illumination range in the direction of at least one detected road user that is less than the distance to the detected road user, and which provides an illumination range in another direction that is greater than the distance to the detected road user. The illumination range in the other direction is controlled as a function of the horizontal angle between the driving direction of the vehicle and the connecting line from the vehicle to the detected road user or to another detected road user. |
| US08862333B2 |
Method of determining the lateral velocity of a vehicle during abnormal driving situations
Disclosed is a method to determine a vehicle's lateral velocity during abnormal driving situations of a vehicle during controlled side-impact or rollover crash tests that involve the pulling of a vehicle sideways into an object. A high-resolution, low-range, lateral accelerometer is integrated to determine the lateral velocity. Furthermore, is a method to initiate the integration of the acceleration signal and a method to stop and reset the integration. The method recognizes special conditions associated with abnormal driving situations like controlled crash tests, and therefore will not be active during normal operating conditions. The method also includes a means to handle offset tolerances associated with accelerometers by finding the sensor's zero-g point while the vehicle is at rest. |
| US08862330B2 |
Electric power steering system
An electric power steering system includes a motor control device that controls driving of a motor based on an assist command value, the motor applying assist torque to a steering mechanism. The motor control device computes a first assist component based on steering torque and a vehicle speed. The motor control device computes a second assist component based on the steering torque and the first assist component. The motor control device computes the assist command value by adding the second assist component to the first assist component. The motor control device includes a road information compensation portion that adjusts the second assist component contained in the assist command value. A basic assist component computation portion computes the first assist component in accordance with a degree of adjustment of the second assist component. |
| US08862328B2 |
System and method for determining an absolute position of a motor shaft in an electric steering system
A system and a method for determining an absolute position of a motor shaft in an electric power steering system during an ignition off state are provided. The system includes a microprocessor that energizes first and second position sensors to generate first and second signals, respectively, at a first time, and third and fourth signals, respectively, at a second time. The microprocessor determines a first relative position value based on the first and second signals, and a second relative position value based on the third and fourth signals. The microprocessor determines an amount of relative rotation of the shaft during the ignition off state based on the first and second relative position values, and determines a current absolute position value based on a previously stored absolute position value and the amount of relative rotation of the rotatable shaft. |
| US08862327B2 |
Process and device for stabilizing a vehicle
A method for stabilizing a vehicle including a trailer drawn by the vehicle including the steps of: determining the yaw rate of the vehicle; determining the reference yaw rate in a vehicle model; producing a difference value from the yaw rate and the reference yaw rate; weighting the difference value with a signal describing the steering dynamics; producing a signal to determine the side of intervention and/or the wheel of intervention and/or the steering angle direction of the vehicle from the tendency to change of the weighted difference value, and applying a counteracting moment depending on the amplitude and the tendency to change of the weighted difference value. |
| US08862326B2 |
Vehicle travel assisting device
In a vehicle travel assisting device, a vehicle speed, a yaw rate, a traveling lane of an own vehicle, and a position of a leading vehicle are detected. Target travel coordinates of the own vehicle are calculated, based on the traveling lane and the position of the leading vehicle A travel path curvature of a target travel coordinate group is estimated, based on information related to the target travel coordinate group. A steering quantity to be steered in advance by the own vehicle is calculated, based on the currently estimated travel path curvature. A weight for each of the target travel coordinates for estimating the travel path curvature is adjusted based on the vehicle speed, the yaw rate and the previously estimated travel path curvature. Steering control is performed such that the own vehicle travels so as to follow the estimated travel path curvature, based on the calculated steering quantity. |
| US08862322B2 |
Motor control unit and vehicle steering apparatus
A motor control unit controls a motor including a rotor and a stator facing the rotor. A current drive unit drives the motor at an axis current value of a rotating coordinate system that rotates in accordance with a control angle that is a rotational angle used in a control. An addition angle calculation unit calculates an addition angle to be added to the control angle. A control angle calculation unit obtains, at every predetermined calculation cycle, a present value of the control angle by adding the addition angle that is calculated by the addition angle calculation unit to an immediately preceding value of the control angle. An angular speed calculation unit calculates an angular speed of the rotor. An addition angle correction unit corrects the addition angle based on the angular speed calculated by the angular speed calculation unit. A filtering unit filters the angular speed calculated by the angular speed calculation unit. |
| US08862321B2 |
Directing vehicle into feasible region for autonomous and semi-autonomous parking
A method of guiding a vehicle to a region for initiating a parallel parking maneuver. A region of feasible starting locations for successfully performing a parallel parking maneuver is determined by a processor. A position of the vehicle relative to the region of feasible starting locations is determined. A determination is made whether the vehicle is in a zero heading position. The vehicle is guided along an initial target path by controlling a steering actuator until the vehicle is in a zero heading position relative to the road of travel in response to the vehicle is not in the zero heading position. A planned path is generated that includes two arc-shaped trajectories extending between the vehicle at the zero heading position and a position within the region of feasible starting locations as determined by the processor. The steering actuator is controlled to follow the planned path to the feasible region. |
| US08862319B2 |
Over-current damage prevention method and apparatus for subsidiary inverter of electric bus
Disclosed herein is an over-current damage prevention method and apparatus for a subsidiary inverter of an electric bus, which may reduce surge current generated due to a substantially abrupt occurrence of a load when a clutch is connected thereon by reducing the speed of a power steering motor before the clutch is connected thereon. The method and apparatus include sensing, by a sensor, a pressure of an air tank and an on position of an air pressure; reducing, by an inverter, a speed of a power steering motor by controlling the voltage applied to the power steering motor when the pressure of the air tank is less than a setup value or when the air pressure switch is on; and in response to reducing the speed of the power steering motor, maintaining a clutch in an engaged position to transmit power from the power steering motor to an air compressor. |
| US08862317B2 |
Emotion-based vehicle service system, emotion cognition processing apparatus, safe driving apparatus, and emotion-based safe driving service method
An emotion-based vehicle service system for safe driving includes a multi-emotion sensor node configured to sense emotion information of a driver and passenger in a vehicle and condition information of the vehicle. The emotion-based vehicle service system further includes an emotion cognition processing apparatus configured to analyze sensing information provided from the multi-emotion sensor node to generate emotion cognition information, and a safe driving service apparatus configured to provide an emotion-based safe driving service depending on the emotion cognition information. |
| US08862314B2 |
Method and system for transmitting control data between a vehicle data recording device and a test device
A method and system for transmitting control data between a vehicle data recorder arranged in a motor vehicle and a test device arranged outside the motor vehicle. A random code is generated by the vehicle data recorder or by the test device as a connection code. The random code is detected and input device not generating the random code. After the random code has been input into the device coupling is effected automatically via a short-distance radio link between the devices. Subsequently the control data is transmitted by the vehicle data recorder to the test device via the short-distance radio link. After the control data transmission has ended, the short-distance radio link between the vehicle data recorder and the test device is separated and the random code is deleted in the vehicle data recorder and in the test device. |
| US08862313B2 |
Smart trailer RFID system
A smart trailer RFID system includes a vehicle such as a trailer or cargo van having one or more RFID tag readers configured to acquire load-specific data from RFID tags attached to a load. The load-specific data is collected by a computer and conveyed wirelessly to a tow vehicle. Depending on the nature of the load, the load data can be used to control or change operation of the tow vehicle or be displayed to a vehicle operator. |
| US08862309B2 |
Method for diagnosing and/or adapting at least one system of a device
A method for diagnosing and/or adapting at least one system (12, 14) of a device (10) is described, which method comprises the following steps: (a) at least one manipulated variable (44) of at least one system (12, 14) of the device (10) is changed with respect to a currently present value of the manipulated variable (44); (b) at least two state variables (46) of at least one system (12, 14) are determined; (c) a decision (61) about the further execution of the method is made as a function of the at least two state variables (46). |
| US08862308B2 |
Process for operating a dialogue system for a motor vehicle
In a dialog system for a motor vehicle having a plurality of control keys of which at least one can be occupied by several functions, one such control key can be occupied by several functions of a hierarchical menu structure that, when the control key is operated, as a function of an operating status of a use system coupled with the dialog system, precisely one of several functions is executed, and the occupation of the at least one control key by several functions takes place in that certain functions of the menu structure are assigned to a function group comprising several functions, and in that the control key is occupied by all functions assigned to the function group when one of the functions assigned to the function group is allocated to the control key by an operating action of the user. |
| US08862307B2 |
Steering and control system for a vehicle for the disabled
The present invention relates to a control system comprising at least one unit for operating the steering or navigation of a mobile assistive device for disabled persons, wherein said control system is adapted to be connectable to an existing assistive device for disabled persons. |
| US08862306B2 |
Method for controlling movement of travelling carriers
A method for controlling movement of travelling carriers includes performing data communication between front and rear adjacent travelling carriers, an on-board communication device provided to the travelling carrier and performing data communication with a ground-based communication device, and the ground-based communication device sending a movement permission signal at one end of a work area to the on-board communication device of a passing travelling carrier; and transmitting the movement permission signal to all of the travelling carriers within the work area from the ground-based communication device via the on-board communication device and the data communication means. |
| US08862305B1 |
System and method for operating positive temperature coefficient heater in fuel cell vehicle
A system for operating a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater in a fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell stack and a PTC heater generating heat when supplied with an electric current. A controller is configured to check a key-start state of the vehicle and determine whether or not an outdoor temperature is lower than a reference temperature. If it is determined that the vehicle is key-started so as to activate the fuel cell stack, and the outdoor temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the controller supplies electrical energy generated by the fuel cell stack to the PTC heater, thereby driving the PTC heater. |
| US08862302B1 |
Vehicle and method for controlling an electric machine
A vehicle having an electric machine arrangement, including an electric machine operable to drive the vehicle includes a control system having at least one controller. The control system is configured to implement a method for thermal mitigation of the electric machine arrangement. The thermal mitigation strategy is controlled such that a time between successive implementations of the strategy is inversely related to a temperature of at least a portion of the electric machine arrangement, and the time between two successive implementations of the thermal mitigation strategy may decrease with each successive pair of implementations. |
| US08862300B2 |
Pitch control device for electric vehicle
To suppress a change in a vehicle's attitude due to a pitch motion during vehicle braking, a pitch control device for an electric vehicle can prevent discontinuous negative acceleration from occurring at a moment of the vehicle stopping by appropriately controlling a braking force of the vehicle, thereby effectively controlling the pitch motion of the vehicle, and can enhance steering stability while ensuring riding comfort for passengers, even when traveling resistance significantly changes according to road surface gradient and when the vehicle weight significantly changes with increases/decreases in the number of drivers and in the quantity of goods loaded.This pitch control device for an electric vehicle, configured to conduct pitch control for suppressing the change in the attitude of the vehicle due to the pitch motion of the electric vehicle, controls the vehicle so that a braking/driving torque command value that is output to a motor for driving the vehicle when the vehicle stops will be a traveling resistance equivalent torque that is a value obtained by converting a force needed to stop the vehicle on a sloped road surface and maintain the vehicle in a stopped condition, into a torque of the driving motor. |
| US08862298B2 |
Drive control device of hybrid vehicle
In a drive control device of a hybrid vehicle including a power dividing mechanism which has a sun roller, a carrier, and a first disc with which a rotating shaft of a first motor/generator, an output shaft of an engine, and a rotating shaft of a second motor/generator which also functions as an output shaft directed toward drive wheel sides are coupled, respectively and by which differential rotating operations between the sun roller, the carrier, and the first disc are controlled using an alignment chart on which rotation speeds of the sun roller, the carrier, and the first disc are disposed in the sequence of the sun roller, the carrier, the first disc and shown by straight lines. |
| US08862297B2 |
Enhanced method for choosing optimal engine speed and torque
A method for determining a preferred engine speed and a preferred engine torque of a selected operating range state of an electro-mechanical multi-mode transmission configured to transfer torque among an engine, at least one electric machine and a drive includes selecting between of a first search window and a second search window. Each of the first and second search windows includes a two-dimensional search window definable by a first axis having minimum and maximum engine speed values and a second axis having minimum and maximum engine torque values. A plurality of candidate operating points within the selected one of the first and second search windows is iteratively generated. One of the plurality of candidate operating points within the selected one of the first and second search windows is iteratively determined as an optimum operating point. |
| US08862296B2 |
Electric vehicle
A rear body of an electric vehicle can include rear body frames attached in a vertically swingable manner with respect to a body frame and a chassis attached to the rear body frames by a pivot shaft on a vehicle forward side in a vertically swingable manner. Front and rear batteries are located on the rear body frames, and a motor and rear wheels are supported on the chassis. The front and rear batteries are housed in a battery case fixed on the rear body frames. A PDU as a battery control device, is located on a vehicle forward side of the battery case. A contactor, having a function to open and close the connection between the front and rear batteries and the PDU, is located on a lateral face of the battery case. |
| US08862295B2 |
Method of controlling an energy storage unit in a vehicle micro-hybrid system
A method of controlling a supercapacitor energy storage unit (12), included in a motor vehicle micro-hybrid system, is disclosed. The storage unit is suitable for performing the functions of an alternator, starter and automatic stop-restart of the vehicle heat engine, regenerative braking and torque assistance. The energy storage unit (12) is a plurality of supercapacitor elementary cells connected in series (C1 to C10) and capable of delivering information (Vmax, Temp and DeltaV) on its internal status. The method includes various stages of: comparing a maximum elementary voltage (Vmax) with a first voltage threshold (Vmax1); comparing a temperature (Temp) with at least one temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.); and, deciding on limitations of the availability of functions of the unit when the (Vmax) information reaches threshold (Vmax1) for a predetermined duration (T) and/or when the (Temp) information reaches the temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.). |
| US08862293B2 |
Ship steering device and ship steering method
A ship steering device capable of steering a hull in an intended direction by correcting an unintended rotation that occurs during an oblique sailing operation regardless of the type and size of the hull. A ship steering device is provided with an elevation angle sensor for detecting the elevation angle α of a hull, a hull speed sensor for detecting the speed V of the hull, a storage means storing the relation among the elevation angle α of the hull, the speed V of the hull, and a correction value K, and a calculation means serving as a correction value determination means, and an operation amount by which a joystick is operated such that the hull does not turn in the state in which the hull is obliquely sailed is determined by the calculation means and used as the correction value K. |
| US08862289B2 |
Power electronic control circuitry device
A power electronic control circuitry device comprises the following intercommunicating distinct hardware physical entities: a digital microcontroller unit (UNMC) for managing the operation of the device, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space; a digital fast regulation unit (UNRR) for controlling priority and real-time processes, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space; a digital communication unit (UNC) for communications external to the device, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space; a digital tracing and debugging unit (UNTD) for detecting errors in the design of the device; and a digital non-volatile memory (MRN) for storing information representative of the initial configuration of the device, hardened to withstand the effects of radiations in space. |
| US08862284B2 |
Apparatus and method for neutral-position parking in shift-by-wire system
The present invention provides a neutral-position parking apparatus and method in a shift-by-wire system. The neutral-position parking apparatus connects a shift-by-wire unit to a smart key control ECU through a controller area network (CAN) communication to perform a control of maintaining a neutral position according to a control command of the smart key control ECU receiving a door lock signal from a smart key. Also, the neutral-position parking apparatus communicably connects a power distributor to the smart key control ECU to power off a vehicle upon neutral-position parking according to the control command of the smart key control ECU receiving the door lock signal from the smart key. |
| US08862282B2 |
Energy supply system
An energy supply system includes: an energy supply device configured to supply electric power and/or heat; and a controller configured to set a first maximum operation time of a first specified period including a plurality of second specified periods, the first maximum operation time being an upper limit of an operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period; calculate and set a second target maximum operation time of each of the second specified periods of the first specified period such that the operation time of the energy supply device in the first specified period does not exceed the first maximum operation time, the second target maximum operation time being a target value of an upper limit of the operation time of the energy supply device in the second specified period; and reconfigure the second target maximum operation time of a future second specified period of a certain first specified period based on a time in which the energy supply device has been actually operated in a past second specified period of the certain first specified period. |
| US08862281B2 |
Electric power distribution system
A power distribution system includes: a remote electricity monitoring device which is provided at each power supply destination, and remotely reads, via communication means, an consumed power amount and an surplus power amount stored in a power storage device at each supply destination; and a management server which manages the power supply of each supply destination while collecting, via the communication means, the consumed power information and the surplus power information, both of which are read by the remote electricity monitoring device. The management server distributes the power among the supply destinations in line with the relationship between the power amounts based on the consumed power information and surplus power information. |
| US08862279B2 |
Systems and methods for optimizing microgrid power generation and management with predictive modeling
Systems and methods for coordinating selective activation of a multiplicity of emergency power generation equipment over a predetermined geographic area for distribution and/or storage to supply a microgrid of electrical power for a substantially similar geographic area. |
| US08862277B1 |
Automatic efficient irrigation threshold setting
A method and system for monitoring the dynamic response of soil moisture and setting a threshold in relation to the field capacity of a soil area is disclosed herein. By measuring the dynamic response of soil moisture under wet soil conditions, one can determine a practical field capacity for the soil, in-situ, based solely on the soil moisture sensor output. Essentially, by looking at how the soil moisture level varies with time one can determine the field capacity. |
| US08862276B2 |
Method and apparatus for the automatic regulation of the irrigation of plants
A method for the automatic irrigation of plants, wherein the temporal progression of soil moisture is determined from measured soil moisture values, and said progression is used for the calculation of an optimized irrigation time duration, such that both water excess in the soil and soil drying are avoided as much as possible. Preferably, the time duration of irrigation is constantly evaluated and optimized using comparisons of measured values with prespecified moisture- and dryness threshold values (GWmoist, GWdry), and automatically adjusted to changing environmental conditions and/or plant requirements. |
| US08862274B2 |
Electro-hydraulic auxiliary control with operator-selectable flow setpoint
A work machine (10) comprises an operator interface (30), an auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322) adapted to operate a hydraulic actuator (16) of an auxiliary tool (12) when the auxiliary tool (12) is attached to the work machine (10), and a controller unit (24) that communicates with the operator interface (30) and the auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322). The controller unit (24) is adapted to receive from the operator interface (30) an electrical setpoint signal representative of a flow setpoint selected by an operator via the operator interface (30), and electrically operate the auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322) so as to output flow from the auxiliary electro-hydraulic circuit (22 or 322) to the auxiliary tool (12) at a substantially constant magnitude represented by the flow setpoint. An associated method is disclosed. |
| US08862269B2 |
Robotic picking of parts from a bin
A robot for picking one or more parts (41) randomly distributed in a bin (40), this robot comprising a moveable arm (16a, 16b), a computing device (14) connected to said robot for controlling motion of said moveable arm and a tool (24) connected to said moveable arm for picking one or more of said parts from said bin,—said robot using said picking tool by itself or another tool (96, 98) mounted on the robot or grasped by the picking tool to stir one or more of said one or more randomly distributed parts in said bin when said computing device determines that a predetermined event requiring stirring of said parts has occurred. |
| US08862266B2 |
Automated dispensary apparatus for dispensing pills
A pill dispensing apparatus has a pill delivery station, a pill receiving station, and a pill singulator. The singulator receives and supports pills delivered from the delivery station and is spun to drive pills supported on the tray around the tray axis. A wiper guide guides the driven pills towards the pill receiving station and at the same time singulates the pills by establish spacing between them. The singulated pills are then deflected to a pill drop zone where they drop into a container. |
| US08862264B2 |
Verification systems for filter elements of smoking articles, and associated methods
In a supplying system using containers for supplying groups of filter elements to smoking article assembling equipment, each container has a unique source of information that travels with the container. An unloader receives and unloads the containers. An automated data reader is proximate the unloader for reading the source of information for each container before it is unloaded. A computerized controller uses the information read by the automated data reader to obtain information from a database. The information from the database is compared to information from another source to verify that the proper filter elements are being supplied. The computerized controller allows, or instructs, the unloader to unload correctly supplied filter elements, and stops the unloader from unloading incorrectly supplied filter elements. |
| US08862262B2 |
Method for processing items such as pieces of meat
A method of processing items such as pieces of meat, by providing a stream of items by means of a primary conveyor means, allocating at least partly by means of a computer system one or more of said items to one of at least two workstations where said items are processed, e.g. cut and/or trimmed, resulting in one or more processed items, registering in said computer system information about a return of at least one of said one or more processed items to said primary conveyor means, and returning said at least one of said one or more processed items to said primary conveyor means in accordance with said information about a return, wherein the method further comprises keeping track of said items including when they are taken out and put back on the primary conveyor. The invention further relates to a processing system for carrying out the method. |
| US08862260B2 |
Process for the production of a three-dimensional object with resolution improvement by “pixel shift”
The invention relates to a process or device for the production of a three-dimensional object by layer-wise solidification of a material which is solidifiable under the application of electromagnetic irradiation by means of mask illumination, wherein the mask is produced using an image forming unit having a prescribed resolution, which is formed from a constant number of image forming elements (pixels) being discrete and being arranged in a spatially mutually fixed manner. For the improvement of the resolution along the outer and inner contours of the sectional areas of the object to be generated layer-wise in the sub-pixel range, a multiple illumination per layer is performed, which consists of a series of multiple images that are mutually shifted in the sub-pixel range in the image/construction plane, wherein a separate mask/bitmap is produced for each shifted image. |
| US08862258B2 |
Biomedical device, method for manufacturing the same and use thereof
A three-dimensional biomedical device having an osteoinductive first area with a controlled porosity and a second area, which is produced by laser technology from a powder including one of ceramics, metals, metal alloys, bioactive glasses, lead zirconate titanate and biocompatible polymers, or mixtures thereof. The ratio of the porosities from the second area to the first area is equal or less than one, preferably from 0.001 to 0.9. A method for manufacturing the device for fitting in a bone defect, wherein a virtual object is designed with a computer-aid designed software, and the device is manufactured by laser technology including layering a powder onto a plate (7) so that a layer of a predetermined thickness is formed; the laser beam (8) selectively processes the powder to produce a processed layer, and, thus, layer after layer, the layers are joined together until the biomedical device is formed. |
| US08862255B2 |
Managing playback of synchronized content
A computing device may provide a control interface that enables the user to manage the synchronized output of companion content (e.g., textual content and corresponding audio content generated by a text-to-speech component). For example, the computing device may display a visual cue to identify a current location in textual content corresponding to a current output position of companion audio content. As the audio content is presented, the visual cue may be advanced to maintain synchronization between the output position within the audio content and a corresponding position in the textual content. The user may control the synchronized output by dragging her finger across the textual content displayed on the touch screen. Accordingly, the control interface may provide a highlight or other visual indication of the distance between the advancing position in the textual content and the location of a pointer to the textual content indicated by the current position of the user's finger. |
| US08862249B2 |
Apparatus and method for modeling and control of cross-direction fiber orientation processes
A method includes generating a model associated with cross-directional fiber orientation of a web, which includes identifying spatial frequency characteristics of a fiber orientation (FO) process. The method also includes providing the model for control of the FO process. Generating the model could include performing a spatial impulse test of the FO process, and long wavelength responses of the FO process can be identified by performing a spatial long wavelength test of the FO process or by retrieving information from a historical database. Actuator edge padding can be applied to the model in order to generate a controller model. A controller can be used to control the process based on the controller model. At least one parameter of the controller model can be dynamically adjusted during operation of the controller. The controller can change average fiber orientation angle profiles and twist profiles by only adjusting slice lip actuators in a headbox. |
| US08862246B2 |
Implantable device
Temporarily or permanently implantable medical device, having at least one longitudinally extended first electrical conductor having a functional lead, which is connected to a functional electrode pole for dispensing therapeutic signals or for detecting diagnostic signals, and including at least one second electrical conductor, which is coupled to the functional lead and is guided with it in a shared insulating sheathing, such that a coupling between the functional lead and the second electrical conductor is designed to input electromagnetic radiofrequency waves guided in the functional lead at least partially into the second electrical conductor. |
| US08862245B2 |
Electrode construction for implantable medical electrical leads
An implantable electrode for electrical stimulation of a body, for example, being a component of an implantable medical electrical lead, is preferably in the form of a coiled conductor wire, wherein the wire is formed by a tantalum (Ta) core directly overlaid with a platinum-iridium (Pt—Ir) cladding. When a maximum thickness of the Pt—Ir cladding defines a cladded zone between an outer, exposed surface of the electrode and the Ta core, a surface of the Ta core encroaches into the cladded zone by no more than approximately 50 micro-inches. The tantalum core may be cold worked to improve surface quality or formed from a sintered and, preferably, grain stabilized tantalum. |
| US08862242B2 |
Methods for making leads with segmented electrodes for electrical stimulation systems
One embodiment is a method of making a stimulation lead that includes providing a pre-electrode assembly comprising a plurality of segmented electrodes and a plurality of raised connectors. Each of the segmented electrodes is coupled to at least one other of the segmented electrodes by at least one of the raised connectors. The method further includes forming the pre-electrode assembly into a tube with the tube defining a longitudinal axis. Each of the raised connectors is disposed at a radius with respect to the longitudinal axis that is greater than a radius of any of the segmented electrodes with respect to the longitudinal axis. The method also includes forming at least a portion of a lead body around the segmented electrodes of the pre-electrode assembly; and grinding the tube comprising the pre-electrode assembly and portion of the lead body to remove the plurality of raised connectors leaving the plurality of segmented electrodes and the portion of the lead body. |
| US08862240B2 |
Automated programming of electrical stimulation electrodes using post-implant imaging
In general, the disclosure is related to characterization of implanted electrical stimulation electrode arrays using post-implant imaging. The electrode arrays may be carried by implanted leads. Characterization of implanted electrode arrays may include identification of the type or types of leads implanted within a patient and/or determination of positions of the implanted leads or electrodes carried by the leads relative to one another or relative to anatomical structures within the patient. In addition, the disclosure relates to techniques for specifying or modifying patient therapy parameters based on the characterization of the implanted electrode arrays. |
| US08862237B2 |
Programming interface for spinal cord neuromodulation
A tool for assisting in the planning or performing of electrical neuromodulation of a patient's spinal cord. The tool may have various functions and capabilities, including calculating a volume of activation, registering an electrode(s) shown in a radiologic image, constructing functional images of the patient's spinal anatomy, targeting of neuromodulation, finding a functional midline between multiple electrodes, determining the three-dimensional position of multiple electrodes, and/or accommodating for electrode migration. In certain embodiments, the tool can be embodied as computer software or a computer system. |
| US08862230B2 |
Pacing configuration for an implantable medical device
An implantable medical device includes a sensor configured to generate an endocardial acceleration (EA) signal representative of activity of a patient's heart. The device further includes one or more circuits configured to identify within the EA signal at least one EA signal component corresponding to at least one peak of endocardial acceleration, and extract from the at least one EA signal component at least two characteristic parameters. The one or more circuits are further configured to generate a composite index based on a combination of the at least two characteristic parameters, determine a plurality of values of the composite index for a plurality of pacing configurations, and select a current pacing configuration from among the plurality of pacing configurations based on the plurality of values of the composite index. |
| US08862226B2 |
Remote sensing in an implantable medical device
An embodiment uses an accelerometer to sense heart sounds, and determines heart rate information using the sensed heart sounds. An embodiment uses an accelerometer to sense respiratory activity. An embodiment delivers a programmed neural stimulation therapy with a programmed duty cycle, where the programmed duty cycle includes a stimulation ON portion followed by a stimulation OFF portion. An electrode electrically connected to the implanted neural stimulation device is used to remotely detect cardiac activity. The remotely detected cardiac activity is used to detect heart rate information during the stimulation ON portion and to detect heart rate information during the stimulation OFF portion. The detected heart rate information and/or the detected respiration information are used to control a neural stimulation therapy performed by the neural stimulator device and/or are used to provide diagnostic information for the patient's condition. |
| US08862224B2 |
Method for treating neovascularization
The present invention describes an improved photodynamic treatment to treat subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). |
| US08862222B2 |
Non-invasive measuring of load-induced electric potentials in diarthroidial joints
There is described a method for non-invasively measuring electrical activity in a joint of a subject, the method comprising: removably attaching in a non-invasive manner at least two electrodes to a skin surface around an articulation comprising the joint; generating electroarthrographic potentials within the joint by loading the articulation; capturing the electroarthrographic potentials using the at least two electrodes; discriminating between electroarthrographic potentials originating from joint tissue activity and those from other sources; and generating measurement signals representing the electrical activity of joint tissue. |
| US08862220B2 |
Artifact cancellation in hybrid audio prostheses
A system and method are described for determining an estimated neural response in a hybrid electric acoustic audio prosthesis. Target nerve tissue such as remaining hair cells and cochlear nerve tissue receive synchronized electric and acoustic stimulation signals which are recorded and processed to determine an artifact canceled estimated neural response. |
| US08862219B2 |
Relating to brain computer interfaces
A method of creating a user profile for use in a brain computer interface includes performing a training exercise, measuring a user's brain signals during the training exercise, mapping specific signals of the user's brain signals to predefined mental task descriptions, and creating a user profile including the user's brain signals mapped to the mental task descriptions. The user profile so created can be used in a method of creating a brain computer interface for a user for an application. This method includes accessing a user profile including the user's brain signals mapped to mental task descriptions, accessing an application profile including a plurality of properties of the application, matching one or more mental task descriptions from the user profile to a respective property from the application profile, and creating a brain computer interface accordingly. |
| US08862218B2 |
Scalp potential measuring method and apparatus
An apparatus for measuring scalp potential is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of sensors and a pre-amplifier coupled to these sensors. The sensors are adapted to measure a raw scalp potential measurement though a hair and air interface, and may be considered as a difference, reference or common measurement. The interface presents a high and variable source impedance coupling to the scalp. The pre-amplifier is adapted to have an input impedance significantly higher than that presented by the source interface, and receives the raw scalp potential measurement to produce a pre-amplified scalp potential measurement. |