| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08960620B1 |
Adjustable support for air conditioners
An adjustable air conditioner curb includes a curb base having reinforcement members connected thereto and a curb frame adjustably positionable relative to the curb base and positionable between the curb base and the reinforcement members and connected thereto to maintain the curb frame in fixed position. |
| US08960617B2 |
Suspension device for vehicle
A suspension device or bracket (3,19) for releasable fitting of one device to another at a vehicle, and having one bracket part (4,5,21a,21b) mounted on a vehicle and another one on the device to be connected to the vehicle. One locking element (6,20a,20b) being fitted to be activated from one side of the suspension device (3,19), and the other locking element (6,20a,20b) being fitted to be activated from the other side of the suspension device (3,19), the suspension device (3,19) being so arranged that only one locking element (6,20a,20b) need be released to take the suspension device (3,19) apart, irrespective of which locking element (6,20a,20b) is released. |
| US08960612B2 |
Non-metallic support stanchion
A cable rack arm and support system suitable for underground power and communication service is made from a non-metallic polymer that will not rust or corrode. The cable rack arm is adapted for mounting to existing underground stanchions or for stanchions of a more modern design. Each cable rack arm is securely mounted to the stanchion. Each cable rack arm then supports one or more cables in cable rests or saddles molded atop the arm, thus keeping the cables accessibly organized in a manhole, tunnel or vault. Plastic cable ties may be used to secure the cables to the cable rack arms. Nonmetallic pins may also be used to secure the cable rack arms to the stanchions. The stanchions may be made of nonmetallic composite material that includes a fiberglass cross-layered knitted apertured mat for increased strength. |
| US08960606B2 |
Circumference splice for joining shell structures
The disclosed shell structure splice and method may include a first panel having a first edge, a second panel having a second edge, the second edge being positioned in edgewise alignment with the first edge to form a splice joint, a strap bridging the splice joint and attached to the first panel and the second panel, the strap having a first tapered region and a second tapered region, a first fitting having a tapered section and a flat section, the tapered section being attached to the first tapered region of the strap, and a second fitting having a tapered section and a flat section, the tapered section being attached to the second tapered region of the strap. |
| US08960601B2 |
Aircraft cooling duct
An aircraft structure, for example a wing, includes a section of skin, for example a lower wing panel, the panel defining an external (lower) surface that in use is on the exterior of the aircraft and an internal (upper) surface opposite the external surface, and a duct comprising a section of duct for transporting cooling fluid, for example air, between the internal and external surfaces of the panel from a first location in the panel to a second location that is spaced apart from the first location in a direction substantially parallel to the external surface of the panel. The cooling air cools an electronic hydrostatic actuator (EHA 4b) in the wing 2. |
| US08960596B2 |
Energy-deposition systems, equipment and method for modifying and controlling shock waves and supersonic flow
Systems, equipment, and methods to deposit energy to modify and control shock waves and hypersonic or supersonic fluid flow, including systems for controlling, mitigating, and/or effecting air flow in relation to air vehicles, wind tunnels, or other assets, or the like, as well as systems, equipment, and methods for disrupting the shock structure at the inlet for the engine of an air vehicle traveling at supersonic or hypersonic speed; mitigating blast effects on vehicles; mitigating heating of throats in supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels, as well as control the flow parameters and Mach number in their test sections. |
| US08960593B2 |
Horizon scanning system for a rotary wing aircraft including sensors housed within a tubercle on a rotor blade
A rotary wing aircraft, a rotor blade and a horizon scanning system are provided. The rotary wing aircraft, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a mast, an engine configured to provide rotational force to the mast and a controller. The rotary wing aircraft may further include a rotor blade connected to the mast having a leading edge, a plurality of tubercles positioned on the leading edge of the rotor blade, and a sensor housed within at least one of the plurality tubercles communicatively connected to the controller. |
| US08960592B1 |
VTOL propulsion for aircraft
An aircraft, such as a radio controlled aircraft, capable of vertical take-off and landing. The aircraft has a compressor in a fuselage that contains an interconnected first and second fans driven by a motor. An intake provides air to the first fan, while a bypass duct directs airflow to the second fan. Air flow from the first fan to the second fan is controlled by a valve, which is operated in tandem with doors in the bypass duct. Nozzles direct air flow out of the compressor in a selected one of a vertical or non-vertical direction for conventional flight or for hover. Hover tubes are provided to adjust the aircraft in pitch, yaw and roll. The hover tubes operate simultaneously with conventional flight controls. |
| US08960588B2 |
Hands-free paper towel dispenser
A hands-free towel dispenser is provided which utilizes an active sensing system, preferably an infra-red system, for detecting when a dispense of toweling should occur. The control for the dispenser is designed for low power use, thereby allowing the dispenser to be battery powered. The dispenser can also be powered by a solar panel, either in addition to or in place of, the batteries. Thus, the dispenser can be used in all lighting conditions. In addition, the dispenser is microprocessor controlled, thereby reducing costs and adding flexibility and functionality. |
| US08960587B2 |
Rear discharge mat rolling machine
A mat rolling machine for rolling a mat having a leading edge and a trailing edge may include a frame, at least one first drive belt, a plurality of second drive belts, a plurality of third drive belts, and a plurality of fourth drive belts. At least one of the belts may be coupled together at an oblique angle relative to the direction of travel of the belt. The mat rolling machine may include a plurality of primary fingers and a plurality of secondary fingers having a smaller radius of curvature on a lower face than the plurality of primary fingers. The mat rolling machine may include at least one support member for guiding a mat along a path through the mat rolling machine, and at least one pusher for discharging a rolled mat from the rear of the mat rolling machine. |
| US08960585B2 |
Seatbelt retractor and seatbelt apparatus including the same
A transmitting gear is mounted on a rotating shaft of a spool so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft. A rotation sensor is disposed eccentrically with respect to the rotating shaft in a radial direction of the rotating shaft. The rotation sensor is disposed in a direction in which the rotating shaft is separated from the rotation sensor by a large load applied from a seatbelt to the spool in an emergency. The rotation sensor includes annularly arranged magnets and a magnet holding member that holds the magnets. The magnet holding member includes a receiving gear External teeth of the receiving gear engage with external teeth of the transmitting gear to increase a speed of rotation of the spool whose rotation is transmitted to the receiving gear. |
| US08960582B2 |
Micro-spike algae harvesting and biofuel extraction system
A micro-spike algae harvesting and biofuel extraction system including a micro-spike board supported at an inclined angle by a rigid framework and forming a planar substrate for support of an array of miniature, upwardly pointed, conically-shaped spikes, and a sprinkling system for dispersing an algal solution of algae cells from above the micro-spike board onto the array of spikes for puncturing the algae cells to release biofuel contained therein. |
| US08960579B2 |
Universal blades and accessories for food processors
Food processing utensil comprising: paddles, central utensil comprising: shaft coupleable to food processor motor, and connected to base coupleable to food processor bowl, and cutting blades, the paddles coupled to the central utensil and the blades configured to allow uniform cutting of food, providing paddles are not on blades. |
| US08960578B2 |
High impact pressure processor
A high impact pressure processor comprises of a piston. The piston comprises of a piston seal, a piston cap, a piston shaft, and a plurality of vent holes. The piston seal, located at an end of the piston shaft, seals out air from a container of a food processor or blender. This enables high impact pressure to be placed on the ingredient(s) in the container, thus creating smoother and thicker mixtures of ingredient(s). The plurality of vent holes allows air into container when needed, but are easily sealed off with the piston cap. |
| US08960576B2 |
Substances and methods for replacing natural tooth material
A substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the substance comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate and milled mineral trioxide aggregate, or comprising untreated mineral trioxide aggregate, milled mineral trioxide aggregate and water. A method of making a substance that sets in a relatively short time for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material, the method comprising milling by high shear and impact impingement of particles using high pressure homogenization. A method for use in general dentistry and in endodontics to replace natural tooth material. |
| US08960573B2 |
Device for injecting fuel
A device is described for injecting fuel, which includes a valve body, an outwardly opening valve needle, which is disposed in the valve body in a pressure chamber filled with fuel, to which pressurized fuel is supplied; a restoring element, which returns the valve needle to an original position; an electromagnetic actuator, which is disposed in an actuator chamber for actuating the valve needle; and a diaphragm, which is disposed in the actuator chamber and subdivides the actuator chamber into a first, fuel-filled region and a second, fuel-free region in fluid-tight manner, and which subdivides the valve needle into an injection-side portion and an actuator-side portion, the injection-side portion of the valve needle including a pressure-compensation plunger, which separates the pressure chamber from the first, fuel-filled region of the actuator chamber, the actuator being disposed in the second, fuel-free region. |
| US08960569B2 |
Power washer spray head
A spray head for a powdered power washer designed to produce a wide diameter spray of water under both high and low water pressure conditions. The washer head includes a spinner tube mounted inside a cylindrical-shaped nozzle body. The upper segment of the spinner tube is held inside the nozzle body by a fixed cassette assembly. A middle and lower segments of the spinner tube extend below and are bent outward and axially offset from the upper segment and from each other. Mounted inside and over the upper end opening of the nozzle tube is an adapter with a threaded cavity formed on one end. The adapter includes a water orifice that delivers water from the handle or wand to the spinner tube. A flat washer with a narrow water orifice is used to deliver a narrow, high velocity stream of water to the spinner tube. |
| US08960564B2 |
Method for hydraulically fracturing a well using an oil-fired frac water heater
The present invention provides a method for utilizing an oil-fired heat exchange system to fracture a subterranean formation at a remote work site to produce oil and gas. The method of the present invention includes using a single-pass tubular coil heat exchanger contained within a closed-bottom firebox having a forced-air combustion and cooling system to heat the treatment fluid. The rig also includes integral fuel tanks, hydraulic and pneumatic systems for operating the rig at remote operations in all weather environments. In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention includes using an oil-fired heat exchanger system to heat water on-the-fly (i.e., directly from the supply source to the well head) to complete hydraulic fracturing operations. The method of the present invention also includes adding chemical additives and proppants to the heated treatment fluid prior to injection into the formation. |
| US08960563B1 |
System and method for freight refrigeration power control
A mobile refrigerator unit is operated remotely via wireless technology using a system with a local maintenance switch. A local override switch turns the refrigerator unit on and off, but keeps it on in the event of failure of the maintenance switch. |
| US08960562B2 |
Valve configured for regulating the flow of fluid from a transmission to a fluid cooler
A transmission fluid circuit includes a transmission, a cooler, and a valve. The transmission receives and expels a fluid. The cooler receives and expels the fluid to the transmission. The valve directs the flow of fluid received from the transmission to one of the transmission and the fluid cooler. The valve includes a housing, a spool and an actuator. The housing defines a cavity. The spool is movable longitudinally in the cavity between a first position and a second position to direct the flow of the fluid from the cavity to the cooler or the transmission. The actuator is operatively connected to the spool and includes a smart material which is activated in response to the temperature of the fluid in the cavity having at least a first temperature and deactivated in response to the fluid in the cavity having a sufficient number of degrees less than the first temperature. |
| US08960555B1 |
Medical information device and system and method of use
A medical information device (1) and two dimensional bar code (2) for storing an individual's emergency medical information on and/or providing remote access to the medical information. The medical information device may be updated by an individual over the Internet by sending updated information to a central location that updates the information in a central database. The medical information device is capable of storing medical information directly therein and/or of providing remote access to medical information stored in a central database. This is accomplished by using a two-dimensional barcode 2, such as a Quick Response Code (“QR code”) (3) or other matrix barcode, that is capable of storing text and/or URL information that may be opened by an electronic device or other imaging device, such as a smart phone. |
| US08960553B2 |
Check processing device
Swinging open the upstream-side cover part (31) and downstream-side cover part (32) of the check scanning apparatus (1) on a common support pivot (33) opens a U-shaped check transportation path (5). The check transportation path (5) can be opened with a simple single-action operation to remove checks (4) jammed in the check transportation path (5) and for maintenance of the magnetic head (84) and contact image sensors (82 and 83). When the task is completed, the open check transportation path (5) can also be returned to the original closed position by a simple single-action operation. If only those parts that require maintenance are exposed when the check transportation path is open, tasks that require opening the transportation path can be done without damaging other parts and without soiling the operator's fingers. |
| US08960551B2 |
Method of decoding barcode with imaging scanner having multiple object sensors
A method of decoding using an imaging scanner having multiple object sensors each associated with an object field of view. The method includes determining a moving direction of the object using at least two of the multiple object sensors. The moving direction of the object points from a first side to a second side of the imaging scanner. The method includes detecting whether a new object is presence with the object sensor located on the first side of the imaging scanner, and upon detecting the presence of the new object within the object field of view of the object sensor located on the first side of the imaging scanner, capturing an image of the new object in memory with the solid-state imager. |
| US08960549B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for scanning an optical code
A method, apparatus and system are presented for improving a point of sale terminal by reducing the number of items a cashier must pick up and move for scanning during a purchase transaction. The point of sale terminal includes an optical code scanner that identifies an item by reading an optical code (barcode) affixed to or printed on the item. The scanner further includes a weigh scale that weighs items being scanned and a conveyor belt that moves the items across the scanner during the weighing and scanning operations. Moving the items using the conveyor belt reduces the number of items the cashier must pick up and move. |
| US08960545B1 |
Data modification for magnetic cards and devices
Programming fixtures are provided that program devices, such as payment cards, with data, such as personal data, using light transmitters and receivers for powered cards, or using magnetic write heads for non-powered cards. A processor within the powered card computes a magnetic stripe message and associated longitudinal redundancy check (LRC) value based upon the personal data. The processor compares the LRC value against a list of LRC exceptions and changes the magnetic stripe message to change the LRC value based upon a positive comparison. A programming fixture may compute the magnetic stripe message and may change the magnetic stripe message before writing the magnetic stripe message to a static magnetic stripe upon a detection that the associated LRC value matches an LRC exception. |
| US08960544B2 |
Sensor for reading banknotes, security papers and the like, containing at least one security element
A reading sensor adapted to read a security element having magnetic areas with different coercivity, comprising at least one first reading head and at least one second reading head, which are arranged parallel to each other and are capable of detecting two distinct signal sequences, and a permanent magnet which is arranged between the reading heads. |
| US08960542B2 |
Aiming device for a bomb disarming disruptor
A system for indicating a point of impact of a projectile fired from a barrel of a gun including a dynamic aiming device mounted to the barrel having a camera and a range finder configured to be pointed at a target. The system also includes a display device coupled to the camera for displaying an image of the target, and processing circuitry for superimposing a crosshair image on the displayed image of the target. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a distance from the dynamic aiming device to the target using the range finder and to adjust a position of the crosshair image. The position of the crosshair image is adjusted relative to the distance for indicating the point of impact of the projectile fired from the barrel. |
| US08960541B2 |
Dynamic identity matching in response to threat levels
A dynamic identity matching facility that enables an operator to determine the status of an individual based on identification information contained on an identification record provided by the individual. The operator scans the individual's identification information from the identification record using a scanning device. The facility decodes the scanned identification information and identifies a number of candidates based on the decoded identification information. For each identified candidate, the facility generates a candidate score. Based on the candidate score of each identified candidate, the facility selects a number of the identified candidates for display. The facility displays the selected candidates to the operator along with the candidate's criminal or other acts. |
| US08960540B2 |
Methods and systems for merchant selection of network routing
A system and method for operating a payment terminal, the method including receiving a list of eligible applications from a payment device; generating a candidate list including applications from the list of eligible applications received that are supported by the payment terminal; determining a reduced candidate list, the reduced candidate list including applications from the candidate list that match merchant-specified network preference criteria; determining a final selection of an application based on the reduced candidate list; and providing an indication of the final selection application. |
| US08960539B2 |
Providing automated banking machine diagnostic information
An automated banking machine operated responsive to data bearing records includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards including financial account identifying data, and to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to the card data corresponding to stored data for a financial account authorized to conduct a transaction with the machine. The machine includes a plurality of hardware devices and a terminal processor. The terminal processor is operative to cause a hardware device to process sheets in carrying out transactions involving financial transfers. A device processor in a hardware device is operative to communicate certain condition data associated with the hardware device to a portable device. |
| US08960535B2 |
Method and system for resource management and evaluation
A system and method for using RFID technology to track resource performance and task completion is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a system for facilitating a transaction comprising a transponder, an RF reader, a transaction completion system, and a resource engine. In another exemplary embodiment, the transponder system is configured to provide an account number in ISO/IEC 7816 magnetic stripe Track1/Track 2 format. In accordance with another aspect the transponder may transmit to the RFID reader information identifying the resource's performance tracking account to which the transponder is associated. The RFID reader may receive and forward the information to facilitate performance tracking. |
| US08960530B2 |
Mail box
A receptacle for receiving and securely storing mail includes a body defining an opening through which mail is received and a storage area into which mail is stored. A door is pivotably mounted within the opening and configured to close the opening in a closed position and to pivot away from the body to facilitate access to the opening in an opened position. A ramp is mounted within the body and configured to receive and direct mail into the storage area. A closing member is pivotably mounted within the body and linked to the door, such that movement of the door from the closed position to the opened position causes the closing member to pivot towards the ramp to substantially prevent access to the storage area from the opening when the door is in an open position. |
| US08960529B2 |
Fare box
Provided is a fare box which enables passengers to smoothly pay fares using bills without hesitation even when a bill transportation passage is disabled due to jamming of a bill or a breakdown. Two entrances, which are a bill normal receiving opening and a bill backup receiving opening, are provided as bill receiving openings of the fare box. Either of the bill normal receiving opening and the bill backup receiving opening is allowed to be selectively opened by a shutter member. At normal times, the bill normal receiving opening is put into operation with the shutter member positioned at a normal position. When a bill normal transportation passage has become jammed with a bill, the shutter member is shifted from the normal position to a bypass position on the basis of an operation performed on a bill receiving opening switch lever, whereby the bill backup receiving opening is opened instead of the bill normal receiving opening. |
| US08960528B2 |
Insulating cup wrapper and insulated container formed with wrapper
A thermally insulated cup is formed from a single-walled paper or plastic inner cup and an insulating outer wrapper. The insulating outer wrapper comprises a paper base sheet or outer sidewall blank, optionally printed on one side, and a corrugated paper or foamed plastic insulating insert. The insulating insert is similar in shape to the outer sidewall blank but smaller in size. The insert is glued in a centered position to the non-printed side of the sidewall blank to form a two-layered insulating wrapper. Less than 20% of the area of the insert is glued to the base sheet. Specifically, no glue is applied to the area adjacent to the cut side edges of the insert, and as such these edges are not attached to the base sheet. The wrapper is then wrapped around the single walled inner cup. The side edges of the base sheet of the wrapper overlap and are sealed directly together to form a side seam. The side seam is itself adhesively secured to the side wall of the inner cup. The side edges of the insert do not come between the seal between the side seam of the base sheet and the inner cup. The wrapper can also be adhered to the inner cup by one or more beads of cold glue (paste adhesive) or a thin layer of polyethylene (or similar heat sealing material) can be pre-applied to the inside cut edges of the base sheet. This is then heat-activated immediately prior to wrapping the wrapper around the inner cup, and pressing the overlapping side seam to the sidewall of the inner cup to simultaneously glue the side seam together, and to glue the insulating wrapper to the side wall of the cup. |
| US08960527B2 |
Foldable boxes
A foldable box that includes a cover; a bottom; a right side; a front side; a left side; a rear side; an outside connector; a front connector; and a rear connector. The cover and the bottom can be foldably connected to the outside connector. The right side, the front side, the left side and the rear side can be foldably connected to each other. Also, a portion of the front connector can be foldably connected to a bottom edge of the left side, a portion of the front connector can be foldably connected to a bottom edge of the front side, a portion of the rear connector can be foldably connected to a bottom edge of the rear side and a portion of the rear connector can be foldably connected to a bottom edge of the right side. |
| US08960524B2 |
Burring apparatus for friction welding machine
A burring apparatus for a friction welding machine comprises a clamp unit provided at the front end of a horizontal main spindle, for holding work piece W1 coaxial with the main spindle, a clamp unit provided at the front end of a slide movable to and away from the main spindle in the direction of the axis of the main spindle and a doughnut-shaped cutter for shearing off a burr. Work piece W2 is moved forward together with the slide until work piece W2 comes into contact with work piece W1 so that the mated ends of work pieces W1 and W2 are friction welded together to form a joint work piece W. The burr formed on the jointed work piece W is sheared off by the cutter. The jointed work piece W is then liberated from the main spindle. |
| US08960520B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining parameters of linear motion in a surgical instrument
A surgical instrument and method of controlling the surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a housing and an elongated shaft that extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes a firing rod disposed in the elongated shaft and a drive mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive mechanism mechanically cooperates with the firing rod to move the firing rod. A motion sensor senses a change in the electric field (e.g., capacitance, impedance, or admittance) between the firing rod and the elongated shaft. The measurement unit determines a parameter of the motion of the firing rod, such as the position, speed, and direction of the firing rod, based on the sensed change in the electric field. A controller uses the measured parameter of the motion of the firing rod to control the drive mechanism. |
| US08960517B2 |
Powder-actuated fastener-driving device having sound-absorbing function
A powder-actuated fastener-driving device includes a hollow body including a tubular portion and a handle, and an inner tube movable forwardly and rearwardly within the tubular portion and having a front end disposed outwardly of the tubular portion, and a slot. The front end of the inner tube has an outer surface formed with a position-limiting groove. A stop member is disposed within the tubular portion, and extends into the slot. A sound-absorbing sleeve is sleeved movably on a portion of the tubular portion disposed outwardly of the handle, and has an inner surface formed with a position-limiting block, which is movable forwardly and rearwardly within the position-limiting groove. When the front end of the inner tube is pressed forwardly against an object, the sound-absorbing sleeve comes into contact with the handle. |
| US08960516B2 |
Fastener driving tool
A fastener driving tool is capable of not only linearly driving but also rotationally fastening a fastener into a workpiece P. The fastener driving tool includes a housing 2, a nose portion 40 formed with an injection passage 40a through which a fastener 41 is driven, a magazine 4 accommodating fasteners 41 and supplying a fastener 41 to the nose portion 40, a push lever 5 movable relative to the housing 2 upon depression against the workpiece P, combustion chamber frames 12, 22 movable in the housing 2 in accordance with the movement of the push lever 5, and first and second cylinders 7, 8 fixed to the housing 2. First and second pistons 71, 81 are movably disposed in the first and second cylinders 7,8, respectively, and a bit 9 extends from the first piston 71. A rod 14 formed with a rack 14A extends from the second piston 72. The rack 14A is engageable with a motion conversion mechanism 6 for converting a linear motion of the rod 14 into rotational motion of the bit 9. |
| US08960515B2 |
Web guiding apparatus
Provided is a web guiding apparatus capable of ensuring a smooth operation and durability against a force applied from a web even if the apparatus is used in an environment with airborne paper powder, dust and the like.The web guiding apparatus includes a rocking frame 4 rocking around an axis perpendicular to a reference surface 2s of the base 2, and a support portion 40 supporting movement of the rocking frame 4 with respect to the base 2. The support portion 40 includes a base member 41 provided on the base 2 and having a rolling surface parallel to the reference surface 2s of the base 2, and a roller 46 provided on the rocking frame 4 so as to roll on the rolling surface of the base member 41. The rolling surface of the base member 41 is formed so that an axial direction thereof intersects an arc with a rocking shaft 3 of the rocking frame 4 as a center. A width of the roller 46 is wider than a width of the rolling surface of the base member 41. The roller 46 is provided so as to move along the arc with the rocking shaft 3 of the rocking frame 4 as the center when the rocking frame 4 rocks. |
| US08960514B2 |
Dispenser
The present invention relates to a dispenser for supplying a disposable paper product of a roll type such as a toilet paper, a hand towel and etc. The dispenser has a main body casing which accommodates the paper product and has a rotating shaft supporting the paper product to be rotatable and a discharging part for discharging the paper product, and a wet type cutting unit which is located at the discharging part to provide liquid to a part of the paper product that is to be cut. Liquid is provided to an area of the paper product to be cut, so that the paper product can be easily cut with a relatively small force. |
| US08960512B2 |
Cast back clamp and mounting component
A mounting device for mounting a component onto a farm implement having a frame, includes a clamp member and a mounting component. The clamp member includes a top section, a bottom section and a connecting member coupled to the top section at a first end portion and the bottom section at a second end portion. The top section is configured to engage two adjacent surfaces of a support element, and the bottom section is configured to engage two adjacent surfaces of a support element. A length of the connecting member between the top section of the clamp member and the bottom section of the clamp member is adjustable. The top section includes at least one receiving member, and the bottom section includes at least one receiving member. The mounting component includes a plurality of receiving members. Each mounting member is configured to engage the mounting hole of the clamp end portion and a mounting hole of the mounting component. |
| US08960511B2 |
Modular outdoor packing system
Implementations of the present invention provide devices, systems, and methods for packing equipment that provide for a versatile, comfortable, and convenient modular outdoor packing system that increases the enjoyment of outdoor activities. In general, one or more implementations of the present invention include a modular outdoor pack with multiple interchangeable front packs that are interchangeable with a base back pack. Each interchangeable front pack is configured for a particular outdoor activity allowing the modular outdoor pack to transform into multiple different packs depending on the outdoor activity in which the user is participating. |
| US08960510B2 |
Watch band and method of securing same
A watch band is provided which provides a retention assembly for securing excess material of the watch band after the watch band has been secured. The watch band has first and second end portions. The first end portion has a plurality of aperture provided therethrough. The second end portion has a buckle, which has a prong, secured thereto at a free end thereof. The second end portion further has a keeper secured thereto distal from the free end thereof. The retention assembly has first and second portions which are configured to interlock with one another. The first portion of the retention assembly is associated with the second end portion proximate the keeper, and the second portion of the retention assembly is associated with the first end portion between the plurality of apertures and a free end of the first end portion. |
| US08960508B2 |
Sliding nozzle device
A sliding nozzle device automatically performs a series of operations of loading and unloading pressure between plates and opening and closing a slide frame; maintaining the pressure without additional operations; and operates at full stroke during molten steel flow control. An auxiliary plate-exchanging mechanism includes slide axes moving in the same direction as a hydraulic cylinder operates, and an arm having a proximal end placed around the slide axis. The plate-exchanging mechanism is fixed on an upside frame. A first engagement pin mounted on the proximal end of the arm is inserted in a first engagement groove in a first engagement member engaging with the slide axis, and second engagement pins mounted on bearings are inserted in second engagement grooves in the slide axes. With movement of the slide axes the engagement pins respectively move in the engagement grooves, thereby rotating the slide axes and the arm. |
| US08960506B2 |
Closure accommodating pouring from an inverted container
A closure (30) is provided for an opening (32) of a container (31) having a container interior (33) where a product may be stored. The closure (30) includes a base (34) having a deck wall (62) overlaying the opening (32), a pouring spout (64) extending along a longitudinal axis (66) from the deck wall (62) to a pouring lip (68) above the deck wall (62), a dispensing port (70) extending through the deck wall (62) and terminating at a location within the pouring spout (64) below the pouring lip (68) to direct product from the opening (32) to the pouring spout (64), and a vent port (74) spaced laterally from the dispensing port (70) and extending from a first orifice (76) in the deck wall (62) to a second orifice (78) located within the pouring spout (64) below the pouring lip (68). |
| US08960504B2 |
Actuator for a dispensing apparatus
A dispensing apparatus for containing a pressurized composition, said dispensing apparatus comprising: a reservoir for containing a composition; an actuator head comprising a side wall having an interior surface, said actuator head forming a dispensing orifice through said side wall; a displaceable flow conduit comprising a proximal end in fluid communication with said reservoir and a distal end forming a flow conduit orifice, said distal end being movably engaged with said interior surface of said actuator head; and an intermediate member interposed between said interior surface and said distal end and forming an aperture; and wherein said displaceable flow conduit is biased to an at-rest position and can be movably actuated to at least partially engage said intermediate member in a dispense position, thereby at least partially aligning said dispensing orifice with said flow conduit orifice. |
| US08960499B2 |
Fluid delivery apparatus
A pump apparatus that exerts a constant force on a bag of fluid to provide a uniform flow rate compared to elastomeric pumps. The apparatus comprises a first and a second block member positioned over a plate, which are moveable to define an opening to receive a wedge member attached on the plate. The block members are coupled by a resilient means that is extendable when the wedge member is urged into the opening. The extended resilient means is retractable such that the plate exerts a constant force on the bag to expel fluid in a uniform flow rate. |
| US08960497B2 |
Multi-shell dispenser for shotgun
A dispenser holds a number of shotgun shells, which a shooter can retrieve quickly one or two at a time, to reload the shotgun. The shells that remain in the dispenser do not rattle around loosely but rather are held in position in the dispenser, from which position they can easily be extracted. |
| US08960496B2 |
Slide processing apparatus and method
The present invention is concerned with a basket processing apparatus that includes a basket storage portion in a form of a horizontal load rail (2). A plurality of slide storage baskets (4) can be located in series on the rail (2). Each basket is “side loading” and the side loading aperture of each basket can be selectively covered by a slide retaining bar (6). When the baskets (4) are placed on the load rail (2) (e.g. by hooking or clipping the baskets onto the rail), the basket can be moved along the horizontal rail by a basket moving means. The arrangement of the rail and the basket moving means is such that the baskets can be pushed together and move as a “train”. Baskets moved to the pick-up end (12) of the rail can then be removed from the rail and processed. A vertical lift mechanism can be used to remove the basket and transport it to a processing device, for example a coverslipper. |
| US08960494B1 |
Disposable anti-viral tissue dispenser and disposal structure
An integrated tissue dispensing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a hollow dispensing container configured to hold at least one tissue, the hollow dispensing container comprising a front face, a top face, a back face positioned opposite to the front face, a left side face, a bottom face, and a right side face positioned opposite to the left side face, and a foldable trash disposal receptacle formed with and fixedly adjoined to the hollow dispensing container and comprising a receptacle bottom wall connected to the back face of the dispensing container. The foldable trash receptacle is configured to fold between a closed position and an open position relative to the dispensing container. Also provided are embodiments including a multi-panel single semi-rigid foldable piece that when assembled forms a dispensing container and trash disposal receptacle. The device may be constructed of cardboard, for example. |
| US08960493B1 |
Method and apparatus for disposable glove dispensing
A disposable glove dispensing system may allow for a user to efficiently put on a disposable glove without touching the outside of the glove. In various embodiments, a disposable glove may comprise an opening for hand entry having a first opening edge and a second opening edge, a first interconnection point located near the first opening edge, where the first interconnection point attaches the disposable glove to a first adjacent disposable glove, and a second interconnection point located near the second opening edge. The second interconnection point may attach the disposable glove to a second adjacent disposable glove, wherein the disposable glove is positioned between the first adjacent disposable glove and the second adjacent disposable glove. Furthermore, a disposable glove dispensing system may comprise a pack of interconnected disposable gloves, and a glove dispenser comprising two glove hangers for hanging the pack of disposable gloves hang. |
| US08960491B2 |
Container
The invention relates to a container (100) for loosely stored products, comprising a container body (10) having a connecting means (16), the container further comprising a cover (11) having a connecting means (19), said connecting means (19) of the cover (11) having a hinge (21), wherein said connecting means (19) of the cover (11) is engaged with said connecting means (16) of the container body (10) from below. |
| US08960490B2 |
Lever controlled beverage container lid
A lid assembly including a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating member attached to the cover member and positionable between closed and open positions to close and open the aperture, wherein depressing the actuating member opens the aperture and releasing the actuating member closes the aperture; and a locking member provided on the actuating member, the locking member positionable to lock the actuating member in either the closed or open position to maintain the aperture in either the closed or open position. |
| US08960488B2 |
Food tray device and method
A food tray device for maintaining food warm or cold is disclosed. The food tray device has a support and a disposable tray portion or container. The container generally does not need to be sturdy enough to reliably carry food without the support. Optionally the support and container may have holes for limited venting of the tray interior while maintaining the moisture content of the food. |
| US08960487B1 |
Beverage can with integral tab lifter
A beverage can with an integral tab lifter includes a cylindrical can body with a tab-style pop-top opening along an upper surface. A tab lifting flange feature is located along a bottom edge of the can body. The tab of another pop-top beverage can is opened by lifting upwardly on a tab by utilizing the tab lifting flange of a beverage positioned above the lifting tab. The tab lifting flange is an inwardly-protruding lip which extends over a short plane parallel to the lower surface of the beverage can. To open the can, the tab lifting flange of a first can is placed upon the top surface of a second can. The first can is motioned such that the tab lifting flange captures and lifts the tab and opens the second can. In this manner, each can acts as a tab-opener for other cans. |
| US08960486B2 |
Fluid mixing system with hangers
A fluid mixing system includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a compartment, the support housing having a floor and a sidewall upstanding therefrom, an opening extending through the sidewall and communicating with the compartment. An elongated rack is mounted to the support housing adjacent to the opening. A first hanger includes an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the shaft being removably mounted to the rack so that the second end projects outwardly away from the sidewall of the support housing, the second end of the shaft having a fastener disposed thereat. |
| US08960485B2 |
Pressure vessel having rib structure corresponding to stress distribution
A pressure vessel having reduced weight while satisfying required design conditions has upper wall first and second ribs, upper curved surface portion first and second ribs, a bottom wall first rib with a bottom wall second rib formed on an outer surface of a bottom wall, lower curved surface portion first and second ribs, and a side wall first rib with a side wall second rib on an outer surface of a side wall. The center upper wall first rib has a center upper wall first rib center portion, a center upper wall first rib continuous portion, and a center upper wall first rib thin portion. The center bottom wall first rib has a center bottom wall first rib center portion, a center bottom wall first rib continuous portion, and a center bottom wall first rib thin portion. |
| US08960481B2 |
Adaptable bin with moveable shelf
An adaptable bin includes a bin floor and at least two bin walls. The bin floor and the bin walls define a storage volume. An opening is defined by the bin walls, and allows access to the storage volume. The adaptable bin includes a moveable shelf, which has a shelf floor and a shelf connector mated to one of the bin walls. The shelf connector is rotatable, relative to the bin walls, about an axis. The moveable shelf also includes a shelf arm connecting the shelf floor to the shelf connector. The moveable shelf is selectively rotatable about the axis between a first position and a second position. The first position substantially blocks access to the bin floor from the opening. The second position allows substantially-unimpeded access to the bin floor from the opening. |
| US08960480B2 |
Clamshell food tray with cup-based latch
A clamshell-style food container having a beverage holder that can also act as a closure mechanism for securing the container in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, the food container also has multiple compartments for separating food items. |
| US08960477B1 |
Holder attachable to a boat
A holding device is attachable to a rail, cleat, etc., of a boat or other object such that the holding device holds a cooler or similar objects without using up passenger space. The holding device has a frame with extension arms, the main body of the frame attached to the boat either via passing an appropriate upright (cleat, post, etc.,) through an appropriate opening on the frame or using straps passing through slits on the frame. A basket is attached to the frame for holding loads therein. A board is removably attached to frame for use as a working surface or even a basketball backboard. |
| US08960474B2 |
Fan-like vessel cover/splash guard
A vessel cover and/or splash guard for cooking or household vessels, which may be formed from a plurality of individual segments that may be supported relative to one another so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation at different heights, so that they can be fanned out a screen-like manner. |
| US08960472B2 |
Seamless can body
A seamless can body in which the flatness of a center panel of a bottom of the thin can body can be stably maintained and the can body has high pressure resistance, high formability, and excellent properties for an internal pressure test. The seamless can body has a can bottom shape having a rim portion protruding to an outside of the can, an annular concave portion protruding to an inside of the can, and a flat center panel extending continuously from an inner peripheral side of the annular concave portion with a corner portion interposed therebetween. The curvature radius (R3) of the corner section is in the range of 1.5 mm |
| US08960470B2 |
Nesting coolers
A compact, organized, space-saving storage design for multiple coolers allows each smaller cooler in a set of coolers fitting into the next larger cooler. The lid of each of the next larger coolers may be capable of fully closing and the smaller cooler may fit completely inside the larger cooler. The nesting coolers may improve the use of storage space, omit risk of falling over, reduce stress and organize all coolers in one easily located place. |
| US08960468B2 |
Collapsible container
A collapsible container having an expanded storage configuration and a collapsed storage configuration is provided, the collapsible container comprising a floor portion; a ceiling portion opposed to the floor portion; at least one wall portion disposed between the floor portion and the ceiling portion; at least one door portion disposed between the floor portion and the ceiling portion; and at least two posts having a collapsed length configuration and an expanded length configuration, the at least two posts, in the collapsed length configuration, being adapted to interconnect the ceiling portion to the floor portion when the container is in the collapsed configuration and, in the expanded length configuration, being adapted to interconnect the ceiling portion to the floor portion when the container is in the expanded configuration. A collapsible container kit and a method of using the collapsible container is also provided. |
| US08960466B2 |
Novelty associated with stoppers for beverages
Systems, methods, and means for providing a novelty item are provided. In some embodiments, a stopper comprises a body, having an inner chamber and a top portion, a novelty item disposed within said inner chamber, and a cover to open after said inner chamber is removed from a neck of a bottle. |
| US08960465B2 |
Teat unit
A teat unit for sucking a liquid from a liquid container includes a teat and a flow restrictor with a through-opening. The teat comprises a mouthpiece, with a suction opening, and a main body which is formed integrally on the mouthpiece and widens relative to the mouthpiece. The flow restrictor defines a maximum flow of the liquid passing through the suction opening from the liquid container. According to the invention, the flow restrictor is arranged outside the mouthpiece, and the suction opening has a greater cross-sectional surface area than the through-opening of the flow restrictor. The teat unit permits a feeding action that is as true to nature as possible, since the mouthpiece can be deformed very considerably, without substantially impairing the flow restriction. |
| US08960462B2 |
Controlling method, system and device for hook deviation
A controlling method for a hook deviation to regulate the deviation angle of a telescopic crane hook, involves following steps: A. Detecting the deviation angle and deviation direction of a rope, which is linked to the hook, in the horizontal plane relative to the direction of gravitational force; B. Judging whether the deviation angle is more than the predetermined value, if the deviation angle is more than the predetermined value, then turning to step C, and if the deviation angle is less than the predetermined value, then turning to step A; C. Compensatively controlling the deviation angle of the hook according to the deviation angle and direction. And a controlling system for the hook deviation and a controlling device for the hook deviation are provided. The method or system or device enables the detection of the deviation angle and direction of the hook in a quick and precise manner, and the compensatory control of the deviation angle of the hook is performed according to the detected deviation angle and direction, thus it avoids overdependence on human factor and reduces potential safety risks. |
| US08960459B2 |
Slant-truss crane rail
In one aspect, the invention is directed to an overhead crane with one or more bridge rails, that incorporates a reinforcement truss into its one or more bridge rails so as to reduce the overall mass of the one or more bridge rails. This facilitates movement of a load carried by the bridge by an operator to a destination point, particularly in embodiments wherein the one or more bridge rails do not have any bridge drive motors thereon. Reducing the mass of the bridge can increase the amount of lifted load that can comfortably be maneuvered by an operator, particularly when the bridge is manually moved along the runway. Additionally, reducing the mass of the bridge reduces the momentum associated with the bridge, which can increase the amount of control that the operator has when it is desired to stop the bridge when the load has been maneuvered to its desired destination point. The second reinforcement members may have first and second ends that are inserted into receiving apertures in the first reinforcement member and in a bracket that mounts to the bridge rail respectively. In embodiments wherein the bridge includes two rails and is capable of supporting a load in such a way as to generate a downward force that is offset from the bridge axis, the second reinforcement members may be connected to the first reinforcement member and to brackets in such a way as to prevent the withdrawal of the second reinforcement members from the receiving apertures. |
| US08960456B2 |
Molded tension rod mechanism with single lock nut
A tension rod mechanism for a tension rod having a second inner shaft slideably received by a first outer shaft and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the tension rod. An expandable collar is threadingly engaged with a tapered first threaded shaft is configured to be received in the first outer shaft for rotational movement therewith and slidable axial movement relative thereto. A second attachment shaft fixedly connected to the tapered first threaded shaft is configured to be received in the second inner shaft for rotational and slidable axial movement therewith. When the expandable collar is in the first outer shaft and the second attachment shaft is fixedly received in the second inner shaft, a first rotation of the first outer shaft relative to the second inner shaft expands a diameter of the collar fixedly attaching the expandable collar to the first outer shaft for axial movement therewith. |
| US08960451B2 |
Ruggedizing large server storage frame
An apparatus includes a large server storage frame including a base, a ceiling and supports that are supportive of the ceiling above the base and separable from one another by a variable distance, first and second brackets disposable at variable vertical positions along first and second ones of the supports, respectively, and a turnbuckle assembly including an extendible member and first and second connectors connected to first and second ends of the extendible member, respectively. The first and second connectors are rotatably connectable to the first and second brackets, respectively, and the extendible member is extendible such that the first and second connectors reach the first and second brackets with the first and second brackets respectively disposed at the variable vertical positions. |
| US08960447B2 |
Bladed drum for rotary separator system and method
A separator method and apparatus that includes a rotatable drum defining an annular passageway therein, a plurality of blades coupled to the rotatable drum and located in the annular passageway, each of the plurality of blades including a leading section, a trailing section, a concave surface, and a convex surface, the concave and convex surfaces extending from the leading section to the trailing section, each of the plurality of blades disposed circumferentially adjacent to at least another one of the plurality of blades so as to define blade flowpaths therebetween, and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable drum and defining a fluid collection chamber fluidly communicating with the annular passageway. |
| US08960438B2 |
Multi-compartment flexible pouch with an insulated compartment
A multi-compartment flexible pouch with an insulated compartment and method of forming includes a pouch body formed from a panel of material, and the pouch body has at least one compartment for a product. An opening means for accessing the product is disposed in the pouch body. A first insulating compartment seal having a predetermined shape is applied to the pouch body and a second insulating compartment seal having a predetermined shape is applied to the pouch body and spaced a predetermined distance apart from the first seal to form the insulated compartment. The insulated compartment contains a pressurized gas and a surface temperature of the insulated compartment is less than a surface temperature of the product compartment after the pouch is heated. |
| US08960436B1 |
Inflatable box and method of use thereof
An inflatable box and method of use thereof. The inflatable box may be designed in any shape or size and be made up of any rigid material. The box is uniquely designed to allow for a simple one-step process using a box with an integrated inflating tube and bottom liner to expand internally by inflation with a gaseous fluid, thereby three-dimensionally cushioning an article to be shipped. This completely protects the article and removes the need for peanuts, paper or other fillers in boxes used for shipping goods once the box is closed. The box may further include a bleed valve that releases the gaseous fluid if the inflating tube and/or bottom liner are over-inflated. |
| US08960434B2 |
Package structure of liquid crystal display module
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display module packaging structure, which includes a package box and a cushioning device received in the package box. The cushioning device includes a bottom cushioning piece and a top cushioning piece used in combination with the bottom cushioning piece. The bottom cushioning piece includes a cushioning bottom board, two cushioning side boards mounted to the cushioning bottom board and arranged at two ends of the cushioning bottom board, and three positioning boards mounted to the cushioning bottom board and arranged, in a spaced manner, between the two cushioning side boards. The cushioning side boards and the positioning boards form therein first and second accommodation spaces. The first and second accommodation spaces are filled with a plurality of inflatable cushioning bodies. |
| US08960429B1 |
Case for a trowel
A case for holding a trowel which allows for safely and securely holding the trowel, protecting the user from sharp edges of the trowel, while conveniently presenting the trowel for ease of removal from the case. The case has an open configuration to allow for easy rinsing of the case itself and of the trowel when the trowel is sheathed inside the case. |
| US08960428B2 |
Optical fiber cutter storage case
A case for accommodating a fiber cleaver is capable of preventing the fiber cleaver from being damaged. The case accommodating a fiber cleaver includes a base and a lid such that the lid is openably and closably provided for the base in an integrated fashion. The base of the case has therein a positioning space for the cleaver on its inner bottom surface, the positioning space positioning a main body included in a cleaver unit. Latches protruding inwardly in the base of the case are arranged on positioning walls defining part of the positioning space for the cleaver. The latches have a function of retaining a support of the main body of the cleaver in a direction along the height of the base of the case. The latch further has a function of retaining a slider included in the cleaver unit in a sliding direction. |
| US08960425B2 |
Nasal spray and tissue dispenser
A spray package including a container defining a cavity and having an opening; a spray container movable disposed in the cavity, the spray container having a fluid container portion movably disposed in the cavity and a projection portion having an orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid container portion, the projection portion being movable through the opening in the container between a retracted and extended position; and a therapeutic liquid disposed in the fluid container portion and being discharged through the orifice upon application of a force to the container. |
| US08960422B2 |
Packaged antimicrobial medical device and method of preparing same
A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture. The method includes the steps of providing a containment compartment molded from a polymeric resin comprising a polymeric material and an antimicrobial agent, positioning a suture within the containment compartment, the suture comprising one or more surfaces; covering the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package cover having an inner surface, and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the containment compartment to the suture, while retaining an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent on the containment compartment, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment. A packaged antimicrobial suture is also provided. |
| US08960419B2 |
Box check for conveyor belt and method of installation
A conveyor belt box check for installation in a mine is disclosed. The box check includes first and second generally parallel spaced-apart walls extending across a mine passage. Each of the walls has a conveyor belt aperture sized for receiving the conveyor. In some embodiments, access doors are provided in the first and second walls, and a partition extends between the first and second walls for separating the access doors from the conveyor belt apertures and for forming an air lock between the walls. A method of installing the box check is also disclosed. |
| US08960417B2 |
Armored face conveyor extendable at head gate end
A device is provided for detecting and adjusting the tension of the scraper chain. The device identifies broken chain as it leaves the return sprocket and enters the top race of the conveyor. When detected, the chain can be stopped automatically by the armored face conveyor control system, to avoid the potential for further damage, and warn the operators that repair of the chain is required.The device also provides a conveyor with sliding frames at both ends to allow the conveyor ends to be independently adjusted to each end of the coal block, whilst maintaining good chain tension and control. |
| US08960416B2 |
Grip width adjusting mechanism
Disclosed is a grip width adjusting mechanism incorporated in a packaging machine having a grip unit. The grip width adjusting mechanism includes a plurality of grip width adjusting plates disposed at the steps and set with distances between the guide rail and the grip width adjusting plates according to the work content of the steps, respectively and a grip width adjusting lever having a distal end having a grip width adjusting roller abutting against each grip width adjusting plate by a biasing force of the spring, respectively. The grip width adjusting lever is located on either one of the arms so as to be rotated with the arm. A rotational movement angle of the grip width adjusting lever is set according to the distance between the guide rail and the grip width adjusting plate, with the result that the grip width is adjusted. |
| US08960413B2 |
Article conveyer belt and coin sorting device
An article conveyer belt assembly used for example, in a coin sorting device for positively pushing an article, such as a coin along a support surface is provided. A toothed belt has teeth for transmission of power by mounting a plurality of pushers on the belt with a connector removably mounted with a connecting body, a first holder and a second holder spaced a distance from each other to hold onto the conveyor belt. One of the first and second holders has a hook member to close a spaced opening at one end. The first and second holders are cantilevered to be mounted on a conveyor belt. At the other end of the connector body a pusher unit has a first shaft part and a second shaft part cantilevered from the connector body, with a hollow roller snap fitted on the first shaft part and the second shaft part. |
| US08960410B2 |
Device and method for placing plate-like elements in a processing machine
Method and apparatus for placing plate-like elements (10) within a processing machine (1): the machine including a feeder (20) for placing the elements (10) in a plurality of gripping members (31) of a conveyor (30) in successive stations (3, 4, 5). The feeder (20) has a fixing device (21) for elements. The feeder (20) is driven by a computation and control unit (40). The method includes successive steps during advancement of each plate-like element (10) of measuring the longitudinal and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) relative to a theoretical position, by detecting its front or rear edge, controlling the feeder (20) according to the measured placement errors, activating the fixing device (21) to attach the plate-like element (10) to the feeder (20), then measuring the longitudinal, the transverse and angular placement error of the plate-like element (10) attached to the feeder (20), relative to a theoretical position, by detecting register marks (12) printed on the element (10). |
| US08960409B2 |
Transport unit and method of operating same
The invention relates to a transport unit for conveying items to a scanning unit or a self-service cash register system with a belt conveyor for transporting the items in a transport direction and with a marking unit assigned to the belt conveyor for identifying placement areas open for the placement of items on an item placement surface of the belt conveyor, where a detection unit is assigned to the belt conveyor for detecting a rear edge of the items, and a control unit cooperates in such a manner with the marking unit and the detection unit, and a restricted area not open for the placement of items is formed between a front placement surface, and a rear placement surface where the front face of said area, is defined by the rear edge of the item assigned to the front placement area. |
| US08960404B2 |
Bezel assembly for data reception
The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting hollow tongue forward of the casing. The forward-extending hollow tongue accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. |
| US08960403B2 |
Device for processing banknote and method for detecting the conveyance of banknote
The disclosure provides a method for detecting the conveyance status of a banknote, comprising; detecting whether the banknote reaches a first position in a banknote passage within a first predetermined time; detecting whether the banknote reaches a second position in the banknote passage within a second predetermined time when it is determined that the banknote has reached the first position (S14); determining whether the status of the banknote at the first position is changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected when it is determined that the banknote is withdrawn when it is determined that the status of the banknote at the first position has changed from Banknote Detected to Banknote Undetected (S18). This application can increase the possibility of the banknote processing device in detecting whether the banknote is withdrawn. Meanwhile, the disclosure provides a device for processing a banknote. |
| US08960393B2 |
Modular powertrain component for hybrid electric vehicles
A powertrain module includes an input, a bulkhead supporting the input, a rotor support, a torque converter casing driveably connected to the rotor support, an electric machine including a stator supported on the bulkhead and a rotor connected to the rotor support, a clutch hub driveably connected to the input, and a clutch for alternately opening and closing a drive connection between the clutch hub and the rotor support. |
| US08960389B2 |
Bicycle shock absorber with slidable inertia mass
A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that, in some arrangements, is substantially entirely outside of the primary unit. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and, in some arrangements, an inertia valve within the remote unit. The inertia valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle. The inertia valve, which is configured to slidably move within the remote reservoir unit relative to a reservoir shaft, comprises a main portion and at least one protective coating or layer configured to contact the reservoir shaft. The protective coating or layer helps shield said main portion from contact with reservoir shaft, advantageously providing wear resistance, anti-friction properties, durability and other benefits to the damping system. |
| US08960387B2 |
Damper position adjusting device
Provided is a damper position adjusting device capable of adjusting a damping force over a wide adjustment range and facilitating the adjustment work of the position of the damper. The damper position adjusting device has a damper base 38 for storing a plurality of dampers 32 in parallel to each other, each of the dampers 32 having a rod 32a that moves relative to a cylinder 32b; and a damper adjusting shaft 40 which is mounted rotatable in the damper base 38 and has a side wall 44 in contact with ends of the dampers 32 in a moving direction. By rotating the damper adjusting shaft 40, the side wall of the damper adjusting shaft 40 pushes at least one of the dampers 32 out in the moving direction of the rod 32a to change a position of the damper 32 relative to the damper base. |
| US08960386B2 |
Damping arrangement
A damping arrangement comprises a drive member arranged to be driven for angular movement relative to a housing by a motor, and a damping device independent of the motor and operable to damp oscillating motion of the drive member relative to the housing. |
| US08960384B2 |
Method for making a ceramic matrix material for friction components of brakes and ceramic matrix material made by such method
Method for making a ceramic matrix material for brake friction components, in particular disc brakes, including the following operational phases: a) prepare a mixture of at least one siliconic type ceramic precursor, particles of hard materials suitable as abrasives, particles of substances suitable as lubricants and particles of metal materials; b) hot-press the mixture to obtain a green body; c) submit the green body to a process of pyrolysis in order to achieve ceramisation of the preceramic binder, thus obtaining a ceramic matrix material. The mixture includes a catalyst suitable for favoring reticulation of the ceramic precursor during the hot-pressing phase and the pyrolysis process is carried out at temperatures below 800° C., more precisely between 400° C. and 600° C. |
| US08960383B2 |
Brake disc cover for a brake disc of a disc brake
A brake disc cover for a brake disc of a disc brake is provided, which is disposed on a component of a vehicle that is rotationally fixed during travel and which encloses at least one section of a circumferential edge of the brake disc preferably in a trough-like fashion. Two side wall areas are located on axial side sections of the brake disc to be covered that are directly opposite each other, wherein the side wall areas cover at least a partial area of the axial sides of the brake disc. A base wall area connects the side wall areas, which base wall area covers the circumferential edge of the brake disc. The side wall areas are oriented at an angle to each other such that the distance between the two side wall areas decreases radially from the inner circumferential edge of the brake disc cover. The brake disc cover has a surface contour that does not follow mathematical symmetry. |
| US08960381B2 |
Disc brake pad mounting and retention system and method
A system and method are provided for mounting, removing and retaining brake pads in disc brakes, such as air-operated disc brakes utilized on commercial vehicles, in a manner which does not require the use of separate brake pad retaining devices while providing positive retention of the brake pad. A preferred embodiment includes a brake caliper mount having brake pad abutment surfaces having radially-oriented and lateral grooves which permit a brake pad with corresponding projections on is lateral sides to be inserted through an opening of the brake caliper into the radially-oriented grooves until the backing plate projections are aligned with the lateral groove, and advancing the brake actuator behind the brake pad to place the brake pad in an operating position in which the actuator prevents the brake pad from realigning with the radially-oriented grooves until the actuator is retracted to permit brake pad extraction. |
| US08960378B2 |
Brake block for bicycle
A brake block for bicycle includes a base which is made by plastic injection molding and a pad body made of rubber. The base has a fixing portion formed on one side thereof and a connecting portion formed on another side thereof. The connecting portion is connected with the fixing portion. The connecting portion has a plurality of necks connecting with the fixing portion and a connecting plate which is mounted on the necks. A gap is defined in two adjacent necks. The pad body has a braking portion formed on another side thereof for providing frictional effect. The pad body is partially filled into the gaps of the connecting portion of the base. The necks and the connecting plate are thoroughly covered by the pad body so that the base and the pad body form as an integral part. |
| US08960373B2 |
Elevator having passenger flow management system
A passenger flow management system can manage passenger flow such that elevator waiting times may be limited. The management system includes a detector configured to detect elevator passengers within a detection area located outside the building. |
| US08960370B2 |
Drain valve
A drain valve for draining liquid out of a container which comprises an essentially cylindrical opening that passes through a thickened area of the container wall, with an internally threaded section formed at an outer end thereof, followed by an interior space with a larger diameter into which a duct opens, and opposite the interior space an inner section with a smaller diameter opens into the container. A step is provided between the interior space and the inner section and serves as the seat for an associated end face of the valve element. A step between the interior space and the bore, on the one hand, and the inner end face of the valve element, on the other hand, are designed to co-operate as a valve seat which progressively opens and closes as the valve element is displaced. |
| US08960368B2 |
Tank farm system
A tank farm system with improved ingress and egress that includes a tank configured to hold a volume of fluid; a barrier constructed at least partially around the tank, the barrier comprising a first surface contour and a second surface contour; and a portable pathway configured to conform to the first surface contour and the second surface contour. The pathway further having a frame member; at least one step; and a mount for movingly coupling the at least one step to the frame member. |
| US08960366B2 |
Foam cushion for headphones
A composite foam cushion for a sound control device. The cushion includes a core formed of a polymeric foam material and a polymeric coating overlying at least a portion of the core of polymeric foam material. The polymeric coating includes an outer coating layer and an inner polymeric coating layer bonded to the core of polymeric foam material. The inner coating layer may provide the cushion with strength, while providing a high degree of flexibility and suppleness to closely conform around contours and obstructions. The outer coating layer may provide the cushion with enhanced abrasion resistance and/or chemical resistance while having an aesthetically pleasing feel and appearance. |
| US08960365B2 |
Acoustic and vibrational energy absorption metamaterials
An acoustic/vibrational energy absorption metamaterial includes at least one enclosed planar frame with an elastic membrane attached having one or more rigid plates are attached. The rigid plates have asymmetric shapes, with a substantially straight edge at the attachment to said elastic membrane, so that the rigid plate establishes a cell having a predetermined mass. Vibrational motions of the structure contain a number of resonant modes with tunable resonant frequencies. |
| US08960357B2 |
Motor vehicle with an electric drive unit
A motor vehicle has a body (1) having a plurality of bearings (5, 6, 7). The bearings (5, 6, 7) are disposed and configured for mounting a supporting structure (14) that houses an electric drive unit (11) that includes an electric drive motor (12) and a high-voltage battery (13) for providing electric energy. The bearings (5, 6, 7) also are disposed and configured for mounting an internal combustion engine (8) and a transmission (9) connected to the internal combustion engine (8). Thus, the motor vehicle does not have to be redesigned depending on whether the motor vehicle is powered by an electric drive unit (11) or an internal combustion engine (8). |
| US08960356B2 |
Steering wheel and traffic slogan display
A steering wheel raises the awareness of a driver of a vehicle or the like concerning safe driving during operation of the vehicle, leading to a reduction of traffic accidents and violations of traffic regulations. The steering wheel has a pad section nearly in the center of a steering section gripped by the driver. A traffic slogan display unit having a character section displaying a traffic slogan and a background section being other than the character section is formed on the pad section. |
| US08960353B2 |
Foot-controlled powered vehicle
A motorized vehicle for a rider standing with one foot in front of the other, having at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel. Load sensing means for sensing the amount of weight on each of the rider's feet are attached to or incorporated into the surfaces upon which the rider stands. An electronic control system detects when the distribution of weight between the rider's front and rear feet deviates from a certain ratio, and directs the motor to accelerate or decelerate in order to correct the change and restore the desired weight ratio. In this way the rider can control the speed of the vehicle by shifting her weight forward or backward. The front wheel is steerable by the rider's front foot. Leg contact surfaces facilitate stability as well as precision and control. Another control method is also described. |
| US08960343B2 |
Grill shutter device
Provided is a grill shutter device including a shutter mechanism controlling a flow rate of air flowing into a vehicle body from the grill opening portion of the vehicle body front portion by an opening and closing operation; a frame configured to support the shutter mechanism within the grill opening portion; an actuator that is held in the frame and performs the opening and closing driving of the shutter mechanism; and a holding structure capable of relatively moving the actuator to the front side of the frame, based on the collision load at the time of the vehicle collision. |
| US08960341B2 |
Continuously variable electric drive module for electric vehicles
An electric drive module for use in electric vehicles includes a first electric motor, a second electric motor, a continuously-variable gearbox assembly interconnecting the first and second electric traction motors to a pair of wheels, and a third electric motor for controlling a direction and rotary speed of a component of the gearbox assembly so as to continuously vary a speed ratio between the wheels. |
| US08960340B2 |
Power add-on device for manual wheelchair
A power add-on device for powering a manual wheelchair includes a motorized component including dual electric motors and a power source electrically coupled to the electric motors, wherein each of the motors is configured to turn a respective one of a set of drive wheels. The power add-on device includes a latching mechanism adapted to attach the power add-on device to the camber tube of the manual wheelchair; and a controller, reachable by a person sitting in the manual wheelchair, that controls the latching mechanism, the motors, and a swing arm that allows the rear wheels of the manual wheelchair to be lifted off the ground. The front wheels of the manual wheelchair are allowed to be lifted several inches off the ground to avoid obstacles, or can be lifted by the user leaning back. Advantageously, the power add-on device can be detached from the manual wheelchair and loaded into the trunk of a car when travelling or may be checked in as baggage when flying. |
| US08960338B1 |
Superabrasive compact including at least one braze layer thereon
A superabrasive compact (e.g., a polycrystalline diamond compact) including a substrate pre-coated with at least one braze layer and an in-process drill bit assembly including at least one of such superabrasive compacts are disclosed. Pre-coating the substrate with at least one braze layer and dimensioning the pre-coated substrate to fit within the tolerances of a conventionally-sized cutter recess of a drill bit body enables a drill bit manufacture to easily and rapidly braze the disclosed superabrasive compacts into the conventionally-sized cutter recess without substantially decreasing the superabrasive volume of the superabrasive compact. |
| US08960334B1 |
Differential pressure release sub
A differential pressure release sub includes a sub housing having a housing bore, a piston chamber communicating with the housing bore and at least one fluid port communicating with the piston chamber. A piston having a piston bore is disposed for axial displacement in the piston chamber from a first position wherein the at least one fluid port is fluidly sealed from the piston bore to a second position wherein the at least one fluid port is disposed in fluid communication with the piston bore. A first surface having a first surface area is on the piston. A second surface having a second surface area less than the first surface area of the first surface is on the piston. |
| US08960326B2 |
Formation dip geo-steering method
A geo-steering method for drilling a formation penetrated by multiple wells. The method comprises computing a stratigraphic target formation window, computing a target line utilizing an instantaneous formation dip angle correlated to offset well data from an offset well. The method further comprises calculating a target window from actual drilling data overlaying the target window over the stratigraphic target formation window to drill on the target line, identifying target deviation from target line using overlaid windows, generating a target deviation flag when the overlaid results differ above or below the stratigraphic target formation window or user inputted target deviation flag parameters, wherein the target deviation flag stops drilling by the rig. The method performs another actual survey, creating a new window, starting drilling, creating a new target window, overlaying the two windows and monitoring for target deviations, repeating the process until target depth is reached. |
| US08960325B2 |
Free-mass and interface configurations of hammering mechanisms
The design of the free-mass in an ultrasonic driller/corer (USDC) has been refined in order to improve the performance and operational reliability of the system. In one embodiment, the improvements in performance and operational reliability include decreasing the impact surface area of the free-mass to increase the transfer of impact energy from the piezoelectric transducer and reductions in the likelihood that the system will jam. |
| US08960322B2 |
Scraper blade assembly for planter gauge wheels
A scraper assembly for removing mud and moist soil from the gauge wheels of an agricultural planter includes a support rod attached to a hub of a gauge wheel arm, a clamp structure attached to an end portion of the support rod, and a scraper blade attached to the clamp structure. An axis of the end portion of the support rod is approximately perpendicular to and intersects with an axis of rotation of the gauge wheel. The scraper blade is mounted approximately perpendicular to the outer surface of the gauge wheel and is angled approximately 45 degrees from the sides of the gauge wheel. The scraper blade has a curved profile along its length that substantially matches an outer profile of the outer surface of the gauge wheel when the scraper blade is properly adjusted. |
| US08960320B2 |
Inline plug flame arrestors
Example inline plug flame arrestors are disclosed. A disclosed example flame arrestor includes a body having a passage to enable fluid communication between a first end of the passage and a second end of the passage, wherein the first end of the passage includes a shoulder and a plug disposed within the passage to substantially fill a cross-sectional area of the passage, wherein a first end of the plug engages the shoulder, wherein the plug is configured to provide a gap between an exterior surface of the plug and a wall of the passage to fluidly couple the first and the second ends of the passage, and wherein the plug includes at least one slot at the first end of the plug extending along an exterior surface of the first end of the plug to a peripheral edge of the first end of the plug to direct fluid flow in the slot toward the wall of the passage and along the gap and the exterior surface of the plug toward the second end of the passage. |
| US08960317B2 |
Horizontal well line-drive oil recovery process
An in situ combustion process entailing the simultaneous production of liquids and combustion gases that combines fluid drive, gravity phase segregation and gravity drainage to produce hydrocarbons from a subterranean oil-bearing formation, comprising initially injecting gas, steam or a fluid through a horizontal well placed high in the formation, and initially producing hydrocarbons through a lower, parallel horizontal well. Thereafter, in accordance with the method, production from the lower well is ceased, and a gas, liquid, or steam injected into such lower well, and an adjacent parallel well likewise low in the reservoir is used to produce the oil. Significant portions of a reservoir may thereby be exploited by continually drilling lower adjacent horizontal wells in a direction along the reservoir and converting penultimate lower production wells into injection wells and thereby driving hydrocarbons to an adjacent parallel production well for recovery to surface. The process may further employ in-situ combustion. |
| US08960314B2 |
Shape memory seal assembly
A sealing assembly including a seal element at least partially formed from a shape memory material. The shape memory material urges the seal element to revert to an original shape upon exposure to a transition stimulus. The seal element is operatively arranged for sealing against a downhole structure when in the original shape. An interlock mechanism is included for holding the seal element in a deformed position in which the seal element is not able to seal against the downhole structure even after exposure to the transition stimulus. A method of setting a downhole sealing assembly is also included. |
| US08960312B2 |
Mitigating leaks in production tubulars
A well system can include a generally tubular production string extending to a surface location. A production packer seals off an annulus external to the production string. A swellable packer is interconnected in the production string between the production packer and the surface location. A method of mitigating a leak in a generally tubular production string can include interconnecting a swellable packer in the production string, and the swellable packer swelling, and thereby increasingly restricting flow through an annulus surrounding the production string, in response to fluid leakage through a sidewall of the production string. Another method can include interconnecting a swellable packer in the production string, and the swellable packer swelling, and thereby increasingly restricting flow through an annulus surrounding the production string, in response to a flow of hydrocarbons into the annulus from an interior of the production string. |
| US08960311B2 |
High pressure seal adapter for splitter conductor housing to wellhead connection
A high pressure seal adapter for a conductor housing of a wellhead, and a method of completing a well having a conductor housing attached thereto, are disclosed. The high pressure seal adapter has a unitary body including a first circular bore extending through the unitary body. The first circular bore has a circular perimeter extending beyond a centerline of the unitary body. The unitary body further includes a second circular bore adjacent the first circular bore and extending through the unitary body. The seal adapter is configured to be installed in the conductor housing. The method includes providing such a high pressure seal adapter and installing the high pressure seal adapter in the conductor housing. |
| US08960308B2 |
Methods and devices for isolating wellhead pressure
A wellhead is provided. In one embodiment, the wellhead includes a plug for sealing a side passage of the wellhead. The plug may include an outer member, an inner member extending through the outer member and coupled to the outer member with at least one degree of freedom of movement relative to the outer member, and a moveable seal disposed around the outer member. In some embodiments, the moveable seal is configured to seal against the side passage in response to being moved on the outer member by the inner member. |
| US08960300B2 |
Remote subsea connection equipment
A subsea connection system includes a support unit with a first connector and a distribution unit including an external frame to be landed on and supported by the support unit and an inner frame that is movable within the external frame. An outwardly facing connector may be connected via a long umbilical to a remote platform. Nevertheless, a nearby installation may be controlled via a short umbilical from another connector and thus the nearby installation does not require a long umbilical connected to the remote platform. |
| US08960299B2 |
Method for disconnecting a device for transferring fluid between the bottom of an expanse of water and the surface, and associated transfer device
A device including a fluid transport pipe (24), a superstructure (16), and a floating barge (18) rotatably mounted on the superstructure (16) about an axis of rotation (A-A′). The pipe (24) includes a hose section (150) wound around the axis of rotation (A-A′) supported by an intermediate structure (20) mounted between the superstructure (16) and the barge (18), between a configuration rotatably driven with the barge (18) about the axis of rotation and a configuration rotatably retained about the axis of rotation (A-A′) by the superstructure (16). During a step of connecting the pipe (24), the intermediate structure (20) is placed in either the driven configuration or the retained configuration, a step of disconnecting the pipe (24) including switching the intermediate structure (20) to the other one of the driven configuration and the retained configuration. |
| US08960298B2 |
Deep set subsurface safety system
A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable linear actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved from an open to a closed position as a result of axial movement of the flow sleeve without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves. |
| US08960295B2 |
Fracture valve tools and related methods
Various embodiments of the present invention disclose enhanced and improved well production tools for increasing the stability of production zones in a wellbore. Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatuses, systems, and processes for efficiently and effectively isolating zones within a wellbore. |
| US08960294B2 |
Methods for monitoring fluids within or produced from a subterranean formation during fracturing operations using opticoanalytical devices
In or near real-time monitoring of fluids can take place using an opticoanalytical device that is configured for monitoring the fluid. Fluids can be monitored prior to or during their introduction into a subterranean formation using the opticoanalytical devices. Produced fluids from a subterranean formation can be monitored in a like manner. The methods can comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising a base fluid and at least one fracturing fluid component; introducing the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture therein, thereby performing a fracturing operation in the subterranean formation; and monitoring a characteristic of the fracturing fluid or a formation fluid using at least a first opticoanalytical device within the subterranean formation, during a flow back of the fracturing fluid produced from the subterranean formation, or both. |
| US08960290B2 |
Method for delayedly crosslinking environmentally friendly fluids
The present invention relates to environmentally friendly delayed crosslinking complexes that are useful in subterranean treatment fluids. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a treatment fluid having a first viscosity and includes: an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying agent, a delayed crosslinking complex having: a metal and a ligand, the ligand having at least one hydroxyl group and at least one carboxylic acid group; and placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the delayed crosslinking complex is compliant and/or the viscosifying agent is compliant. |
| US08960288B2 |
Select fire stackable gun system
A system and method of perforating by stacking a perforating string within a wellbore, then deploying the perforating string to a designated depth for detonating shaped charges in the perforating string. The string can be formed by anchoring a single perforating gun in the wellbore, then landing subsequent guns on one another atop the anchored gun. Wet connects on the ends of the perforating guns enable mechanical engagement of each adjacent gun as well as signal communication through the connections. |
| US08960284B2 |
Methods of hindering the settling of proppant aggregates
Providing a carrier fluid having a density; providing a proppant aggregates having a density higher than that of the carrier fluid; and, providing low-density particulates having a density lower than that of the carrier fluid. Then the carrier fluid, proppant aggregates, and low-density particulates are combined to create a propping fluid. The propping fluid then is placed into a fracture within a subterranean formation wherein the low-density particulates slow the settling of the proppant aggregates within the fracture. |
| US08960281B2 |
Flowbore mounted sensor package
Apparatus including a sensor-containing body is disposable within a flowbore of a downhole tool. The apparatus also comprises an adjustable engagement mechanism that is coupled to the body. The engagement mechanism has a first position that allows the body to move longitudinally through the flowbore, and a second position that prevents movement of the body relative to the flowbore. |
| US08960275B1 |
Pitless well adaptor with high-efficiency flow divider
In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a flow divider in a spool for a pitless adaptor included in a booster station and/or well construction. The flow divider has a generally triangular shaped cross-section that efficiently helps direct water flow from a vertical to a horizontal direction reducing pressure head lost in the spool and thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the system. In various exemplary embodiments, the flow divider may have a variety of cross-sectionals shapes and sizes depending on the size and requirements of the well or booster station. |
| US08960274B2 |
Wellhead tubular connector
Systems and methods are provided that may include employing a lockscrew to provide radial and axial force in connecting tubular members in a mineral extraction system. The lockscrew may be angled relative to the tubular members, at an angle that is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees. Further, the lockscrew may have an end portion which mates with a slot in a locking segment, and the lockscrew and locking segment may be moved from an unlocked to a locked position. In a locked position, the lockscrew exerts force axially downward and radially inward to push the locking segment against a tubular member, locking the member in place. The interconnection between the lockscrew and the locking segment may enable easier installation and may utilize parts which may be easier to manufacture. Furthermore, the angle of the lockscrew may provide improved support for tubular members. |
| US08960272B2 |
RF applicator having a bendable tubular dielectric coupler and related methods
A radio frequency (RF) applicator may be rotated during positioning within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The wellbore may have at least one bend therein. The RF applicator may include a series of tubular conductors, and a respective bendable tubular dielectric coupler rotationally interlocking opposing ends of adjacent ones of the series of tubular conductors to define a tubular antenna. The RF applicator may include at least one RF feed conductor extending within the tubular antenna and connected to the series of tubular conductors. |
| US08960271B2 |
Downhole well communications cable
Communications cable is provided for use in downhole wells wherein the cable will be exposed to a temperature of at least 280° C., the cable including as a component thereof a composition comprising melt-fabricable tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) copolymer and melt flowable polytetrafluoroethylene, said polytetrafluoroethylene by itself having no tensile property and being present in said composition in an amount effective to enable the component to withstand this temperature, with the high temperature exposure of the cable component being effective to thermally transform the composition in the solid state, thereby obtaining epitaxial co-crystallization. |
| US08960270B2 |
Shunt tube flowpaths extending through swellable packers
Shunt tube flowpaths extending through swellable packers. A well system includes a packer assembly including a base pipe and an annular seal element which is swellable in response to contact with a selected fluid, and a shunt tube flowpath extending through the seal element for delivery of a slurry in a gravel packing operation. A swellable packer assembly includes a base pipe; a swellable annular seal element having a shunt tube flowpath extending through a swellable material; and a valve connected to the flowpath and positioned within the swellable material. Another well system comprises a packer assembly including a base pipe and an annular seal element which is swellable in response to contact with a selected fluid; a shunt tube flowpath extending through a swellable material of the seal element; and a connection between the flowpath and a shunt tube assembly, the connection being positioned within the swellable material. |
| US08960268B2 |
Methods for cooling computers and electronics
An exemplary method may include thermally coupling a network of cooling lines to each of a plurality of heat exchangers in a cooling system. The method may also include providing a first connection from a network of cooling lines to a first fluid source and a second connection from the network of cooling lines to a second fluid source for configuring the network of cooling lines in different states. The method may also include delivering cooling fluid through the network of cooling lines to each of the plurality of heat exchangers both when the network of cooling lines is connected only to the first fluid source and when the network of cooling lines is connected to both the first and second fluid sources. |
| US08960266B2 |
Semiconductor wafer transport method and semiconductor wafer transport apparatus
A semiconductor wafer joined to a carrier via a double-faced adhesive tape having an adhesive layer of a heating separation property is heated for removal from the carrier. The double-faced adhesive tape is separated from the semiconductor wafer on a holding table. Thereafter, an air nozzle preliminarily cools the semiconductor wafer for a given time during transportation with a wafer transport section. Upon completion of the preliminary cooling, the semiconductor wafer is placed on a cooling stage to cool it to a target temperature. |
| US08960265B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling variable shell thickness in cast strip
Apparatus and method for continuously casting metal strip includes a pair of casting rolls having casting surfaces with a center portion, edge portions each having average surface roughness between 3 and 7 Ra, and intermediate portion between each edge portion and the center portion, the center portion average surface roughness between 1.2 and 4.0 times the edge portion surface roughness, and the intermediate portions average surface roughness between that of the edge and center portions. The surface roughness of the center portion is tapered across its width, and may be tapered across its width is in stepped zones. The center portion may have surface roughness varied across the surface to correspond to a desired variation in metal shell thickness across the cast strip. The center portion may be at least 60% of the casting roll width, and each edge portion may be up to 7% of the casting roll width. |
| US08960264B2 |
Method and apparatus for controlling variable shell thickness in cast strip
Apparatus and method for continuously casting metal strip includes a pair of casting rolls having casting surfaces with a center portion, edge portions each having average surface roughness between 3 and 7 Ra, and intermediate portion between each edge portion and the center portion, the center portion average surface roughness between 1.2 and 4.0 times the edge portion surface roughness, and the intermediate portions average surface roughness between that of the edge and center portions. The surface roughness of the center portion is tapered across its width, and may be tapered across its width is in stepped zones. The center portion may have surface roughness varied across the surface to correspond to a desired variation in metal shell thickness across the cast strip. The center portion may be at least 60% of the casting roll width, and each edge portion may be up to 7% of the casting roll width. |
| US08960263B2 |
Centrifugal casting method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for centrifugal casting, in which transfer functions are developed relating the fluidity of molten metal, for example iron of varying composition, to casting machine movement for a particular mold in order to cast objects, for example pipe, having desired and uniform characteristics, including wall thickness. Fluidity is calculated for each pour of molten metal based on the measured pour temperature and measured liquidus arrest temperature. A drive system controlled by a programmable logic controller moves the casting machine in accordance with the output of the transfer functions based on the calculated fluidity. |
| US08960259B2 |
Variable screening
In one embodiment, a variable screen includes a generally flat sheet having a front surface, a back surface, and a plurality of elongated slits that extend through the sheet from the front surface to the back surface, wherein the sheet includes a shape memory material that enables the slits to open into openings through which light and fluid can pass when a tensile force is applied to the sheet in a direction generally perpendicular to the slits and further enables the slits and openings to automatically when the tensile force is removed. |
| US08960255B2 |
Film stripping mechanism
A film stripping mechanism, comprising: a base; a platform disposed on the base and having a substrate to be stripped of film placed thereon; a blade disposed above an upper surface of the platform and capable of contacting the substrate to be stripped of film placed on the platform, the platform and the blade being movable relative to each other so as to strip off a film on the substrate to be stripped of film; an automatic alcohol-spraying module contacting the blade for spraying outwards alcohol and allowing the alcohol to flow toward the substrate to be stripped of film along the blade. The film stripping mechanism can improve the yield rate of film stripping and the stripping efficiency, and reduce breakage rate of the substrates. |
| US08960254B2 |
Method and plant for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels
A method and a plant for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels wherein the method includes the steps of: a) building in a building station a substantially cylindrical carcass structure; b) manufacturing in a finishing station a substantially cylindrical sleeve including a tread band applied at a radially outer position with respect to a belt structure including at least one belt layer. Step b) includes the steps of assembling a first belt structure at a first working position on a first auxiliary drum of the finishing station; applying a tread band at a second working position at a radially outer position with respect to a second belt structure previously assembled on a second auxiliary drum of the finishing station, positioning the first auxiliary drum supporting the first belt structure at the second working position; and positioning the second auxiliary drum supporting the substantially cylindrical sleeve thus obtained at a picking position of the finishing station. |
| US08960252B2 |
Tire with radial carcass reinforcement
A passenger vehicle tire, the crown reinforcement of which has three distinct elements, the three distinct elements comprising: a radial carcass reinforcement formed of reinforcing elements connecting the two beads of the tire, a crown belt comprising reinforcing elements parallel to the circumferential direction of the tire, and a crown triangulation layer comprising reinforcing elements making an angle of between 10 degrees and 80 degrees with the circumferential direction of the tire, the reinforcing elements of the triangulation layer having a flattened cross section. |
| US08960249B2 |
Self-inflating tire
A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube connected to a tire and defining an air passageway, the air tube being composed of a flexible material operative to allow an air tube segment opposite a tire footprint to flatten, closing the passageway, and resiliently unflatten into an original configuration. The air tube is sequentially flattened by the tire footprint in a direction opposite to a tire direction of rotation to pump air along the passageway to an inlet device for exhaust from the passageway or to an outlet device for direction into the tire cavity. |
| US08960247B2 |
Pneumatic tire
This invention relates to a pneumatic tire in which an appearance during a final stage of running is good and a heat buildup is low, and more particularly to a pneumatic tire comprising a tread portion (3) having a cap rubber (8) and a base rubber (7), characterized in that a rubber composition comprising not less than 30 parts by mass of carbon black and not less than 2 parts by mass of silica based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component is used in the base rubber (7), and the base rubber (7) has a tensile stress at 300% elongation (M300) of 10-14 MPa and a loss tangent (tan δ) of 0.1 or lower. |
| US08960245B2 |
Pneumatic tire and manufacturing method of pneumatic tire
A pneumatic tire has a tread rubber formed by a nonconductive rubber and a side wall rubber formed by the nonconductive rubber. An outer surface of the side wall rubber is provided with a band-like diametrical conductive portion which is formed by a conductive rubber and extends along a tire diametrical direction. An outer end of the diametrical conductive portion is exposed to a ground-contacting surface or is connected to a conductive rubber member which is exposed to the ground-contacting surface. An inner end of the diametrical conductive portion is exposed to a rim contact region or is connected to a rim strip rubber formed by the conductive rubber. A narrow groove is formed by depressing an outer surface of the diametrical conductive portion and extends in a tire diametrical direction in a side wall portion. |
| US08960244B1 |
Automated lumber retrieval and delivery
An automated lumber handling system laser-scans the top profile of multiple stacks of lumber, each of which contain boards of a unique size. Based on the scanned profiles, the system determines the order in which individual boards from a chosen stack should be transferred to a numerically controlled saw. The saw cuts the boards to proper size, and in the proper sequence to facilitate orderly assembly of a roof truss or prefabricated wall. In some examples, the system lifts individual boards by driving two retractable screws, or some other piercing tool, down into the upward facing surface of the board. A track mounted cantilever, holding the screws and a laser unit, translates over the lumber stacks to retrieve and deliver individual boards and, while doing so, the laser repeatedly scans the stacked lumber profiles on-the-fly to continuously update the profiles. The open cantilever design facilitates replenishing the stacks of lumber. |
| US08960242B2 |
Sealed containers and methods of filling and resealing same
A container and method for filling same. The container includes a penetrable and resealable portion that is resealable, and a container body having a sealed empty chamber in fluid communication with the penetrable and resealable portion for receiving therein a substance. The container also includes a base, a mid-portion, and an upper portion axially spaced from the base on an opposite side of the mid-portion relative to the base. Each of the base and upper portion define a laterally-extending dimension greater than a maximum laterally-extending dimension of the mid-portion. The method of filling the container includes penetrating the penetrable and resealable portion with an injection member and introducing a substance into the chamber, withdrawing the injection member while engaging the base of the body to substantially prevent upward movement of the body, and applying energy to the penetrable and resealable portion to form a gas-tight seal. |
| US08960241B2 |
Cable tie tensioning and cut-off tool
A hand held tool for the tensioning and severing of cable ties, including reciprocating means for tensioning the cable tie tail, locking means to prevent further tensioning upon the attainment of a preselected tension level in the tie tail, and severing means to sever the tie tail from the cable tie head. |
| US08960240B2 |
Twisted ribbon wire guidewire coil
A medical guidewire having distal tip coil that includes a twisted ribbon wire construction. The distal tip coil is mounted to the distal end of the distal core section of the guidewire. The coil is made from a flat ribbon wire with a polygonal, preferably rectangular, cross-section that is twisted along the length of the wire. The twisted, flat ribbon wire creates a tip coil that has a roughened, undulating surface at the outer circumference that, whether coated or bare, is perceptible to the physician or cardiologist when pushing or torquing the guidewire in an interventional procedure. |
| US08960234B2 |
Gas valve unit for a dual circuit burner
A gas valve unit for adjusting a gas volume flow in a dual circuit gas burner of a gas appliance includes a valve body having a gas inlet and two gas outlets; and a control mechanism constructed to adjust the gas volumetric flow supplied to one of the gas outlets in a number of stages and to adjust the gas volumetric flow supplied to other one of the gas outlets in a number of stages. |
| US08960230B2 |
Valve, in particular for a component in microfluid technology
The invention relates to a valve, in particular for a component in microfluid technology, comprising valve bodies (1, 2) which have surfaces (6, 7) intended for contact with each other and which can be moved relative to each other by displacing the contact surfaces (6, 7), wherein channels (4, 5) for the inflow and outflow of a fluid open into one (6) of the contact surfaces (6, 7) and a depression (9) for forming a connection between the channels (4, 5) is provided in the other contact surface (7). According to the invention, a flexible separating film (10), which can be stretched into the depression (9) to form the connection, is arranged between the contact surface (6, 7). |
| US08960228B2 |
Rotary control valve
A control valve comprises a first spool 22, a second spool 24 encircling at least part of the first spool 22 and angularly moveable relative thereto, and a sleeve 32 encircling at least part of the second spool 24, the second spool 24 being angularly moveable relative to the sleeve 32, the first and second spools 22, 24 having first and second series of ports 28, 30 registrable with one another, depending upon the relative angular positions of the first and second spools 22, 24, to control communication between at least a pressure line 16, a return line 18 and a control line 50 provided in or connected to the sleeve 32, the second spool 24 and the sleeve 32 having third and fourth series of ports 66, 68, axially spaced from the first and second series of ports 28, 30 and registrable with one another, depending upon the relative angular positions of the second spool 24 and the sleeve 32, to control communication between at least the control line 50 and the return line 18, and latch means 56 operable to resist movement of the second spool 24 relative to the sleeve 32. |
| US08960223B2 |
Plug valve with an internal check valve
A valve device is provided for controlling air flow. The valve device includes a plug closure member having an interior chamber and a stop device positioned within the interior chamber of the plug closure member. The valve device further includes a check valve having a plate positioned adjacent an inlet opening of the plug closure member and an alignment device attached to the plate and received within a stop opening of the stop device. The check valve is movable between a closed position in which the plate limits passage of a lift air through the interior chamber and an open position in which the plate allows passage of the lift air through the interior chamber. The stop device engages the check valve in the open position. |
| US08960221B2 |
Gas pressure regulating valve
An electromagnetic pressure regulating valve includes a valve body and causes a valve body to move by an electromagnetic proportional solenoid to adjust an opening degree of a valve passage, thereby regulating secondary pressure to target pressure. A pressure return chamber is formed in the housing, and a diaphragm seal is provided at the valve body. The diaphragm seal receives the secondary pressure of the pressure return chamber to cause the valve body to move toward a closed position. A bearing member is provided between the valve body and the housing. In a gap between the valve body and the housing, a high-pressure sealing member is provided closer to the valve passage than the bearing member, and a low-pressure sealing member is provided closer to the bearing member than the high-pressure sealing member. A buffer chamber connected to a secondary port is formed between the sealing members. |
| US08960220B2 |
Liquid mass measurement and fluid transmitting apparatus
A liquid mass measurement and fluid transmitting apparatus includes a container for measurement of a mass of fluid therein. A sensor is coupled to the container which measures a mass of fluid within the container independent of variations of pressure within the container. A diaphragm sensor may be located on the bottom of the container whereby electrical signals representing the mass of fluid within the cylinder are created by movement of the diaphragm caused by the mass of fluid thereon. A pressure equalizer which equalizes the pressure within the container to the pressure on the opposite side of the diaphragm allows the measurement of the mass to occur independent of any variations and pressure within the container. Liquid within the mass of liquid within the container can be accurately measured such that a desired mass of liquid may be transmitted for further use. The liquid may be vaporized and transmitted as a vapor. |
| US08960212B2 |
Hail guard for cars
A hail guard for cars includes a net with a thick mesh applied to a structure having two center rods joined by a hinge, two multiple hinges applied to the free ends of the center rods, and four net-stretching rods hinged to each multiple hinge. Each multiple hinge has pins with vertical axes suited to allow the net-stretching rods to rotate and a rotation pin whose horizontal axis is orthogonal to the center rods, suited to allow the rotation of the set of net-stretching rods. The net-stretching rods are arranged so that two of them, when open, are opposed to each other and two other ones are generically diagonal. Two or more supports are hinged to the center rods and each free end of each support is provided with suction cups or magnets suited to allow the structure to be stably and removably applied to the car roof. |
| US08960210B2 |
Flexible umbrella systems
An umbrella system relating to the general protection of fixed outdoor umbrellas, especially during windy conditions. The umbrella system uses a supportive shaft equipped with a resiliently deformable region allowing omni-directional bending under wind loading. A preferred embodiment of the deformable region comprises a helical spring. |
| US08960209B2 |
Dishwasher and inlet bolt
A dishwasher includes a wash tub enclosing an interior and a clean water feed line which passes through a port of the wash tub into the interior. The feed line has a line end leading from outside to the wash tub. An inlet bolt can be fastened from the interior to the line end and has an axial bore to extend the feed line. The axial bore leads into a plurality of inlet openings which are distributed over a circumference on a circumferential surface of the inlet bolt projecting into the interior. The inlet bolt has an end which faces the interior and is implemented as a cover to protect the axial bore from ingress of splash water. |
| US08960202B2 |
Hair clip apparatus and method
A hair apparatus and hair retention method includes a spine having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spine includes a hole and a peg outwardly protruding from an edge of the spine and substantially along the longitudinal axis of the spine. The spine includes a plurality of protrusions outwardly projecting orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the spine. The hair apparatus further includes a first clip portion including a first connecting mechanism that non-integrally connects the first clip portion with the spine, wherein the first connecting mechanism is positioned at a first end of the first clip portion. The first clip portion includes a first attachment mechanism positioned at a second end of the first clip portion, wherein the first end is at an opposite end from the second end, and thereby the first connecting mechanism and the first attachment mechanism are positioned at opposite ends of the first clip portion. |
| US08960201B1 |
Foot scrubbing device
A foot scrubbing device removes dead or callused skin from a foot. The device includes a handle and a planar panel coupled to and extending from a second end of the handle. The panel has a first face and a second face. A perimeter edge is coupled to and extends around the first face and the second face of the panel. A first abrasive surface is coupled to and covers the first face of the panel. A second abrasive surface is coupled to and covers the second face of the panel. The second abrasive surface has a grit size different than a grit size of the first abrasive surface. |
| US08960200B2 |
Artificial nails including application tabs
A kit including a package containing a plurality of preformed artificial nails having an application tab that removably clings to a surface of the nail, the application tab assembly including a body protruding from the nail, an attachment portion, and, optionally, an adhesive disposed between the body and the artificial nail. The clinging portion of the attachment portion, and the adhesive, if utilized, leaves substantially no residue on the artificial nail when the application tab assembly is removed from the surface of the artificial nail. |
| US08960199B2 |
Smoking article with tobacco beads
A component of a smoking article having tobacco beads. The tobacco beads can be located in a filter and/or a tobacco rod. The filter can be a multi-component filter, wherein an sorbent (preferably upstream) removes at least one constituent from mainstream tobacco smoke passing through the filter and downstream tobacco beads compensates for taste lost to the sorbent. The tobacco beads optionally include flavorants in addition to tobacco particulates. The tobacco beads can be located within a cavity in the filter or within the tow. This component can comprise additional flavors, which are released into the mainstream smoke under ambient conditions. The tobacco beads optionally include binders such as microcrystalline cellulose or other cellulosic material, which can be formed into a paste with tobacco powder and optionally with additional flavors. The paste can be extruded and spheronized to form the tobacco beads. |
| US08960194B2 |
Ventilator for rapid response to respiratory disease conditions
The present specification discloses a ventilator system that can be manufactured quickly with minimal skill requirements and rapidly deployed in response to epidemic respiratory disease conditions. In one embodiment, the ventilator, having a minimal number of controls, is used to give ventilation or mechanical breathing to a patient suffering ARDS. The mechanical ventilation is based on pressure control and has variable pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation. Preferably, the ventilator is rapidly deployable, easy and intuitive to operate, and capable of sustaining at least 75% of epidemic respiratory distress victims who require assisted ventilation until resuming normal breathing. |
| US08960189B2 |
System and method for monitoring a metered dose inhaler
A system and method for dispensing metered doses of medicament to a subject that monitors one or more aspects of the dispensation. The medicament is aerosolized for dispensation to the subject so that the subject can inhale the medicament into his airway. The one or more aspects of the dispensation that are monitored based on ultrasonic energy generated by the aerosolization of the medicament. The one or more aspects of the dispensation that are monitored may include one or more of a number of doses dispensed, a number of doses remaining, whether any medicament remains to be dispensed, and/or other aspects of the dispensation of the medicament. |
| US08960188B2 |
Nebulizer
A nebulizer includes an insertable container and a securing mechanism for holding the container in the nebulizer such that the container can move back and forth but can not be separated. The securing mechanism is formed by a metal unitary part. The securing mechanism forms a transportation lock for holding the container unmovable in the housing in a delivery state of the nebulizer. The securing mechanism forms a cage which encompasses the container. |
| US08960186B2 |
Solar chimney with external solar collector
A solar chimney includes a solar collector which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney. The device may include a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney may be equipped with both internal and external solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir. The solar chimney of the invention provides a convenient and practical way to convert solar energy into electrical power. |
| US08960182B2 |
Device and method for storage and transfer of thermal energy originated from solar radiation based on fluidization of a bed of particles
A device for storage and conveyance of thermal energy for an energy production system apt to receive solar radiation and based on the use of a modular fluidizable granular bed and a heat exchanger associated thereto is described. |
| US08960178B2 |
Cutting chain for a hand-operated implement and hand-operated implement
A cutting chain for a hand-operated implement for cutting metal and mineral materials such as a stone cutter has central connecting links which are connected to one another by lateral connecting links. The central connecting links comprise first central connecting links which each have a drive tooth. The cutting chain has two central connecting links with drive teeth shaped differently to the drive teeth on the first central connecting links; or located a different distance from the leading drive teeth; or having no drive teeth. A hand-operated implement for cutting mineral materials has a drive motor which drives the cutting chain around a guide bar by a drive sprocket. The cutting chain is guided round part of the circumference of the drive sprocket and round a nose sprocket on the guide bar. The drive sprocket or nose sprocket have different first and second areas matched to the cutting chain. |
| US08960175B2 |
Paintball marker with advanced gas release mechanism
A projectile launching device has a knock-open valve that is opened when forced by a hammer to release compressed air and launch a projectile from the device. The projectile launching device has a force control device between the hammer and the knock-open valve that is configured and positioned to provide force translation and control, allowing forces acting on a knock-open valve to be manipulated independently of the speed profile and mass of the hammer. A bolt is used to load a projectile into the barrel before it is launched. Where the hammer is configured to move with the bolt, the force control device allows forces acting on a knock-open valve to be manipulated independently of the speed profile and mass of the hammer and the bolt. The force control device can be a cam surface or a lever, or a lever having a cam surface. |
| US08960173B2 |
Compound bow with rigid deflecting stop
Bow having a centerpiece, two flexurally elastic limbs, a string, at least one string pulley, mounted in one end of a limb and intended for accommodating the string, and at least two cable pulleys, connected rigidly to the string pulley and intended for accommodating and guiding compensating cables, and in each case at least one cable pulley is arranged on both sides of the string pulley, and the subassembly made up of the string pulley and cable pulleys is mounted in a rotatable manner in each case, and at least one deflecting stop is present for the purpose of limiting the deflection of the string, and this deflecting stop, when the string is deflected, strikes against a limb or against a stop element connected rigidly to the limb. |
| US08960168B2 |
Arrangement for cooling of recirculating exhaust gases of a combustion engine
An arrangement for cooling of recirculating exhaust gases of a combustion engine (2) in a vehicle (1). The arrangement comprises a first EGR cooler (14), a driving means (15, 31) adapted to driving air through the first EGR cooler (14) in order to cool the exhaust gases in a return line (11) which are subjected to a first step of cooling in the first EGR cooler (14), and at least one second EGR cooler (19, 20) in which the exhaust gases in the return line (11) are intended to undergo a second step of cooling. The arrangement comprises an air line (16) which extends at least from the first EGR cooler (14) to the exhaust pipe (4) at a location between the turbine (5) and the exhaust-treating component (18a, 18b), which air line (16) is adapted to leading warm air from the first EGR cooler (14) into the exhaust line (4) at said location. |
| US08960164B1 |
Volumetric expansion assembly
A volumetric expansion assembly for increasing the volume of a gaseous fuel through electromagnetic means includes a housing that may be operationally coupled to an engine. A tubular fuel line is operationally coupled to the housing. The tubular fuel line is operationally coupled between a fuel supply and the engine. The tubular fuel line delivers the fuel to the engine. A magnetron is operationally coupled to the housing. The magnetron heats the tubular fuel line so a volume of the fuel in the tubular fuel line is increased. A tubular cooling line is operationally coupled to the tubular fuel line. The tubular cooling line is operationally coupled to a coolant supply. The tubular cooling line cools the tubular fuel line after the tubular fuel line is heated by the magnetron. |
| US08960158B2 |
Method and device for determining a fuel pressure present at a direct injection valve
A method for determining a fuel pressure present at a direct injection valve comprising a solenoid drive comprises (a) detecting a voltage induced in the solenoid drive within a time span comprising a closing point in time of the direct injection valve, and (b) determining the fuel pressure based on the detected induced voltage. Further, a corresponding device, a common rail system, a motor vehicle, and a computer program for determining the fuel pressure of a valve comprising a solenoid drive are provided. |
| US08960157B2 |
Drive device for electromagnetic fuel injection valve
The drive device is configured to, during a time interval between an earlier fuel injection (first fuel injection) and a later fuel injection (second fuel injection), supply an electromagnetic coil with an intermediate current at a voltage with a level of not opening the valve. Further, the drive device sets a voltage application for supplying the intermediate current to initiate before a valve closing in the earlier fuel injection and terminate before half a period of time between a first instant when the valve is closed in the earlier fuel injection and a second instant when a supply of a drive current for opening the valve is initiated in the later fuel injection. |
| US08960156B2 |
Injector sleeve
An injector sleeve adapted to be mounted in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, where the injector sleeve comprises a tapered inner surface which constitutes a sealing surface for an injector, where the hardness of the tapered inner surface is higher than hardness of the outer surface of the injector sleeve. The injector sleeve is produced in a cold forming process. The advantage of the invention is that the injector sleeve is provided with a sealing surface for an injector which is harder than the outer surface of the injector sleeve. In this way, a sealing surface for an injector having small tolerances is obtained without further machining, where the outer surface may be turned to the desired dimensions. |
| US08960154B2 |
Electronic fuel control system
The present invention is concerned with an electronic fuel control system including a carburettor having a throttle bore, a fuel chamber, and at least one fuel circuit extending between the fuel chamber and the throttle bore and controlled by an adjustment member such as a needle, the control system further including an actuator operable to automatically adjust the adjustment member in response to one or more engine operating parameters. |
| US08960149B2 |
Two-cycle engine
A two-cycle engine having a structure in which the shaft center Ccy of the cylinder 3 is offset onto the exhaust port 32 side with respect to the rotational center Ccr of the crankshaft 4, and the offset amount S of the shaft center Ccy with respect to the rotational center Ccr is set greater than 1 mm and less than 6 mm. Furthermore, in this case, the center of gravity of the counterweight 42 of the crankshaft 4 is shifted onto the rear side in the rotational direction with respect to the line passing the rotational center Ccr of the crankshaft 4 and the center Ccp of the crank pin 41. |
| US08960148B2 |
Heat transferring engine valve for fuel conservation
A heat transferring engine valve for an internal combustion engine to increase the combustion efficiency and fuel economy of the engine. The heat transferring valve includes a valve head and a heat transferring member situated at the combustion surface of the valve head and extending toward the combustion chamber. The heat transferring member absorbs heat of combustion during the power stroke of an engine cycle and releases the heat into the combustion chamber during the compression stroke of a succeeding engine cycle, thereby raising the temperature of fuel at the start of combustion. A method for increasing the efficiency of combustion in an internal combustion engine by incorporating at least one heat transferring valve into the engine. |
| US08960143B2 |
Valve drive train arrangement
In a valve drive train device of an internal combustion engine, comprising a phase adjustment device for the adjustment of a phase position between a primary cam and a secondary cam which belong to a same category and which are arranged coaxial with one another, at least one is assigned to a pair of cams for executing a valve lift changeover so as to allow the valve drive train device to be instantly adjusted to a momentary operating situation. |
| US08960132B2 |
Vehicle and control method for vehicle
An ECU executes a program including the steps of carrying out low-load control when an IG OFF operation is performed, when a vehicle is running, and when stop of an engine is not permitted, carrying out gate cut-off control, ending low-load control and gate cut-off control when a brake pedal has been operated, when a vehicle speed is lower than a threshold value, or when a prescribed time period has elapsed since the IG OFF operation, permitting stop of the engine, and carrying out fuel cut control. |
| US08960123B2 |
Coating and curing apparatus and methods
Disclosed are coating apparatus including flow coating and roll-coating that may be used for uniform sol-gel coating of substrates such as glass, solar panels, windows or part of an electronic display. Also disclosed are methods for substrate preparation, flow coating and roll coating. Lastly systems and methods for skin curing sol-gel coatings deposited onto the surface of glass substrates using a high temperature air-knife are disclosed. |
| US08960122B2 |
Apparatus and method for manufacturing absorbent body
An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent body, including a recessed form die formed on a predetermined face of a predetermined member, moving in one direction along a moving path along the predetermined face; a duct disposed in a predetermined position in the moving path, discharging a gas including fluid absorbent fibers from an opening section toward the predetermined face; and a polymer casting member disposed inside the duct, casting a superabsorbent polymer from a casting opening toward a center area of the opening section in a direction along the moving path, wherein in the case of the form die passing the duct position, by the gas being sucked through air intake holes in a bottom section of the form die, the fluid absorbent fibers and the superabsorbent polymer in the gas are stacked in the form die to form an absorbent body, wherein an air pressure inside the duct is made lower than the air pressure outside the duct because of the gas being sucked through the bottom section of the form die, wherein a duct-inner-wall section is inside the duct and is disposed facing an inner wall face of a wall section of the duct with a spacing therebetween, the wall section having a gap between the predetermined face and the opening section of the duct, and an outside air intrudes into the duct along the moving path through the gap, and the duct-inner-wall section restricts the outside air intruding into the duct through the gap flowing into the center area of the duct. |
| US08960121B2 |
Digital system for creating a flexographic printmaster
A relief print master is created by a printhead that moves in a slow scan direction. The nozzles of the printhead jet droplets of a polymerisable liquid on a rotating drum. The different nozzles jet droplets simultaneously on different layers that have different diameters. As a result, the droplets jetted by different nozzles travel over different distances before landing. The effect of this is that the droplets undergo different position lag as they land on the different layers. By rotating the printhead in a plane that is orthogonal to the jetting direction this effect can be compensated for. |
| US08960120B2 |
Micro-extrusion printhead with nozzle valves
A solar cell extrusion printing system includes a printhead assembly having one or more elongated valve structures that are adjustably disposed adjacent to the outlet orifices of selected nozzle channels, and a valve control device for controlling the position of the valve structures to facilitate controllable ink flow through selected nozzle channels of the printhead assembly during the gridline printing process. The printhead assembly defines an elongated opening (e.g., a slot or hole) that that intersects (i.e., passes through) each of the selected nozzle channels, and an elongated member is movably disposed in the slot and is selectively movable between a first (opened) position, in which the valve structure extrusion material is passed by the valve structure through the nozzle channel and out of the printhead, and a closed position, in which the extrusion material is blocked by the valve structure and prevented from passing through the nozzle channel. |
| US08960117B2 |
Method and apparatus to facilitate cleaning marine survey equipment
Techniques are disclosed relating to using a remote operated vehicle (ROV) to facilitate cleaning of a submerged geophysical equipment (e.g., a streamer) being towed behind a tow vessel. The ROV may, in one embodiment, attach a streamer cleaning unit (SCU) to the streamer, where the SCU is configured to clean the streamer. In another embodiment, the ROV may facilitate cleaning by cleaning the streamer itself using a cleaning attachment coupled to the ROV. |
| US08960115B2 |
Water propelled personal craft
A vehicle for use on the water that can be propelled into the air above the water is provided. The vehicle can include a main body, a board provided on the bottom of the main body, a seat, an inlet for receiving a pressurized incoming water stream, a main nozzle positioned to direct a flow of water beneath the board, handlebars having handle conduits, each handle conduit ending in a nozzle for discharging a flow of water out of the handle conduit and rotatable relative to the vehicle, and conduits supported by the main body, the conduits connected to the inlet and positioned to route a first portion of the incoming water stream to the main nozzle and a second portion of the incoming water stream to the handlebars. The water stream can be supplied to the vehicle from an outlet on a personal water craft. |
| US08960112B2 |
Stitching system and method for stitch stop embellishments
Aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for embellishing fabric. In accordance with embodiments, a stitching system for a sewing machine is provided comprising a processor configured to control the sewing machine and a user interface configured to receive a stitch selection corresponding to a set of commands executable by the processor to instruct the sewing machine to sew the stitch selection. The set of commands may comprise a first command to sew a first portion of the stitch selection, a second command to stop sewing after completion of the first portion, and a third command to sew a second portion of the stitch selection after completion of the second command. The systems and methods of the present invention may advantageously allow an operator to create a running sequence of perfectly replicated embellishments. |
| US08960107B2 |
Apparatus for turbulent combustion of fly ash
An apparatus for processing fly ash comprising a heated refractory-lined vessel having a series of spaced angled rows of swirl-inducing nozzles which cause cyclonic and/or turbulent air flow of the fly ash when introduced in the vessel, thus increasing the residence time of airborne particles. Also disclosed is a method of fly ash beneficiation using the apparatus. |
| US08960098B2 |
Trolley braking system
A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a vessel containing a fluid of selected viscosity and having a turbine rotatably mounted on a shaft in the interior. A braking cable is secured to a reel on the turbine shaft outside the cylinder and routed through a pulley to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include turbine blades of adjustable dimensions, so that the braking force may be controlled. The system may also include a counterweight suspended by a retraction cable which is coupled to the turbine shaft to rewind the braking cable on the reel for repeated use. |
| US08960097B2 |
Dynamic loading system for a ride vehicle
A ride vehicle loading interface system to allow guests in wheelchairs to access a ride vehicle and enjoy a ride attraction. The loading interface system includes a plurality of associated ride vehicles moving on a track. At least one ride vehicle including a tray extendable from and retractable into the ride vehicle through an opening, the tray for receiving a wheelchair and for allowing the wheelchair to be positioned in the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle loading interface system including a loading platform moving at about the same rate as the ride vehicle during loading and unloading. |
| US08960094B1 |
Bullet with push-out explosive
A bullet defines a chamber and mechanism for extending an explosive body from the chamber. The chamber has a broader top portion than a lower portion. The bullet further defines a channel passage leading out of the top end of the bullet. The bullet contains the explosive body slidably engaged within the channel passage. A shaft is connected to the body and passes down from the body into the lower portion of the chamber. A thrust plate is connected to the shaft end in the chamber. The thrust plate is spring metal and when the cartridge is fired, the thrust plate rises pushing the body so that it extends from the leading end of the bullet. When the thrust plate rises to the second portion of the chamber, it springs open to prevent subsequent downward motion of the thrust plate and consequently prevents subsequent retraction of the body during flight. |
| US08960091B2 |
Initiator with molded ESD dissipater
An initiator assembly can include an outer body can have a first end, a second end, and an internal passage between the first and second ends. An initiator canister can be joined to the outer body at the first end and can define a charge chamber that includes a pair of pins extending therefrom. An insulative material can be molded within the passage to form an insulative structural member that joins the canister and pins to the outer body and insulates the pins and a portion of the canister from electrical contact with the outer body. An electrostatic discharge dissipater can be formed from an electrically conductive material and can be molded to the outer body. The dissipater can provide a controlled dissipation path for electrostatic discharge energy carried by the initiator assembly. |
| US08960088B2 |
Gravure printing method
A gravure printing method is provided that includes: patterning a substrate to form a printing substrate having a recess portion and a convex portion; forming a first self-assembled monolayer on the surface of the recess portion; forming a second self-assembled monolayer on the surface of the convex portion; filling ink into the recess portion; and transferring the ink filled in the recess portion to a printing object substrate, wherein the first and second self-assembled monolayers respectively formed on the surfaces of the recess portion and the convex portion have different surface energies. |
| US08960082B2 |
Apparatus for steaming and blending food products
An apparatus for steaming and blending food products comprises a container (2) for receiving the food products, the container having a steam inlet (12) and a steam outlet passage (36). A blade assembly (16) is located in the container for blending the food products. The blade assembly (16) comprising a blade support member (18,22) having at least one blade (20) extending there from. The blade support member is located over an opening (14) in the container. The steam outlet passage (36) extends between the container and the blade support member such that steam can exit the container through the opening (14). |
| US08960080B2 |
Foaming nozzle
A foaming nozzle is connected to a gas generating device for generating a high-pressure gas which has a pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure and spouting the high-pressure gas from the tip of the nozzle, and the foaming nozzle foams, while stirring, a liquid located in the direction of the spouting. The foaming nozzle has formed in the tip thereof at least two kinds of spouting holes for spouting the high-pressure gas. At least one kind of spouting hole is formed in a shape different from the shape of the other kind of spouting hole so as to spout the high-pressure gas at a speed different from the speed of the high-pressure gas spouted from the other kind of spouting hole. |
| US08960072B2 |
Multilayer lubrication coating film and internal combustion engine piston using the coating film
A multilayer lubrication coating film is formed on the outer surface of an object to be coated. The multilayer lubrication coating film comprises a lower-layer coating film formed on an outer surface of the object to be coated, and an upper-layer coating film formed on a surface of the lower-layer coating film. The lower-layer coating film has a higher Vickers hardness than the Vickers hardness of the object to be coated. |
| US08960071B2 |
Piston pump with leak diagnostic port
Described are embodiments of a pump having a diagnostic port that enables users and support personnel to diagnose the source of a pump leak. The diagnostic port is monitored visually or with a pressure or liquid detection sensor. In some embodiments, fluid detected at the diagnostic port corresponds to a leak around a circumference defined at an outer sealing surface of a high pressure seal. In other embodiments, fluid detected at the diagnostic port corresponds to a leak around a plunger at the inside diameter of the high pressure seal. Multiple diagnostic ports can be provided to allow separate determinations of leaks about the different portions of the high pressure seal. The embodiments may eliminate the need to disassemble the pump to determine the source of leaks. Thus the effort required to diagnose and repair the pump can be substantially reduced, and fewer misdiagnosed components are ordered or replaced. |
| US08960070B2 |
Sewage suction device
The invention discloses a suction drainage device that comprises: a cylinder sleeve where the inside of the cylinder sleeve is provided with a step hole and the wall of the cylinder sleeve has a waste-discharging outlet; a cylinder liner with a bottom that includes a shaft hole and where the wall of the cylinder liner is provided with a flange; a piston with a piston rod; a cylinder sleeve cover with a step hole along the axis, and the body is also provided with a hanging hole; a cylinder liner lock that clutches the piston rod; a shifting fork assembly that is fixed inside the step hole of the cylinder sleeve cover; a ring shaped cylindrical liner lock seat that includes a slope and a pivot pin; an annular end cover that contains a through hole in its center, wherein: the cylinder liner is located inside the cylinder sleeve, the piston is located inside the cylinder liner; the cylinder sleeve cover is connected to the cylinder sleeve along the axis; the cylinder liner lock seat is located in between the cylinder sleeve and cylinder sleeve cover; the annular end cover caps the cylinder sleeve cover. The invention utilizes the two-stage movement of the piston and the cylinder liner, which greatly reduces the piston stroke without reducing its efficiency. Its advantages include compact structure, convenient operation and high efficiency. |
| US08960066B2 |
Rifle charging handle
An ambidextrously operated charging handle for use with the M16 family of firearms is provided. The charging handle provides a latch mechanism consisting of two extended handles which are in operational communication with each other. Either handle may be independently retracted to disengage the latch mechanism of the charging handle from the host firearms receiver. The spring-biased mechanism of the charging handle is sheltered within the interior of the charging handle thereby protecting it from the elements. Further, an improved axial pin has been provided to secure the handles of the latch mechanism to the grasping portion of the charging handle. |
| US08960064B2 |
Configurable cutter mechanism for a printer and method for configuring a cutter mechanism for a printer
A configurable cutter mechanism for a printer and corresponding methods are provided. The cutter mechanism may comprise a rotary cutter mounted for rotation about a rotation axis and for translation across at least a portion of a width of a paper path perpendicular to the rotation axis. A fixed blade assembly may be provided that is adapted to cooperate with the rotary cutter. The fixed blade assembly may extend across the width of the paper path. A controller may be provided for controlling a variable length of travel of the rotary cutter across the width of the paper path. The paper path runs between the rotary cutter and the fixed blade assembly. |
| US08960063B2 |
Bevel lock assembly for miter saws
The miter saw has a base assembly, a rotatable table rotatably disposed on the base assembly, a saw assembly rotatably supported by the table, and a bevel lock assembly for locking the rotational position of the saw assembly relative to the table. |
| US08960062B2 |
Vise clamping tool for table-type circular sawing machine
A vise clamping tool for a table-type circular sawing machine includes a rotating arm assembly connected to a supporting shaft. The rotating arm assembly has a first rotating arm connected to the supporting shaft and a second rotating arm provided with a clamping component. The second rotating arm is pivotally connected to the first rotating arm around a first pivoting axis oriented along the horizontal direction. |
| US08960057B2 |
C-type pliers
A C-type pliers contains a first elongated jaw including a first recess and a third recess, a second elongated jaw including a second recess and a fourth recess; a first handle further including a first notch, and a second handle including a second notch; a switching unit including a first cover, a second cover, a shaft extending outwardly from the second cover and used to drive the first cover and the second cover simultaneously, the shaft pivots the first handle, the second handle, the first elongated jaw, and the second elongated jaw; a switching unit also including a first retainer, a second retainer, when the first retainer retains in the first recess, the second retainer retains in the fourth recess simultaneously, and when the first retainer retains in the second recess, the second retainer retains in the third recess synchronously. |
| US08960055B2 |
Method for marking a socket
Disclosed is a method for marking a socket. The method includes the steps of providing a socket, making at least one indented mark in the surface of the socket, executing a heat treatment on the surface of the socket, providing at least one colored layer in the indented mark, providing an electroplated layer on the surface of the socket except the colored layer, removing a portion of the electroplated layer from the surface of the socket to form an exposed portion of the surface of the socket, and providing a black-dyed layer on the exposed portion of the surface of the socket. The heat treatment can be executed after the colored layer is provided. |
| US08960046B2 |
Locking device for a vehicle steering system
A locking device for a vehicle steering system, having a steering gear, a servomotor which is adapted to provide a steering assist force, a blocking ring which is assigned to a motor shaft of the servomotor, and a locking member which is adapted to engage in the blocking ring to block rotation of the motor shaft of the servomotor and thereby to lock the steering gear, further provision being made for an actuating member having the locking member adjustably mounted thereon, and the actuating member being adjustable by a drive motor between a blocking position and a release position. |
| US08960045B2 |
Steering device
A steering device includes: a steering shaft; an outer pipe; a first bearing that causes the steering shaft to be rotatable with respect to the outer pipe; and a front body that is disposed in front of the bearing in an axial direction, and the steering shaft; in which a first space into which the steering shaft is capable of being inserted is formed on a radially inner side of the front body, and a second space into which the outer pipe is capable of being inserted is formed on a radially outer side of the front body, and the steering device further includes a release mechanism that releases a relative restraint between the first bearing, a first front end portion, and a second front end portion in the axial direction in a case where the first bearing collides with the front body during the secondary collision. |
| US08960044B2 |
Manufacturing method for a steering column, and steering apparatus that uses that steering column
Construction is achieved that is capable of maintaining overall strength of a cylindrical-shaped steering column, while at the same time making it possible to make the thickness part of the steering column thin. An outer column 10b, which is a column member of a steering column is formed by connecting in the axial direction a main portion 18 made using a light metal alloy with a cylindrical member 19 made of an iron-based alloy by a concave groove 20 that is formed around the outer circumferential surface of the front end section of the cylindrical member 19 engaging with a protrusion 21 that is formed around the inner circumferential surface of the rear end section of the main portion 18. A ring 22 made using a metallic material is fitted and fastened inside the inner diameter side of the cylindrical member 19 in the connecting section between the main portion 18 and the cylindrical member 19. |
| US08960042B2 |
Robot arm assembly
A robot arm assembly includes a supporting arm, first and second mechanical arms, a first driving member, a second driving member, a first transmission mechanism between the first mechanical arm and the first driving member, and a second transmission mechanism between the second mechanical arm and the second driving member. The first driving member drives the first transmission mechanism to rotate the first mechanical arm. The second driving member drives the second transmission mechanism to rotate the second mechanical arm. The first driving member and the second driving member are both carried in the supporting arm and are arranged side by side. |
| US08960037B2 |
Ball screw device, linear actuator and vehicle steering system
A ball screw device has a plurality of spiral raceways. One end and the other end of each raceway is connected via a bridge. An annular flange of a ball nut has a plurality of mounting portions at equal intervals in a circumferential direction. A fixing screw is fitted to each mounting portion. The bridges arranged so as to overlap with the annular flange in position in an axial direction are arranged at positions different in the circumferential direction from positions at which the mounting portions are arranged, and are arranged at unequal intervals in the circumferential direction. |
| US08960036B2 |
Gear coupling device and gear coupling method
A gear coupling device and a gear coupling method reduce a vibration and noise caused at the time of engagement of gears. The gear coupling device transmits power through the engagement of the gears and uncouples the gears from each other by causing at least one of the gears to move in an axial direction of the gear. A determining section determines, on the basis of signals detected by rotation sensors, whether or not an end surface of a tooth of the axially moving gear lies between an end surface of a first tooth of the other gear and an end surface of a second tooth of the other gear. A driving section causes the gear to move in the axial direction on the basis of the determination result of the determining section and causes the gears to be coupled to each other. |
| US08960035B2 |
Rack shaft supporting device and steering system including the same
A rack shaft supporting device includes a support yoke, a plug, an intermediate component, a torque generation spring, and rolling elements. The plug has a plug end portion and plug cam faces formed in the plug end portion. The intermediate component is arranged between the plug and the support yoke in a state where the intermediate component is rotatable relative to the rack housing and movable relative to the rack housing in a pushing direction. The intermediate component has an intermediate opposed portion opposed to the plug end portion and intermediate cam faces opposed to the plug cam faces. The rolling elements are arranged between the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces, and make contact with each of the plug cam faces and the intermediate cam faces. |
| US08960032B2 |
Multi-clutch transmission for a motor vehicle
A multi-clutch transmission for a motor vehicle is provided where a central synchronizing unit includes an axially movable synchronizing member that is arranged on and rotationally locked with a countershaft. In actuated states of the central synchronizing unit, the synchronizing member is displaced axially into engagement with mating portions of two gearwheels that are rotatably arranged on the countershaft. The synchronizing member includes an internal and an external cortical friction surface that axially overlap each other, and the mating portions on the two of the gearwheels are mating conical surfaces. |
| US08960029B2 |
Apparatus, method and system for reducing adhesive wear on a power take-off shaft
A PTO shaft is disclosed that includes an inner shaft having a first spline gear at the proximal end, and a notch proximate to the distal end. The PTO also includes a hollow outer shaft removably disposed over at least a portion including the notch of the inner shaft. The outer shaft comprises a second spline gear configured to mate with the first spline gear. The PTO also includes a self-lubricating sleeve disposed on the notch of the inner shaft and configured to contact both the inner shaft and the outer shaft. The PTO also includes a seal disposed on the inner shaft between the first spline gear and the notch to resist movement of a lubricating oil from the proximal end of the inner shaft to the notch. |
| US08960028B2 |
Method for automatically identifying a material or an object
A method for identifying and/or authenticating a material or an object, especially for the purpose of sorting materials or objects, includes: an excitation step including application of excitation vectors to a material or an object; a detection step in which the responses of the materials or objects subjected to the excitation vectors are detected; and a step of determining at least one item of information relating to the material or object on the basis of the responses obtained and of a pre-established look-up table. These steps will have been preceded by the incorporation, into or on the surface of the materials or objects, of at least one substance selected so as to react to at least one excitation vector and by the generation of a look-up table consisting of a set of one-to-one relationships between a combination of responses and an item of information relating to the material. |
| US08960025B2 |
Force sensor and robot arm including force sensor
A force sensor that detects external force includes a sheath, a pressure member configured to be provided on the sheath, a sensor unit configured to detect force applied to the pressure member, and a slip ring unit configured to supply power or transmit signals through a contact between a brush and a ring. The sensor unit and the slip ring unit are stored in the sheath, and power is supplied or signals are transmitted between the slip ring unit and the sensor unit. |
| US08960023B2 |
Wind turbine blade tester
A wind turbine blade tester includes a pair of linearly reciprocable actuators, such as hydraulic actuators. Each of the actuators is arranged to deliver a stroke to a wind turbine blade being tested. The stroke delivered by each of the actuators provides a controlled force in both the edgewise and flapwise directions. A method for testing a wind turbine blade is also disclosed. |
| US08960018B2 |
Pitot tube traverse assembly
A pressure measurement system for measuring pressure in a conduit has a bluff body extending into the conduit. The bluff body has an upstream opening and a downstream opening. An upstream pitot tube is slidably engaged within the bluff body and has an open end positioned in the upstream opening. A downstream pitot tube is slidably engaged within the bluff body and has an open end positioned in the downstream opening. A differential pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the upstream pitot tube and the downstream pitot tube to measure a pressure difference between the upstream pitot tube and the downstream pitot tube. |
| US08960016B2 |
Method and apparatus for measurement of composition and flow rates of a wet gas
A method for determining the flow rates of a fluid comprising a multi-component mixture of a gas and at least one liquid in a pipe, the method comprising the following steps: a. the permittivity of the multi-component mixture is determined based on an electromagnetic measurement, b. a statistical parameter related to the electromagnetic measurement is calculated, c. the density of the multi-component is determined, d. the temperature and pressure are obtained, e. based on the knowledge of densities and dielectric constants of the components of the fluid mixture, and the result from the above steps a-c, the water fraction of the multi-component mixture is calculated, characterized by a method for determining the liquid fraction and flow rates of the multi-component mixture where f. the liquid fraction is calculated based on the statistical parameter from step b and the calculated water fraction from step e using an empirical derived curve, g. the velocity of the multi-component mixture is derived, and h. based on the step a-g, the flow rate of the individual components of the multi-component mixture is calculated. An apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. |
| US08960006B2 |
Ultrasonic inspection apparatus, ultrasonic probe apparatus used for ultrasonic inspection apparatus, and ultrasonic inspection method
An ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe apparatus including an ultrasonic transducer; a drive element selecting section that selects a required piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer; a signal detecting circuit that detects an electric signal dependent on a reflected echo of an ultrasonic wave emitted from the selected piezoelectric vibrator; a signal processing section that produces data on an internal image of the inspection object based on the detected reflected echo; a second display unit that combines multiple pieces of image data acquired from the signal processing section and displays an integrated visualization data result; and an second input unit that is used to perform an operation command such as a command input to start or terminate an inspection or an a command to set inspection condition. |
| US08960004B2 |
Synchronous one-pole surface acoustic wave resonator
A surface acoustic wave resonator including an input interdigital transducer (IDT), an output IDT, and a pair of gratings with each being spaced from each other by a predetermined distance and attached to a substrate. In at least one embodiment, the distance is equal to one-half of the wavelength of the acoustic wave produced by the input IDT. In a further embodiment, the surface acoustic wave further includes a polymer layer and a biomedical coating covering at least a part of the polymer layer. The surface acoustic wave resonator has uses in the mass sensor and communications fields. |
| US08960001B2 |
Microelectromechanical device having an oscillating mass and method for controlling a microelectromechanical device having an oscillating mass
A microelectromechanical device includes a body, a movable mass, elastically connected to the body and movable in accordance with a degree of freedom, and a driving device, coupled to the movable mass and configured to maintain the movable mass in oscillation at a steady working frequency in a normal operating mode. The microelectromechanical device moreover includes a start-up device, which is activatable in a start-up operating mode and is configured to compare a current oscillation frequency of a first signal correlated to oscillation of the movable mass with a reference frequency, and for deciding, on the basis of the comparison between the current oscillation frequency and the reference frequency, whether to supply to the movable mass a forcing signal packet so as to transfer energy to the movable mass. |
| US08959993B2 |
Device for determining an aerodynamic flow along a wall and controlling a profile of the wall
A device for characterizing the nature of an aerodynamic stream along a wall, the device including multiple temperature-sensitive optical nodes of Bragg grating type distributed along an optical fiber. The device determining the variations in speed of the aerodynamic stream. The nodes are distributed along a fiber placed substantially following the route of a streamline, and the device processing so as to differentiate the temporal and spatial characteristics of the signals of thermal flowrate among the nodes. |
| US08959991B2 |
Method for estimating properties of a subterranean formation
A method for estimating properties of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore provides for injecting a fluid with the plurality of tracer agents wherein each tracer agent is an object of submicron scale, into the wellbore and formation, flowing the fluid back from the subterranean formation and determining the properties of the formation. The properties are determined by analyzing changes in the tracers size and type distribution function between the injection fluid and produced fluid. |
| US08959986B2 |
Apparatus having a roughness measurement sensor and corresponding methods
An apparatus having a roughness sensing system and a roughness measurement sensor, wherein a slide element and a probe tip come to operation, and method of use thereof. The slide element is arranged on an extreme end of a probe pin in the form of a scan-slide element. The probe tip is integrated into the probe pin, and the distance between the scan-slide element and the probe tip is predetermined. The roughness sensing system is a 1D-, 2D- or 3D-scanning system having a parallelogram configuration. The apparatus further has a serving device which enables moving the probe pin together with the scan-slide element and the probe tip jointly over a surface to be scanned. |
| US08959983B2 |
Method for acoustically localizing leaks in piping systems
Method for acoustically locating leaks in underground or aboveground piping systems, in which at least two noise data loggers receiving the leak noise and being arranged in mutual distance from one another are brought in physical contact with the piping system to be examined and measure simultaneously the noise level (dB) and the frequency of a leak, whereas both measured values of frequency and noise level are combined in a single value (ESA), whereas the ESA value is calculated from the decimal logarithm of the frequency of the leak noise multiplied with the logarithmic level value of the leak noise multiplied with a constant factor. |
| US08959982B2 |
Dynamic canine tracking method for hazardous and illicit substances
Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized. |
| US08959979B2 |
Method for evaluating degradation of a particulate matter sensor after an engine start
A system for improving operation of an engine having a particulate matter sensor is presented. The system may be used to improve engine operation during cold starts especially under conditions where water vapor or entrained water droplets are present in vehicle exhaust gases. In one embodiment, particulate sensor degradation is indicated in response to an output of said particulate matter sensor staying below a threshold as engine temperature increases past the dewpoint temperature. |
| US08959977B2 |
Device for setting fastening elements
The invention relates to a device for setting fastening elements, wherein a master shaft rod can be moved via a master motion link into a forward set position in order to be able to set the fastening element also at inaccessible or vertical locations. |
| US08959975B2 |
Method for the production of a cold-rolled profile having at least one thickened profile edge
A method for the production of a cold-rolled profile having at least one thickened profile edge made of a metal strip is provided. For this purpose the metal strip is guided through at least one clamping nip formed by at least one guide roll and at least one lateral edging roll, wherein the roll axis of the guide roll is disposed parallel to the web level of the metal strip, while the roll axis of the edging roll is disposed transverse to the roll axis of the guide roll, and is lined up at an angle to the strip level such that in addition to the upsetting force exerted by the edging roll onto the strip edge a clamping force is also applied that acts on the side of the metal strip facing away from the guide roll. The edging roll may be configured in steps, and surrounds the web edge at least on the side of the metal strip facing away from the guide roll. |
| US08959974B2 |
Fabrication member
A method of making a composite tube-shaped fabrication member by providing in coils a first planar member suitable to form a flange of a tube-shaped fabrication member, two second planar members suitable to form web portions of a tube-shaped frame member, and two third planar members suitable to form a portion of a flange of the tube-shaped member, uncoiling the coils for first, second, and third planar members and passing them through accumulators, aligning the first, second, and third planar members adjacent respective side portions and attaching side portions of each planar member to respective side portions of adjacent planar members to form a composite intermediate product, and cold-forming to form a composite fabrication member of a desired shape. |
| US08959968B2 |
Magnetorheological lubricant for metal forming processes
A forming method includes using at least one forming tool to form a material of a workpiece and using a lubricant between the material and the at least one forming tool. The lubricant has a viscosity that is modifiable by applying or varying a field. |
| US08959965B2 |
Security device for a pedal vehicle
A security device can be secured to a pedal vehicle to prevent the vehicle being pedalled. The security device includes a receiving means and a securing means. The receiving means may include a through-hole means for receiving part of a frame and a pedal crank arm of the vehicle and may have an open configuration in which the frame part and a part of the crank can be placed in the through-hole means, and a closed configuration in which a frame part and crank arm are held in the through-hole means against relative movement therebetween. |
| US08959963B2 |
Security box with attached lock
A security box is provided. The security box has a container part with an integral lock system and a security box lid that is adapted to slide onto a lip at the top edge of the container part of the security box and to fasten to the integral lock system. |
| US08959962B2 |
Washer/dryer
The present invention relates to the items required to be close by while the washer/dryer (1) operates and which are stored in different places by the use can be stored on the washer/dryer (10 by saving space thereby providing easy access. |
| US08959958B2 |
Knitting machine
A knitting machine having needles which are mounted to be longitudinally moveable and having needle cams (14) with a needle control curve (13) for moving the needles, the needle control curves (13), at least in the latch closure region (Z), having a withdrawal angle (α)≦35°. |
| US08959957B2 |
Manufacture of synthetic silica glass
Methods are described for manufacturing silica-based glass, in which silica precursor material is supplied to a synthesis flame in the form of an emulsion. The methods involve the steps of: forming an emulsion of an aqueous phase in a non-aqueous liquid silica precursor material; supplying the emulsion as a spray of droplets into a synthesis flame, whereby the precursor material is converted in the flame into a silica-containing soot; and collecting the soot on a substrate, either as a porous soot body for subsequent consolidation to glass or directly as a substantially pore-free glass. |
| US08959948B2 |
Receiver dryer
A receiver dryer for a motor vehicle air conditioning system includes an elongate housing, the housing having opposite ends and an external wall that extends between the ends, an inlet positioned in a first section of the housing for receiving condensed refrigerant from the condenser unit, an outlet positioned in a second section of the housing for providing dried condensed refrigerant to the condenser unit with a partition dividing the first section from the second section such that the second section is above the first section, a first chamber in the first section containing a desiccant for drying the refrigerant received from the inlet, a second chamber in the second section containing a filter for filtering the dried condensed refrigerant provided to the outlet, and a conduit. |
| US08959947B2 |
Oil balance device, a compressor unit and a method for performing an oil balance operation between a plurality of compressor units
The present invention disclosures an oil balance device and a method for performing an oil balance operation between a plurality of compressor units, which are suitable for air conditioner units comprising at least two parallel connected compressor units. Each compressor unit comprises at least one parallel connected compressors. The oil balance device comprises an oil reservoir, a first pipe, a second pipe, a third pipe and a fourth pipe. The four pipes communicate with the oil reservoir respectively. Each pipe is provided with at least one valve to control the opening and the closing of the corresponding pipe. The first valve and the fourth valve are closed and the second valve and the third valve are opened if the compressor unit is in normal operation; the first valve and the fourth valve are opened and the second valve and the third valve are closed if the compressor unit supplies oil; the second valve and the fourth valve are opened and the first valve and the third valve are closed, or the third valve and the fourth valve are opened and the first valve and the second valve are closed, if the compressor unit receives oil. |
| US08959940B2 |
Refrigeration cycle apparatus
In the invention, control of the expansion device is carried out based on the temperature difference between the refrigerant temperature of the first representative point that becomes a predetermined enthalpy under the refrigerant pressure of the gas cooler and the detection temperature of the outlet temperature sensor, and control of the rotation speed of the compressor and/or the rotation speed of the heat medium sending device is/are carried out based on the second representative point that is, under the refrigerant pressure of the gas cooler, a temperature different from the first representative point. |
| US08959937B2 |
Method for operating a cooling system
In a method for operating a cooling system for cooling food on board an aircraft, a partial amount of refrigerant, which, in the rest state, is stored in a receiving space of a refrigerant container in the gaseous state of aggregation, is discharged from the receiving space of the refrigerant container into a cooling circuit of the cooling system. The partial amount of the refrigerant is directed into a liquefier arranged in the cooling circuit and converted to the liquid state of aggregation. The partial amount of the refrigerant liquefied by the liquefier is directed through a heat exchanger arranged in the receiving space of the refrigerant container. The remaining refrigerant, stored in the receiving space of the refrigerant container in the gaseous state of aggregation, is converted to the liquid state of aggregation by heat energy transfer to the partial amount of the refrigerant flowing through the heat exchanger. |
| US08959934B2 |
Supercooling system
The present invention relates to a supercooling system and a method for displaying a supercooled state which can accurately display a supercooled state of a stored object in spite of the external influence. The supercooling system includes a cooling apparatus including a storing unit storing a stored object, a cooling means cooling the storing unit, and a main control unit receiving external commercial power and controlling the cooling means to maintain the temperature in the storing unit at a temperature below at least the maximum ice crystal formation zone, and a supercooling apparatus including an independent storage room having a storing space therein to store an object and mounted and cooled in the storing unit, a temperature sensing unit sensing the temperature of the independent storage room, a temperature control means mounted in the independent storage room and controlling the internal temperature, a display unit displaying the state of the current control, and a sub-control unit controlling the temperature control means based on the sensed temperature from the temperature sensing unit to store the object received in the independent storage room in a supercooled state, and displaying the state of the stored object on the display unit with the proceeding of the cooling of the stored object or the storing space. |
| US08959930B2 |
Method and apparatus for treating boil-off gas in an LNG carrier having a reliquefaction plant, and LNG carrier having said apparatus for treating boil-off gas
Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for treating boil-off gas generated in an LNG storage tank of an LNG carrier for transporting LNG in a cryogenic liquid state, the LNG carrier having a boil-off gas reliquefaction plant, wherein an amount of boil-off gas corresponding to a treatment capacity of the reliquefaction plant among the total amount of boil-off gas generated during the voyage of the LNG carrier is discharged from the LNG storage tank and reliquefied by the reliquefaction plant. The boil-off gas treating method and apparatus can maintain an amount of boil-off gas discharged from an LNG storage tank at a constant level by storing in the LNG storage tank, instead of discharging and burning, surplus boil-off gas which has not been returned to the LNG storage tank through the reliquefaction plant among the total amount of boil-off gas generated in the LNG storage tank, and can prevent waste of boil-off gas and save energy by allowing an internal pressure of the LNG storage tank to be increased. |
| US08959929B2 |
Miniaturized gas refrigeration device with two or more thermal regenerator sections
The size of a miniature cryocooler (100) operating on the Stirling refrigeration cycle is further reduced by shortening a first thermal regenerator module (R) disposed on a cold side of a thermal barrier (T) and providing a second thermal regenerator module (R1) disposed on a warm side of the thermal barrier (T). A thermally insulated fluid flow passage (172) is disposed to interconnect the first and second regenerator modules to thermally insulate the fluid passage (172). In combination, the first and second regenerator modules provide 100% thermal regenerator effectiveness in the device. |
| US08959927B2 |
Pitot tube with increased particle separation for a compressor bleed system of a gas turbine engine
A pneumatically actuated valve includes a valve body, a pneumatic actuator, and a pitot tube. The valve body includes a valve disc positioned in a valve housing that defines a flow passage with a flow passage diameter. The pneumatic actuator rotates the valve disc in the valve housing. The pitot tube is connected to the pneumatic actuator and has a tip extending into the flow passage. The tip is spaced apart from the valve housing by at least 1/20 of the flow passage diameter. The tip is substantially free of downstream obstructions for a distance equal to at least ½ of the flow passage diameter when the valve is in an open position. |
| US08959922B2 |
Fuel nozzle with flower shaped nozzle tube
A fuel nozzle including a nozzle tube and a nozzle outlet opening is provided. The nozzle tube is connected to a fuel feed line for feeding a fuel to the nozzle tube, wherein the fuel is fed from the nozzle outlet opening to an annular air stream surrounding the fuel nozzle, wherein a first nozzle tube section that extends up to the nozzle outlet opening is designed in a floral pattern in such a way that the fuel may be fed substantially coaxially into the air stream. |
| US08959921B2 |
Flame tolerant secondary fuel nozzle
A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of primary nozzles configured to diffuse or premix fuel into an air flow through the combustor; and a secondary nozzle configured to premix fuel with the air flow. Each premixing nozzle includes a center body, at least one vane, a burner tube provided around the center body, at least two cooling passages, a fuel cooling passage to cool surfaces of the center body and the at least one vane, and an air cooling passage to cool a wall of the burner tube. The cooling passages prevent the walls of the center body, the vane(s), and the burner tube from overheating during flame holding events. |
| US08959918B2 |
Hybrid construction machine
A hybrid construction machine has an electric motor for driving the swing structure, and the electric motor is prevented from becoming incapable of generating torque due to a low energy state or an overcharged state of an electricity storage device. A swing-mode selector switch 77 which is manually operated switches between a hydraulic/electric combined swing mode for driving the swing structure by driving both the electric motor and a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic solo swing mode for driving the swing structure by driving only the hydraulic motor. For a normal operation, the swing mode is initially set in the hydraulic/electric combined swing mode. For a specific operation, the operator switches the swing-mode selector switch from a hydraulic/electric combined swing position to a hydraulic solo swing position. |
| US08959911B2 |
Engine assembly including fluid control to boost mechanism
A powertrain assembly includes an internal combustion engine, a boost mechanism and a fluid supply mechanism. The boost mechanism is in communication with an air source and the internal combustion engine. The fluid supply mechanism includes a first accumulator in communication with a pressurized fluid supply from the internal combustion engine and the boost mechanism. The accumulator receives pressurized fluid from the internal combustion engine during engine operation and provides the pressurized fluid to the boost mechanism during an engine off condition. |
| US08959909B2 |
Vehicle brake system
In a brake-by-wire vehicle brake system using a feedback control unit (12a, 12b, 31, 36, 45) for producing a brake fluid pressure according to a brake input, a response restricting unit (26, 39, 48) restricts a response property of the feedback control unit when an extraneous brake fluid control operation is detected. Thereby, the control unit is prevented from excessively reacting to changes in the brake fluid pressure caused by the extraneous brake fluid control operation, and the vehicle brake system can provide a highly responsive property and a resistance to changes in the brake fluid pressure at the same time. |
| US08959906B2 |
Gas boosters
One or more examples of the gas boosters described herein aim to provide a light weight gas booster configured to produce high output pressure levels at high volumes. Generally described, one or more examples of the gas boosters reduce the dead volume in a piston assembly, thereby increasing the ratio of the output pressure to the input pressure. In that regard, several examples of the gas boosters disclosed herein have a first check valve as a disk-type check valve or the like and a second check valve as a ball-type check valve or the like. Furthermore, one or more examples include an inwardly acting cam configured to convert rotary motion to reciprocating motion by an inner surface thereof. |
| US08959899B2 |
SCR system and method for the purging thereof
SCR system for treating the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, this system comprising a line for feeding a urea solution into the exhaust gases and a pump capable both of feeding the urea solution into the exhaust gases and of purging at least one part of the line by sucking a gas therethrough by means of a suction device, this system also comprising a control unit capable of activating and/or deactivating the operation of the pump and that of the suction device in a sequential manner in the course of one and the same purge procedure. |
| US08959898B2 |
Regeneration methods and systems for particulate filters
A method of regenerating a particulate filter of an exhaust system is provided. The method includes determining a first regeneration mode based on a soot level; generating control signals to a first fuel injector associated with an engine based on the first regeneration mode; determining a second regeneration mode based on the soot level; and generating control signal to a second fuel injector associated with an exhaust stream of the exhaust system based on the second regeneration mode. |
| US08959897B2 |
Exhaust gas purification apparatus in an internal combustion engine
An apparatus that raises temperature of a post-catalyst at an early time while suppressing reducing agent poisoning of the post-catalyst and discharge of a reducing agent into the outside when a pre-catalyst and the post-catalyst are arranged in series in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine in order from an upstream side thereof. The pre-catalyst is arranged to allow an exhaust gas to flow between an outer peripheral surface thereof and an inner peripheral surface of the exhaust passage. A reducing agent addition valve adding a reducing agent to allow the reducing agent to pass through the pre-catalyst is arranged immediately upstream of the pre-catalyst in the exhaust passage. Further, a retention catalyst is arranged in the exhaust passage between the pre-catalyst and the post-catalyst, to temporarily retain the reducing agent in the exhaust gas. |
| US08959893B2 |
Guidance output device, guidance output method, and construction machine equipped with guidance output device
A guidance output device, which outputs guidance for improving fuel economy when an energy wasting operation is detected in a construction machine that is provided with an exhaust gas purifying device for an internal combustion engine, includes a regeneration process determining unit that determines whether a regeneration process is in progress in the exhaust gas purifying device. It also includes a guidance output restriction unit that restricts an output of the guidance for energy saving by the guidance output unit when the regeneration process determining unit determines that the regeneration process is in progress in the exhaust gas purifying device. |
| US08959889B2 |
Method of varying a fan duct nozzle throat area of a gas turbine engine
A method of varying a fan duct nozzle throat area of a gas turbine engine includes pivoting a fan nozzle outwardly relative to a longitudinal axis of the gas turbine engine. The fan nozzle is configured to move axially non-contemporaneously with the pivoting of the fan nozzle. |
| US08959887B2 |
System and method for high efficiency power generation using a carbon dioxide circulating working fluid
The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured. |
| US08959882B2 |
Guiding element arrangement for mower
A mower has one central and at least one laterally arranged mowing device. The mowing devices each have a mower structure having mowing knives that are drivable in rotation underneath the mower structure about a vertical rotation axis. The ends of the mowing knives describe a circular path, and a guiding element is arranged on at least one laterally arranged mowing device underneath the mower structure, the guiding element at least partially surrounding the circular path and extending downwardly from the mower structure such that cut material cut by a mowing knife is retained or guided away by the guiding element. In order to make the distribution of the mown material more regular during mowing or to avoid accumulations of mown material, the guiding element is arranged in a circular path section that is located at the front in the mowing direction and at least one recess is formed in the guiding element, the recess having a first section which is located between the central mowing device and a plane that extends in the mowing direction and in the direction of the rotation axis, and comprising a second section which is located between the same plane and one side of the mower. |
| US08959879B2 |
Vertical bag-manufacturing and packaging machine
A vertical bag-manufacturing and packaging machine includes a feeding unit having an upstream tube portion, an opening/closing mechanism, and a downstream tube portion. The upstream tube portion is configured and arranged to downwardly convey the article. The opening/closing mechanism is disposed on a downstream side of the upstream tube portion with a gap being formed between a downstream end of the upstream tube portion and an upstream end of the opening/closing mechanism, and configured and arranged to selectively open or close to selectively discharge or hold the article discharged by the upstream tube portion. The downstream tube portion is disposed on a downstream side of the opening/closing mechanism, and configured and arranged to downwardly convey the article discharged by the opening/closing mechanism, the downstream tube portion having an internal diameter that is larger than an internal diameter of the upstream tube portion. |
| US08959871B2 |
Modular post covers
A modular system includes a plurality of polymeric panels, each panel having a thickness, a length, and first and second opposing parallel side edges defining a width. The first side edge of each panel includes a lengthwise receptacle, while the second side edge of each panel including a lengthwise bead. The bead and receptacle are physically dimensioned such that the receptacle of one panel receives the bead of another panel in interlocking cooperation, thereby enabling multiple panels to be interconnected to surround a vertical member. In one embodiment, each elongated receptacle includes a lengthwise cylindrical cavity having an inner diameter accessed through a lengthwise slot having a width less than the diameter of the cavity. Each elongated bead is a lengthwise cylindrical bead having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the cavity, such that the bead is received by the cavity. A different embodiment uses interlocking barbs. |
| US08959869B2 |
Stud bracket for temporary wall
An expandable stud bracket for attachment to a 2×4, 2×6, or 4×4 board for construction of a temporary structure of support is disclosed. An embodiment of the bracket includes a receiving portion for securing the bracket to a stud, an adjustable portion opposite the receiving portion and having an extendable rod, an engagement plate attached to an end of the rod and an anchor attached to an end of the rod opposite the engagement plate and for limiting extension of the rod from the bracket, and a locking mechanism attached to the rod for preventing retraction. Optionally, a detachable foot portion may be used as part of the entire disclosed expansion system. Preferably, the extendable rod is threaded and the locking mechanism comprises a nut which can be tightened using a lever. The bracket may also accommodate angled surfaces. |
| US08959861B1 |
Seam free water impermeable construction materials providing non-toxic installations
A water impermeable structure comprising a plurality of construction boards fastened to a structure or a building. Each construction board comprises a curable substrate and a water impermeable seamless resilient membrane adhered to the curable substrate. The water impermeable seamless resilient membrane comprises one or more flaps that extend beyond the curable substrate. The flaps affix to the adjoining construction board creating a water impermeable structure and a water impermeable structure with at least one water impermeable area. |
| US08959856B2 |
Building assembly with a corner profile for an insulating building system
The present invention concerns a building assembly comprising joining profiles provided with profile contact sides, a corner profile provided with corner profile contact sides, and insulation panels orientated in two planes wherein the joining profile contact sides and the corner profile contact sides are adapted for receiving opposite contact sides of the insulation panels, such that the insulation panels are retained between the corner profile and the joining profiles. |
| US08959852B2 |
Methods and systems of interior window framing
An interior window framing system comprising a standardized frame having predetermined dimensions proportionate to a standard window. |
| US08959851B1 |
Manufactures, methods and structures to reduce energy transfer in buildings
A manufacture for reducing thermal transfer through windows has a composite metal/nonmetallic frame and/or a composite vent surround. The metallic and non-metallic components are modular and selectively coupled, such that a range of variations to accommodate different applications may be inter-coupled via common interfaces. |
| US08959850B2 |
Wall entry tunnel for a pet door
A wall entry tunnel for use with a pet door. The wall entry tunnel extends through a structural feature and forms an enclosed passageway connecting the interior and exterior frames of a pet door. The length of the wall entry tunnel adjusts to fit structural features of various thicknesses. The wall entry tunnel includes modular components that facilitate compact packaging and are readily assembled to construct the enclosed passageway with a perimeter sized to match the size of the pet door opening. |
| US08959843B2 |
Telescoping frame system for portable home or other structure
A telescoping frame system comprising a non-telescoping frame with a longitudinal side, first and second attachment arms; a main arm that is parallel to the longitudinal side of the non-telescoping frame; a first pivot arm with a top surface that acts as a rail for a first roller wheel; a second pivot arm with a top surface that acts as a rail for a second roller wheel; and first and second brace arms that maintain each pivot arm at a ninety-degree angle to the longitudinal side of the non-telescoping frame when the first pivot arm is fully extended. The first and second pivot arms are pivotally attached to the first and second attachment arms, respectively. The first roller wheel is pivotally attached to a first end of the main arm, and the second roller wheel is pivotally attached to a second end of the main arm. |
| US08959838B1 |
Cargo vehicle security system and method of use
A vehicle door security system comprising at least one deadbolt and respective operational elements, wherein the deadbolt secures at least one of a pivoting door and a roll up cargo door. The deadbolt toggles between an engaging configuration and a released configuration. The deadbolt can include an inertial release mechanism that disengages the deadbolt from the engaging configuration when the vehicle is subjected to a sudden impact. Alternatively, the deadbolt can be opened using a manual release mechanism located externally from the vehicle. |
| US08959837B2 |
Automatically sealing panel system
A sliding panel system can include a sealing mechanism such that, when a panel is slid to a closed configuration, one or more seal elements form a seal between the door panel and its surroundings at the top, bottom, and/or sides of the panel to reduce or prevent infiltration or communication of gases or liquids such as air or water. Manual or motor driven movement of the panel can move an actuation mechanism to extend the seals around the panel. The sealing member can include weather stripping, brush or another seal element for sealing contact with a header, floor, door, frame, or other surface. Multiple panels can be arranged to form a door panel system or a window panel system. |
| US08959833B2 |
Methods of seed breeding using high throughput nondestructive seed sampling
The present invention provides for novel methods to facilitate germplasm improvement activities through the use of high throughput, nondestructive sampling of seeds. A method of evaluating seeds for a desired trait, for example, for facilitating germplasm improvement activities, etc., generally includes removing tissue samples from individual seeds using an automated seed sampler without affecting germination viability of the seeds, analyzing the tissue samples for one or more characteristics indicative of a desired trait, and selecting the sampled seeds that include the desired trait. |
| US08959832B2 |
Weed control and root barrier
A weed control root barrier includes a polymeric sheet material having spaced apart nodules or disks comprising a polymer containing a herbicide. The sheet is porous to permit free passage of water. It may be a non-woven fabric of non-biodegradable polyolefin material. Diffusion of the herbicide directly into the soil is controlled by a barrier material coated on selected portions of the nodules or disks. In one embodiment, essentially all the herbicide in the nodules or disks is directed into the soil via long term migration through and away from the sheet. The barrier layer is coated on portions of the nodules or disks facing the back surface of the carrier to block release of the herbicide to areas of the soil where it is not needed. Exposed surface portions of the nodules can be coated with the barrier material, leaving uncoated sides of the nodules from which herbicide may be released into the soil along a narrow zone of protection generally parallel to the front face of the carrier. |
| US08959831B2 |
Insect trap
The invention relates to an insect trap (10), which mimics certain characteristics of a mammal and comprises a housing comprising a base (22) and a cover (24). The pad generates an infrared heat source (14) and can also generate water vapour (16). The trap has an insect retention surface (18) and is characterized in that the cover is positioned over the base in a manner such that it defines an opening (50) around the base/cover interface (52). The opening has a depth (d) of less than 1.5 cm and is sized and positioned such that at least one attractant signal (14′, 16′) is directed out of the opening in a manner allowing effective operation for at least 8 hours. |
| US08959828B2 |
Line connector apparatus
A line connector apparatus for removably engaging a flexible line to an article, the apparatus including a beam with an external surface, the beam also including a flexible line end and an opposing article end. The apparatus has a void disposed partially within the flexible line end and the void is also partially formed from an open channel adjacent to the external surface. The void having a slip fit clearance with the flexible line, wherein the void communicates therethrough the flexible line end and the void receives the flexible line allowing the flexible line to be manually feed therethrough the void. The apparatus includes structure for selectively compressing the flexible line that is positioned within the open channel to change the slip fit clearance to an interference fit and the opposing article end is attached to the article. Operationally, the flexible line is affixed to the article via the beam. |
| US08959827B1 |
Enhanced action fishing lures
An enhanced action fishing lure includes a lure body having a first side lure body surface and a second side lure body surface and at least one action bump protruding from one of the first side lure body surface and the second side lure body surface. |
| US08959826B2 |
Waterfowl decoy system and apparatus
A flying decoy assembly that simulates the landing characteristics of waterfowl is provided. The simulated landing characteristics may include, but are not limited to, whiffling, gliding, floating, dipping, and/or flapping motions. The system generally comprises a waterfowl decoy pivotally interconnected to a stand. The decoy system can be used over water or in the field. |
| US08959824B2 |
Apparatus and method for calculating aiming point information
The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets. |
| US08959823B2 |
Ranging methods for inclined shooting of projectile weapons
A method for shooting a projectile weapon involves determining the inclination of a line of sight from a vantage point to a target and a line-of-sight range to the target, then predicting a trajectory parameter at the line-of-sight range, for a preselected projectile. Using the trajectory parameter, an equivalent horizontal range may then be determined, wherein the equivalent horizontal range is the range at which the trajectory parameter would be expected to occur if the projectile were shot from the vantage point toward a theoretical target located in a horizontal plane intersecting the vantage point. The equivalent horizontal range may be utilized to compensate for ballistic drop when shooting the projectile weapon. The method may be embodied in a handheld laser rangefinder including a memory for storing ballistic data. Systems for automatic hold over adjustment in a weapon aiming device are also disclosed. |
| US08959820B2 |
Handguard for firearm
A handguard or other cover for a firearm includes a shell or body with a hollow interior cavity and a retaining structure configured to engage the forearm and retain the shell in place on the forearm, where the retaining structure is releasable to permit removal of the shell from the forearm. The shell extends between first and second edges around an angular range greater than 180° and less than 360° to define the shell in a semi-tubular shape or a C-shape. The shell may have a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface extending between the first and second edges. The first edge is spaced from the second edge to define a gap providing access to the interior cavity, and the shell is configured to be connected to a forearm for the firearm by inserting the forearm within the interior cavity. |
| US08959819B2 |
Safety device for a striker fired weapon
The safety device provides an added measure of safety to striker fired semi-automatic pistols. The safety device includes a contact member in the form of a sliding bar or pivoting lever, that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, such that the contact member operatively blocks the movement of one of the fire control mechanism components to prevent discharge of the weapon but only when the contact member is manually held in an engaged position. The user manipulates and physically holds the contact member in its engaged position by pressing a thumb plate or button located at the rear of the slide. Safety devices of this invention only affect the fire control mechanism of the pistol while the user actively engages, that is physically presses, on the thumb plate or button of the safety device to move the contact member into its engagement position, and must physically maintain pressure on the thumb plate in order to hold the contact member in its engaged position to block the movement of the fire control components. |
| US08959814B2 |
Poster clamp, and system and method using same
A poster clamp (1) comprising first and second members (3, 5), the members (3, 5) comprising first and second gripping surfaces (7), respectively, for gripping opposing sides of a poster or a like, and a poster mounting system comprising a hoarding (208) and a plurality of such clamps (1), and a wire (210) on which the clamps (1) are to be mounted for tightening a poster within the frame of the hoarding (208). |
| US08959813B2 |
Display system including convertible fixture
A convertible fixture includes a support structure and a vertical extender. The support structure includes a pair of vertical supports, each defining an open top end. The vertical extender is adjustably coupled with the support structure and includes side arms and a middle bar. The side arms extend substantially parallel to each other and each defines a top end. Each side arm is formed with a single closed shape cross section and is slidably received within a different vertical support of the pair of vertical supports. The middle bar extends between the side arms and includes two substantially parallel rails defining an elongated slot between the substantially parallel rails. The elongated slot extends along a majority of a length of the middle bar. The side arms and the middle bar are formed as a single, unitary component. |
| US08959810B1 |
Powered tree construction
A power transfer system to facilitate the transfer of electrical power between tree trunk sections of an artificial tree is disclosed. The power transfer system can advantageously enable neighboring tree trunk sections to be electrically connected without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. Power distribution subsystems can be disposed within the trunk sections. The power distribution subsystems can comprise a male end, a female end, or both. The male ends can have prongs and the female ends can have voids. The prongs can be inserted into the voids to electrically connect the power distribution subsystems of neighboring tree trunk sections. In some embodiments, the prongs and voids are designed so that the prongs of one power distribution subsystem can engage the voids of another power distribution subsystem without the need to rotationally align the tree trunk sections. |
| US08959807B2 |
Edge protector for ground engaging tool assembly
An edge protector for mounting to a lip of a ground engaging tool and shielding an edge of the lip is disclosed. The edge protector may include a tip configured to extend forward from the edge of the lip of the ground engaging tool. The edge protector may also include a first mounting leg extending rearward from the tip. Additionally, the edge protector may include a second mounting leg extending rearward from the tip and spaced from the first mounting leg by a recess configured to receive the lip of the ground engaging tool between the first mounting leg and the second mounting leg. The first mounting leg may include a lock cavity configured to house a lock in such a manner that the lock is sandwiched between the first mounting leg and the lip of the ground engaging tool. |
| US08959805B2 |
Machine having dipper actuator system
An actuator system for a machine includes a hydraulic actuator connected to a dipper of the machine, and a hydraulic system fluidly connected to the actuator and configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator. A component of the hydraulic system is mounted on the dipper. The system also includes an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position. The actuator is operable to move the overcenter link in a first direction, thereby transitioning the door from the closed position to an open position. |
| US08959804B2 |
Footwear sole sections including bladders with internal flexibility sipes therebetween and an attachment between sipe surfaces
A shoe or other footwear, including a footwear or orthotic sole, including a sole section with an outer bladder having a uppermost surface curved concavely in a U-shape relative to an intended wearer's foot location in the device, as viewed upright and unloaded in a frontal plane. The outer bladder forms a component of the sole section. An inner bladder includes a gas located inside and is substantially surrounded on at least the top, bottom and sides by the outer bladder. The outer bladder and inner bladder are separated by an internal sipe. The sipe is formed by an inner surface of the outer bladder and an outer surface of the inner bladder. An attachment is provided between the surfaces of the sipe and located in an upper, central portion of the sipe between sidemost extents of the outer surface of the inner bladder, viewed in a frontal plane cross-section. |
| US08959803B2 |
Footwear with two tongues
According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed of articles of footwear or foot-receiving devices having inner and outer tongues, such as double tongue snowboarding boots, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, an article of footwear or foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes a housing member at least partially defining a chamber for receiving a foot. An inner tongue is coupled to the housing member. An outer tongue is coupled to at least one of the inner tongue and the housing member. Other aspects of the present disclosure relates to methods. An exemplary method of wearing an article of footwear (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.) generally includes tucking a portion of a wearer's pants leg generally between inner and outer tongues of the snowboarding boot. Another example method includes inserting a foot through an opening of a housing member of a foot-receiving device (e.g., snowboarding boot, etc.), that also includes first and second tongues. |
| US08959801B1 |
Impact force attenuating, energy dissipating ankle and foot protector accessory for hockey players
An ankle and foot protector accessory for hockey players includes a front flexible vertically elongated rectangular instep protector pad constructed of fabric laminations having formed therebetween a vertical series of laterally elongated pockets, each holding an impact force attenuating shield made of a strip of hard, elastic material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Flexible laminated ankle protector pads protruding from opposite vertical sides of the instep protector pad are bendable over opposite sides of a skate and releasably secured by a strap and buckle protruding from opposed pads. Each ankle protector pad has a pocket holding an impact force attenuating shield consisting of a circular meniscus-shaped, outwardly convex shell made of an elastic material such as HDPE, which. reversibly deforms into a concave shape upon impact, thus attenuating forces transmitted to the ankles. Optionally, one or more shields may be backed by a resilient material such as a gel. |
| US08959797B2 |
Custom article of footwear and method of making the same
The present invention teaches a method of making a custom article of footwear. Further, the article of footwear can include a spring element that can provide improved cushioning, stability, and running economy. In addition, the components of the article of footwear can be selected from a wide range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired. |
| US08959796B2 |
Footwear
A shoe that includes a shoe sole having a medial side and a lateral side, a top insole surface for placement of the foot sole and toes thereon and a bottom outsole surface. The shoe sole has a plurality of toe extensions projecting below the toes. Each toe extension is configured to support and retain at least one toe. Preferably there are five toe extensions, one for each toe. A shoe upper overlays the arch region, is attached to the lateral side and the medial side of the shoe sole and extends toward the toes. The upper is joined to the insole of each toe extension to partially encircle the toe(s) supported and retained on such toe extension, and leaving at least the front region of all the toes exposed. |
| US08959792B2 |
Dryers that adjust power based on non-linear profiles
Systems and methods are provided for controlling a dryer of a printing system. The system comprises a controller and a sensor. The controller is operable to determine a speed of a web of print media traveling through a dryer, and to apply power to a heating element of the dryer based on a power profile that models a non-linear relationship between power applied to the heating element and speed of the web. The controller is further able to determine a type of media for the web, and to select the power profile based on the type of media. |
| US08959791B2 |
Apparatus for flat drying garments
An apparatus includes a canister having a front panel. The front panel has a slit extending across a width of the panel. The canister is operable for being supported from a first vertical surface. A spring-loaded axle is operable for rotating in a first direction to generate a tension sufficient to rotate the axle in a second direction. Caps are joined to the canister for substantially enclosing the axle within the canister. A netting supports wet garments to lay flat. The netting comprises a first end and a second end. The first end is joined to the axle with the second end protruding from the slit. A hem bar is joined to the second end of the netting. Means secures the hem bar to a second vertical surface. A tension knob is joined to the end of the axle and is operable for adjusting a level of the tension. |
| US08959789B2 |
Tunnel-type rotary-drum tumble dryer
A tunnel-type rotary drum tumble dryer includes a cabinet (1) with a loading door (2) and an unloading door (3) on opposite sides, and a drum (4) arranged inside the cabinet (1) for rotating with respect to a horizontal or inclined geometric axis (E). The drum (4) has a revolution wall (5) around the axis (E), and end openings (5a, 5b) at opposite ends facing said loading and unloading doors (2, 3). The tumble dryer also includes an air circulator that includes an air inlet (8) facing one of the end openings (5a, 5b) of the drum (4) and an air outlet (9) adjacent to the other end opening (5a, 5b) of the drum (4) for creating an axial flow of drying air inside and from one end to another of the drum (4) through the clothing tumbling inside the drum (4). |
| US08959786B2 |
Pedal measurement gauge
An apparatus and method for measuring pedal distances within a vehicle. The apparatus includes a first block for engaging an accelerator pedal. The first block includes a first receptacle for receiving a first measurement device and a second receptacle including slidable and rotatable engagement for receiving a second measurement device. The first measurement device measures pedal stroke and the second measurement device measures distance. The apparatus further includes a second block for engaging a brake pedal. The second block includes a receptacle including slidable engagement for receiving a third measurement device. The third measurement device measures distance, either between pedals or between a pedal and a reference surface in the vehicle. |
| US08959778B2 |
Surgical safety scalpel
A surgical safety scalpel having a handle, a blade fixed at one end of the handle, and a sheath slidably and inseparably attached to the handle. The sheath slides lengthways along the handle alternating between a blocking position in which the sheath covers the blade, and a ready position in which the blade is exposed and the sheath forms part of the grip. An aperture in the sheath and two stoppers on the handle form an interlocking mechanism for maintaining the sheath in the blocking position, and a third stopper on the handle prevents the sheath from sliding off the handle in the ready position. |
| US08959776B2 |
Knife safety apparatus
A knife safety apparatus that is used to protect the fingers from being cut while cutting and chopping the food items is disclosed. The knife safety apparatus includes a food holding body and a handle connected to the food holding body. The food holding body helps to hold the food firmly with the help of its bottom sidewall. The handle has a gripping surface which helps to hold the knife safety apparatus. The apparatus has a knife guiding slit which acts as a knife receiving and knife cleaning space. The apparatus is helpful to cut, chop, and mince a food item irrespective of its size and shape. |
| US08959767B2 |
Method of extending life of rotating parts
A method of refurbishing a gas turbine engine rotor is disclosed and includes an initial step of inspecting a rotor for defects such as cracks. A strain is then generated around any detected cracks in the rotor to create enhanced plasticized zones about the detected defects that delay defect propagation. Strain is generated by rotating the rotor at speeds greater than operational speeds to induce the desired strain and delay the propagation of defects. |
| US08959761B2 |
Method of manufacturing polymer electrode and polymer actuator employing the polymer electrode
A method of manufacturing a polymer electrode is provided. The method includes adhering a shadow mask onto a substrate, forming a hydrophilic electrode pattern on the substrate, coating the hydrophilic electrode pattern of the substrate with a conductive polymer water solution, removing the shadow mask, and drying the conductive polymer water solution, thus forming the polymer electrode. |
| US08959757B2 |
Method of manufacturing an electronic module
In one embodiment, a shielded electronic module is formed on a substrate. The substrate has a component area and one or more electronic components attached to the component area. One set of conductive pads may be attached to the component area and another set of conductive pads may be provided on the electronic component. The conductive pads on the component area are electrically coupled to the conductive pads of the electronic component by a conductive layer. A first insulating layer is provided over the component area and underneath the conductive layer that may insulate the electronic component and the substrate from the conductive layer. A second insulating layer is provided over the first insulating layer that covers at least the conductive layer. In this manner, the conductive layer is isolated from an electromagnetic shield formed over the component area. |
| US08959755B2 |
Apparatus and method for placement of angle plates in transverse duct flanges
An apparatus and method are described for inserting angle plates in transverse duct flanges. The apparatus is especially useful in inserting angle plates into transverse duct flanges of duct fittings. Packages for holding angle plates are also described. |
| US08959750B2 |
Method and apparatus for complete machining of a shaft-shaped workpiece
A machining apparatus has a frame defining an input station, an output station, and first and second machining stations. Respective first and second workpiece holders in the first and second machining stations can retain a workpiece therein. A first pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the input station and the first machining station and carries at least one machining tool and a first grab, and a second pivotal turret is movable vertically and horizontally on the frame between the first and second machining stations and the output station and carries at least one machining tool and second and third grabs. |
| US08959749B2 |
Tool and method for mechanical roughening
The invention proposes a device which prepared a cylinder bore of a combustion engine in one working stroke such that the cylinder bore can subsequently be thermally coated. |
| US08959746B2 |
Device and method to attach head gear to a surface
The inventive subject matter is to provide a device and method to attach a head gear to a surface where said head gear is a replica of a group consisting of a football helmet, baseball helmet, hockey helmet, motorcycle helmet, race car helmet, bicycle helmet, paint ball helmets, lacrosse helmets, and boxing head gear. |
| US08959745B2 |
Method of producing cuff of sphygmomanometer having automatic cuff winding mechanism
In a method of producing a cuff of a sphygmomanometer having an automatic cuff winding mechanism, the cuff includes a band-shaped fluid bladder forming a cavity for inserting a user's arm therein, a shape maintenance member wound on the band-shaped fluid bladder, a band-shaped bag wound on the shape maintenance member, and a cylindrical elastic plate housed in the band-shaped bag. The method includes winding the band-shaped fluid bladder on an outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical jig having approximately the same outer diameter as the cavity of the band-shaped fluid bladder, winding the shape maintenance member on an outer circumferential surface of the band-shaped fluid bladder, winding the band-shaped bag on an outer circumferential surface of the shape maintenance member, removing the cylindrical jig from the band-shaped fluid bladder, and housing the cylindrical elastic plate inside the band-shaped bag. |
| US08959744B2 |
Manufacturing method for the making of articles or precursors comprising hoops
The present invention relates to processes for the manufacture of hoops and pre-forms for making articles comprising such hoops such as pants or a pants-like structures, such as baby or incontinence diapers, absorbent pants such as training, feminine hygiene or adult incontinent pants, or garments like underwear, such as reusable or single use pants, exhibiting particularly good body conforming fit. |
| US08959742B2 |
Method for demounting a tensioned cable, a system and associated devices
The invention provides a method for demounting a cable tensioned between a first and second anchorage points on a structure. The method comprises the following steps: slackening the cable so that a running part of the cable is freed from one of said first and second anchorage points; freeing said running part of the cable from the other said first and second anchorage points; supporting said running part of the cable; and removing said running part of the cable away from at least one of said first and second anchorage points. |
| US08959741B2 |
Method of fabricating a porous orthopedic implant
A tissue scaffold fabricated from bioinert fiber forms a rigid three-dimensional porous matrix having a bioinert composition. Porosity in the form of interconnected pore space is provided by the space between the bioinert fiber in the porous matrix. Strength of the porous matrix is provided by bioinert fiber fused and bonded into the rigid three-dimensional matrix having a specific pore size and pore size distribution. The tissue scaffold supports tissue in-growth to provide osteoconductivity as a tissue scaffold, used for the repair of damaged and/or diseased bone tissue. |
| US08959738B2 |
Process of repairing a component, a repair tool for a component, and a component
A process of repairing a component, a repair tool for a component, and a component are disclosed. The process includes removing material from a region of the component. The removing forms a through-cut in the component, forms a partial-frustoconical geometry in the component, forms a substantially partial-frustoconical geometry in the component, forms a partial-spherical geometry in the component, forms a substantially partial-spherical geometry in the component, forms a partial-elliptical geometry in the component, forms a substantially partial-elliptical geometry in the component, forms a partial-cylindrical geometry in the component, forms a substantially partial-cylindrical geometry in the component, is in a direction substantially perpendicular to a surface of the component, is in a direction substantially inclined with respect to the surface of the component, or a combination thereof. The repair tool includes a securing mechanism and a cutting portion for removing a region. The component includes a region formed by removing material. |
| US08959737B2 |
Fixture means
A tool or fixture having a locating device for locating the tool or fixture on an article. The locating device is formed from a series of plates laminated together and having a spring element and a catch element where the catch element locates the tool or fixture in a machine bed. The catch element is retractable into the body of the locating device to protect if from damage when the tool of fixture is being stored or transported. |
| US08959735B2 |
Manufacturing method of liquid ejection head, liquid ejection head, and inkjet printing apparatus
In the case where a slit is provided in a projection portion of an outlet plate, patterning property of a slit can be improved, and a desired slit can be formed. The present invention is a manufacturing method of a liquid ejection head including a substrate; an ejection outlet plate; a channel; and the supply ports formed between the substrate and the ejection outlet plate by joining of the ejection outlet plate onto the substrate; and a projection portion having a slit at a position facing the supply port of the ejection outlet plate, the method including the steps of: forming a first member on the substrate; forming a mold material for forming the slit between first member on the substrate; forming a second member serving as the ejection outlet plate on the mold material; forming the projection portion by removing the mold material. |
| US08959734B2 |
Method of fabricating a card with piezo-powered indicator by printed electronics processes
An interactive card or the like employs a piezoelectric charge generator (piezo-strip) for temporarily driving an indicator. The piezo-strip may be displaced (bent) in order to generate charge to drive the indicator. Printed electronic processes are utilized to produce the indicator and/or the piezoelectric charge generator. An indicator is formed on a substrate by way of a printed electronics process. A displaceable region of piezoelectric material associated with the said substrate is formed by way of a printed electronics process. Electrical interconnections are formed on said substrate by way of a printed electronics process. The electrical interconnections connecting said indicator and said first region of piezoelectric material such that displacement of said first region of piezoelectric material generates a voltage therein that is provided to said indicator in order to actuate said indicator and thereby indicate the displacement of said first region of piezoelectric material. |
| US08959733B2 |
Method of manufacturing liquid transporting apparatus
There is provided a method of manufacturing liquid transporting apparatus including: providing a channel unit; providing a piezoelectric actuator having a first and second active portion corresponding to a central portion and an outer periphery portion of the pressure chamber, respectively. The first and second active portions are sandwiched between an upper electrode and an intermediate electrode, and between the upper electrode and a lower electrode, respectively. The method further includes joining the channel unit and the piezoelectric actuator by positioning such that the intermediate electrode overlaps the central portion of the pressure chamber. Accordingly, since it is possible to make the first active portion overlap the central portion of the pressure chamber, it is possible to apply a appropriate pressure to the liquid in the pressure chamber without excessively small deformation of the first active portion. |
| US08959732B2 |
Lightweight casket having foldable features
A casket assembly includes a bottom panel, side panels, flaps and end panels. The bottom panel is formed of a pliable material. The side panels are formed intrinsically with the bottom panel. Each side panel includes a lower section and an upper section foldably attached thereto. The lower section extends vertically upward from the bottom panel. In a first configuration, the upper section extends upward from the lower section. In a second configuration, the upper section extends in a direction other than vertically upward from the lower section. The end panels are formed intrinsically with the bottom panel. The flaps extend laterally from each end of the upper section. The flaps in the first configuration extend upward from a first vertical level defined by the top portion of the lower section, and in the second configuration extend downward from the first vertical level. |
| US08959731B2 |
Memorial urn
A memorial urn includes a central core having at least one vessel stored therein, the vessel functioning to house and identify cremated remains. A plurality of commemoratory items are secured to the central core and a protective outer shell having a plurality of indicia are secured around the core and commemoratory items. A candleholder is positioned onto the outer coating and functions to receive any number of conventional candles. |
| US08959730B2 |
Push-on clip fastener
A push-on clip fastener for securing two components together, such as interior automotive components. The push-on clip fastener includes a housing, a cover and a spring. The housing may include an aperture, wherein the housing may be capable of being located over a stud to secure an interior automotive component there between. The cover may include a pair of legs, wherein the cover may be insertable into the housing. The legs may be inserted into the housing cause the spring to straighten. The spring may include a slot, wherein the slot may be aligned with the aperture in the housing. The straightening of the spring may cause a clamp load. The housing may also include projections located on each side of the housing. The cover may also include retaining features located on each side of the cover that may be engageable with the housing projections to secure the fastener together. |
| US08959727B2 |
Slide fastener with separable bottom end stop
Provided is a slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop having both an automatic stopper and the separable bottom end stop, of which structural components can be used for both left- and right-insertions. In the slide fastener, a stop pawl for the automatic stopper protruding into an element guide passage via a pawl hole is configured to be movable in the lateral direction to an insert pin side and a box pin side. Accordingly, when the insert pin is inserted into the element guide passage through a shoulder opening of a top slider to re-couple separated fastener stringers, the stop pawl can be retreated by the insert pin as being pushed. Accordingly, the insert pin can be smoothly inserted deeply to the top slider with small resistance force. Further, structural components of the slide fastener with the separable bottom end stop can be used for both left- and right-insertions. |
| US08959724B2 |
Airbag arrangement and tools
A fixing element fixes a part to a support wall. When the fixing element is inserted into an opening in the support wall and reaches a predetermined end position, the fixing element locks to the support wall. The fixing element includes a stop element, a snap-on element, and an unlocking element. The stop element bears against a side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The snap-on element is positioned on an inner side of the support wall when the fixing element is locked to the support wall. The unlocking element is connected to the snap-on element. The unlocking element is configured to permit the snap-on element to be unlocked and the fixing element to be removed from the opening. An installation tool and a testing tool may be used in conjunction with the fixing element. |
| US08959721B2 |
Steam treating of fodder
An apparatus for and method of steam treatment of fodder, for example animal fodder which is typically in baled form. The purpose of steam treating is to kill mesophilic and thermophilic mould spores that are either attached to the fodder or detach when disturbed and become airborne. These airborne particles are associated with respiratory problems, infections and allergies to livestock as well as humans. The apparatus for steam treating fodder comprises at least one steam distribution manifold, which has a plurality of lances adapted to penetrate a bale of fodder so that steam is supplied to the interior volume of the fodder. |
| US08959716B2 |
Double-shaft type rotary shaft pivotal positioning structure
A double-shaft type rotary shaft pivotal positioning structure includes an elastic guide assembly and two pivot shafts. The elastic guide assembly includes two containing portions which are outwardly communicated and formed with two opposite elastic arms and two corresponding planed press-contact sides. The pivot shafts are respectively centrally provided with center section portions that are utilized to respectively enter the containing portions of the elastic guide assembly and each of which includes a periphery provided with two center section planed surfaces capable of being pressingly contacted with the press-contact sides of the elastic guide assembly. When the pivot shafts are synchronously pivoted close to a preset positioning angle, the center section planed surfaces of the pivot shafts are capable of rotatably attaching toward the press-contact sides of the elastic guide assembly, thereby enabling the pivot shafts to approach and be positioned at the preset positioning angle. |
| US08959714B2 |
Dual-shaft synchronous motion device
A dual-shaft synchronous motion device includes a first shaft and a second shaft; a first rotor and a third rotor disposed on the first shaft and turned synchronously; a second rotor and a fourth rotor disposed on the second shaft and turned synchronously; and a tractive member disposed between the first rotor (the third rotor) and the second rotor (the fourth rotor). When the first shaft drives the first and third rotors to turn, the tractive member brings the second rotor to turn reversely relative to the first rotor. The fourth rotor makes the tractive member drive the third rotor so that the first and second shafts are turned synchronously. |
| US08959711B1 |
Door stop device
A door stop device facilitates hands free obstruction of a door. The device includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter edge extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. A conduit extends through the base between the top surface and the bottom surface. A rod extends through the conduit. The rod is slidable within the conduit. A first block is coupled to a first end of the rod. A second block is coupled to a second end of the rod. The rod has a length greater than a length of the conduit such that the second block is in an extended position spaced apart from the base when the first block is positioned adjacent to the base. |
| US08959709B2 |
Door opening and closing device
A door opening and closing device can change a damping force of a damper when an arm rotates by opening and closing of a door. On a case 11 of the door opening and closing device 7, the arm 8 is mounted which rotates by opening and closing of the door 2. Inside the case 11, friction generating unit 22 is provided. The friction generating unit 22 has a slider 12d which moves linearly relative to the case 11 by opening and closing of the door 2 and a fixed part 21 which is fixed to the case 11 to slide the slider 12d. The friction generating unit 22 generates friction between the slider 12d and the fixed part 21. In opening and closing of the door 2, a radio of the rotation angle of the arm 8 and the amount of displacement of the slider 12d is varied. |
| US08959706B2 |
Vacuum cleaner
A vacuum cleaner is provided. The vacuum cleaner includes a first suction unit, a main body, a second suction unit, a connection flow-tube, and a flow-passage switching device. The main body communicates with the first suction unit and includes a suction motor to generate a suction force. The second suction unit is configured to be selectively attached to the main body. The connection flow-tube is configured to selectively connect the first suction unit or the second suction unit to the suction motor. The flow-passage switching device is configured to connect the connection flow-tube to the first section unit or the second suction unit according to a disposition state of the second suction unit. |
| US08959705B2 |
Robot for cleaning smooth surfaces
An automatic robot for cleaning smooth surfaces includes a base having a traveling device, a water feed line and a water drain line. The traveling device is configured to automatically move the base on a smooth surface to be cleaned. The water feed line is configured to apply water to the smooth surface using a capillary effect. The water drain line is configured to drain dirty water from the smooth surface. |
| US08959697B2 |
Mop with spinning device
A mop includes a handle connected to one end of a first rod. The other end of the first rod is connected to a second rod. A driving unit includes a spiral member disposed in one end of the second rod. A clutch unit is disposed in the first rod. A mopping unit is pivotably connected to the other end of the second rod. The clutch unit includes a sleeve disposed in the first rod and having a crown teeth defined in a lower end thereof. A bearing is connected to an opening of the sleeve, which is rotatable relative to the bearing. A crown gear is disposed in the sleeve and separably engaged with the crown teeth. A spring is disposed between the crown gear and the bearing. The spiral rod inserts through the bearing and the spring and is fixed to the crown gear. |
| US08959692B2 |
Device for diverting a structural cable such as a stay and a structure so equipped
The structural cable has several stretched tendons (4). It is diverted in a device comprising a body crossed by conduits (10). Each conduit has a wall to guide one of the tendons along a curved path. The wall of the conduit has a tendon support area (11) directed toward the interior of the curve of the path. This support area presents, in the center portion of the conduit and transverse to the curved path, a section in the shape of a circular arc whose radius is appreciably equal to half the external diameter of the tendon. The central portion of the conduit has a cross-section enlarged outside the support area. |
| US08959690B2 |
Induction heating apparatuses and processes for footwear manufacturing
A method of making an article of footwear may include providing a last shaped to resemble a human foot. The method may also include forming at least one footwear component at least in part from a susceptor material that is thermally reactive to an electromagnetic field. The method may further include covering at least a portion of the last with two or more footwear components, wherein the two or more footwear components includes the at least one footwear component formed at least in part from a susceptor material. In addition, the method may include applying an electromagnetic field to the susceptor material, causing induction heating of the susceptor material and joining the two or more footwear components by melding the two or more components with the induction heating. |
| US08959687B2 |
String line multipurpose tool
A multipurpose string line tool having an inner tube slideable within an outer tube provided with an attached bottom end cap and a removable upper end cap whereby a storage space for small construction implements can be stored within the inner tube. A line string is wrapped around the outer tube. The outer tube with the line string wrapped there-around is designed so that it can easily spin around the inner tube thereby providing a free release of the line string. The free end of the line string can be locked within an annular space between the outer tube and a cylindrical stopper by the upper end cap at the upper end of the multipurpose tool. A small opening can be provided in the upper end cap and a pencil sharpener fixed to an inner surface of said upper end cap in alignment with the small opening. |
| US08959683B2 |
Washable pillow with multiple cases
Embodiments are directed towards a pillow with a removable core that includes a plurality of cut foam pieces of various or similar shapes/sizes. The pillow may include an outer shell case and an inner shell case (i.e., the removable core). The outer shell case may be made of a plurality of layers, including a backing layer positioned between an external layer and an internal layer. The backing layer may comprise a foam material. And the internal layer and the inner shell case may comprise an open mesh material. The inner shell case may be removably inserted into the outer shell case. A plurality of foam pieces may be disposed inside the inner shell case. |
| US08959682B2 |
Disposable transporter
A disposable transporter that is absorbent, portable, and lightweight, and having sufficient strength to carry an injured soldier or medical patient is provided. The transporter has a backing substrate, an absorbent body, and a gripping device in an edge formed by the backing substrate. The absorbent body absorbs a large amount of body fluids, and can have an active agent that reduces contamination, infection, and odor. A transporter kit that encloses the transporter in a case for ease of storage and transport is also provided. |
| US08959681B2 |
Ground sensor control of foot section retraction
A method and apparatus for controlling movement of members of a patient support apparatus by detecting obstructions to movement of members of the frame of the patient support apparatus and controlling the drives that move the members to prevent contact with the obstruction while achieving a desired position as quickly as possible. Proximity sensors positioned on member of the patient support apparatus at potential contact points prevents members of the patient support apparatus from contacting other members or obstructions such a floor, for example. |
| US08959677B2 |
Sofa air bed
A collapsible sofa bed movable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a frame including a plurality of scissor assemblies. Each scissor assembly includes a first frame member pivotally coupled to a second frame member at a pivot point. Frame members of adjacent scissor assemblies are coupled to one of a first connector assembly and a second connector assembly. At least two backrest support members are coupled to the frame. Each backrest support member is slidably coupled to a corresponding first frame member and has a lower end that is pivotally coupled to a corresponding second frame member. Each backrest support member is pivotally movable with respect to the corresponding second frame member. |
| US08959674B2 |
Drain valve assembly
The present invention concerns a drain valve assembly with a pop-up drain stopper for a drain opening. The drain valve assembly has an improved sealing mechanism whereby the drain valve assembly may be easily installed and, in addition, the interface between the drain valve assembly and the drain opening may be easily cleaned. |
| US08959670B2 |
Swim goggles
A pair of swim goggles include a lens frame body, a lens unit, and buckle devices, characterized in that each of the buckle devices includes: a resilient element, an engaging arm, and at least a button, wherein the resilient element has a first base plate and a second base plate both bending in a same direction and spaced away from each other, the first and second base plates having end portions at opposite ends thereof, the engaging arm having a connecting end and an engaging end opposite the connecting end, the connecting end connected with the first base plate, the engaging end engaged with a head strap after being assembled, the at least a button having a press portion and a linking portion opposite the press portion, the linking portion connected to one of the end portions of the first and second base plates. |
| US08959666B2 |
Undergarment
An undergarment includes a lower body portion having a waist opening and a crotch portion. The crotch portion has a skin contact surface and an outer surface and includes a weft knit fabric portion with at least a first predominately cotton yarn. The first yarn has a moisture wicking treatment applied after being knit into the fabric. The weft knit fabric also includes an antimicrobial treatment. The undergarment has improved moisture management and comfort properties. |
| US08966661B2 |
System for fabricating nanoscale probe and method thereof
Disclosed is a method for fabricating a nanoscale probe. A first conductor and a second conductor are immersed into an electrolyte contained in an electrolytic tank. The first conductor and the second conductor are connected to a power source respectively. An electrolytic reaction is established when an electrical circuit is established between the first conductor and the second conductor. The second conductor is configured to output electrons. The first conductor is configured to receive electrons. Therefore, the first conductor is etched when the electrical circuit is established between the first conductor and the second conductor. A necking portion is created at the first conductor approximately near the surface of the electrolyte. A nanoscale probe is fabricated when first conductor breaks at the necking portion. |
| US08966654B1 |
Privacy control-adjustable vehicle monitoring system with a wild card mode
A novel privacy control-adjustable vehicle monitoring system and a related method of operation provide a dynamically-adjustable access grant or denial of privacy-sensitive vehicle information to a vehicle monitoring personnel based on a driver's response to an electronic request made by the vehicle monitoring personnel. In one embodiment, vehicle information is categorized into a mandatory disclosure dataset and a privacy-adjustable dataset, wherein the mandatory disclosure dataset is disclosed to the vehicle monitoring personnel at all times, while the privacy-adjustable dataset is accessible if the driver grants access via a driver's user interface on an onboard vehicle user interface, or on a mobile electronic device. Furthermore, a special wild card mode visible to the driver enables the vehicle monitoring personnel to access an entire set of vehicle information for a limited period per access and for a limited number of accesses per period, based on a pre-arranged consent with the driver. |
| US08966651B2 |
Digital rights management (DRM) locker
Methods, apparatuses and storage medium associated digital rights management (DRM) using DRM locker is disclosed herein. In embodiments, a DRM locker is provided to a client device. The DRM locker may be configured to store a number of DRM licenses or keys for a number of DRM protected contents. The DRM locker, on presentation of an associated locker key, may respond to a request for one or more of the stored DRM licenses or keys, to enable consumption of the corresponding DRM protected contents using the client device. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed. |
| US08966647B2 |
Comparing central time stamp bits from bus and client circuitry
This invention is time stamping subsystem of an electronic apparatus. A time stamp generator generates a multibit time stamp value including a predetermined number of least significant bits overlapping a predetermined number of most significant bits. Each client receives the least significant bits. Each client associates captured data with a corresponding set of the least significant bits in a message. A central scheduling unit associates most significant bits of the time stamp value with the least significant bits of the message. This associating compares overlap bits of the most significant bits and least significant bits. The most significant bits are decremented until the overlap bits are equal. |
| US08966641B2 |
Method and apparatus for ensuring security of remote user interface session using out-of-band communication
A method and apparatus for ensuring security of a session. In the method, a first client selects a user interface related to a process in need of security from among user interfaces related to predetermined contents provided from a first server, and a first client or a second client communicates directly with a second server operated by a contents provider to perform the process in need of security and notifies the first server of the performing result. Thus, it is not required to transmit/receive security information via the first server. |
| US08966636B2 |
Transforming unit tests for security testing
A method, computer program product, and system for transforming unit tests is described. A unit test associated with one or more software units is identified. A first input parameter of the unit test is identified. A substitute parameter value is determined, wherein the substitute parameter value is associated with a security test for the one or more software units. A value of the first input parameter in the unit test is replaced with the substitute parameter value. The unit test including the substitute parameter value is implemented for the one or more software units. A first security issue associated with the one or more software units is identified, based upon, at least in part, replacing the first input parameter of the unit test with the substitute parameter value and implementing the unit test including the substitute parameter value. |
| US08966635B2 |
Software module object analysis
In one implementation, an object analysis system identifies an object within a software module, and determines a size of the object based on at least one operation within the software module. The object analysis system identifies the object and determines the size of the object without reference to source code of the software module. |
| US08966634B2 |
System and method for correcting antivirus records and using corrected antivirus records for malware detection
Disclose are system, method and computer program product for correcting antivirus records. In an example aspect, an antivirus application analyzes a software object for a presence of malware. The antivirus application includes an antivirus database and an antivirus cache. The antivirus application retrieves from the antivirus database an antivirus record associated with the analyzed object. The antivirus record indicates whether the object is clean or malicious and further includes at least a test antivirus record status indicator. The antivirus application checks at least in the antivirus cache for correction of the test antivirus record. The correction includes a change in the test status of the antivirus record. When a correction for the retrieved antivirus record is found in the antivirus cache, the antivirus application uses said correction for the antivirus record for a further processing of the software object. |
| US08966631B2 |
Detecting malicious behaviour on a computer network
A malicious behavior detector (100) for detecting malicious behavior on a network, comprises a processor unit (120) and associated system memory (130) containing computer program code. The computer program code provides a signature matching module (132) to perform malicious partial signature detection by reading the contents of packets of data passing through the network to look for partial signatures associated with malicious programs; a Domain Name Service, DNS, request and/or response detection module (134) to monitor the requests made by hosts connected to the network and/or responses thereto; and an evidence assessment module (138) to analyze the results of the partial signature detection and the DNS monitoring make a determination of the suspected presence of malicious behavior on the network based upon the analysis of the results of both the partial signature detection and the DNS monitoring. |
| US08966630B2 |
Generating and distributing a malware countermeasure
Embodiments include a system, an apparatus, a device, computer-program product, and a method. An embodiment provides a network device. The network device includes a countermeasure engine operable to generate a countermeasure useable in at least substantially reducing a harm caused by a malware (hereafter “malware countermeasure”). The network device also includes a decision module operable to determine if a criterion is met for distribution of the generated malware countermeasure to a plurality of networked nodes. The network device further includes a distribution module operable to transmit the generated malware countermeasure to a first set of nodes of the plurality of networked nodes if the criterion is met. |
| US08966629B2 |
System and method for below-operating system trapping of driver loading and unloading
A system for protecting an electronic device against malware includes a memory, an operating system configured to execute on the electronic device, and a below-operating-system security agent. The below-operating-system security agent is configured to trap an attempted access of one or more resources of the operating system, access one or more security rules to determine whether the attempted access is indicative of malware, operate at a level below all of the operating systems of the electronic device accessing the one or more resources. The attempted access includes an attempted loading or unloading of a driver in the operating system. |
| US08966628B2 |
Native code module security for arm instruction set architectures
Some embodiments provide a system that executes a native code module. During operation, the system obtains the native code module. Next, the system loads the native code module into a secure runtime environment. Finally, the system safely executes the native code module in the secure runtime environment by using a set of software fault isolation (SFI) mechanisms that constrain store instructions in the native code module. The SFI mechanisms also maintain control flow integrity for the native code module by dividing a code region associated with the native code module into equally sized code blocks and data blocks and starting each of the data blocks with an illegal instruction. |
| US08966626B2 |
Router for communicating data in a dynamic computer network
A router and methods for its use are disclosed. The router includes input and output circuitry for receiving and routing data packets to computing devices connected to the network. The router also includes a memory configured to store a number of tables relating the destinations of particular packets with routes for the packets to follow. The router is capable of correctly routing data packets which specify false identity parameters. The router is also capable of dynamically varying routing protocols used to route data packets. The router is also capable of routing data packets to one of a number of output ports based on a comparison of at least one of the identity parameters that specifies false information to a table stored in the router's memory. |
| US08966619B2 |
Prevention of denial of service (DoS) attacks on session initiation protocol (SIP)-based systems using return routability check filtering
A device receives an attack on a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based device, determines a type of the attack, and applies, based on the determined type of the attack, a return routability check filter to the attack. |
| US08966617B2 |
Image pattern unlocking techniques for touch sensitive devices
Techniques are disclosed for providing an image pattern unlock mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The image pattern unlock mode can display an unlock screen to the user, prompting the user to arrange or create or otherwise select a specific image pattern in order to unlock the device. The customizable image pattern may include any uniquely identifiable unlocking pattern including a combination of images, or even a single image selected from an image group. The unlocking mechanism may include images gathered from the user's photo collection and/or one or more online profiles, and the unlock pattern could be a selection of such images. In other embodiments, a combination of color and images can also be used, such as matching colors to images. When the user has arranged the proper image pattern, the device unlocks and may be used. If the correct image pattern is not arranged, the device remains locked. |
| US08966616B2 |
Leveraging biometrics for authentication and touch differentiation
Biometric authentication and touch differentiation embodiments are described which use a handheld mobile computing device having a signal injection site that injects a signal into a user's hand for a prescribed period of time, and at least one signal sensing site each of which captures a signal emanating from a finger of either of the user's hands that is touching the signal sensing site during at least the period of time the signal is injected. The captured signal or signals are analyzed to determine whether they match, to a prescribed degree, a pre-established signal model that is indicative of a signal or signals expected to be captured. The signal matching determination can be employed to authenticate a user, or identify which finger of a user's hand is touching the computing device. |
| US08966615B2 |
Security device and display method thereof
A display method that is used for a security device installed with a camera module and a display module includes A. when the security device captured a preset image by the camera module, the security device displaying an interface for entering a password by the display module, and B. when the password is successfully matched, the security device displaying a predetermined object by the display module. By hiding the interface for entering a password, the invention improves the security capability of the device and meets the requirement of information security at present. |
| US08966612B2 |
Lockable widgets on a mobile device
A software widget running on a user device may be designed to operate in a locked or an unlocked mode. In unlocked mode, the user has full interactivity with the widget. In locked mode, however, at least some of the interactivity with the widget is restricted, despite the fact that the widget still operates normally otherwise while in the locked mode. While in locked mode, user input may be compared against a predefined unlocking sequence to determine if the widget should be unlocked. |
| US08966610B2 |
Method and system for securing data from a non-point of sale device over an external network
A data control system prevents non-point of sale devices (135, 155) from sending data over an external network (160) via a secure connection reserved for point of sale devices (125, 145), but allows non-point of sale devices (135, 155) to send data over the external network (160) other than via the secure connection. The secure connection is, for example, a virtual private network connection. The data control system may allow the data from non-point of sale devices (135, 155) to be sent only if it is not destined for a restricted destination. The restricted destination may be, for example, a payment host (170) or secure host (180) on the external network (160). |
| US08966609B2 |
Authentication method and apparatus for detecting and preventing source address spoofing packets
An authentication apparatus for detecting and preventing a source address spoofing packet, includes a packet reception unit configured to receive a packet from a previous node or a user host; a self-assurance type ID generation unit configured to generate a self-assurance type ID of a source node of the received packet; and a self-assurance type ID verification unit configured to determine whether the source address of the received packet has been spoofed. Further, the authentication apparatus includes a white list storage unit configured to store a reliable source node; a black list storage unit configured to store an unreliable source node; and a packet transmission unit configured to transmit the packet whose source has been verified through the self-assurance type ID verification unit to a next network node. |
| US08966608B2 |
Preventing spoofing
A method and access node for preventing spoofing while connecting subscribers to an Ethernet network. The access node includes a filter mechanism for filtering packets destined to subscribers attached to the access node. The filter mechanism includes a database of allocated IP destination addresses and MAC addresses. The filter mechanism blocks any packet directed to a subscriber but containing an incorrect IP or MAC address. The mechanism prevents users from changing their address information to illegally appropriate packets from other users or to disguise their identity. |
| US08966607B2 |
Device programmable network based packet filter
A method is provided for filtering unwanted packets in a communication system. The communication system includes a first network, a wireless network and at least one wireless communication device. An instruction to add an entry to a blocked list is received from a specific wireless device. The entry includes blocking criteria. A first packet is received from the first network. The first packet is destined for the specific wireless communication device. If the first packet exhibits the blocking criteria included in the blocked list, the first packet is discarded before it can be distributed by the wireless network. |
| US08966606B2 |
Apparatus and security system for data loss prevention, and operating method of data loss prevention apparatus
Disclosed are a DLP security system and an operating method thereof. An operating method of a data loss prevention (DLP) apparatus, comprising: converting, into packets, Ethernet signals received from a fail over device that are transmitted and received between an external network and internal network; analyzing the packets to classify the packets into first packets required to be precisely judged and second packets not required to be precisely judged; distributing and allocating a judgment job about the first packet to at least one in-line instance according to a predetermined reference; and allocating the judgment job distributed to the in-line instance in which a fail occurs to the in-line instance which is normally operated when it is verified whether there is an in-line instance which is normally operated in the case where the fail occurs in the at least one in-line instance. |
| US08966605B2 |
Security token for securely executing an application on a host computer
The invention relates to a security token comprising a communication interface adapted to communicate with a host computer; a security module, comprising encryption based security features; and a non volatile memory storing at least an application to be uploaded and executed in a host computer. The application makes use of the security features when executed in a host computer in communication with the communication interface. The security token is adapted to modify the content of the application as uploaded or its execution parameters at successive connections of the security token to a host computer. |
| US08966602B2 |
Identity verification and authentication
In one embodiment, receiving, at a first computing device associated with a social-networking system and from a second computing device, a first request to verify an identity of a user of the social-networking system; sending, by the first computing device and to a mobile device associated with the user, a second request for information about the user; receiving, at the first computing device and from the mobile device, the information about the user; determining, by the first computing device, a confidence score indicating a probability that the identity of the user is true based on the information about the user received from the mobile device and information available to the social-networking system; and sending, by the first computing device and to the second computing device, the confidence score. |
| US08966600B2 |
Method, apparatus and system for controlling access to computer platform resources
A manageability engine, and/or operations thereof, for controlling access to one or more resources of a computer device. In an embodiment, the manageability engine executes an authentication agent to perform authentication of a local user of a computer platform which includes the manageability engine. In another embodiment, the manageability engine includes a device driver to control an input/output device for the local user to exchange an authentication factor via a trusted path between the input/output device and the manageability engine. |
| US08966594B2 |
Proxy authentication
A first application that is hosted by a first machine receives a login request from a user. The first application requests authentication verification from a second application that is hosted by a second machine. The first application authenticates the user if the user was authenticated by the second application, wherein the user can be authenticated by both the first application and the second application after having provided authentication credentials to one of the first application or the second application. |
| US08966593B2 |
Delivering author specific content
Delivering author specific content includes identifying author specific content with tags inserted into its metadata across multiple online resources and delivering updates about the author specific content to a user specified activity stream. |
| US08966591B2 |
Adaptive strike count policy
An adaptive strike count management is implemented for securing resources. The method authorizes access to a resource if a security credential matches pre-stored security data. However, when the security credential does not match the pre-stored security data, the adaptive strike count management method denies access to the resource; assesses the risk level based on the security credential; increments a strike counter by a predetermined value based on the risk level; and disables further access attempts to the resource if the strike counter exceeds a threshold. The strike counter is incremented by a first value when the risk level is assessed to be a first level, a second value when the risk level is assessed to be a second level, and a third value when the risk level is assessed to be a third level. |
| US08966588B1 |
Systems and methods of establishing a secure connection between a remote platform and a base station device
Systems and methods of establishing a secure connection between a remote platform and a base station device are disclosed. An example of a method includes registering a base station device with a cloud service. The method also includes requesting from the cloud service, a claim code for the base station device. The method also includes providing access from a remote platform to the base station device by the cloud service based on the registration of the base station device and the claim code. |
| US08966587B2 |
Identity management via cloud
A system and method of maintaining a user profile for a handheld computer in a shared, scalable computing resource is described. The method includes receiving user profile data from the handheld computer at the shared, scalable computing resource, the user profile data comprising a user security factor. The user profile data is received via a secure wireless communication protocol having authentication of an identity of the handheld computer. The method includes storing the user profile data on the shared, scalable computing resource as a portion of a user profile, the user profile further comprising user preference data. The method further includes receiving the user security factor from a second computing device. The user security factor is received via a secure wireless communication protocol having authentication of an identity of the second computing device. The method further includes downloading user preference data to the second computing device. |
| US08966585B2 |
Unlimited access to media and applications over wireless infrastructure
Methods, systems, and apparatus are presented for providing unlimited access to either or both of media content, such as music, and applications. A media server environment can be provided, which maintains an instance of each subscriber account, a central archive of media content, and an application catalog. Selected media content can be downloaded to, and stored locally at, a subscriber device, such as on a secure storage device. Also, selected applications can be locally installed on the subscriber device. Access to the local media content and locally installed applications can be controlled through the media server environment based on the status of the subscriber's account. If the subscriber's account becomes inactive, access to the downloaded media content and installed applications can be disabled. Once the subscriber's account is reactivated, access to the downloaded media content and applications can be restored. |
| US08966581B1 |
Decrypting an encrypted virtual machine using asymmetric key encryption
Authenticating a user to access a virtual machine (VM) stored on a client computing device includes receiving user authentication credentials associated with a certificate, such as a PIN associated with a certificate housed on a smart card. The certificate is associated with a public key and a private key. The technique includes encrypting the VM to be decrypted with an unlock code, and generating a challenge string by encrypting the unlock code using the public key associated with the certificate. The challenge string is a result of encrypting of the unlock code, and the unlock code can be obtained by decrypting the challenge string using the private key. The technique further includes decrypting the challenge string using the private key to retrieve an unlock code associated with the VM, decrypting the VM with the unlock code, and causing the decrypted VM to be executed on the client computing device. |
| US08966579B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing authentication between a sending unit and a recipient based on challenge usage data
A method, apparatus and/or system generates a challenge for user authentication, having a challenge data element from a stored pool of challenge data elements. The challenge is based on rule data and stored usage data associated with at least some of the challenge data elements in the stored pool of challenge data elements. The generated challenge is sent for use in an authentication of a user to a sender. A method, apparatus and/or system also generates sender authentication and corresponding location information, having a data element from a stored pool of challenge data elements. Selection of the data elements is based on rule data and stored usage data associated with at least some of the data elements in the stored pool of data elements. |
| US08966578B1 |
Intelligent system for enabling automated secondary authorization for service requests in an agile information technology environment
A service request for a managed computer system is received and once a primary authorization for same has been given, a secondary authorization management system (SAMS) determines whether or not the service request requires secondary authorization. This determination is made according to a context of the managed computer system and an authorization profile for the received service request. If needed, the SAMS resolves the secondary authorization request and returns the resolution decision. |
| US08966577B2 |
Method, system, and computer program product for facilitating communication in an interoperability network
Methods and apparatus are described for facilitating communication among a plurality of entities via an interoperability network. Each entity has policy data corresponding thereto governing interaction with the entity via the interoperability network. A message is transmitted from a first one of the entities to a second one of the entities. The first entity has first policy data corresponding thereto and the second entity has second policy data corresponding thereto. The transmitted message was handled in the network according to combined policy data representing a combination of the first and second policy data. |
| US08966572B2 |
Dynamic identity context propagation
Techniques are provided for dynamically propagating identity context for a user in a Service-Oriented Architecture. Methods and apparatus are provided that include receiving a request to invoke a web service, retrieving first security claims from application identity context information pertaining to a user, generating second security claims at runtime, packaging the first and second security claims into an authentication token, and transmitting the authentication token to a second computer system in a service request. The second computer system can be configured to extract the first and second security claims from the authentication token, validate the extracted first and second security claims, generate identity context information based upon the extracted first and second security claims, and publish and propagate the identity content information in an identity context object. The second computer system can verify that the security claims conform to corresponding security claim schemas stored in a claims dictionary. |
| US08966569B2 |
Collaborative structured analysis system and method
Methods, systems, and apparatus for providing compartmented, collaborative, integrated, automated analytics to analysts are provided. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for providing compartmented, collaborative, integrated, automated analytics to analysts including: selecting a computer-encoded project-specific workflow; determining a computer-encoded compartment manager, said computer-encoded compartment manager including computer-encoded information about the context of said project-specific workflow; retrieving said computer-encoded information about the context; selecting a computer-implemented automated analytic using said computer-encoded project-specific workflow; providing under control of said computer-encoded compartment manager said information about the context to said automated analytic; processing said computer-encoded information using said computer-implemented automated analytic, to generate thereby analytical information representing an outcome to said analysts; and processing said analytical information in accordance with said computer-encoded compartment manager and said computer-encoded project-specific workflow. |
| US08966567B2 |
Systems and methods for exporting digital content using an interactive television application
The present invention relates to methods and systems for extracting digital content using an interactive television application. The interactive television application may allow the user to record programs on a set-top box. The interactive television application may also allow the user to extract the audio from one of the recorded programs and transfer the extracted audio to removable media (e.g., a CD-R). The interactive television application also be configured to perform a future transfer of digital content to removable media. The future transfer may occur without requiring any further user interaction. |
| US08966564B2 |
Receiving device, receiving method, providing device, providing method, programs, and broadcasting system
This technique relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, a providing device, a providing method, programs, and a broadcasting system that can control operations of external devices connected to the receiving device in synchronization with progress of a show being received.When the application control type in an application control descriptor is 2, the receiving device receives command information contained in a digital broadcast signal, and acquires and starts a new information service application and the like in accordance with the received command information. When an external device is designated as the command destination device, the receiving device generates a command for the external device, and outputs the command to the external device. In accordance with the command from the receiving device, the external device acquires and starts the new information service application and the like. This disclosure can be applied not only to controlling the receiving device from the broadcasting side, but also to controlling external devices connected to the receiving device. |
| US08966559B2 |
Method and device for ensuring reliability during transmission of television data in a television system based on internet protocol
A coding/transmitter device (11) includes a broadcasting module (12) in order to broadcast television to a plurality of STB receiver/decoder devices (15) via an IP/Internet network (14), so that the clients-subscribers are provided with a first UDP stream and a second UDP stream which includes identification data associated with data packets transmitted within the first UDP stream in order to provide functionalities such as reorganization of packets, detection of losses, requests for retransmission etc. without adding headers according to the RTP protocol, but with a reliability and capability of inserting additional data comparable to that provided by the RTP protocol. |
| US08966558B2 |
Content processing apparatus and control method thereof for performing transmission and control of content through a communication path
An image processing apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a transmission request of information on a directory for managing contents from a display apparatus, a transmission unit configured to transmit a response to the transmission request received by the reception unit, and a notification unit configured to notify the display apparatus of a change in a predetermined directory, thereby causing the display apparatus to transmit a transmission request of information on the predetermined directory again. When a new directory is formed on the same layer as that of the directory for managing the contents as a result of addition of the contents in the storage medium, the notification unit notifies the display apparatus of a change in a directory located on a layer above the directory for managing the contents. |
| US08966557B2 |
Delivery of digital content
A system and method for providing multimedia content through a cable, satellite television or other content server system is disclosed. A server facility which provides multimedia content divides formatted multimedia content into data chunks (e.g., collections of data corresponding to one minute lengths) prior to transmission to a user/subscriber receptor unit, and sends the divided data chunks according to a schedule which permits instantaneous starting and viewing of the multimedia content, such as movies, upon user/subscriber request. The user/subscriber receptor unit includes a cable box, video game device, or the like having a digital video recording capability and at least a memory capacity or disk space sufficient to store a complete unit of media content, such as full-length feature film. The invention does not require intensive interaction between the server facility and the receptor unit, but rather, only requires sending of content signals in the form of an interleaved media stream from the server facility to the receptor unit. Further, the invention requires the use of no more than six times the bandwidth of the original signal for operation. |
| US08966555B2 |
Method and system for performance monitoring of network terminal devices
A method and system for performance monitoring of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes a probe device configured to capture input and output data with respect to a network terminal device at an MCDN client premises. The input data, representing network data sent to the MCDN client for display, may be buffered along with the output data, representing audio and video data generated using the input data. When an anomaly event, such as a display error, occurs, the probe device may record the buffered input and output data, including data acquired prior to the anomaly event. The input and output data may be analyzed to determine a source or origin of the anomaly event. The probe device may also certify that the MCDN and/or the network terminal device was operating normally. |
| US08966554B2 |
Method for mapping between signaling information and announcement information and broadcast receiver
A method for mapping signaling information to announcement information and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of providing a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service, the method comprises extracting identification information of first signaling information and second signaling information based upon a program specific information/program and system information protocol (PSI/PSIP) table, receiving the first signaling information and second signaling information based upon the extracted identification information, constructing and displaying a service guide using the received first signaling information, acquiring first content identification information as a content selected from the displayed service guide, accessing a File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) session using the received second signaling information, acquiring second content identification information matched with the acquired first content identification information from the accessed FLUTE session and receiving and storing one or more file constructing corresponding content based upon the acquired second content identification information. |
| US08966553B2 |
Analyzing internet protocol television data to support peer-assisted video-on-demand content delivery
A video-on-demand (VOD) server in an Internet protocol television (IPTV) network with a network of set-top boxes includes IPTV operational data and an analysis module that selects a content item. The VOD server divides the content item into sequential chunks, divides the chunks into stripes, pre-populates set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receives a request for the content item, and directs each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes. A method includes selecting a content item based upon IPTV operational data, dividing the content item into sequential chunks, dividing the chunks into stripes, pre-populating set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receiving a request for the content item, and directing each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes. |
| US08966551B2 |
Locating points of interest using references to media frames within a packet flow
In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a stream of transport packets encapsulating media packets, and generating a reference to the point-of-interest media packet relative to the location of the point-of-interest within the transport packet stream. The reference is generated for each media packet that is identified as a point-of-interest. |
| US08966550B2 |
Home communication systems
Systems and methods are disclosed of a network including a primary device, a plurality of remote devices, and a shared peripheral device. The network allows the remote devices to operate the peripheral device, such as a DVD player, VCR, or camcoder, via the primary device and the network. The peripheral device is typically connected to the primary device and shared among all devices. The network also includes a splitter/isolation module (SIM) that routes the signals between the primary device and the plurality of remote devices. |
| US08966546B2 |
Method and apparatus for reproducing content through integrated channel management
Provided are a method and apparatus for reproducing at least one piece of content received via at least one interface. The method includes classifying the at least one piece of content respectively received via the at least one interface according to a reference attribute, allocating the classified at least one piece of content to a virtual channel, and selecting a channel from among set channels that include the virtual channel and an occupied basic channel. |
| US08966541B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A digital television (DTV) receiver for processing a DTV signal, a receiver to receive a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a protocol version field indicating a protocol version and a current next indicator field; a demodulator to demodulate the digital television signal; and an identifier to identify at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances. |
| US08966540B2 |
Digital television signal, digital television receiver, and method of processing digital television signal
A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver, receiving a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a protocol version field indicating a protocol version and a current next indicator field; demodulating the digital television signal; and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances. |
| US08966537B2 |
System, method, and article of manufacture for a user interface for a network media channel
A user interface for a network media channel allows subscribers to share media files according to ad-hoc specification via kernels. The user interface may be accessed via a device and it may be utilized to create and/or modify media files and/or kernels and to transmit them to one or more networks including one or more servers that stores the media files according to the kernels. The user interface may be used further to receive one or more media files and to display them according to the kernels. The user interface may be used further to navigate thru the media files by clicking (activating) the media files. |
| US08966535B2 |
Broadcast receiving device and method for searching channels thereof
A broadcast receiving device which automatically detects whether digital channels are scrambled according to a command and a method for searching channels thereof are provided. The broadcast receiving device includes a channel map storage unit which stores broadcast channel data regarding broadcast channel, an input unit which receives a command, and a channel searching unit which scans digital channels among the broadcast channel data according to the command and detects whether the digital channels are scrambled. |
| US08966528B2 |
System and method of providing an interactive menu through streaming video
A method of providing a menu for video content is disclosed and may include delivering a looping video clip over a first video channel. The looping video clip may be configured to be displayed on a video plane. The method may also include delivering side channel data over a second video channel. The side channel data may include two or more navigable menu elements that may be configured to be displayed on a graphics overlay plane. |
| US08966526B2 |
Internet-based submission of cable network content
A cable network content delivery system providing advertising information via a cable network and an advertising content interface are described. An advertiser submits advertising content over an internet which is then adapted for a cable network. A data gateway stores the advertising information. The system processes a user command received via the cable network, including an advertising information search command, and provides advertising information retrieved via the cable network. |
| US08966522B2 |
Systems and methods for sharing video with advertisements over a network
A user can create a video segment or employ an existing video segment, upload the segment to a server, indicate an advertisement to be associated with the video, and then send it to a recipient over a computer network. The user provides an indication that one or more particular video segments and advertisements are to be shared over the network. An identifier for the video segment is automatically created and the segment and the identifier are automatically uploaded to a host computer over the network such as the Internet. The video segment, the identifier (optionally with other identifying material such as an identity of the sender, and an advertisement selected by the sender can be stored at the direction of the host computer. |
| US08966519B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing parental control using a playlist
A method for providing parental control via a playlist is disclosed. A playlist is received from a control server. One or more channel change control messages are sent to a client in accordance with a playlist. The one or more channel change control messages include tuning information for tuning to one or more programs or channels at times indicated in the playlist.An apparatus for providing parental control via a playlist is disclosed. The apparatus may be a content delivery system headend. The content delivery system headend system may have a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend may have an input for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions. The headend may also have a subscriber control unit for sending one or more channel change control messages to a client device in accordance with a playlist, the one or more channel change control messages including tuning information for tuning to one or more programs or channels at times indicated in the playlist. |
| US08966514B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
Provided is an information processing apparatus including a communication unit for receiving, from an external device, degree-of-attention information including information on a degree of attention, for each part of first content, calculated based on a state of viewing of a user, and a priority information generation unit for generating, using the degree-of-attention information, priority information including information on a priority for viewing for each part of second content. The communication unit transmits the priority information to the external device. |
| US08966511B2 |
Computer system and method for preventing dynamic-link library injection attack
A computer system and method for preventing a Dynamic-Link Library (DLL) injection attack are provided. The computer system monitors an operation where a process attempts to dynamically link an executable code library to another process, and intercepts the dynamic link of the executable code library. |
| US08966508B2 |
Method for executing hybrid web application and apparatus therefor
The device for executing a hybrid web application written in a web standard language including a system API call includes a web user interface layer that requests a process according to the system API call from a hybrid web application interface layer, and performs a process according to the web standard language, a hybrid web application interface layer that requests the process corresponding to the system API call from a cross platform system service interface layer in response to the request of the web user interface layer, receives a result of the process corresponding to the system API call from the cross platform system service interface layer, and transmits the received result to the web user interface layer, and a cross platform system service interface layer that performs a platform dependent operation corresponding to the system API based on the request of the hybrid web application interface layer. |
| US08966507B2 |
Information processing device, information processing method, information processing program, and recording medium
In an information processing device adapted for performing an application program, a displaying unit causes a display device to display information related to a state transition of the application program. A generation unit receives an input updating request for updating information related to a displayed state transition, and generates an application program which realizes a state transition according to the updating request. |
| US08966506B2 |
Method and apparatus for managing related drivers associated with a virtual bus driver
Provided are an apparatus and method for managing related drivers associated with a bus driver. In one embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a physical device object table configured to contain a plurality of entries, a child device associated with each of the plurality of entries, each of the child devices configured to have a name associated therewith, the name configured to provide information about the child device sufficient to allow user environment applications an doperating system drivers to directly access the child device, and a virtual bus driver configured to interface between the child devices and an adapter. |
| US08966505B1 |
Event handling
A method of handling events is described. The method comprises: receiving an event; transmitting the event to a remote management application; receiving a new event; ascertaining if the new event fulfills an event storm criterion; suppressing the new event if the new event fulfills the event storm criterion; and transmitting the new event to the remote management application if the new event does not fulfill the event storm criterion. |
| US08966504B2 |
Information processing apparatus, electrical power control method, and computer product
An information processing apparatus includes a processor programmed to detect scheduled starting times of two events to be executed at a current time or thereafter; calculate a difference of the scheduled starting times of the two events, when the scheduled starting times of the two events have been detected; and correct, based on the calculated difference and to an extent that a restriction indicated in restriction information of an event to be corrected is observed, the scheduled starting time of at least any one of the two events, as the event to be corrected, such that an interval between the scheduled starting times of the two events is shortened. |
| US08966501B2 |
Method and system for time-based correlation of events
A method includes receiving event information corresponding to an event associated with the operation of a system. The method also includes identifying related event information corresponding to a plurality of events that occurred before the event, wherein the event is related to the plurality of events. The method also includes storing the event information and the related event information as a group of events. The method further includes determining whether the group of events occurred within a first specified amount of time by identifying a time window ending at the occurrence of the event and beginning the first specified amount of time before the occurrence of the event and determining whether each event of the group of events occurred during the identified time window. The method further includes identifying an incident associated with the group of events upon determining that the group of events occurred within the first specified amount of time. |
| US08966497B2 |
Name service object clustering
Methods and systems for load balancing of Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) object servers. A name service cluster is invoked. It is indicated to a user whether bind interceptors are in use. The user is provided with a class having relevant methods if bind interceptors are in use. The class that contains the most relevant methods is specified. Name service clusters are established for object servers where each name service cluster contains a unique object binding table containing object server reference bindings. Object server reference bindings having identical names are clustered into common clusters. A load balance is performed by having a name service select an object server located in an invoked cluster. A cluster component is appended to the invoked cluster to provide failover upon failover of the object server; and a selected object server reference binding is forwarded to a client upon completion of the load balance. |
| US08966496B2 |
Lock free use of non-preemptive system resource
A computer-implemented method for lock-free use of a non-preemptive system resource by a preemptive thread, which may be interrupted. The method comprises registering a non-preemptive system resource and a first level reclaim handler for the non-preemptive system resource with the kernel of an operating system, registering a second level reclaim handler with the kernel, wherein the second level reclaim handler is included in an application program, and running the application program as a preemptive thread using the non-preemptive system resource. The first level reclaim handler is code that is a part of the implementation of the non-preemptive system resource in the kernel. The second level reclaim handler is code that is part of the application and is registered with the kernel before the application uses the non-preemptive system resource. The method enables a preemptive thread using a non-preemptive system resource to be preempted without crashing. |
| US08966490B2 |
System, method and computer program product for scheduling a processing entity task by a scheduler in response to a peripheral task completion indicator
A system, computer program and a method for scheduling a processing entity task in a multiple-processing entity system, the method includes initializing a scheduler; receiving a task data structure indicative that a pre-requisite to an execution of task to be executed by a processing entity is a completion of a peripheral task that is executed by a peripheral; wherein the peripheral updates a peripheral task completion indicator once the peripheral task is completed; wherein the peripheral task completion indicator is accessible by the scheduler; and scheduling, by the scheduler, the task in response to the peripheral task completion indicator. |
| US08966476B2 |
Providing object-level input/output requests between virtual machines to access a storage subsystem
A system includes a storage subsystem and a first virtual machine to manage access of the storage subsystem. A second virtual machine is coupled by a virtual machine channel to the first virtual machine. The second virtual machine has software to issue a object-level input/output (I/O) request to the first virtual machine over the virtual machine channel to access data in the storage subsystem. |
| US08966471B2 |
Software signature discovery
In a method for determining and scoring signatures for a software package, a processor compares files on a clean computer system after installation of a software package to files on the clean computer system before the installation. The processor determines a signature of the software package. The signature includes files on the clean computer system after installation of the software package that were not present on the clean computer system before the installation. |
| US08966468B2 |
System for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software
A system for remote loading of objects or files in order to update software includes operating system architecture that calls for different tasks to be broken down into software modules that are connected to one another by dynamic links or are composed of executable subroutines that have main dependence links to other parts of the operating system. Each of the modules is composed of object files or libraries that are represented by dynamic link libraries among themselves according to a number of dependence levels that are described in their respective attributes. |
| US08966467B2 |
System and method for performing an in-service software upgrade in non-redundant systems
An information handling system is provided. The information handling system includes one or more devices coupled together to route information between the one or more devices and other devices coupled thereto based on routing information stored in the one or more devices. The one or more devices includes a routing processor, one or more line cards coupled to the routing processor, the one or more line cards receiving the routing information from the routing processor for routing data packets to a destination, and a memory coupled to the routing processor. The routing processor is configured to create an active image having a current state of the routing information and create a standby image having the current state of the routing information, wherein the standby image requests the current state of the routing information from the active image using a key that is calculated using a portion of the routing information. |
| US08966465B2 |
Customization creation and update for multi-layer XML customization
Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for customizing aspects of a metadata-driven software application. In particular, embodiments of the present invention provide (1) a self-contained metadata engine for generating customized metadata documents from base metadata documents and customizations; (2) a customization syntax for defining customizations; (3) a customization creation/update component for creating and updating customizations; (4) a customization restriction mechanism for restricting the creation of new customizations by specific users or groups of users; and (5) memory and caching optimizations for optimizing the storage and lookup of customized metadata documents. |
| US08966464B1 |
Isolating tenants executing in multi-tenant software containers
Technologies are described herein for isolating tenants executing in a multi-tenant software container. Mechanisms for resource isolation allow tenants executing in a multi-tenant software container to be isolated in order to prevent resource starvation by one or more of the tenants. Mechanisms for dependency isolation may be utilized to prevent one tenant executing in a multi-tenant software container from using another tenant in the same container in a manner that requires co-tenancy. Mechanisms for security isolation may be utilized to prevent one tenant in a multi-tenant software container from accessing protected data or functionality of another tenant. Mechanisms for fault isolation may be utilized to prevent tenants in a multi-tenant software container from causing faults or other types of errors that affect other tenants executing in the same software container. |
| US08966460B2 |
Transmission point pattern extraction from executable code in message passing environments
Processes in a message passing system may be launched when messages having data patterns match a function on a receiving process. The function may be identified by an execution pointer within the process. When the match occurs, the process may be added to a runnable queue, and in some embodiments, may be raised to the top of a runnable queue. When a match does not occur, the process may remain in a blocked or non-executing state. In some embodiments, a blocked process may be placed in an idle queue and may not be executed until a process scheduler determines that a message has been received that fulfills a function waiting for input. When the message fulfills the function, the process may be moved to a runnable queue. |
| US08966459B2 |
Processors and compiling methods for processors
A compiling method compiles an object program to be executed by a processor having a plurality of execution units operable in parallel. In the method a first availability chain is created from a producer instruction (p1), scheduled for execution by a first one of the execution units (20: AGU), to a first consumer instruction (c1), scheduled for execution by a second one of the execution units (22: EXU) and requiring a value produced by the said producer instruction. The first availability chain comprises at least one move instruction (mv1-mv3) for moving the required value from a first point (20: ARF) accessible by the first execution unit to a second point (22: DRF) accessible by the second execution unit. When a second consumer instruction (c2), also requiring the same value, is scheduled for execution by an execution unit (23: EXU) other than the first execution unit, at least part of the first availability chain is reused to move the required value to a point (23: DRF) accessible by that other execution unit.In other compiling methods (FIG. 8), the object program includes a loop kernel block and a basic block preceding the loop kernel block, and the basic block includes a producer instruction (p1) and the loop kernel block includes a consumer instruction (c1, c2) requiring a value produced by the producer instruction. The loop kernel block is scheduled first, after which the basic block is scheduled. These methods can put additional move instructions between producer and consumer instructions in the basic block instead of the loop kernel block, or eliminate the move instructions altogether. |
| US08966458B2 |
Processing code units on multi-core heterogeneous processors
A virtual machine can be extended to be aware of secondary cores and specific capabilities of the secondary cores. If a unit of platform-independent code (e.g., a function, a method, a package, a library, etc.) is more suitable to be run on a secondary core, the primary core can package the unit of platform-independent code (“code unit”) and associated data according to the ISA of the secondary core. The primary core can then offload the code unit to an interpreter associated with the secondary core to execute the code unit. |
| US08966457B2 |
Method and system for converting a single-threaded software program into an application-specific supercomputer
The invention comprises (i) a compilation method for automatically converting a single-threaded software program into an application-specific supercomputer, and (ii) the supercomputer system structure generated as a result of applying this method. The compilation method comprises: (a) Converting an arbitrary code fragment from the application into customized hardware whose execution is functionally equivalent to the software execution of the code fragment; and (b) Generating interfaces on the hardware and software parts of the application, which (i) Perform a software-to-hardware program state transfer at the entries of the code fragment; (ii) Perform a hardware-to-software program state transfer at the exits of the code fragment; and (iii) Maintain memory coherence between the software and hardware memories. If the resulting hardware design is large, it is divided into partitions such that each partition can fit into a single chip. Then, a single union chip is created which can realize any of the partitions. |
| US08966452B2 |
User interaction analysis of tracer data for configuring an application tracer
A tracing system may be updated to include, exclude, or modify tracing configurations for functions based on how a user consumes tracing results. The user's interactions with graphical representations, inspections of data, and other interactions may indicate which functions may be interesting and which functions may not be. The user's interactions may be classified by use, such as during debugging, performance testing, and ongoing monitoring, and multiple user's interactions with the same function, library, module, source code file, or other groups of functions may be combined to predict a user's interest in a function. |
| US08966451B2 |
Identifying potential lock conditions in transactional software applications
Systems, and products for testing a transactional software application which interacts with a database structure. The software application includes a plurality of application units, which are adapted to be executed at least in part concurrently. Executing the software application includes executing a plurality of transaction operations on the database structure by a plurality of respective invocations of a database management system of the database structure by the respective plurality of application units. The system also includes computer program instructions for determining locks being applied by the database management system on elements of the database structure for each transaction operation executed by each application unit individually. The system also includes computer program instructions for identifying potential lock conditions of the software application in possible successions of application of the locks according to possible interleaving of the application units. |
| US08966450B2 |
Facilitating the execution of web applications in the cloud
A facility for executing an application program in a cloud computing environment is described. The facility identifies dependencies of the application program, and identifies support software components that satisfy the identified dependencies. The facility then causes the application to be executed in conjunction with the identified support software components on the nodes of the cloud computing environment on which they were installed. |
| US08966448B2 |
Techniques for debugging an application
Techniques for debugging applications are provided. Access to an application is controlled by a wrapper. The wrapper intercepts calls to the application and records the calls. The calls are then passed to the application for processing. The recorded calls form a log which may be analyzed or mined to detect error conditions or undesirable performance characteristics associated with the application independent of source associated with the application. |
| US08966447B2 |
Capturing and displaying state of automated user-level testing of a graphical user interface application
In one embodiment, an automated user-level testing tool is enhanced to capture additional information about the state of the automated testing, beyond just a screenshot of the application-under-test. In another embodiment, an automated user-level testing tool is enhanced to capture testing state information for multiple points in time (referred to as “snapshots”), beyond just when the application-under-test crashes. This captured information from one execution of an automated test (one “test run”) is stored in one test log, which can then be viewed using a test log viewer. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface (GUI) for the test log viewer includes four areas: a screenshot area, a test script area, a stack trace area, and a timing area. The content shown in the screenshot area, the test script area, and the stack trace area is specific to a particular point in time during a test (e.g., a particular snapshot). |
| US08966445B2 |
System for supporting collaborative activity
A system includes a processor which has access to a representation of model of activity, which includes workspaces. Each workspace includes domain hierarchies for representing an organizational structure of the collaborating users using the system, and initiatives hierarchies representing process structures for accomplishing goals. An interface permits users to view and modify the workspaces for which the user has access. Each user can have different access permissions in different workspaces. The domain and initiative hierarchies provide two views of the workspace objects without duplicating resources. A resource is a collection of shared elements defined by the users that give users associated with the workspace access to information sources. Users can define knowledge boards for creating reports based on information fields of the resources. The knowledge board is associated with a resource template from which the resource is created. |
| US08966427B2 |
Systems and methods for integrated circuit C4 ball placement
Methods and systems for improving the reliability of C4 solder ball contacts performed at the design stage to reduce the incidence of thermally-induced failures, including those due to electromigration and thermal cycling. |
| US08966426B1 |
Partitioning method and system for 3D IC
A method comprises: receiving a circuit design comprising networks of first devices fabricated by a first fabrication process; selecting second devices to be fabricated by a second process; substituting the second devices for the first devices in the networks of the circuit design; sorting the second devices within a selected one of the networks by device area from largest device area to smallest device area; and assigning each second device in the selected network to be fabricated in a respective one of a plurality of tiers of a 3D IC for which a total area of second devices previously assigned to that tier is smallest, the second devices being assigned sequentially according to the sorting. |
| US08966419B2 |
System and method for testing stacked dies
Systems and methods are disclosed for testing a stack of dies and inserting a repair circuit which, when enabled, compensates for a delay defect in the die stack, particularly where the defect is located in the inter-die data transfer path. Intra-die and inter-die slack values are determined to establish which die or dies in the die stack would benefit from the insertion of a repair circuit. |
| US08966418B2 |
Priority based layout versus schematic (LVS)
An approach for methodology, and an associated system, enabling a prioritizing of devices, circuits, and modules of interest is disclosed. Embodiments include: determining a first electrical layout indicating an electrical performance of a physical layout of an IC design, the first electrical layout indicating a plurality of devices of the physical layout; selecting a subset of the plurality of the devices based on one or more connections of the devices; and generating a second electrical layout indicating the electrical performance of the physical layout, the second electrical layout indicating the selected devices without at least one of the plurality of devices. |
| US08966416B2 |
Finite-state machine encoding during design synthesis
Technology for finite-state machine (FSM) encoding during design synthesis for a circuit is disclosed. The encoding of the FSM may include determining values of a multi-bit state register that are to represent particular states of the FSM. These values may be determined based on possible states of the FSM, possible transitions between the states, probabilities of particular transitions occurring, amounts of false switching associated with particular transitions, area estimates for logic respectively associated with states of the FSM, and/or the like. The values may also be determined based on power considerations, such as estimated power consumption for the circuit. The design synthesis may include generation of a structural description of the encoded FSM. |
| US08966414B2 |
Implementing a circuit using an integrated circuit including parametric analog elements
An environment and method are provided for designing and implementing a circuit comprising an integrated circuit (IC) including a number of parametric analog elements for which operating parameters can be set. Generally, the method comprises: specifying requirements for the circuit including physical properties to be sensed by the circuit and actions to be taken by the circuit; designing the circuit based on the specified requirements and resources available on the IC; and setting parameters of at least one of the parametric analog circuit elements of the IC based on the circuit design. In one embodiment, the specifying, designing, and setting parameters steps are performed using a computer executable code embodied in a computer readable medium on a server coupled to a client computer through an internet protocol network. Other embodiments are also provided. |
| US08966405B2 |
Method and system for providing user interface representing organization hierarchy
Method and system for providing graphical user interface for displaying hierarchical charts. According to various embodiments, the present invention provides a graphical user interface where relational data are displayed as one or more hierarchical charts. A hierarchical chart includes a plurality of nodes that are organized according to the hierarchical chart. Each of the nodes is associated with a data record that contains multiple level of information. At different view level, different amount of information for the nodes are displayed. A view control function is provided for the graphical user interface. If none (or all) of the nodes are selected, each nodes display the same level of information based associated with a particular view level. If only few of the nodes are selected, only the selected nodes responds changes in view level when being displayed. |
| US08966403B2 |
Classification tool
Disclosed is a method which, in one embodiment, enables a user to navigate the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The method initially involves uploading a delimited HTS file, and using it to create a wizard which optionally allows the user to navigate a series of options menus, or alternatively, the entire menu hierarchy can be displayed on the same screen. The selections made at every menu is saved for future reference. The method also optionally enables the documentation of Export Control Classification Numbers, which are recorded along with applicable control information for the product. |
| US08966402B2 |
System and method for editing interactive three-dimension multimedia, and online editing and exchanging architecture and method thereof
A system and method are provided to edit interactive three-dimensional multimedia. A user interface of the system is provided with an event level template that includes event series levels with multiple event developing points. Through the user interface, multiple interactive events related to a first character of the event developing point are edited. Through a three-dimensional engine, interactive relevances are built up between interactive events and multiple materials inside one or more database. When the interactive three-dimensional multimedia with multiple materials is output, the interactive events corresponding to the event developing points are performed according to a user command. An online editing and exchanging method integrated with the system and method is also provided to share pre-edited templates on an exchange server; each of the pre-edited templates is extracted from an interactive three-dimensional multimedia pre-edited by the system and method. |
| US08966399B2 |
Graphical menu interface, implementing method thereof, and operating method thereof
A graphical menu interface, an implementing method thereof, and an operating method thereof are provided. In the implementing method of the graphical menu interface, m function groups are provided first, and each of the function groups has at least one function. Then, an operating frame related to each function group is obtained and used as the menu icon representing a corresponding function group in the graphical menu interface. Finally, there are n function groups displayed on the screen, and the corresponding operating frames are used as the menu icons of these n function groups in the graphical menu interface. As a result, users can infer the position of each function in the graphical menu interface more intuitively, and thus the convenience in operating the graphical menu is improved. |
| US08966398B2 |
System and method for visualizing connected temporal and spatial information as an integrated visual representation on a user interface
A system and method for configuring the presentation of a plurality of presentation elements in a visual representation on a user interface, the presentation elements having both temporal and spatial parameters, the method comprising the steps of: defining a time bar with a time scale having time indicators as subdivisions of the time scale and having a first global temporal limit and a second temporal global limit of the time scale for defining a temporal domain of the presentation elements, defining a focus range of the time bar such that the focus range has a first local temporal limit and a second local temporal limit wherein the first local temporal limit is greater than or equal to the first global temporal limit and the second local temporal limit is less than or equal to the second global temporal limit; defining a focus bar having a focus time scale having focus time indicators as subdivisions of the focus time scale and having the first and second local temporal limits as the extents of the focus time scale, such that the focus time scale is an expansion of the time scale; and displaying a set of presentation elements selected from the plurality of presentation elements based on the respective temporal parameter of each of the set of presentation elements is within the first and second local temporal limits. |
| US08966397B2 |
Method of converting digital data
A method is disclosed to convert digital data using a memory card operatively engaged with an apparatus such as a digital camera having control buttons but that does not have a keyboard or keypad. The memory card comprises a central processor, a conversion module and a storage module. The method includes placing the apparatus in a predetermined mode; activating the conversion module in the memory card; selecting at least one file stored in the memory card; and converting the selected at least one file. |
| US08966396B2 |
Information management with non-hierarchical views
Information items in a file system are arranged into groups that are created according to a grouping component. A non-hierarchical view displays visual representations (e.g., icons, thumbnail images) of the information items arranged in visually delineated groups according to an arrange type that can be specified for each group. Various view formats are available including icon, list and column view formats. In each view format, a condensed mode can be selected for one or more groups, resulting in multiple visual representations of items being displayed in a fixed amount of screen space in the non-hierarchical view. In icon view, each condensed group includes a single row of visual representations that can be navigated separately from other groups in the non-hierarchical view. |
| US08966390B2 |
Method and apparatus for visually indicating location probability
A method and apparatus are provided for visually indicating location probability, particularly in a multi-level, three-dimensional environment. In general, a method of a graphical user interface may be provided that displays the uncertain location of a device within an environment in an easily discernable format. A method may be provided that includes providing for transmission of a location request from a first location within an environment and receiving at least two potential locations that are within the environment. The method may further include providing for display of a graphical representation of the environment including visual indicators of the potential locations within the graphical representation of the environment and receiving an indication that a potential location corresponds to the first location. Each visual indicator may convey the accuracy confidence level for each respective location. |
| US08966388B2 |
Dynamic creation of product structure
Systems and method for dynamic creation of product structure using a graphical user interface (GUI) are disclosed. A method for dynamic creation of products structures may include displaying information specifying a set of product items using the GUI. Input can be received via the GUI. The input may be indicative of one or more product levels within a product structure. A user may indent or otherwise manipulate the set of product items into one or more product levels. A product structure can then be generated based on the one or more product levels. In some embodiments, display of the set of product items can be updated to reflect the product structure. |
| US08966375B2 |
Management of application programs on a portable electronic device
A method, system, and graphical user interface (GUI) for management of application programs on a portable electronic device (PED) is discussed. A management application program operating on a computing device can provide management of the application programs on the PED by presenting a GUI. The user can interact with the GUI to (i) manage (e.g., position applications, arrange applications, add applications, and the like) the application programs, and (ii) arrange application icons on the PED. |
| US08966372B2 |
Systems and methods for performing geotagging during video playback
A method is implemented in a video playback system that includes a video editing interface for assigning geotagging data to a video. The method comprises receiving, by the video playback system, the video from a tangible storage medium. The method further comprises reading metadata associated with the video, selecting a frame from the video, providing a user interface with a map, displaying a default location of the selected frame on the map according to the metadata, receiving geotagging data via the user interface, and associating the geotagging data with the selected frame of the video to generate a geo-based timeline. |
| US08966371B2 |
Metadata for providing media content
Providing digital media content is disclosed. A metadata file and a plurality of data files are received. The metadata file is used to process the plurality of data files. The processing of the plurality of data files using the metadata file is performed without human intervention to provide a downloadable digital media content asset. |
| US08966370B2 |
Dynamic adjustment of video quality
A video quality module receives data indicating a visibility status of a tab of a web browser running on a user device. The video quality module determines, based on the data indicating the visibility status of the tab whether the tab of the web browser is currently visible to a user of the user device, the tab of the web browser comprising a streaming media player. If the tab of the web browser is not currently visible to the user, the video quality module decreases a quality of a video component of a streaming media file playing in the streaming media player. |
| US08966368B2 |
Intelligent console for content-based interactivity
The intelligent console method and apparatus of the present invention includes a powerful, intuitive, yet highly flexible means for accessing a multi-media system having multiple multi-media data types. The present intelligent console provides an interactive display of linked multi-media events based on a user's personal taste. The intelligent console includes a graph/data display that can provide several graphical representations of the events that satisfy user queries. The user can access an event simply by selecting the time of interest on the timeline of the graph/data display. Because the system links together all of the multi-media data types associated with a selected event, the intelligent console synchronizes and displays the multiple media data when a user selects the event. Complex queries can be made using the present intelligent console. The user is alerted to the events satisfying the complex queries and if the user chooses, the corresponding and associated multi-media data is displayed. |
| US08966365B2 |
Sound output setting apparatus, method, and computer-executable program
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an information processing apparatus capable of allowing a user to select appropriate processing beforehand when an application program outputs sound in a state in which an audio device is silenced. The apparatus in one embodiment includes a silencing module for silencing audio information output from an audio device, a detection module for detecting a sound playback request from an application program while silencing is set, a display module for displaying a select screen for allowing a user to select processing when the sound playback request from the application program is detected by the detection module, and a processing module for executing the processing selected by the user on the select screen. |
| US08966363B2 |
Print control program and method
A print control program according to the present invention makes an information processor control a printer. The printer is connected to the information processor and can do printing under the conditions set. The set conditions can reduce the consumption of printing media by the printer. The program includes a first step through a fourth step. The first step is to wait until an instruction is entered into the information processor to start printing under the set conditions. The second step is to analyze the set conditions if the information processor detects the entered instruction at the first step. The third step is to form a preview image representing an image or images as printed under the analyzed conditions at least one of which has been changed to further reduce the printing medium consumption. The fourth step is to display the formed preview image on the display of the information processor. |
| US08966360B2 |
Transcript editor
A transcript editor enables text-based editing of time-based media that includes spoken dialog. It involves an augmented transcript that includes timing metadata that associates words and phrases within the transcript with corresponding temporal locations within the time-based media where the text is spoken, and editing the augmented transcript without the need for playback of the time-based media. After editing, the augmented transcript is processed by a media editing system to automatically generate an edited version of the time-based media that only includes the segments of the time-based media that include the speech corresponding to the edited augmented transcript. |
| US08966358B2 |
Document generation based on referral
A document machine may detect a request for provision of a document while that document is available for provisioning. The document machine may update a count of referrals to the document and, based on the count of referrals transgressing a threshold value, generate a substitute document based on the original document. This substitute document may then be provided in response to further requests for the original document after the original document is no longer available for provision. The updating of the count of referrals is based on the identifier of a network that referred a request detected while the first document was still available for provision. The document machine may then provide the substitute document in lieu of the original document in response to a further request for provision of the first document. |
| US08966354B2 |
Communication system via cascade connection and communication device
A communication system having a main control portion (MCP) to transmit information destined to a device n cascade levels down, and create an error detection code (CRC code) for data that contains a count of remaining cascade levels until an n-th cascade level and the information. The code is transmitted to an upstream sub-control portion (USCP) with the data. The USCP creates a CRC code for the data, and compares the created and received codes. For a match, the USCP determines whether the information is destined to itself based on the remaining cascade level count. When the information is not so destined, the USCP creates new data with the remaining cascade level count reduced by 1, and a CRC code for the new data, and transmits the created code to a further device, with the new data. |
| US08966353B2 |
Receiver with tap-coefficient adjustments
A receiver can include a sampler module for sampling a data-bearing input signal to extract data encoded in the data-bearing analog input signal. The sampling results in data-symbol sequences. The data-symbol sequences can be used to identify error events. The identified error events can be used as a basis for adjusting tap coefficients. The tap coefficients can be used in setting reference levels for the sampler module. |
| US08966347B2 |
Forward error correction with parallel error detection for flash memories
Methods, systems, and devices are described for forward error correction for flash memory. Encoded data from flash memory may be used to generate a number of data streams. At each of a number of error detection sub-modules operating in parallel, a different one of the data streams is processed. Each error detection sub-module may detect whether a portion of the respective received stream contains an error, and forward the portion to an error correction module. The error correction module, physically separate from the error detection sub-modules, may correct the forwarded portions of the respective received streams containing an error. The age and error rate associated with the flash memory may be monitored, and a coding rate or other aspects may be dynamically adapted to account for these factors. |
| US08966346B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing a physical layer convergence protocol header
Apparatus and method for processing a physical layer protocol convergence (PLCP) header. In one embodiment, a wireless device includes a PLCP header processor. The PLCP header processor is configured to: process a physical layer header, process a check value based on the physical layer header, and process an error correction code based on the physical layer header and the check value. A concatenation of the physical layer header, check value, and error correction code the PLCP header processor is configured to process consists of a number of information bits that is an integer multiple of a number of information bits per symbol used to encode the PLCP header. |
| US08966342B2 |
Probabilistic error correction in multi-bit-per-cell flash memory
Data that are stored in cells of a multi-bit-per cell memory, according to a systematic or non-systematic ECC, are read and corrected (systematic ECC) or recovered (non-systematic ECC) in accordance with estimated probabilities that one or more of the read bits are erroneous. In one method of the present invention, the estimates are a priori. In another method of the present invention, the estimates are based only on aspects of the read bits that include significances or bit pages of the read bits. In a third method of the present invention, the estimates are based only on values of the read bits. Not all the estimates are equal. |
| US08966341B2 |
Utilizing a dispersed storage network access token module to access a dispersed storage network memory
A method includes a DSN access token module retrieving one or more sets of at least a threshold number of dispersed storage (DS) error coding function slices from the DSN memory via the computing device. The method continues with the computing device and/or the DSN access token module decoding the one or more sets of the at least a threshold number of DS error coding function slices using a default DS error coding function to recapture a DS error coding function. The method continues with the computing device and/or the DSN access token module generating a plurality of sets of data access requests in accordance with the DS error coding function. The method continues with the computing device sending the plurality of sets of data access requests to the DSN memory. |
| US08966336B2 |
Selective merge and partial reuse LDPC (low density parity check) code construction for limited number of layers belief propagation (BP) decoding
Selective merge and partial reuse LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code construction for limited number of layers Belief Propagation (BP) decoding. Multiple LDPC matrices may be generated from a base code, such that multiple/distinct LDPC coded signals may be encoded and/or decoded within a singular communication device. Generally speaking, a first LDPC matrix is modified in accordance with one or more operations thereby generating a second LDPC matrix, and the second LDPC matrix is employed in accordance with encoding an information bit thereby generating an LDPC coded signal (alternatively performed using an LDPC generator matrix corresponding to the LDPC matrix) and/or decoding processing of an LDPC coded signal thereby generating an estimate of an information bit encoded therein. The operations performed on the first LDPC matrix may be any one of, or combination of, selectively merging, deleting, partially re-using one or more sub-matrix rows, and/or partitioning sub-matrix rows. |
| US08966335B2 |
Method for performing error corrections of digital information codified as a symbol sequence
A method and system for making error corrections on digital information coded as symbol sequences, for example digital information stored in electronic memory systems or transmitted from and to these systems is described, provides the transmission of sequences incorporating a portion of error corrector code allowing the sequence which is more probably the original transmitted through the calculation of an error syndrome using a parity matrix to be restored when received. Advantageously according to embodiments of the invention, the error code incorporated in the original sequence belongs to a non Boolean group. |
| US08966328B2 |
Detecting a memory device defect
A technique includes receiving data indicative of a time varying count of errors, which are attributable to at least one memory device. The technique includes filtering the indicated count and detecting a defect in the memory device(s), where the detecting includes selectively generating an indicator to represent that the memory device(s) is defective based at least in part on a result of the filtering. |
| US08966326B2 |
Error detecting circuit and semiconductor apparatus including the same
An error detecting circuit of a semiconductor apparatus, comprising: a fail detecting section configured to receive 2-bit first test data signals outputted from a first block and 2-bit second test data signals outputted from a second block, disable a first fail detection signal when the 2-bit first test data signals have different levels, disable a second fail detection signal when the 2-bit second test data signals have different levels, and disable both the first and second fail detection signals when the 2-bit first test data signals have the same level, the 2-bit second test data signals have the same level, and levels of the 2-bit first test data signals and the 2-bit second test data signals are the same with each other. |
| US08966321B2 |
Logical port and layer protocol test configuration resource manager
A test configuration resource manager and a method of managing test configuration resources in a network test system. A computer readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed, cause a computing device to receive a user input identifying a portion of a first test configuration, store the identified portion of the first test configuration as a test configuration resource in a library of test configuration resources, receive a user input identifying a stored test configuration resource, retrieve the identified stored test configuration resource, and incorporate the retrieved test configuration resource into a second test configuration. The library of test configuration resources may include one or more of port resources, protocol resources, and traffic resources. |
| US08966316B2 |
Identifying software responsible for changes in system stability
A computer program product includes computer usable program code for: detecting a stability change in a computer system; identifying a first set of at least one capability of the computer system that is affected by the stability change; identifying, in response to detecting the stability change, a software application that was installed or updated prior to the stability change; identifying a second set of at least one capability that is utilized by the identified software application; comparing the first set to the second set to determine a degree of similarity; comparing a first time that the stability change was detected to a second time that the identified software application was installed or updated to determine a temporal proximity; and identifying the likelihood that the identified software application is the cause of the stability change, wherein the identified likelihood is a function of the degree of similarity and the temporal proximity. |
| US08966310B2 |
Redundancy for loss-tolerant data in non-volatile memory
A memory device includes a memory array including a plurality of memory sections characterized by a plurality of memory types and control logic integrated with and distributed over the memory array. The control logic is operable to selectively allocate redundant sections in the plurality of memory sections. |
| US08966308B2 |
System and method for clock domain management
A source clock system clock domain is selected by communication of the desired clock domain from a receiver clock system through a clock line, such as through a clock differential pair. For instance, the source clock system signals available clock domains by selectively altering the polarity of a first clock line of the pair and the receiver clock system selects from the available clock domains by altering the polarity of a second clock line of the pair. Polarity is altered by selectively interfacing a resistor with the clock lines and then removing the resistor interface when the clock signal associated with the selected clock domain is sent by the source clock system. |
| US08966299B2 |
Optimizing power usage by factoring processor architectural events to PMU
A method and apparatus to monitor architecture events is disclosed. The architecture events are linked together via a push bus mechanism with each architectural event having a designated time slot. There is at least one branch of the push bus in each core. Each branch of the push bus may monitor one core with all the architectural events. All the data collected from the events by the push bus is then sent to a power control unit. |
| US08966297B2 |
Bidirectional inline power port
A method and apparatus for bidirectional provision of inline power over data telecommunications cabling permits power to be received at a local powered device (PD) from remote power sourcing equipment (PSE) via at least one conductor at a first time and power to be provided by the local device to a remote device or another device at a second different time. |
| US08966296B2 |
Transitioning a performance state of a processor
A processing circuit independent of a processor determines a current utilization of the processor, based on events of an execution pipeline of the processor. According to the determined utilization, the processing circuit causes the processor to transition from a first of the plurality of performance states to a second of the plurality of performance states. |
| US08966295B2 |
Apparatus and method for controlling transfer of power between energy storage devices through a converter
A power manager includes a converter and a controller. The converter is coupled between first and second energy storage devices, and the controller controls transfer of power between the first and second energy storage devices through the converter. The first energy storage device is to supply power to a first power subsystem of an electronic device, and the second energy storage device is to supply power to a second power subsystem of the electronic device. The subsystem may have different operating voltage requirements. When a level of the second battery falls below a first reference value, the controller controls the transfer of power from the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device. A transfer of power in a reverse direction may occur when a level of the first energy storage device falls below a second reference value. |
| US08966294B2 |
Clamp circuits for power converters
A power converter comprises an input port configured to receive a source of power, an output port configured to provide output power, and a bridge circuit coupled to the input port. The bridge circuit comprises a first switch coupled in series with a second switch, and a third switch coupled in series with a fourth switch. A first clamp rectifier is coupled in series with a second clamp rectifier, and the first and second clamp rectifiers are coupled in parallel with the first and second switches. A first clamp capacitor is coupled between the first and second clamp rectifiers, with the first clamp capacitor operative to reduce power loss in the first and second clamp rectifiers. A first resonant inductor is coupled between the first and second switches. The power converter also includes a transformer operatively coupled to the bridge circuit, with the transformer comprising a primary winding and at least one secondary winding. A current rectifying circuit is operatively coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer and the output port. |
| US08966293B1 |
Method and apparatus for allocation of power consumption of a computer storage system to its tenants
Example embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for determining power consumption of a computer storage system attributable to an application. The method includes obtaining metadata relating to power consumption of a computer storage system and obtaining metadata relating to storage configuration of the computer storage system. Storage utilization of the computer system attributable to an application is then determined and a transformation is performed according to the metadata relating to power consumption of the computer storage system, the metadata relating to storage configuration of the computer storage system, and the storage utilization of the computer storage system attributable to the application. |
| US08966292B2 |
Performance improvements in a wireless client terminal using assistance from a proxy device
Various features are provided to improve communication performance and power conservation in a client terminal by relying on the assistance of a proxy device. For instance, rather than reporting channel measurements via a primary communication channel to a network, the client terminal may be adapted to perform (a) channel measurement feedback using out-of-band signaling via the proxy device and/or (b) active synchronization with assistance of a proxy device. In this manner, the client terminal may be able to disable or reduce power consumption over a primary communication interface for the primary communication channel while utilizing a secondary communication interface to communicate with the proxy device. |
| US08966289B2 |
Pairing of angle sensor and electronic control unit
Various embodiments relate to a tamper-proof vehicle sensor system and a related method for sending secure packets between components. A sensing unit may include an angular sensor, such as an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor, which determines the angular position of a magnetic field and produces related angle sensor data. The sensing unit may place the angle sensor data in a packet and may encrypt the packet using a selected encryption key. The sensor may append an encryption key identifier (ID) associated with the selected encryption key onto the packet and send the secure, unidirectional packet to an electrical control unit (ECU). The ECU may then use the appended encryption key ID to retrieve the selected encryption key to decrypt the packet. The ECU may then extract the angle sensor data from the packet to modify the configuration of the vehicle. |
| US08966286B2 |
Method, system and integrated circuit for enabling access to a memory element
A system comprises signal processing logic that is operably coupled to at least one memory element and is arranged to enable access to the at least one memory element. The signal processing logic is arranged to receive a security key, generate a system key using the received security key and a system specific seed, perform a comparison of the generated system key to a reference key stored in an area of memory of the at least one memory element. The signal processing logic is also arranged to configure a level of access to the at least one memory element based at least partly on the comparison of the generated system key to the reference key stored in memory. |
| US08966285B2 |
Securing implementation of a cryptographic process having fixed or dynamic keys
In the field of computer enabled cryptography, such as a keyed block cipher having a plurality of rounds, the cipher is hardened against attack by protecting the round keys by (1) combining several cipher operations using a pair of sub-keys (round keys) into one table look-up, or (2) a key masking process which obscures the round keys by providing a masked version of the key operations for carrying out encryption or decryption using the cipher. This approach is especially advantageous in an insecure “White Box” environment where an attacker has full access to execution of the cipher algorithm, including the algorithm's internal state during its execution. |
| US08966284B2 |
Hardware driver integrity check of memory card controller firmware
A memory system comprises an encryption engine implemented in the hardware of a controller. In starting up the memory system, a boot strapping mechanism is implemented wherein a first portion of firmware when executed pulls in another portion of firmware to be executed. The hardware of the encryption engine is used to verify the integrity of at least the first portion of the firmware. Therefore, only the firmware that is intended to run the system will be executed. |
| US08966279B2 |
Securing the implementation of a cryptographic process using key expansion
In the field of computer enabled cryptography, such as a keyed block cipher having a plurality of rounds, the cipher is hardened against an attack by protecting the cipher key by means of a key expansion process which obscures the cipher and/or the round keys by increasing their lengths to provide an expanded version of the keys for carrying out encryption or decryption using the cipher. This is especially advantageous in a “White Box” environment where an attacker has full access to the cipher algorithm, including the algorithm's internal state during its execution. This method and the associated computing apparatus are useful where the key is derived through a process and so is unknown when the software code embodying the cipher is compiled. This is typically the case where there are many users of the cipher and each has his own key, or where each user session has its own key. |
| US08966274B2 |
File tamper detection
This disclosure relates generally to methods and systems for determining when a file has changed. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of determining if contents of a file have changed can include determining if a digital signature created as a function of contents of the file has changed, and when the digital signature has changed, overlaying the contents of the file with a first mark that indicates the contents have changed and blocks a view of the contents of the file. |
| US08966273B2 |
Lightweight group signature system and method with short signature
A lightweight group signature system and method with short signatures according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide security characteristics similar to group signature mechanisms providing the existing known controllable linkability but can make a revocation method simple by outputting a short signature and providing excellent operation efficiency at the time of signature generation, signature verification, and revocation on smart terminals, and can be widely applied to various anonymity-based application environments, making by making operation efficiency excellent at the time of signature generation and verification and outputting very short signature lengths. |
| US08966272B2 |
Method for author verification and software authorization
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a computer-implemented method for author verification and authorization of object code. In one embodiment, program object code is linked with a plurality of data blocks to create linked object code and a MAP file. Thereafter, author verification is performed by executing a plurality of comparisons between the linked object code and the MAP file. In another embodiment, a digital signing procedure is performed on linked object code by creating a signature data block. The signature data block is then encrypted and written to the linked object code to create digitally-signed object code. In another embodiment, an application program embodied in linked object code generates a data packet. The data packet is then compared to a previously-generated signature data packet from the linked object code to determine if the linked object code is authorized. |
| US08966265B2 |
Pairwise temporal key creation for secure networks
A system and method for establishing a pairwise temporal key (PTK) between two devices based on a shared master key and using a single message authentication codes (MAC) algorithm is disclosed. The devices use the shared master key to independently compute four MACs representing the desired PTK, a KCK, and a first and a second KMAC. The Responder sends its first KMAC to the Initiator, which retains the computed PTK only if it verifies that the received first KMAC equals its computed first KMAC and hence that the Responder indeed possesses the purportedly shared master key. The Initiator sends a third message including the second KMAC to the Responder. The Responder retains the computed PTK only if it has verified that the received second KMAC equals its computed second KMAC and hence that the Initiator indeed possesses the purportedly shared master key. |
| US08966264B2 |
Signature generation apparatus, signature method, non-transitory computer readable medium storing signature generation program
A signature generation apparatus includes basic operation execution units each executing a basic operation included in a signature generation procedure; and a whole operation controller connected to the basic operation execution units to control operations in the basic operation execution units and monitor operation states of the basic operation execution units, in which when there is a basic operation execution unit among the basic operation execution units which is executing a secret operation which uses data to be concealed as an argument, the whole operation controller causes basic operation execution units other than the basic operation execution unit to simultaneously execute a random number operation which uses a random number originally used for signature generation as an argument. |
| US08966260B1 |
Credentials management in large scale virtual private network deployment
Techniques for credentials management in large scale virtual private network (VPN) deployment are disclosed. In some embodiments, credentials management in large scale VPN deployment includes generating a public/private key pair and a certificate signing request at a satellite device; automatically communicating the certificate signing request to a portal over a public, untrusted network to authenticate the satellite device using a serial number associated with the satellite device, in which the certificate signing request and the serial number are verified by the portal; and receiving a certificate from the portal for using to establish VPN connections and configuration information for the satellite device, in which the certificate includes a credential signed by a trusted certificate authority, and the configuration information includes gateway configuration information identifying a plurality of gateways to which the satellite device is configured to connect using VPN connections. |
| US08966257B2 |
Method and system for secret communication between nodes
The present invention discloses a method and system for secret communication between nodes in a wired Local Area Network (LAN). The method of secret communication between nodes in the wired LAN includes the following steps: 1) a sharing key is established; 2) the route probe is exchanged; 3) the data communication is classified; 4) the secret communication is processed among the nodes. According to the different communication situations among the nodes, the method of secret communication between nodes provided in the present invention can process the classification and select an appropriate secret communication strategy; compared with per-hop encryption, the calculation load of the exchange equipment is reduced, and the transmission delay of data packets is shortened; compared with the method that inter-station keys are established in pairs of nodes in order to protect the communication secret, the key number is reduced, and the key management is simplified. |
| US08966254B2 |
Keyless challenge and response system
A confidential information exchange between a sender and a receiver may be conducted without the use of encryption keys. The information is coded with a Challenge-Response Table that is shared between the sender and the receiver. Rather than sending a challenge and then waiting for a response, the challenge and response are both sent by the sender of the information. The information sent comprises an index with a challenge and a response from the Challenge-Response Table. Upon receiving the coded information, the receiver uses the Challenge-Response Table to decode the information by using the index to locate the challenge and its valid response. Upon determining that the challenge and the response are correct, a first decoded answer is determined. Upon determining that either the challenge or the response, or both, are incorrect, a second decoded answer is determined. |
| US08966251B2 |
Large-scale data processing cloud computing system
A cloud computing system includes a native client; and a platform system providing distributed resources and dynamic resource allocation, for receiving raw data uploaded by the native client and returning computed results, including: a data extracting module for receiving the raw data; an encrypting and decrypting module, wherein only a single user is permitted to simultaneously invoke the data extracting module and the encrypting and decrypting module and process the raw data; the encrypting and decrypting module generates a key during encrypting and returns the key to the user for keeping and the computed results to the native client after receiving the key inputted by the user; and a data computing module, for computing raw data encrypted by the encrypting and decrypting module and returning results to the encrypting and decrypting module, wherein the data computing module is shared by all users and can be invoked simultaneously by several users. |
| US08966249B2 |
Data security and integrity by remote attestation
This invention includes apparatus, systems, and methods to ensure the security and integrity of data stored, processed, and transmitted across compute devices. The invention includes a system comprising at least one of said devices, application software installed on said devices and coupled to the device's hardware and software stack to execute data encryption and remote attestation, and said devices coupled with an attestation server through a communication network. The invention includes a process to configure said devices for data encryption and remote attestation and performing an initial inventory and content scan of the device's hardware and software stack with results transmitted across a communication network to the attestation server. The invention includes periodic inventory and content scans of the device's hardware and software stack with results transmitted again to the attestation server via the communication network. The attestation server stores said results in a database for comparison to subsequent results sent by devices. The attestation server notes any differences in the most recent results and sends an alert to the device if the device is configured differently based on the previous scan, or configured the same if no differences were noted. |
| US08966245B2 |
System and method for assigning quality to cryptographic identities used in a digital transaction
A method of assessing risk in an electronic transaction involves assignment of quality attributes to cryptographic identities presented in a digital transaction. The quality assignment supports assessment of risk in the transaction. The evaluation of risk in the transaction is made by assessing machine readable attributes of the digital identities along with transaction details. The digital identity attributes may be constructed using extensions of existing standards. A guarantee against risk of loss may be obtained by procuring insurance on the transaction before execution. Third party insurers may analyze the risk of loss in a transaction by assessing the attributes of digital identities along with transaction details and may provide a requestor with an insurance premium quote. Based on the value of the quote, the transaction participants may decide whether or not to execute the transaction. |
| US08966240B2 |
Enabling packet handling information in the clear for MACSEC protected frames
Techniques are provided to append packet handling information “in the clear” ahead of security related information in a packet to be routed over a network to optimize wide area network deployments of security-configured equipment. In one form, at a network device that performs connectionless secure communication and network routing of packets, data is received from a source device to be sent through a network to a destination device. Packet handling information is inserted in a packet that is to be used to transport the data. The packet handling information is configured to enable controlled handling of the packet in the network and is inserted in an unprotected portion of the packet. Encrypted payload data is generated from the data received from the source device. The encrypted payload data and security information are inserted in a protected portion of the packet and the packet is sent to the network. |
| US08966239B2 |
Digital content access control having improved transmission bandwidth
Control of access to at least one digital content is managed as a function of at least one access criterion. The digital content is transmitted to at least one terminal in the form a data stream. The access criterion is stored in the terminal as a function of an identifier. The terminal receives the data stream in association with a control message indicating the identifier. It then retrieves the stored access criterion as a function of the identifier received in the control message. Finally, it verifies whether the stored access criterion is satisfied in order, where appropriate, to authorize access to the content. |
| US08966238B2 |
Personalization of shared electronic devices
The described embodiments include an electronic device that performs configuration operations. During operation, an administrative electronic device receives an indication that an electronic device that is presently checked out to a user is to be checked in. The administrative electronic device then requests a backup file with information from the electronic device, wherein the information comprises information about one or more changes made to the electronic device since the electronic device was checked out. Next, the administrative electronic device receives the backup file from the electronic device. The administrative electronic device then restores the electronic device to an initial state, wherein, in the initial state, changes made to the electronic device since the electronic device was checked out are reversed to return the electronic device to the initial state. |
| US08966237B2 |
Operating system switching method in information processing system including a switcher checking wakeup status in the processor
An OS switching method for switching an OS within several seconds in an information processing system is provided. In the information processing system which includes a processor, a main memory, a nonvolatile memory, and a plurality of input/output apparatuses, an OS switcher is executed when power is applied to the information processing system. When a first OS acquires an OS switch command that indicates a switch to a second OS while the first OS is activated and running, the first OS stores identification information of the second OS and information indicating an OS switch in the nonvolatile memory, and performs STR. The OS switcher switches an OS from the first OS to the second OS after the STR is completed. Accordingly, in the system, one OS can be quickly switched to another OS within several seconds, and a previous working environment can be maintained. |
| US08966236B2 |
Dynamically redirecting boot to another operating system
Various embodiments provide an ability to automatically boot a computing device with an operating system stored on a portable storage device when the portable storage device is detected to be present. The computing device can be configured to dynamically boot from the portable storage device when the portable storage device is detected, and revert to a programmed boot order in its associated boot module when the portable storage device is not detected. In some embodiments, the operating system is fully encapsulated on the portable storage device, such as the operating system being completely separate from an operating system initially booting the computing device. |
| US08966230B2 |
Dynamic selection of execution stage
Methods and apparatus relating to dynamic selection of execution stage are described. In some embodiments, logic may determine whether to execute an instruction at one of a plurality of stages in a processor. In some embodiments, the plurality of stages are to at least correspond to an address generation stage or an execution stage of the instruction. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08966229B2 |
Systems and methods for handling instructions of in-order and out-of-order execution queues
Processing systems and methods are disclosed that can include an instruction unit which provides instructions for execution by the processor; a decode/issue unit which decodes instructions received from the instruction unit and issues the instructions; and a plurality of execution queues coupled to the decode/issue unit, wherein each issued instruction from the decode/issue unit can be stored into an entry of at least one queue of the plurality of execution queues. The plurality of queues can comprise an independent execution queue, a dependent execution queue, and a plurality of execution units coupled to receive instructions for execution from the plurality of execution queues. The plurality of execution units can comprise a first execution unit, coupled to receive instructions from the dependent execution queue and the independent execution queue which have been selected for execution. When a multi-cycle instruction at a bottom entry of the dependent execution queue is selected for execution, it may not be removed from the dependent execution queue until a result is received from the first execution unit. When a multi-cycle instruction at a bottom entry of the independent execution queue is selected for execution, it can be removed from the independent execution queue without waiting to receive a result from the first execution unit. |
| US08966228B2 |
Instruction fetching following changes in program flow
This application is concerned with a device and method for fetching instructions from a data store for processing by a data processor. The device comprises: a register for storing an address of an instruction to be processed by said data processor; a fetch unit responsive to an address input to said fetch unit to fetch an instruction stored at said address; an adder for adding a predetermined amount to said address stored in said register prior to sending said address to said fetch unit, said predetermined amount determining a position in a program flow said fetched instruction has with respect to said instruction addressed in said register; said adder being responsive to detection of a change in program flow to reset said predetermined amount to an initial value, and to increase said predetermined amount for subsequent fetches by an amount equal to the separation between addresses such that consecutive addresses are fetched up to a maximum predetermined amount. |
| US08966226B2 |
State machine for monitoring a trace port and verifying proper execution of a secure mode entry sequence instruction
A method and system of verifying proper execution of a secure mode entry sequence. At least some of the exemplary embodiments may be a method comprising delivering an instruction from a memory to a processor across an instruction bus (the instruction at least partially configures the processor for secure mode of operation different that privilege modes of the processor), verifying delivery of the instruction across the instruction bus, and checking for proper execution of the instruction using a trace port of the processor. |
| US08966225B2 |
Reducing number of processing units generating calculation result when communication time to another node takes longer than calculation time
A management unit causes a plurality of processing units to execute a calculation process. A determining unit determines whether a communication time for a communication process of exchanging a calculation result obtained from the calculation process is longer than a calculation time for the calculation process, the communication process being executed between a first computational node including the processor and a second computational node being a different computational node from the first computational node. A control unit limits number of processing units when the determining unit has determined that the communication time is longer than the calculation time. |
| US08966224B2 |
Performing a deterministic reduction operation in a parallel computer
A parallel computer that includes compute nodes having computer processors and a CAU (Collectives Acceleration Unit) that couples processors to one another for data communications. In embodiments of the present invention, deterministic reduction operation include: organizing processors of the parallel computer and a CAU into a branched tree topology, where the CAU is a root of the branched tree topology and the processors are children of the root CAU; establishing a receive buffer that includes receive elements associated with processors and configured to store the associated processor's contribution data; receiving, in any order from the processors, each processor's contribution data; tracking receipt of each processor's contribution data; and reducing, the contribution data in a predefined order, only after receipt of contribution data from all processors in the branched tree topology. |
| US08966220B2 |
Optimizing large page processing
Embodiments of the disclosure include a method for optimizing large page processing. The method includes receiving an indication that a real memory includes a first page. The first page includes a plurality of smaller pages. The method also includes determining a page frame table entry associated with a first smaller page of the first page and storing data associated with the first page in the page frame table entry associated with the first smaller page. The page frame table entry associated with the first smaller page of the first page is a data repository for the plurality of smaller pages of the first page. |
| US08966218B2 |
On-access predictive data allocation and reallocation system and method
A method for predictively allocating space in a database system includes detecting an access request for a data set, evaluating a growth rate of the data set to determine a predicted increase in size of the data set, and in response dynamically altering an attribute of an allocation for the data set. Attributes altered include the size of volumes and the number of volumes comprising the data set. The method may include setting a flag indicating an instruction to rewrite the data set if the evaluation indicates that rewriting is needed to accommodate the predicted increase in size. The method may include rewriting the data set from a lower address space of a volume to a higher address space of the volume if the size of the data set is equal to or greater than an allocation increment of the upper address space. A corresponding apparatus and computer program product are also disclosed herein. |
| US08966217B2 |
Lightweight random memory allocation
In response to a memory allocation request received from an application thread, a random number is obtained (e.g., from a random number list previously populated with multiple random numbers). A starting location in at least a portion of a bitmap associated with a region including multiple blocks of the memory is determined based on the random number. A portion of the bitmap is scanned, beginning at the starting location, to identify a location in the bitmap corresponding to an available block of the multiple blocks, and an indication of this available block is returned to the application thread. |
| US08966215B2 |
Information processing system
An information processing system includes: CPUs; storage devices; switches; dummy storage devices which are with respective storage devices and each of which sends, when receiving an identifying information request, its own identifying information back to a sender of the identifying information request; and dummy CPUs which are associated with respective CPUs and each of which tries to, when receiving an instruction for acquiring identifying information from a dummy storage device, acquire the identifying information of the dummy storage device by transmitting the identifying information request, and sends the identifying information as response information back to a sender device of the acquiring instruction. |
| US08966212B2 |
Memory management method, computer system and computer readable medium
It is provided a memory management method for releasing an unnecessary area in a memory area used by a program stored in the memory and executed by the computing device. The memory management method including the step of: setting in the memory, a first memory area which is used to execute the program; setting in the memory, a second memory area which can be operated by the program; setting a utilized area in the second memory area based on an instruction from the program; storing objects including data in the utilized area of the second memory area based on an instruction from the program; determining whether the program uses the objects stored in the utilized area within the second memory area; and releasing, by the computing device, the utilized area occupied by an object that is not used by the program among the objects stored in the utilized area. |
| US08966206B2 |
Computer system, storage management computer, and storage management method
A memory stores first configuration information indicating a plurality of logical storage areas and a first condition defining a state of a storage apparatus as a trigger for the storage apparatus to move data. A CPU acquires: a second condition defining a state of a computer as a trigger for the computer to move a first object, which is stored in a first logical storage area among the plurality of logical storage areas and performed by the computer, to another one of the plurality of logical storage areas; second configuration information associating the first object and the first logical storage area; first state information indicating a state of the plurality of logical storage areas; and second state information indicating a state of the first object. If a state of performing data movement is set, the CPU identifies a cause of the state of performing the data movement. |
| US08966203B2 |
Shared and managed memory unified access
A managed memory in which multiple computing entities each have a corresponding entity-specific portion that is subject to garbage collection. An immutable buffer is located outside of managed memory. For a given computing entity, the corresponding managed memory portion contains entity-specific objects that can be accessed by a specific computing entity, but not by the other multiple computing entities. For one or more of the entity-specific managed memory portions, the portion also includes a reference to shared memory, such as an immutable buffer. The reference is structured to be ignored by the garbage collector, though the reference may appear just as a normal object in the managed memory portion. Thus, a unified memory access model is made possible in which the methods for a computing entity to access a regular object in managed memory is similar to how the computing entity accesses shared memory. |
| US08966202B2 |
Wireless communication device
In this wireless communication device, a storage unit stores writing identification information relating to permission and prohibition of writing. An acquisition unit acquires device identification information that uniquely specifies an arbitrary wireless communication device from the arbitrary wireless communication device. A determination unit determines permission or prohibition of writing to a recording medium on the basis of the device identification information acquired by the acquisition unit and the writing identification information stored in the storage unit when a communication protocol of a session layer that performs writing to and readout from the recording medium in sector units is selected. A recording medium control unit controls permission and prohibition of writing to the recording medium on the basis of a result determined by the determination unit. |
| US08966201B2 |
Method and system for hijacking writes to a non-volatile memory
A method and system for accessing enhanced functionality on a storage device is disclosed. A hijack command is sent to the storage device that includes an identifier (such as a signature or an address). The storage device determines whether to hijack one or more subsequently commands by analyzing the subsequently commands using the identifier. For example, the storage device may analyze the subsequently received commands to determine whether the signature is in the payload of the subsequently received commands. As another example, the storage device may compare the address in the subsequently received commands with the address in the hijack command to determine whether to hijack the subsequently received commands. |
| US08966197B2 |
Distributed snapshot process
Systems and methods for providing an efficient partitioned resource server are disclosed. The partitioned resource server includes a plurality of individual servers, and the individual servers support a storage service. The systems and methods provide archiving processes for partitioned resources. To this end, the systems and process include a snapshot process operating on a server and capable of coordinating with other snapshot processes operating on the other servers for generating state information representative of the state of the partitioned resources. |
| US08966194B2 |
Processing a write request in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a processing module receiving a write request regarding an encoded data slice and determining whether the write request pertains to deleting the encoded data slice from a memory space. The method continues with the processing module storing a deletion marker regarding the encoded data slice when the write request pertains to deleting the encoded data slice. The method continues with the processing module determining when to delete the encoded data slice based on the deletion marker and in accordance with the deletion scheme. |
| US08966176B2 |
Memory management storage to a host device
Systems and methods of memory management storage to a host device are disclosed. A method is performed in a data storage device with a non-volatile memory and a controller operative to manage the non-volatile memory and to generate management data for managing the non-volatile memory. The method includes performing, at a given time, originating at the controller data management transfer to a host device or originating at the controller data management retrieval from the host device. |
| US08966170B2 |
Elastic cache of redundant cache data
An apparatus for elastic caching of redundant cache data. The apparatus may have a plurality of buffers and a circuit. The circuit may be configured to (i) receive a write request from a host to store write data in a storage volume, (ii) allocate a number of extents in the buffers based upon a redundant organization associated with the write request and (iii) store the write data in the number of extents, where (a) each of the number of extents is located in a different one of the buffers and (b) the number of extents are dynamically linked together in response to the write request. |