最新美国发明专利第2015-03-17期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US08979089B2	Sheet post-processing apparatus, image forming apparatus and sheet post-processing method According to one embodiment, a sheet post-processing apparatus includes a machine body, a first roller pair, a tray, a second roller pair, a driving unit, an inlet sensor, a receiving unit and a control unit. The inlet sensor is configured to detect presence or absence of the sheet in the first roller pair driven by the driving unit. The receiving unit is configured to receive, from an image forming apparatus, sheet length information in the sheet conveying direction of the sheet as a target to which the print job is applied. The control unit is configured to control the driving unit to rotate, if the sheet length information indicates special length and the inlet sensor detects a trailing end of the sheet, at least rollers of the second roller pair a predetermined number of times and stop the rollers, the second roller pair nipping the sheet.
US08979088B2	Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus A sheet feeding portion is provided with a pair of separation rollers that include a feed roller which conveys the sent sheet and a retard roller which applies a rotation force to return the sheet in a direction opposite to a sheet feeding direction through a torque limiter in a state of being pressed against the feed roller. The sheet feeding portion further includes a rotation transmitting mechanism that transmits a rotation of the retard roller, at the time of sending the sheet to the sheet feeding direction, to the pickup roller and a changing mechanism that switches a retard pressure, which allows the retard roller to be pressed against the feed roller, according to a reaction force that is transmitted to the retard roller from the pickup roller.
US08979087B2	Substrate supporting edge ring with coating for improved soak performance Embodiments of the present invention provide a substrate supporting edge ring for supporting a substrate. In one embodiment, a substrate support ring is provided. The substrate support ring comprises an annular body. The annular body comprises an outer band extending radially inward from an outer annular sidewall; and a substrate supporting region extending inward from an inner portion of the outer band, wherein the annular body comprises a first material that is exposed and at least a portion of the substrate supporting region is covered with a coating comprising a second material that is different than the first material.
US08979082B2	Vibration damping bushing and manufacturing method thereof A vibration damping bushing including: an inner axial member; an outer cylindrical member through which the inner axial member is inserted; a main rubber elastic body elastically connecting the two members; and a stopper member that is fitted onto the inner axial member as a component of a first stopper mechanism that limits relative displacement of the inner axial member against the outer cylindrical member to one side in an axial direction. The inner axial member is formed with a latching depression that opens toward an outer periphery thereof, and the stopper member is provided with a latching piece that protrudes outward in the axial direction. The latching piece is engaged with the latching depression so as to provide a slipping out prevention mechanism for preventing the stopper member from slipping out from the inner axial member.
US08979077B2	Gas spring end member as well as gas spring assembly and suspension system including same A gas spring end member is dimensioned for securement along an associated suspension member having an associated planar surface and at least an associated first side surface. The gas spring end member can include a base wall disposed transverse to a longitudinal axis and a bracket wall that extends longitudinally-outwardly from the base wall. The bracket wall can be adapted for operative connection to the associated suspension member such that the gas spring end member can be supported thereon with the base wall disposed in longitudinally spaced-apart relation to the associated planar surface of the associated suspension member. A gas spring assembly including such an end member can be included. A suspension system and a method of installation including such a gas spring assembly can also be included.
US08979076B2	Air spring device An air spring device having a folding bellows which protects the rolling fold against contaminants, the folding bellows being fastened to that end of the rolling piston which lies opposite the rolling fold, and surrounding the outer guide at least over the length of the latter.
US08979074B2	Air springs with improved high temperature performance An air spring bellow comprising a vulcanized rubber component including the at least partially vulcanized residue of hydrogenated nitrile rubber and a rubber other than hydrogenated nitrile rubber.
US08979061B2	Supporting unit for oil pump of continuously variable transmission A supporting unit apparatus for an oil pump of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) may include the CVT disposed in a transmission housing, wherein an input shaft and a CVT case cover thereof may be disposed thereto, the oil pump which may be disposed in the transmission housing independent from the CVT and of which a rotating shaft and an oil pump case cover may be disposed thereto, a connecting member which engages the input shaft of the CVT and the rotating shaft of the oil pump for transmitting rotation of the input shaft to the rotating shaft, and a supporting unit which connects the CVT and the oil pump for preventing relative motion of the CVT and the oil pump.
US08979057B2	Swinging support device A swinging support device is provided which includes: a display device 120 which is opened and closed between a stowage position 121 and a view position 122; an opening and closing mechanism 110 operable to open and close the display device 120; a retaining mechanism 130 for holding the display device 120 located at the view position 122 by switching between at least two levels of retaining forces; a first acceleration sensor 160 mounted to a top inner surface portion 190 of a movable carrier in the vicinity of the display device 120; and a second acceleration sensor 170 mounted to the display device 120.
US08979056B2	Cabin air compressor support bracket A support bracket for a cabin air compressor (CAC) assembly includes a CAC mounting portion formed substantially orthogonal to an access portion and a structural support portion. A cross-support bracket mounting portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion. An upper lug portion is formed at an angle relative to the access portion and substantially orthogonal to an upper lug. A plurality of CAC mounting holes is formed in the CAC mounting portion. A plurality of lower slotted holes and an upper slotted hole are formed in the cross-support bracket mounting portion. A ratio of a length of longitudinal offset defined between the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole to a length of lateral offset between a center of at least one of the lower slotted holes and the upper slotted hole is between 2.47 and 2.91.
US08979055B2	Tripod head A tripod head includes a shell, an adjusting member, a supporting member, and a locking member. The shell defines a receiving space and an adjusting opening communicating with the receiving space. The adjusting member includes a spherical adjusting portion and a connecting portion connected to the adjusting portion. The adjusting portion is received in the receiving space, and the connecting portion passes out of the shell through the adjusting opening. The adjusting portion adjusts a position and angle of the connecting portion relative to the shell by rotating in the receiving space. The supporting member supports the adjusting portion in the receiving space. The locking member locks the adjusting portion between the supporting member and the shell.
US08979054B2	Wall mountable storage assembly with articulating connection A wall mountable storage assembly including a storage device, at least one mounting plate, and at least one double-faced adhesive. The storage device includes a coupling bracket forming a first engagement feature. The mounting plate forms a second engagement feature. The first and second engagement features have a complimentary construction configured to provide a releasable snap fit connection in which the mounting plate can articulate relative to the coupling bracket. The adhesive is configured to be arranged between the mounting plate and a wall, with the mounting plate articulating relative to the coupling bracket to facilitate complete contact between the adhesive and the wall. The storage device can include two spaced-apart coupling brackets. Two of the mounting plates are provided, each carrying adhesive. The mounting plates can articulate independent of one another, accommodating variations in flatness of the wall to which the storage assembly is mounted.
US08979053B2	Ladder standoff support for a roof A standoff support for spacing a ladder and ladder jack from a roof. Two pairs of rods are pivotably mounted to a horizontally extending member mounted atop a ladder jack secured to a ladder. The rods are extended outwardly from the mounting member to stabilize and limit movement of the ladder jack and ladder relative to the roof.
US08979052B2	External material clamp and external material clamping structure The external material clamp comprises the fixed plate fixed to the foundation of the wall of the building, the horizontal plate extending forwardly from the center of the fixed plate, the upper support plate projected upwardly from the front end of the horizontal plate to support the upper side external wall with engagement, the lower support plate supporting the upper end of the external material 50 in the lower side with engagement, and the receiving plate at least a part of which is located above the horizontal plate to contact with the external material in the upper side with receiving a part of the load thereof. With this configuration, the load of the upper side external material is shared by the lower side external material and the receiving plate of the external material clamp.
US08979051B2	Shaft clamp A shaft clamp having a first clamp member and a second clamp member, each having a main body shaped to allow positioning of the clamp member about a shaft and engagement of a shaft by a surface of the main body, is disclosed. The two clamp members are pivotably connected together at adjoining ends and separable at free ends, much like a clam shell configuration. A locking mechanism engagable with the free ends of the first and second clamp members is used to secure and pull the free ends of the clamp members to one another as they are positioned about a shaft. Alternatively, a torque-assisting extension connected to at least one of either the first member or the second member may be included. The extension allows the shaft clamp to be rotated, moved, or otherwise maneuvered more easily as it is secured about a shaft.
US08979050B2	Positioning device for rod A positioning device includes a base, a press board, an antislip piece, and a positioning unit. The base includes an opening, and a mounting space. The mounting space is mounted on a rod. The press board is slidably mounted in the opening. The antislip piece is mounted on the press board and is close to the mounting space. The antislip piece is made of elastic material and is softer than the press board. The positioning unit includes a shaft mounted on the base and a driving member rotatably and eccentrically connected with the shaft. The driving member is driven between a pressing position for locking the rod and a releasing position for unlocking the rod. Thus, the user only needs to drive the driving member to lock or unlock the rod so that the rod is locked or unlocked easily and quickly.
US08979041B2	Apparatus for supporting a tablet An apparatus for supporting a tablet includes a case for receiving the tablet. A swivel includes a socket and a ball disposed and retained therein. The ball is selectively rotatable relative to the socket. The ball is coupled to the case and the socket is coupled to a mounting post. The mounting post is releasably fixed to a mounting bar. The mounting bar defines a mounting slot configured to fix the apparatus relative to a structure, such as a microphone stand or the like. The apparatus includes clamping mechanisms to enable a user to selectively fix and release the components of the apparatus such that a user can configure and fix the apparatus to a desired position for interfacing with the tablet, and then lock the apparatus in that desired position.
US08979036B2	Electrical rudder control system for an aircraft Disclosed is a vertical rudder control system for an aircraft. The system is comprised of a rudder trim compensation generator that is configured to generate a rudder trim compensation order to set the position of the rudder bar of the aircraft to a neutral position in which the rudder bar is controlled with nil (i.e., zero) pilot effort. The vertical rudder control system includes a flight control calculator for calculating rudder control orders to maintain the nil effort rudder bar position, with the calculation of the rudder control orders being based on a sum of the rudder bar position, determined by a detection unit, and the rudder trim compensation order. The rudder control orders are received by a rudder operating unit, which is used to deflect the vertical rudder by a deflection value based on the rudder control orders.
US08979035B2	Zero-shock separation system A system and corresponding method for a launch vehicle or spacecraft for releasably connecting a first body (100) with a first interface (101) and a second body (200) with a second matching interface (201), said system comprising: a belt (300) for releasably securing said first body (100) to said second body (200); a circumferential trench (203) at said second interface (201) for receiving said belt (300) in order to provide for a fixation of said belt (300) with relation to said second body (200); mechanical fixation means (301) attaching said belt (300) to said first body (100), said mechanical fixation means (301) being provided to enable a circumferential shifting movement of said belt (300) with respect to said circumference of said first body (100) in order to initiate a separation of the first body (100) from the second body (200), wherein said circumferential shifting movement induces a relative movement of said belt (300) with respect to said circumference of said first body (100) in order to remove said belt (300) from said trench (203), and wherein the system further comprising a releasing mechanism (303) causing said circumferential shifting movement.
US08979031B2	Aerial delivery system with munition adapter and latching release An aerial delivery system is configured to allow delivery of one or more releasable items after the system is extracted from an aircraft. One or more linear guidance devices and releasable securing mechanisms allow the aerial delivery system to deploy one or more releasable items at an appropriate time. The releasable securing mechanisms may utilize one or more rotatable latch plates. The one or more releasable items may be deployed simultaneously, or in a staged or staggered fashion. Through use of drag or lift-producing devices, the system may be recovered and reused. The attitude and/or azimuth orientation of the system may be varied prior to, during, and/or after release of a releasable item.
US08979029B2	System for carrying and dropping loads for a transport airplane The present disclosure relates to a system for carrying and dropping ammunition for a transport airplane. The system includes a container which contains at least one load, in particular ammunition, which is capable of being brought into a drop position, in which a portion is located outside the airplane, and from which a load can be dropped, usually by simply releasing the load.
US08979026B2	Air compressor backing plate A compressor for pressurizing a flow of air within an aircraft including an inlet providing the flow of air to the compressor. An outlet provides the flow of air, after pressurization by the compressor, to a chamber of the aircraft. A diffuser assembly is disposed between the inlet and the outlet. The diffuser assembly includes one or more vanes at least partially impeding the flow of air through the diffuser assembly. A backing plate is included having a surface adjacent to the one or more vanes. The surface includes a relief feature that enables air to bypass the one or more vanes. The relief feature has an axial depth of about 0.5% to 2.5% of a width of a flow path through the diffuser assembly or of about 0.5% to 5% of a thickness of a flange of the backing plate. A method of operating a compressor is also included.
US08979025B1	Compact cargo lift for commercial aircraft Apparatus for transferring cargo between upper and lower decks of an aircraft. A lift platform receivable in a through opening in the upper deck is raised and lowered by a mechanism using a cable and linear actuator, such as a ball screw. The entirety of the mechanism may be housed in a structure that forms a divider within the aircraft, such as a horizontal deck, vertical bulkhead, or the lift platform itself, thus saving valuable interior volume of the aircraft. Also provided is a recess formed in the lower deck that receives the lift platform. A translating floor assembly mounted in the recess includes transversely extending deck segments that are displaceable between a raised configuration level with the lower deck, and a lowered configuration that clears the recess to receive the lift platform. Installed tracks guide the deck segments between the raised and lowered configurations.
US08979024B2	Skid landing gear and an aircraft provided with such landing gear A landing gear (3) provided with first and second longitudinal bearing skids (4, 5) and with first and second transverse crossbars (6, 7). The landing gear includes at least one resilient fastener device (10) together with at least one blocking means (20) and at least one centering means (30) for each crossbar.
US08979021B2	Hydraulic air bleed valve system An air bleed valve having a housing with hydraulic fluid therein and a first acoustic wave sensor mounted within the housing so as to be covered in the hydraulic fluid and a second acoustic wave sensor mounted within the housing so that it can detect when air is present in the housing sufficient to be vented outside upon the opening of an air vent valve and where both the first acoustic wave sensor and the second acoustic wave sensor and the air vent valve are electrically connected to a air bleed controller. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second acoustic wave sensors are of the type known as a shear horizontal surface acoustic sensor.
US08979018B2	System and method for minimizing wave drag through bilaterally asymmetric design An air vehicle having a bilaterally asymmetric configuration for reducing wave drag may include a body having a longitudinal axis. The air vehicle may further include longitudinally offset engine nacelles, asymmetrically lengthened engine nacelles, and/or longitudinally offset protruding aerodynamic surfaces for reducing wave drag.
US08979011B2	Method and structure for separating the web material in a winding machine A winding machine includes an upper winding roller and a separation mechanism arranged at a location close to and below the upper winding roller. The separation mechanism includes a pivot shaft having an outer circumferential surface and at least one pinch arm having a connecting end coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft and a web engagement end extending outward from the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft. When the pinch arm is driven by a driving mechanism to rotate the web engagement end of the pinch arm to an engagement position where the web engagement end opposes the upper winding roller, the web engagement end of the pinch arm sucks and holds or guides a web material passing therethrough, whereby the web material is subjected to a pulling force induced by a roll of paper formed in a winding nip to tear and thus separate.
US08979005B2	Process for recycling absorbent sanitary products A process for treating used absorbent sanitary products by providing a rotary cylindrical autoclave having an inner surface and two ends, at least one of which terminates in a hatch that can be opened to enable access to the autoclave and sealably closed to enable pressurization of the autoclave; loading the autoclave with closed absorbent sanitary products; heating to a sterilization temperature and pressurizing the autoclave and at the same time driving the autoclave in rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof; and providing inside the autoclave a load of high-density tearing elements designed to facilitate thermal and physical destructuring of the absorbent sanitary products.
US08979004B2	Pneumatic atomization nozzle for web moistening A system, in certain embodiments, includes a nozzle. The nozzle includes a liquid passage, a first pneumatic passage, and an exit surface. The exit surface includes at least one recirculation inducing feature configured to reduce deposits adjacent to the first pneumatic passage.
US08979003B2	Filtration irrigation device A filtration irrigation method, filtration irrigation device and the manufacturing method thereof, said filtration irrigation device comprises a water carrying chamber, in which one or more porous filter membranes are arranged. One or more flow restrictors corresponding to each membrane are set on the wall of the water carrying chamber. The total permeation capacity of the flow restrictors is less than that of said filter membranes. The present invention can avoid the blockage of the device effectively.
US08979002B2	Venturi-effect spraying device and its use in cosmetology and in perfumery A manual compressed-air spraying device comprising a head in which are fixed an air nozzle forming a venturi and an output nozzle is disclosed. The head delimits, between the venturi and the output nozzle, a mixing chamber into which directly opens a conduit for channelling product to be sprayed. The output nozzle presents a convergent section and a divergent section downstream of the convergent section.
US08979000B2	Ultrasonic atomization method and apparatus In the ultrasonic atomization method, a liquid is ultrasonically oscillated in an atomization chamber 4 and a liquid column P is projected in carrier gas to thus atomize the liquid into mists, the carrier gas carrying the atomized mists outwardly of the atomization chamber 4; the carrier gas is forcibly sucked from a lateral point being away at a distance (d1) of 5 cm or less from a center axis m of the liquid column P and thereby a gas flow is blown across the liquid column P; the mists are separated away from the liquid column P by means of the blown gas flow; and such separated mists are transferred outwardly of the atomization chamber 4 by means of the carrier gas.
US08978997B2	Aromatic cover An aromatic cover is provided. An aromatic cover includes a flexible enclosure defining an outer surface and an inner surface. A cartridge fastener is attached to the inner surface. The cartridge fastener is configured to releasably retain an aromatic cartridge containing a quantity of aromatic material at a semi-fixed position along the inner surface. An aroma-permeable region of the flexible enclosure is proximate to the semi-fixed position, wherein the aroma-permeable region is configured to allow for a release of the aromatic material from the aromatic cartridge to the outer surface.
US08978992B2	Cooler bypass apparatus and installation kit A cooler bypass valve apparatus installed the apparatus between a heat exchanger and conduits coupled to a device carrying fluid that needs to be cooled. A housing includes an inlet port and first and second outlet ports. At least one thermal actuator and at least one valve are mounted in a fluid flow passageway in the housing and operative in response to the fluid temperature to move the at least one valve between operative positions opening and closing fluid flow from the inlet port through the first and second outlet ports between a heat exchanger bypass loop and a heat exchanger cooling loop. In another aspect, two thermal actuators control a separate valve associated with the first and second outlets between open and closed positions enabling fluid flow from the inlet port exclusively through one of the first and second outlet ports or in a combined partial flow through both of the first and second outlet ports.
US08978987B2	Contactless integrated circuit device An electronic device includes an integrated circuit linked to a coil antenna forming at least a spiral having opposite ends connected to the integrated circuit, and a plate support for supporting the integrated circuit and the coil antenna. The plate support is conductive and open ring shaped, wherein the internal circumference of the ring is concentric to the spiral. The opening of the ring is obtained by a cut through the plate support. The coil antenna is fastened to and isolated from the plate support through an insulating material. The cut and the plate support are filled by the same insulating material.
US08978985B2	Image reader comprising CMOS based image sensor array The invention features an image reader and a corresponding method for capturing a sharp distortion free image of a target, such as a one or two-dimensional bar code. In one embodiment, the image reader comprises a two-dimensional CMOS based image sensor array, a timing module, an illumination module, and a control module. The time during which the target is illuminated is referred to as the illumination period. The capture of the image by the image sensor array is driven by the timing module that, in one embodiment, is able to simultaneously expose substantially all of the pixels in the array. The time during which the pixels are collectively activated to photo-convert incident light into charge defines the exposure period for the sensor array. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the exposure period occurs during the illumination period.
US08978982B2	Aiming system for imaging scanner An apparatus includes (1) an imaging lens arrangement having an optical axis, (2) an aiming light source configured to project visible light through the imaging lens arrangement to create an aiming pattern on a target object, (3) an imaging sensor detecting light from the target object through the imaging lens arrangement, and (4) a folding mirror tilted relative to the optical axis of the imaging lens arrangement. The folding mirror is positioned both on the optical path from the imaging lens arrangement to the imaging sensor and on the optical path from the aiming light source to the imaging lens arrangement. Both the imaging arrangement and the aiming arrangement share the same imaging lens.
US08978981B2	Imaging apparatus having imaging lens There is set forth herein in one embodiment an imaging apparatus having an imaging assembly and an illumination assembly. The imaging assembly can comprise an imaging lens and an image sensor array. The illumination assembly can include a light source bank having one or more light source. The imaging assembly can define a field of view on a substrate and the illumination assembly can project light within the field of view. The imaging apparatus can be configured so that the illumination assembly during an exposure period of the imaging assembly emits light that spans multiple visible color wavelength bands.
US08978974B2	Signature management system There is disclosed a method for customer signature management. A customer's signature may be captured by means of a signature capture panel. The capture signature may be stored in one or more data files with a date and time tag.
US08978973B2	Banking apparatus controlled responsive to data bearing records A banking system is controlled responsive, at least in part, to data read from data bearing records. The banking system includes an automated banking machine. The machine is operable to carry out a financial transaction responsive to a determination that data read from a data bearing record, such as a card that is read by a card reader in the machine, corresponds to stored information for an authorized user or financial account. The machine is operable to receive and dispense documents. The machine includes a check acceptor that is operative to receive checks and a cash dispenser that is operative to dispense cash. Document holding cassettes in the machine include circuitry that is wirelessly powered through inductive coupling. The machine can wirelessly read data from a cassette through use of induction.
US08978972B1	Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records Automated banking machines operate to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. Each of the automated banking machines includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards corresponding to financial accounts. Transactions are authorized responsive at least in part to correspondence between card data and stored data corresponding to authorized users. Entities responsible for operating the automated banking machines receive messages that include information or update code items for software or firmware usable in the banking machines for which they have operational responsibility.
US08978971B1	Banking system controlled responsive to data bearing records An apparatus that operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records, includes at least one processor that is in operative connection with a card reader, a check acceptor, a cash dispenser and the display. The at least one processor causes the machine to operate to read card data from a user card, and to cause a determination to be made that the read card data corresponds to an authorized financial account. The at least one processor is operative to cause data to be read from a check and/or cash to be dispensed, and a financial transfer to or from the account corresponding to the value thereof. Unauthorized observation of manual inputs to an input device is prevented through the use of nonvisible light emitters that prevent the observation of such inputs via an electronic camera interception device.
US08978970B2	Banknote processing apparatus and banknote bundle dispensing method A banknote processing apparatus includes a dispensing transport unit for transporting banknote bundles, a bundle stacking unit for stacking the banknote bundles that are transported by the dispensing transport unit, a bundle dispensing unit for dispensing the banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit, a designating unit for designating a specific number of banknote bundles, and a control unit for controlling, when the number of banknote bundles reaches the specific number, the bundle dispensing unit to cause the bundle stacking unit to protrude to the outside of the apparatus to dispense the specific number of banknote bundles that are stacked in the bundle stacking unit, such that the banknote bundles can be taken out from the outside.
US08978969B2	Anti-counterfeit device with dynamic barcode, system and method for anti-counterfeit with dynamic barcode An anti-counterfeit device with dynamic barcodes is disclosed. An anti-counterfeit system with dynamic barcodes provides an anti-counterfeit mechanism when a user uses an electronic value barcode. The anti-counterfeit device includes a barcode generator module, an anti-counterfeit generator module and a combination module. The barcode generator module generates electronic barcodes that can be read directly by a barcode reader. The anti-counterfeit generator module generates dynamic anti-counterfeit labels with dynamic exchange information varying in time. The combination module generates anti-counterfeit barcodes by combining the electronic barcodes and the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels. The dynamic anti-counterfeit labels are visible, and are used for enhancing the anti-counterfeit capability of the electronic barcodes. Moreover, the electronic barcode with the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels can be read directly and correctly by the barcode reader without illuminant interference. Therefore, whether the electronic barcodes are forged barcodes is determined by observing the dynamic changes of the dynamic anti-counterfeit labels.
US08978966B2	Dose counters for inhalers, inhalers and methods of assembly thereof A manually operated metered dose inhaler includes a dose counter chamber including a dose display tape driven by a ratchet wheel which is driven in turn by an actuator pawl actuated by movement of a canister, the tape unwinding from a stock bobbin during use of the inhaler, a rotation regulator being provided for the stock bobbin and including a wavelike engagement surface with concavities which engage against control elements in the form of protrusions on resilient forks of a split pin thereby permitting incremental unwinding of the stock bobbin yet resisting excessive rotation if the inhaler is dropped onto a hard surface.
US08978965B2	Spring cycle counter A spring cycle tracker system for a door mounted on a track having at least one spring, with the door having an open and closed position. The system has at least one sensed element and a tracker. The tracker has a sensor having at least one sensing element; and a controller having a counter, at least one input signal from the at least one sensing element and at least one output signal. The sensed element and the tracker are mounted such that when the door is moved towards the open position and/or the closed position, the sensed element and the controller are moved adjacent to each other so that the sensing element senses the sensed element, sending an input signal to the controller, incrementing the counter, tracking a number of times the spring is used.
US08978963B2	Carton with handle and dispenser A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a top panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel. End flaps can be respectively foldably connected to respective panels and at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A dispenser panel can be at least partially defined by a dispenser tear line extending in at least the top panel and at least one of the end flaps. An opening section can be at least partially defined by the dispenser tear line and can be foldably connected to one of the first side panel and the second side panel. The dispenser panel is at least partially removable from the carton to create a dispenser opening, and the opening section is positionable relative the first side panel to expand the dispenser opening.
US08978959B2	Ni—Fe-based alloy brazing filler material A Ni—Fe-based alloy brazing filler material is provided comprising, in mass %, Fe: 21 to 40%; Cr: 10 to 30%; P: 7 to 11%; B: 0 to 5%; Si: 0 to 4.5%; V: 0 to 5%; Co: 0 to 5%; Mo: 0 to 5%; the balance being Ni and unavoidable impurities, wherein the mass ratio of Fe to P (Fe/P) is in a range of 2.6 to 5. The present invention provides a Ni—Fe-based alloy brazing filler material having a low melting temperature and a superior corrosion resistance and comprising raw materials that are relatively easily available, for use in manufacture of stainless-steel heat exchangers or the like.
US08978957B2	Coated rotary tool There is provided a tool for friction stir welding, which is capable of promoting temperature rise of materials to be joined during joining to achieve friction stir welding in a short time, is excellent in heat insulating property of a coating layer, and is excellent in oxidation resistance and wear resistance. A tool for friction stir welding according to the present invention is a tool for friction stir welding including a base material and a coating layer formed on the base material, wherein the coating layer is formed of one or more layers, and at least one layer of the coating layer has a thermal permeability of 5000 J/s0.5·m2·K or less.
US08978955B2	Anvil assemblies with collapsible frames for circular staplers Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed.
US08978950B2	Fuel container holding structure A fuel container holding structure for detachably holding a fuel container 40 including a nozzle 44 in its front end portion is provided with a front end holding portion 22 for holding the front end portion of the fuel container 40 and a rear end holding portion 28 for holding a rear end portion of the fuel container 40. The front end holding portion 22 includes a connecting portion 23 to which the nozzle 44 is connected and a buffer mechanism 25, 42 disposed between the connecting portion 23 and fuel container 40. The fuel container 40 is supported by the buffer mechanism 25, 42.
US08978949B2	Crossbow case A crossbow case comprises a T-shaped body forming a T-shaped internal cavity to receive a crossbow and a pair of shoulder straps attached to and extending from an upper horizontal portion of the body. Each of the straps has an end releasably connected to a lower vertical portion of the body.
US08978946B2	Roof bar for a motor vehicle A roof bar (10) for a motor vehicle (1) has an elongate load carrying member (213) and a single elongate stay (214) which are hingedly connected to a roof (5) of the motor vehicle (1) by a pair of base plates (211). The elongate load carrying member (213) is selectively held in a deployed position by a latch mechanism (222, 255) which latches a castellated edge of the elongate load carrying member (213) to a castellated edge of the single elongate stay (214) along a significant portion of the interface between the two components (213, 214) so as to provide a strong support for any loads carried by the roof bar (10). The components (211, 213, 214) forming the roof bar (10) are all relatively thin and the elongate load carrying member (213) and the single elongate stay (214) are arranged to fold flat on the roof (5) of the motor vehicle (1) so as to minimize any change in vehicle height when the roof bar (10) is stowed.
US08978945B2	Musical instrument strap and musical instrument connector A musical instrument strap 100 has a neck band 101 worn on the back side of the neck of a musical instrument player, and also has a musical instrument connector 10 that is connected to both ends of the neck band 101 extending forward respectively from the left and right sides of the neck and connects the neck band 101 to a musical instrument. The musical instrument connector 10 has a flat plate 1 that prevents a right portion of the neck band 101 that extends forward from the right side of the neck, and a left portion of the neck band 101 that extends forward from the left side of the neck, from approaching each other, thereby maintaining the distance between the right portion and the left portion; and a hook 5 capable of engaging with the musical instrument. The flat plate 1 has a hole where the right end of the neck band 101 is connected and a hole where the left end of the neck band 101 is connected, and the left and right holes are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance.
US08978944B2	Clamp braces and related methods In one embodiment, an apparatus to carry a portable device comprises a brace body, an adjustment mechanism coupled to the brace body, and a locking mechanism coupled to the brace body. The adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the apparatus for an adjusted fit and to retain the adjusted fit for the apparatus when not in use. The locking mechanism is configured to conform to a locked state to configure the apparatus for a bracing fit and to conform to an unlocked state to configure the apparatus for a relaxed fit. The bracing fit is configured to brace the apparatus at a usage position, and the relaxed fit permits positioning of the apparatus relative to the usage position.
US08978943B2	Armband for holding an electronic device An armband that holds an electronic device is presented. The armband includes a pouch which includes a window and an opening configured to allow an electronic device to be inserted into the pouch. The armband also includes an arm strap wherein the proximate end of the arm strap is coupled to the pouch, and wherein the arm strap includes: holes arranged in a specified pattern; loop cells at specified locations along the length of the arm strap; and a hook cell located at a distal end of the arm strap. The armband further includes a ring coupled to the pouch configured to allow the distal end of the arm strap to be passed through the ring and pulled toward the proximate end of the arm strap so that the hook cell can be coupled to one or more loop cells.
US08978940B2	Crown type sizer for a hanger A crown-type sizer for mounting on a hanger includes a body and a hook extending from a mid-point of the body. The sizer includes a pair of parallel walls and a pair of non-parallel walls, each wall of the non-parallel walls being joined to each wall of the parallel walls, the pairs of walls defining a lower open base and an open base in an upper part of the sizer for passing over the hook. Each of the parallel walls has a single boss disposed in a corner of the respective parallel wall and each non-parallel wall is shorter in height than at least one parallel wall.
US08978932B2	System and bottle for dispensing a fluid product A system and bottle for dispensing a fluid product including a device for sampling the product under pressure, the device having a body incorporating a piston for dispensing which is in communication with a plunger tube, the body being provided with a vent hole which is arranged in order to make it possible to offset the volume of product distributed with air, the system further including a tube cover surrounding the plunger tube over at least one portion of its length, the tube cover being associated to the body with a bushing which has an exterior surface around which the upper end of the tube cover is arranged and an interior surface wherein the body is mounted, the interior surface having an orifice which is in communication with the vent hole, the orifice emerging into the interior surface above the exterior surface.
US08978928B2	Apparatus for producing a drink, and the use of the apparatus An apparatus for producing a drink, for example milk, from mixing a powder formula with a liquid, preferably water, the apparatus preferably being an automated baby-milk machine. The apparatus is configured to prepare a drink concentrate by mixing the amount of formula necessary for the total amount of drink in a certain amount of hot liquid, and to add the right amount of liquid of a certain low temperature to the concentrate in order to reach the end volume of the drink at a safe drinking temperature.
US08978926B2	Flower vending machine and method of use of the same Flower vending machine and method of use of the same, with the object of preventing fogging of a display space comprised within said machine, said display space being accessible by means of at least one hatch covered by a transparent sheet to which is directed a flow of air to preventing fogging of the interior of the display space. In the method of use of said machine the cooling system is stopped, the flow of air is introduced and an air extractor external to the display space is activated. All this prevents the fogging of the display space, thereby guaranteeing excellent visibility of the flowers as well as their optimum preservation.
US08978915B2	Can end with strengthening bead configuration A can end that is attached to a metal can body with a bottom end forming a cavity that may be filled with food, liquid, etc. The can end is made of metal with a bead configuration located in the outer circumference of the can end that increases its resistance to deformation when subjected to high pressure cooking environments and assists in preventing the can end from separating along the frangible score.
US08978913B2	Filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle with selective opening A filler neck for the fuel tank of a motor vehicle has a funnel insert having a lockable flap with a lock, which is held by two elements which can each be pivoted about a pin. The flap is released only when both elements are pivoted to one side simultaneously by the filler tube of a gas pump nozzle. In order to open the flap with minimal actuating forces, the first element can be pivoted about a first pin and holds the hinge pin for the flap on its end far from the first pin, and the second element can be pivoted about a second pin and forms a locking hook. The two pins have a spatial distance from one another in the transverse direction and the two elements are loaded with respect to one another by at least one spring.
US08978910B2	Synthetic resin bottle A technical problem of this invention especially in the case of large-size bottles is to form a grip, without changing the bottle shape to a large extent, so that the body can be firmly held. The object of this invention is to provide a synthetic resin square bottle that can be used reliably because the bottle can be held firmly with a hand. A major means of solving the problem is a synthetic resin square bottle comprising a body having a rectangular shape in a plane cross-section and a groove-like waist portion disposed at a middle height of the bottle, wherein a pair of recessed portions for use as finger stops are formed in respective long side walls of said rectangular body over a predetermined area ranging from said waist portion downward to ensure that a plural number of fingers can be placed in at least one recessed portion for a finger stop purpose, and wherein a grip for holding the bottle is formed from both the pair of recessed portions and the waist portion.
US08978908B2	Dispensing head with overmolded hinge cap A dispensing head (103) for closing a vessel, mainly a tube or a vial, includes an outlet opening (135) and a hinged cap (104) for closing the opening (135) of the dispensing head. The dispensing head (103) and the hinged cap (104) are made of a single piece. The hinged cap (104) is molded over the dispensing head (103). The cap (104) can be secured onto the head (103) by anchoring even when the materials are not compatible.
US08978902B2	Folded slatwall inserts A folded slatwall insert is provided. A slatwall cover is illustrated anchored to a typical slatwall and covering at least one slat of the slatwall. A folded slatwall insert as disclosed prevents surface damage to a typical slatwall, allows for rapid and cost effective customization of the aesthetics of the slatwall, and can be used to mount custom graphics to the slatwall.
US08978901B2	Illuminated bottle holder Systems and methods are herein disclosed for holding a bottle (e.g., a wine bottle) at an angle that facilitates viewing the wine bottle label. The bottle holder may also include illuminating elements for casting viewing light upon the label of a wine bottle and to enhance viewing of the wine bottle shape, texture, and color. Such illuminating elements can be oriented upwards or downwards in order to cast last on the wine bottle above or below the illuminating elements. The bottle holder has at least two components: an elongated support member (bottle support member) and a wall mount. The wall mount can be fixed to a wall and the bottle support member can be secured to the wall mount. The wall mount and bottle support member can also include wiring and electrical connections to enable use of illuminating elements on the bottle support member.
US08978900B2	Bulk rail bracket A bulk rail bracket including at least three horizontally-oriented and vertically aligned support shelf rows, wherein each pair of consecutive support shelf rows is positioned such that the two support shelf rows in the pair are spaced by a height that is approximately a multiple of a rack unit size.
US08978891B2	Structure and method for packing display device A cushioning material includes a recess forming member that includes a protecting member and an engaging member to form a recess that contains inside an edge portion of a thin display device, and moreover on a rear frame that is positioned on a back surface of the thin display device a handle is provided that forms a gap between a display screen of the thin display device and a protecting member of the cushioning material that is positioned in front of the display screen by engaging and holding the engaging member of the cushioning material in a state of the edge portion of the thin display device being contained in the recess of the cushioning material.
US08978884B1	Automatic musical instrument neck support in hybrid cases Hybrid cases for musical instruments are disclosed. The cases have a semi-rigid back, a semi-rigid sidewall, a semi-rigid cover hingedly connected to selectively enclose a region of space when releaseably fastened closed, and a multi-part neck-brace. The neck-brace has a semi-rigid neck-support with a top surface that supports the instrument neck and a neck-clamp opposing the neck-support and affixed to the cover such that the instrument neck is automatically secured between the top surface of the neck-support and the neck-clamp upon fastening the cover closed and without the use of a neck-brace retaining band.
US08978882B2	Swing tag card holder An assembly for holding a transaction card, such as a gift card, upon a panel that pivots to be received within a pouch, pocket or sleeve to hold and retain the card during transport and storage.
US08978872B2	High speed board feeder A transfer mechanism that transfers boards from a first conveyor onto a second conveyor having lugs using a stop, a cammed wheel for lifting boards over the stop, and a programmable computer controller for controlling the cammed wheel independent of the speed of the first and second conveyors.
US08978870B2	Device for conveying bundles for a strapping machine A conveyance device 1 for movement, within a strapping machine 100, of a succession of bundles 2 of flat objects. A first conveyor 10 moves each bundle 2 from an assembly zone to a transfer zone. A second conveyor 40 moves each bundle 2 from the transfer zone to a strapping zone. The first conveyor 10 longitudinally guides the stack of flat objects during the formation of each bundle 2 in the assembly zone, and longitudinally holds the bundle 2 during its movement from the assembly zone to the transfer zone.
US08978869B2	Centrifugal bowl parts feeder system with segmented tooling sections A centrifugal bowl parts feeder system with segmented tooling sections, the feeder system having segmented sections for a common centrifugal feeder bowl. The sections can be quickly and less expensively changed between various part sizes and configurations. With this system one can add and remove tooling segments (outside the bowl); securely and precisely locate the tooling segment with solid pins; maintain and use a tool RFID address to track specific parts and ranges of parts with a PLC Control as the bowl is modified; and harmonize the tooling segments and parts with RFID Tags tied to the PLC and the Tooling segments.
US08978867B2	Apparatus for setting price for multi-vending machine and method thereof Disclosed are an apparatus for setting a price for a multi-vending machine and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a price setting unit for inputting a price setting function, selecting a price setting column and inputting price information about the selected column; a control unit for controlling a price display of the selected column when the column is selected and the price information is input through the price setting unit; and a price display unit for displaying prices of products exhibited in a column according to a price display control of the control unit.
US08978858B2	Adjustable hydraulic slave cylinder for clutch incorporating a spring biased pressure plate A novel adjustable slave cylinder is disclosed. The improved slave cylinder is particularly well suited for use with a clutch incorporating an expanding friction disk. The adjustable slave cylinder provides a means for adjusting a clutch pressure plate's position via an adjustment mechanism external to the inside of an engine.
US08978857B2	Friction clutch system A friction clutch system mechanically couples a power source to a driven system of a vehicle to reduce the rotational inertia of the clutch system, provide torsional damping within the system, and minimize vibration (e.g., rattling) between a floater and a flywheel. In one embodiment, the friction clutch system includes a first friction disc assembly directly engaged with a second friction disc assembly. The first disc assembly may include protuberances that extend axially from a hub assembly, which in turn may include damping springs and an internal splined region for coupling to a splined, driven shaft. The second friction disc assembly includes openings, which may take the form of radial slots, configured to engageably receive the protuberances. The first disc assembly may be positioned adjacent to a pressure plate assembly or a flywheel. A floater plate may be located between the first and second friction disc assemblies.
US08978856B2	Over-torque protector device for a compressor An over-torque protector device including a drive pulley and a drive hub. A plurality of receptacles extends from a pulley face, and a plurality of links extends from a drive hub plate. Each link has a first end pivotably engaged to the plate and a second end provided with coupling means for releasably coupling the drive hub and the drive pulley for unified rotation through operative engagement with the receptacles in a device engaged state, the coupling means and the receptacles out of operative engagement in a device released state. The coupling means and the receptacles have relative axial movements induced by relative rotation between the drive pulley and the drive hub. Transition from the device engaged state to the device released state is induced by the relative axial movements of the coupling means and the receptacles.
US08978848B2	Apparatus for modularly adjusting shock absorber An apparatus for modularly adjusting a shock absorber includes a base, a plurality of pins, and a selecting mechanism. The pins are connected to the base. The selecting mechanism can select at least one of the pins to control at least one valve of the shock absorber.
US08978847B2	Electronically controlled pressurized damper A vehicle damper comprises a damping medium-filled damper body in which an element divides the damper body into two chambers. A microprocessor control unit is coupled to one or more valve and connecting arrangements that comprise at least one valve and a number of flow ducts. Respective valves and flow ducts of the valve and connecting arrangement are coupled both to respective damper chambers and a pressurizing element common to both of the chambers so that even in the chamber in which a low pressure prevails there is a positive pressure acting at all times. The valve and connecting arrangements comprise a continuously electrically controlled main valve, a non-return valve and one or more bleed valves.
US08978846B2	Bicycle damping enhancement system A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
US08978840B2	Asymmetry brake with torque limit An electric fail-safe is operable to move a first ramp between distinct positions. The first ramp is associated with the second ramp. There are balls intermediate the first and second ramps. When the electric fail-safe brake is in an actuated condition, the second ramp forces stationary brake disks to engage rotating brake disks which rotate with a shaft to cause braking of the shaft. There is a keeper associated with the second ramp which abuts a stop surface to limit the amount of torque applied to the rotary and stationary disks after a predetermined amount of braking force has occurred. A brake with a test switch is also disclosed.
US08978839B2	Pneumatic brake actuator with flow insensitive two way control valve A pneumatic brake actuator has a spring brake actuator with spring and spring brake pressure chambers, and a service brake actuator with service brake pressure and pushrod chambers. A control valve has a seal that is moveable between an open position and a closed position for regulating fluid flow between the spring chamber and service brake pressure chamber. A first surface of the seal is in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber and a second surface of the seal is in fluid communication with a valve chamber that is not in fluid communication with the service brake pressure chamber or spring chamber. The seal moves between its open and closed positions based on a pressure in the service brake pressure chamber. Movement of the seal is not dependent on the rate of flow of fluid between the spring chamber and the service brake pressure chamber.
US08978833B2	Double-deck elevator group controller A double-deck elevator group controller including a hall-installed car call registration device, cars of the first operation mode which are in charge of operation between even-numbered floors or between odd-numbered floors and cars of the second operation mode which serve all of the floors at which the cars can stop, are set, and in consideration of both combinations of boarding and alighting floors of registered from-hall car calls and an increment of the number of stops, the from-hall car calls are divided for assignment to the cars of the first operation mode and the cars of the second operation, whereby it is possible to meet from-hall car calls having arbitrary floors as the boarding and alighting floors and it is possible to improve the operation efficiency.
US08978829B2	Turbomachine fluid delivery system An exemplary system for delivering a turbomachine fluid to a supplied area is a pump configured to draw fluid from both a first container and a second container when operating in both a positive g-force environment and a negative g-force environment. The fluid from the first container in a positive g-force environment is a mixture of air and oil, and the fluid from the first container in a negative g-force environment is primarily oil.
US08978828B2	Method for metered dispensing of lubricant The invention relates to a method for metered dispensing of lubricants using a lubricant dispenser comprising a reservoir chamber filled with lubricant, a gas generating unit for electrochemically generating gas, a piston acted on by the generated gas for outputting the lubricant from the reservoir chamber, and an electronic control unit for controlling the electrochemical gas generation. According to the invention, the temperature of the lubricant or the environment is measured at time intervals, and an average temperature value is derived from a plurality of measured temperature values. Using stored correction values describing the temperature-dependence of the electrochemical gas generating rate, a control parameter determining the electrochemical gas generation is set for the average temperature value, having the requirement that the gas generating rate at the average temperature value corresponds to the target value that correlates to prescribed dispensing time.
US08978827B2	Wind driven automatic lubricator for a motorcycle drive chain One embodiment (100) collects air pressure created from forward motion of a motorcycle (300) in a reservoir assembly (1001) which stores a liquid lubricant, is attached to motorcycle frame (302), and comprises a containment chamber (102), cap (106), cap seal (104), air inlet port (107), lubricant outlet port (109), and an air inlet connector (108) and a lubricant outlet connector (110) to facilitate the external attachment of conduit. The air pressure is collected by and delivered to reservoir assembly (100-1) via an air collection conduit (118) attached to motorcycle front portion (306) by a mount (130) and urges liquid lubricant through a suction conduit (124), flow restrictor (112) and delivers lubricant via discharge conduit (114) to a chain applicator (116) attached to a motorcycle swing arm assembly (304) and to the inner circumference of drive chain (310). Lubricant flow ceases after motorcycle is stopped. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08978823B2	Arrangement of a scaffolding component and of a vertical scaffolding element An arrangement includes a scaffolding component having a connection head and a vertical scaffolding element extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis with a projection fastened thereto. A wedge is plugged, in a locking position, through two wedge openings in the connection head and through an aperture in the projection. Between the upper and lower head part of the connection head a slot is open towards the front and with which the connection head is plugged onto the projection. The slot has a shoulder of the upper head part which extends downwardly from horizontal upper slot surfaces formed in an insertion region of the slot and which is arranged above the horizontal upper boundary surface of the outer projection part. The shoulder is bounded downwardly with a horizontal shoulder slot surface via which the shoulder is supported on the horizontal upper boundary surface of the projection.
US08978819B2	Spark arrestor, muffler, and straddle type vehicle A spark arrestor mounted on a muffler connected to an exhaust pipe of an engine includes a cylindrical portion including an opening that extends therethrough from the outside to the inside thereof, two cap members that respectively close first and second ends of the cylindrical portion, a mesh portion that covers the opening, and a tail pipe extending from the inside to the outside of the cylindrical portion through the cap member, wherein the exhaust flows outside the cylindrical portion in a first direction, and a channel where the exhaust flows in a second direction opposite to the first direction is provided inside the cylindrical portion.
US08978816B2	Sound limiting acoustic shell using a hanging acoustic canopy A temporary building structure is provided. The temporary building structure includes a top wall and an opposing floor surface covered by the top wall. The top wall and the floor surface define a first building area and a second building area. The first building area includes a floor surface configured to receive a sound source. The structure further includes a portable sound limiting acoustic shell including an acoustic canopy covering at least a portion of the first building area in which the sound source is positioned. The acoustic canopy is positioned proximate the floor surface, such that the acoustic canopy concentrates sound generated by the sound source within the first building area and isolates the generated sound from the second building area.
US08978814B2	Vehicle steering device The present invention provides a vehicle steering device, comprising: a manual steering means for manually steering steerable wheels in a vehicle; a steering-torque detection means for detecting a steering torque applied to the manual steering means; a first electromotive-torque determination means for determining a first electromotive-torque value based on the detected steering torque; a vehicle-behavior detection means for detecting behavior of the vehicle; a second electromotive-torque determination means for determining a second electromotive-torque value based on a detected value obtained by the vehicle-behavior detection means; an electric motor for applying a combined electromotive torque to the steerable wheels; and a current control means for controlling current supplied to the electric motor based on a value of the combined electromotive torque obtained by adding the first electromotive-torque value to the second electromotive-torque value.
US08978813B2	Powertrain and steering assembly layout A vehicle includes an engine assembly configured to power a vehicle. The engine assembly defines a first engine end and a second engine end opposite the first engine end. The first engine end is spaced apart from the second engine end along a first direction. The engine assembly defines a third engine end and a fourth engine end opposite the third engine end. The third engine end is spaced apart from the fourth engine end along a second direction. The second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The vehicle further includes a steering assembly disposed in close proximity to the engine assembly. The steering assembly includes a steering body disposed closer to the first engine end than to the second engine end.
US08978810B2	Tractor The present invention provides a tractor which is configured such that front wheel axles are disposed above upper portions of front wheels so that the front wheels are prevented from being impeded by the front wheel axles even when the front wheels are steered to maximum angles in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction and turned to an angle over or approximate to a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the tractor, whereby the tractor can be turned in place by manipulating a steering wheel.
US08978805B2	Working machine To make it possible to arrange an engine control unit in a narrow arrangement space by, for multiple purposes, using a support member for attaching an operation device. On a machine base supported by a traveling unit, an engine is mounted and a controlling part having an operator's seat is arranged; on one of left and right sides of the controlling part, a vehicle accessory is mounted and covered with an accessory cover; and on a front side of the operator's seat of the controlling part, and near the accessory cover, a support member is provided upright to provide an operation device. Between the accessory cover and the operation device, an engine control unit that controls the engine is arranged, and the engine control unit is attached to the support member.
US08978802B2	Air intake configuration for an agricultural harvesting machine An agricultural work vehicle includes a vehicle body having longitudinally extending sides. An enclosed engine compartment is configured within the vehicle body. An air inlet is defined in side of the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. A grain bin forward of the engine compartment includes a grain bin extension skirt mounted above the grain bin. An intake housing is mounted over the air inlet in the vehicle body side and includes a forwardly extending portion mounted alongside the grain bin extension with an inlet opening oriented so as draw air primarily from an area forward of the engine compartment and above the vehicle body.
US08978797B2	Vehicle approach notification device of saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle Provided is a vehicle approach notification device of a saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle that outputs a notification sound for notifying the approach of a vehicle. The saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle includes a front cover that covers the periphery of a head pipe of a vehicle body frame. The sound emission device is located inside the front cover, the front cover has an air opening for taking in air from an outside, and a ventilation passage that is a passage of the air from the air opening and is used for cooling at least one of a power engine of the saddle-ridden electric-powered vehicle and electric components, and the sound emission device is arranged in the ventilation passage.
US08978791B2	Vehicle forming a self-balancing human transporter with an integrated photovoltaic module A vehicle forming a self-balancing human transporter, or “gyropode”, including a photovoltaic module to charge a battery electrically or to partially power an electric motor electrically from solar energy. The photovoltaic module includes a first portion which is fixed and extends along a standing and driving handle, and a second portion which is retractable between an extreme retracted position in which it allows the gyropode to be moved, and an extreme deployed position in which it acts as a stand for holding the gyropode when stopped with a determined inclination enabling optimum efficiency of the photovoltaic module to be obtained relative to a position of the sun.
US08978790B2	Retention of cutters in bore hole tools A cutter retention method which uses brazed material placed in cutter pockets and cutter pocket grooves or recesses to allow braze material between the cutters and cutter pockets and in said grooves and overlapping onto the top of the cutters to better retain the cutters in the cutting bore hole tool apparatus for enhanced cutter retention and extended drilling or boring time of drill bits, underreamers, section mills hole openers, casing cutters or other down hole tools used in bore hole drilling and completion operations.
US08978788B2	Cutting element for a drill bit used in drilling subterranean formations A cutting element for use in a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a cutting body having a substrate including a rear surface, an upper surface, and a peripheral side surface extending between the rear surface and the upper surface, and a superabrasive layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve surrounding the peripheral side surface of the cutting body and comprising a superabrasive layer bonded to an external surface of the sleeve.
US08978782B2	System, apparatus, and method of conducting measurements of a borehole A bias unit having a support body in use to be integrated with a drilling assembly and rotatable therewith for drilling a borehole penetrating a geological formation. A pad is pivotally connected to the support body proximate to the leading edge of the pad. A spring-driven push rod is positioned and preloaded to engage the pad, proximate to the trailing edge of the pad, and to urge the pad outward from the support body to contact the borehole wall during drilling.
US08978780B2	Handheld power tool having a shiftable mechanism A handheld power tool with a shiftable mechanism, which is adjustable between two operating positions, has a coupling spring that is coupled with an adjustable shifting member of the mechanism. The coupling spring is embodied as a metastable spring.
US08978775B2	Downhole valve assembly and methods of using the same A wellbore servicing system including a work string and a valve tool defining an flowbore, wherein the valve tool is transitionable from a first mode to a second mode, from the second mode to a third mode, and from the third mode to a fourth mode, wherein the valve tool transitions from the first mode to the second mode upon an application of pressure to the flowbore of at least a threshold pressure, wherein the valve tool transitions from the second mode to the third mode upon a dissipation of pressure from the flowbore to not more than the threshold pressure, and wherein, in the first mode, the valve tool allows fluid communication via the flowbore in a first direction and disallows fluid communication in a second direction. Further, in the second, and third modes, the valve tool allows fluid communication in both the first and second directions.
US08978772B2	Casing hanger lockdown with conical lockdown ring A seal seals an annulus in a subsea assembly between a wellhead and a casing hanger landed on a shoulder within a bore of the wellhead. The seal includes a casing hanger seal ring disposed within the annulus. The seal ring engaged with an inner diameter surface of the wellhead, and engaged with an outer diameter surface of the casing hanger so that the seal ring prevents flow through the annulus. A nose ring is secured to a lower end of the seal ring so that, when the seal ring is energized, a conical surface of the nose ring engages a mating conical profile formed in the inner diameter surface portion of the wellhead and the nose ring engages a surface opposite the conical surface with a substantially smooth outer diameter surface portion of the casing hanger to limit upwards axial movement of the casing hanger.
US08978771B2	Subsea machine and methods for separating components of a material stream Systems and methods include using a subsea machine for separating a mixture received from a seabed well. The subsea machine includes: a chamber configured to receive and separate by gravity the mixture received from the seabed well. The chamber includes: a housing configured to contain the mixture received from the undersea well during separation, and a piston provided inside the housing and separating the housing into a top section and a bottom section. The piston is configured to move in a first direction along an axis to create more space in the top section for receiving the mixture from the seabed well and to move in a second opposite direction along the axis for removing the mixture from the chamber after separation has occurred.
US08978770B2	Systems and methods for riser coupling Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.
US08978764B2	Multi-stage fracture injection process for enhanced resource production from shales The invention relates to a method of generating a network of fractures in a rock formation for extraction of hydrocarbon or other resource from the formation. The method includes the steps of i) enhancing a network of natural fractures and incipient fractures within the formation by injecting a non-slurry aqueous solution into the well under conditions suitable for promoting dilation, shearing and/or hydraulic communication of the natural fractures, and subsequently ii) inducing a large-fracture network that is in hydraulic communication with the enhanced natural fracture network by injecting a plurality of slurries comprising a carrying fluid and sequentially larger-grained granular proppants into said well in a series of injection episodes.
US08978759B2	Electrostatic particulate coating methods and apparatus for fracturing fluids A method and apparatus for making up fracturing fluid with coated proppant applies opposed electrical charges to the proppant and its coating to create a uniform coating without extensive mechanical mixing, and additionally, the method applies opposed electrical charges to the coated proppant and fracturing fluid to enhance mixing.
US08978753B2	Cyclonic strainer A cyclonic strainer for a well intake that provides for improved separation of gas and fluid in naturally flowing wells during mechanical pumping operations. The strainer includes an elongated member having a channel formed longitudinally therein. A plurality of apertures extend through the elongated member angled downwardly into the channel and away from a center of the channel allowing for a better shear between gas and fluids. The angle of the ports causes fluid to be forced in an opposite direction, resulting in gases and fluids shearing more quickly and cleanly, due to kinetic energy. The angle of the ports can be varied to accommodate different conditions in various well environments. In well environments in which gaseous conditions are extreme, it can be desired for the ports to be sloped southwardly or downwardly at a greater angle than for well environments in which gaseous conditions are not as extreme.
US08978751B2	Method and apparatus for sealing a wellbore Methods and apparatuses for sealing a wellbore are provided. A seal assembly carried by a pair of opposing ram blocks of a blowout preventer is provided. The seal assembly includes a pair of seals carried by the pair of opposing ram blocks and a plurality of inserts carried by the pair of seals. The inserts include an upper body and a lower body with a rib therebetween. The upper and lower bodies each have an extended tip on a seal end thereof and a tip receptacle on a leading face thereof for receiving the extended tip. The extended tips are positionable in the tip receptacle of an adjacent inserts whereby an extrusion of a seal therebetween is restricted.
US08978750B2	Signal operated isolation valve A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
US08978748B2	Method of controlling a variable delivery pump fitted to a heating system Method of controlling a variable delivery pump fitted to a heating system comprising: a heat exchanger connected to two circuits of fluids, the variable delivery pump making it possible to vary the flow-rate of the first fluid inside the heat exchanger; a return loop on the primary circuit allowing the first fluid reaching the input of the heat exchanger to mix with a portion of the first fluid coming from the output of the exchanger; a first temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the second fluid coming from the secondary circuit; a second temperature sensor measuring a temperature of the first fluid coming from a primary circuit; a control unit electrically connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the sensors generating electrical signals as functions of the temperatures and constituting electrical input signals of the control unit.
US08978743B2	Fin tube heat exchanger A fin tube heat exchanger 1 according to the present invention includes fins 31 and a heat transfer tube 21 penetrating through the fins 31. A region that is surrounded by line segments connecting among two reference points BP and two leading edge reference points BPF is defined as a reference region. A region that is included in the reference region and located between an upstream reference line LU and a downstream reference line LD is defined as a specific region. Each fin 31 is provided with a cut-and-raised portion 12 having, in the specific region, another leading edge different from a leading edge 31f. The cut-and-raised portion is formed by cutting and raising a part of the fin 31.
US08978738B2	Casting delivery nozzle In a twin roll continuous caster, the casting nozzle in the continuous casting apparatus is arranged such that the outlet passages and/or tapered walls in the main portion within the casting nozzle provide flow of molten metal downwardly converging toward the nip between the casting rolls of a twin roll caster. The casting nozzle having a reservoir portion for directing molten metal converging toward the triple point region to inhibit the washing of shells forming on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls.
US08978732B2	Sonotrode holder A sonotrode holder for the oscillatable fastening of a sonotrode at a carrier is provided, wherein a direction of oscillation extends from the carrier to the sonotrode and the sonotrode holder has at least one oscillating body having at least one cut-out and the oscillating body is connected to the sonotrode at one end and has a mount which is configured for fastening at the carrier.
US08978730B2	Portable laminator A portable laminator designed primarily for home use where the laminator includes a handle for carrying which may also act as a guide for articles being fed into the laminator. In alternate embodiments, the laminator includes a cover which may first position acts as a guide for material being fed into the laminator and in a second position acts as a cover for the laminators feed slot. In additional embodiments, the laminator includes a double walled housing to provide insulation from the heating elements.
US08978729B2	Composite ply stabilizing system A stabilizing mechanism for resisting relative movement of upper and lower laminates of a composite structure having a core comprises a lower grip strip and at least one upper grip strip. The lower grip strip may be mounted to a tool upon which the composite structure may be processed. The lower grip strip may include an outer surface having at least one engagement feature for engaging at least one of the upper and lower laminates which make up the composite structure. The upper grip strip may have opposing outer surfaces which may include at least one engagement feature for engaging the lower strip and at least one of the upper and lower laminates.
US08978727B2	Support for at least one brush element and labeling machine A support for at least one brush element. The support includes at least one carrier, to which the at least one brush element is removably attached on a flat front side of the at least one carrier, and at least one bar, which is removably attached to the at least one carrier on a rear side opposite the front side of the at least one carrier. To the rear side of the at least one carrier at least one elastic locking element is attached, which is lockable with a plurality of parallel flutes of the at least one bar.
US08978725B2	Bicycle wheel rim structure A bicycle wheel rim structure is provided with a rim, a cap and a tape. The rim includes a first annular side portion, a second annular side portion and an annular bridge portion extending between the first and second annular side portions. The bridge portion has at least one opening. The cap includes a base plate and a projection. The base plate overlies an outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion. The projection extends from the base plate into the at least one opening. The tape is attached to the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion and overlying the base plate of the cap. The tape is dimensioned to cover an interface between a peripheral edge of the base plate of the cap and the outer rim surface of the annular bridge portion.
US08978719B2	Bag's fitting and a bag with said fitting A fitting and a coupled bag and fitting. The coupled bag and fitting is provided wherein (a) the bag's opening is attached to the lower side of the fitting; (b) the fitting designed to easily connect and disconnect, the bag and fitting, on and out of a dispenser or a dispensers mounting-shoe; and (c) the fitting has at least one passage that enables material to pass from the dispenser into the bag. Further embodiments can also contain a mechanism for cleaning leftover from the dispensers outlet, an identification means enable recognizing the existence of the bag and bag's characters.
US08978710B2	Pneumatic insulating device An pneumatic insulating device (20) is disclosed comprising: a load bearing body, top (24) and bottom parts connected to the load bearing body; and a coiled, insulating pneumatic line (14, 14′) connect to and passing though the top and bottom parts, characterised by both the top and the bottom parts have fixing means (21) for fixing the device between external fixtures.
US08978707B1	Pipe testing fixture A pipe testing fixture including a housing with a chamber, an aperture centrally disposed on the housing. A groove centrally disposed within the lower chamber. A pipe fluidly engages the chamber through the housing. A pipe closure body with a handle slidingly engages the aperture and chamber with a plate disposed on the handle. The plate slidingly engages the chamber, the lower end sealingly engaging the groove, configured to seal the lower chamber of the pipe. A plate face gasket continuously disposed on the front and rear sides of the plate. A locking pin is engagable through a pin hole upon positioning the pin hole outside the upper chamber. The engagement and alternate disengagement of the locking pin through the pin hole places the plate in an open locked position and an alternate closed position within the chamber. A separate carrier pipe segment engages the pipe portions.
US08978703B2	Device for receiving liquids in aircraft and/or releasing liquids therefrom The invention relates to a device for receiving liquids in an aircraft and/or releasing liquids therefrom, especially during the flight, said device being arranged especially in an airplane. The aim of the invention is to provide a device which can receive large quantities of liquids in a rapid, reliable and flexible manner. To this end, the device can include a tank module with at least one tank container that is connected to a collector using a connecting shaft and a bulkhead module that can be connected to the tank module by the collecting tank. A closing element in the open position releases liquid from the tank module. In addition, a refueling module which is connected to the tank module by a supply line and a tube arranged on a winding device, and a receiving element attached to the tube, can provide refueling of the device.
US08978699B2	Blowout preventer status assembly A status assembly to provide visual and electronic indication of the position (open, closed, in-between) of the ram of a ram-type blowout preventer (BOP). The assembly is capable of coupling with a hydraulic motor that can be used to open and close the ram locks. The status assembly includes a rotatable element protruding from the BOP, a gear rotatable by the rotatable element, and an indicator that indicates the rotation position of the rotatable element and thus the linear position of the BOP ram. Some embodiments can also include a sensor that outputs an electronic signal to the system operator and can be incorporated into the main display for the BOP control system. This device is able to give immediate feedback to operators and to indicate whether each ram has achieved its intended travel.
US08978698B2	Blowout preventer monitoring system and method of using same A blowout preventer for sealing a tubular of a wellbore is provided. The blowout preventer has a housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the tubular, at least one ram slidably positionable in the housing (each of the rams having a ram block for sealing engagement about the tubular), an actuator for selectively driving the ram block (the actuator comprising a piston slidably positionable in a cylinder), and a monitor for detecting the piston therein. The monitor has a visual indicator on an exterior of the cylinder. The visual indicator is operatively coupled to the piston for displaying a position of the piston as the piston travels within the cylinder whereby a position of the ram may be determined.
US08978697B2	Filter element and control valve for a camshaft adjustment system A filter element for a control valve of a camshaft adjuster. The filter element has an annular filter fabric for extracting particles, and a gripping frame for fastening the annular filter fabric. The gripping frame is designed here for the planar bracing of the annular filter fabric on the control valve. Furthermore, a control valve is disclosed for a camshaft adjuster with a corresponding filter element.
US08978695B2	Flowline flapper valve A check valve assembly has a body having a central cavity intersected by upstream and downstream flow passages. A seat is secured by a threaded engagement in the upstream flow passage. An access bore intersects the cavity and has a support shoulder formed in it. A holder is supported on the support shoulder. A flapper is pivotally secured to the holder and located in the cavity for movement between an open position and a closed position blocking flow through the seat. A straight edge portion in the access bore engages a straight edge portion of the holder to prevent rotation of the holder. A fastener extends through a hole in the support shoulder into engagement with the seat to prevent rotation of the seat.
US08978691B2	Valve with adaptive facial sealing ring A valve including a flow control assembly having an adaptive, floating closure member is provided. In one embodiment, a ball valve includes a floating closure member having a shoulder enclosed within a recess of the valve body. The recess is larger than the shoulder of the closure member and allows axial movement of the closure member with respect to the valve body and along a flow path through the valve. Additional valve systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
US08978690B2	Automatic purging device for AC condensation drain lines An automatic condensate line purging device for HVAC condensation lines using pressurized gas. The purging device is installed in the condensate drain line of an air conditioning system allowing condensate flow through the device during normal operation where no clog has occurred in the condensate drain line. Should the drain line become clogged, a plug is displaced to seal the condensate drain causing the condensate to back-up up into the external condensate drain pan located beneath the condenser of conventional HVAC systems. When the drain pan fills with water, the safety float switch used to shut down the air conditioner is coupled to a solenoid valve mounted on the purging device wherein a charge of gas is directed into the drain line for removal of the clog.
US08978688B2	Dual mode electronic flow control system In various embodiments, two or more electronic flow selectors of an electronic fluid flow control system may be used to control the flow rates of multiple fluids. In a total flow control mode, a first electronic flow selector may be used to select a total flow rate of two or more fluids. A second electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate or ratio of a flow rate of one fluid to the total flow rate of the two or more fluids. In a direct flow control mode, each electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate of a unique fluid. One of the fluids may be oxygen, and the other fluid, a balance gas, may be selected as either nitrous oxide or air using an electronic balance gas selector.
US08978687B2	Actuating device and method for displacing the actuating device An actuating device or displacing a control device, such as a valve, gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, comprises a motor-gear unit (21) and a thread drive (22) which is operable by said motor-gear unit (21) and which comprises at least a threaded spindle (23) and a screw nut (24). The threaded spindle (23) is displaceable in an essentially axial direction so as to displace the control device (2) between a use position (7) and a non-use position (8, 9, 19, 20). To ensure a safe displacement into the non-use position in a simple way and independently of the pressure conditions prevailing between conveying medium and inner medium, the threaded spindle (23) is substantially axially displaceable beyond the use position (7) into a second non-use position (9). The invention also refers to a corresponding method for displacing the actuating device.
US08978681B2	Portable barrier A portable barrier has a pedestal assembly including (i) a plurality of legs that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of legs includes a first leg and a second leg, and (ii) a first limiter connected to the first leg and the second leg. The portable barrier further has a cover assembly including (i) a plurality of arms that are movable with respect to each other, the plurality of arms includes a first arm and a second arm, and (ii) a covering connected to the first arm and the second arm. Further, the portable barrier has (i) a second limiter extending between the first arm and the first leg, (ii) a supplemental component movable with respect to the second arm; and (iii) a third limiter extending between the second arm and the supplemental component.
US08978679B2	Insta-garage A temporary garage device is disclosed that allows users to easily protect the outside of their vehicle from the elements. The temporary garage device comprises a protective cover component and a storage component for storing the protective cover component. Typically, the protective cover component is positioned in an arc-shape via a plurality of thin beams secured to the interior surface of the protective cover component to form a semi-rigid skeletal structure. Specifically, the protective cover component collapses in an accordion style for storage in the interior of the storage component. When needed, the protective cover component can then be linearly extended outward from the storage component in a semi-tubular configuration to cover the vehicle. Additionally, the storage component can comprise a plurality of wheels secured to a bottom side to allow the storage component to move and for ease in transportation of the temporary garage device.
US08978677B2	Multi-functional walking aid An improved cane with an internal grasping apparatus including an actuator on the cane handle and a plurality of clamps that extends from the foot or base of the cane. A cord system within the casing of the cane connects the actuator to the clamps so that when the actuator is in use, the clamps close or open to either grasp or release objects, depending on the amount of pressure applied to the actuator. Applying pressure to the actuator extends a plurality of clamps from the distal end of the cane that can be used to assist with grasping of objects. Releasing pressure to the actuator on the cane handle will retract the clamps back into the distal end of the cane to where the clamps are hidden.
US08978676B2	Umbrella stand An umbrella holder having a base, a holder removably attachable to the base, and a plurality of stakes to secure the base to the ground. A top surface of the base has a section to store the holder when not in use. A bottom surface of the base has a plurality of stake holders to hold the stakes when not in use. The holder has two tubes attached by link arms to allow the two holders to be adjustable relative to each other. The base also has a central main hole and a plurality of auxiliary holes so that a pole can be inserted through at least one of the tubes and through the main hole so as to be perpendicular to the ground, or through one of the auxiliary holes so as to be non-perpendicular to the ground.
US08978669B2	Dental floss dispenser with clip A dental floss dispenser (1) having a clip (2) located on a rear surface (11) of the dispenser for attaching the dispenser to a tube of toothpaste (5). The clip attaches to a lower edge of a tube of toothpaste and serves a dual purpose. The first purpose being to remind an individual to floss when brushing his or her teeth and the second purpose being to squeeze the toothpaste in the tube upward toward the opening of the tube as the toothpaste is dispensed out of the tube. The clip may also be a planar piece of material that is perpendicular to the dispenser and has a slot (18) that a lower edge of the tube is inserted into. The clip may be integrated into the dispenser or attached to the dispenser by a holder (10).
US08978663B2	Charger package for electronic cigarette components A charger package apparatus for use with electronic cigarette components, which include truncated components and elongated components that have an electrical coupling connected to a rechargeable power source. The apparatus includes a compact box enclosure with an access opening, and with plural compartments formed indies, which receive electronic cigarette components, and where are least one of the compartment is an elongated compartment. The box also includes a battery compartment with a battery contact for engaging a replaceable battery, and a charge circuit coupled to receive power from the battery contact. A charge contact assembly is coupled to the charge circuit and aligned with the elongated compartment to engage the electrical coupling of an elongated component, which can then transfer power to its rechargeable power source. Also, a lid is selectively engaged with the access opening to close the box.
US08978661B2	Composite smokeless tobacco products, systems, and methods A smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a polymeric material in intimate contact with the smokeless tobacco and stabilized in conformance to a surface topography of the tobacco's fibrous structures such that the stabilized polymeric material secures the smokeless tobacco together. The smokeless tobacco product has a moisture-permeable porous surface and an overall oven volatiles content of at least 10 weight percent.
US08978659B2	Therapeutic and protective dental device useful as an intra-oral delivery system A dental device has a U-shaped carrier with at least one channel for embracing an arch of teeth. There are recessed insets in the channel. Discrete inserts carrying a beneficial agent can fit into the insets and release the agent gradually. The device may be used in a therapeutic application and as an athletic mouthguard. Temporary blanks may be initially fitted in the insets, while a portion of the mouthguard is softened before an arch of teeth is pressed into the channel to make a custom impression. The inserts possess different physical properties than the carrier and may be positioned and shaped to mechanically buffer teeth of the arch from mechanical shocks as well as release beneficial agents. The inserts may be replaced or refreshed to maintain the beneficial agent. A dental device having a core carrying a beneficial agent inside a liquid-permeable shell functions as an infant's teething device.
US08978657B2	Dual-lumen tracheal tube with shaped lumen divider Various embodiments of a tracheal tube having a shaped divider disposed therein for separation of a tracheal tube into multiple ventilation lumens are provided. In some embodiments, the divider divides a tracheal ventilation lumen from a bronchial ventilation lumen. In some embodiments, the shaped divider provides an irregular inner diameter that allows a relatively bulky device to be inserted into one or both lumens.
US08978654B2	Personal air filter with amplifier and vibrator A personal air filter device having a housing defining a cavity and a central opening including a first and second vent. The device also includes a mouthpiece adjacent to the second vent and spaced apart from the central opening. The device has a filter within the housing for filtering air passing through the housing when inhaling and exhaling. The cavity resonates at audible frequencies for providing respiratory feedback when a user inhales or exhales.
US08978652B2	Anesthetic breathing apparatus having improved monitoring of anesthetic agent An anesthetic breathing apparatus has a first gas analyzer arranged to provide gas measurement data related to a first sample point to a control unit that is arranged in a servo or feedback control system configured to adjust delivery of a vaporized anesthetic agent from an anesthetic vaporizer to a delivery point in an inspiratory branch of a breathing circuit of the anesthetic breathing apparatus, The first sampling point is arranged in the breathing circuit downstream and close to the delivery point. A second gas analyzer arranged to be operated in a first mode of operation to provide gas measurement data for patient monitoring, and arranged to be operated in a second mode of operation to provide gas measurement data to the control unit. A switch over unit is fluidly connected to the second gas analyzer, and arranged to switch fluid communication of said second gas analyzer between the first sample point for the second mode of operation and a second sample point for the first mode of operation. The second sample point is arranged in a patient tubing close to a Y-piece at a patient connected to the breathing circuit.
US08978645B2	Dry powder aerosolized inhaler This invention provides an aerosolized inhaler which enables the drug powder to aerosolize within the inhaler by breathing in the air, comprising the main body (11) and the mouthpiece connector (12) connected thereupon, wherein the inhaler the main body (11) has drug holding opening (1), which connects with the vortex passage, and the vortex passage connects with the mouthpiece (9) on the mouthpiece connector (12). It has many obvious advantages as increasing the inhalation rate, pushing more drug granule to reach to the lower respiratory tract and even into the alveolus; and meanwhile, keeping the drug from being blown out of the inhaler when the users breathes out, preventing from cross inflection and minimizing the side effect of the drug to the whole body, and obviously lightening the burden on the users.
US08978644B2	Passenger service unit with emergency oxygen supply and reading light The invention relates to a passenger service unit (PSU) for use in an aircraft, comprising a reading light having a light source and a reflector partially enclosing the light source, and an emergency oxygen supply device comprising an oxygen source, a starter unit for releasing oxygen flow from said oxygen source to an oxygen mask, a control unit for controlling oxygen flow rate from said oxygen source to said oxygen mask and an electrical energy storage device like a rechargeable battery pack or a condensator, for providing electrical energy to said control unit and/or said starter unit. According to the invention, the PSU comprises an energy harvesting unit adjacent to or integrated into said reflector of said reading light wherein said energy harvesting unit is electrically connected to said electrical energy storage device.
US08978643B2	Modification of sympathetic activation and/or respiratory function Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for modifying sympathetic activation of a patient through alteration of respiratory function. In one form, a sub-apneic ventilation target for a ventilator is determined such that chronic sympathetic activation of the patient is mitigated.
US08978642B2	Cavity receivers for parabolic solar troughs A tubular heat-absorbing element partly enclosed in an insulating layer or jacket, has absorbing surface that is accessible to solar radiation. The thermal insulation is designed to provide entry to solar radiation by way of a cavity. The absorbing surface can be substantially planar.
US08978641B2	Solar energy module A low cost mass-produced solar module that extracts both electricity and heat from the sun. One or more reflectors held by a frame reflect the sun's heat into an absorber. Each reflector rotates about its axle to keep its reflected solar energy focused on the absorber. In one embodiment, solar heat is focused to heat fluid that flows to thermodynamic engines that convert the heat to electricity. Engine waste heat is also captured for use as building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. In another embodiment, solar heat is focused onto photovoltaic devices that directly convert light into electricity. The fluid that cools the photovoltaic devices can be used for building heat, home hot water or industrial process heat. The frame shields the reflectors from ambient wind loads, supports reflector axles accurately and simplifies installation on roofs or walls of buildings. The frame, reflectors, absorber and ancillary components comprise a module that can be shipped, installed and operated by low skill. Most components are fabricated using “double wall” construction formed by two face sheets held apart by a core that reduces their weight and their cost. Reflector surfaces are curved to focus the sun and to provide additional strength. Module design includes methods to install, maintain and verify proper functioning of the modules. In addition, methods show how electrical energy can be derived from the module, both circulating fluids that power thermodynamic engines and by photovoltaic cells that are cooled by the circulating fluid. Sensors contained in the modules detect aberrant behavior and optimize reflector trajectories to extract the most solar heat available. Communication between modules allows optimization of an array of modules.
US08978639B2	Secondary room air heat exchanger and method of heating secondary room air Heating a room in a structure with a fireplace includes feeding combustible gas to a burner of a combustion assembly of the fireplace to create heat and flames with hot exhaust air passing out of a combustion chamber of the fireplace through an exhaust duct and into an exhaust air conduit of a secondary heat exchanger and out of the structure.
US08978635B2	Method of transferring data in a projectile launching device A method of transferring data in a projectile launching device includes providing a projectile launching device that has a transmitter and a receiver. An external device also includes its own transmitter and receiver. The receivers are in range with the transmitters. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to the either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. Data is sent from the transmitter on the projectile launching device to either or both the receiver on the projectile launching device and the receiver on the external device. As a result, the projectile launching device communicates with the external device.
US08978633B2	Toy projectile launching apparatus An apparatus may include a projectile and a housing or launcher. The projectile may include wing portion, with the wing portion having an end, a leading edge and a trailing edge. The housing may include a grip, a trigger, and a projectile support platform. The projectile support platform may have a projectile launch key dimensioned to removably receive the end of the wing of the projectile and engage the trailing edge of the wing. The projectile launch key may also be being mechanically connected to the trigger and operate to rotate upon retraction of the trigger and thereby launch the projectile.
US08978627B2	Method and apparatus for capturing and controlling fugitive gases A method of providing fugitive gases to an engine air supply. An air filter is positioned on the engine intake of said engine. The air filter creates a negative pressure in the engine intake downstream of the air filter. A source of fugitive gases pass to the engine intake and are collected by the negative pressure downstream of the air filter.
US08978625B2	Internal combustion engine controller At the time of drop of an injector current of an internal combustion engine controller, the drop is performed quickly while heat generation of a drive circuit is suppressed, and valve closing response speed of the injector is enhanced. The internal combustion engine controller includes a drive circuit which drives an injector current, and a boost circuit which boosts a battery voltage, and includes a peak current path for guiding a boost voltage of the boost circuit to an upstream side of the injector via a boost side switching element and a boost side protection diode, a holding current path for guiding the battery voltage to the upstream side of the injector via a battery side switching element and a battery side protection diode, a ground current path which is connected to a power supply ground from a downstream side of the injector via a downstream side switching element, and a regenerating circuit which allows the boost circuit to regenerate electric energy of the injector from the downstream side of the injector via a current regenerating diode, wherein the regenerating path is provided with a voltage regulating section in series with the current regenerating diode, and the drive circuit controls drive of the switching element.
US08978622B2	Automatic choke apparatus for engine There is provided an automatic choke apparatus for an engine. A bimetal that is coupled to a choke valve of an intake system is provided in the vicinity of an outer wall face of a muffler. The muffler is divided into a first expansion chamber and a second expansion chamber across a partition plate. An exhaust hole that allows the expansion chambers to be communicated with each other is formed at the lower part of the partition plate. An exhaust gas is guided from the upstream first expansion chamber toward the downstream second expansion chamber through the exhaust hole. A bypass hole is formed at an upper part of the partition plate in such a manner that that the expansion chambers are communicated with each other as bypassing the exhaust hole. The bypass hole is open to the vicinity of the outer wall face opposite to the bimetal.
US08978618B2	Heat engine The present invention relates to a heat engine having a housing. A generally triangular shaped rotor can drive an offset crank as it eccentrically rotates within the housing. Two inlets with valves and two exhausts are provided. The volume between each face of the rotor and the housing defines three expansion chambers. Six power cycles are provided (one by each expansion chamber times two inlets) per revolution of the rotor. Each valve controls the length of time that high pressure gas is allowed to enter each expansion chamber. The valves are controlled by a processor and close when enough pressure is supplied so that the pressures inside and outside the expansion chamber are equal when the chamber is fully expanded just prior to exhaust. Gates can provide a mechanical advantage to the rotor by reducing the amount of pressure applied to the back side of the fulcrum.
US08978614B2	Lubrication apparatus for four-stroke engine A lubrication apparatus for a four-stroke engine includes an oil tank, a supply passageway having an opening to supply oil mist from the oil tank to driving parts, the opening being provided in the oil tank. A partition is provided between the opening and a side wall of the oil tank, the partition being formed by partition plate members so as to divide an inside of the oil tank into an inner area and an outer area. The inner area includes the opening, and the outer area is defined between the inner area and the side wall. Oil can freely move between the inner area and the outer area, and the opening is placed in a position above a surface of the oil accumulated in the oil tank even when the four-stroke engine is tilted in every direction.
US08978611B2	Piston for internal combustion Disclosed is a piston (16) that is capable of not only suppressing the occurrence of knocking but also reducing cooling loss in an internal combustion engine in which a tumble flow is formed in a cylinder. The piston for the internal combustion engine in which the tumble flow is formed in the cylinder includes a non-adiabatic region (50) that is a region on a piston upper surface (35) brought into contact with the tumble flow during an intake stroke and has no insulating layer. The piston also includes an adiabatic region (52) that is a region on at least a part of the piston upper surface excluding the non-adiabatic region and has an insulating layer.
US08978610B2	Valve timing control apparatus for internal combustion engine A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, including a drive rotation member, a follower rotation member, an electric motor serving to change a relative rotational phase of the drive rotation member and the follower rotation member, a torsion spring accommodated in an annular accommodation space having an axial closed end which is formed between an inner periphery of the drive rotation member and an outer periphery of the follower rotation member, and a stop plate fixed to the drive rotation member so as to cover a part of an axial open end of the annular accommodation space, the stop plate cooperating with the follower rotation member or a camshaft to restrict relative rotation of the drive rotation member and the follower rotation member within a predetermined angular range.
US08978604B2	Variable valve actuator The present invention discloses an actuator, which is a combination of a hydraulic control unit and a spring-mass mechanical unit, comprising: a housing, with upper and lower ports; an actuation cylinder in the housing; an actuation piston in the actuation cylinder moveable along the longitudinal axis; a first fluid space; a second fluid space; a first piston rod connected to a first surface of the actuation piston; the second piston rod connected to a second surface of the actuation piston; a fluid bypass; a first spring system connected to the first piston rod, biasing the actuation piston in the second direction; a second spring system biasing the actuation piston in the first direction; a first flow mechanism; a second flow mechanism. The present invention also discloses two other preferred embodiments. The actuator features variable valve lift, low energy consumption, fast dynamic response, soft seating and easy controllability.
US08978599B2	Cooling apparatus of internal combustion engine for vehicle A control device includes target temperature setting means, feedback control means, and shortcut control means. The target temperature setting means sets a target temperature (γ) of a coolant according to a temperature state of an internal combustion engine. The feedback control means controls a control valve in such a manner that a coolant temperature is the target temperature (γ). The shortcut control means controls the control valve in such a manner that, when the internal combustion engine is in a cold state, the target temperature setting means sets as the target temperature (γ) a warming-up temperature (α) higher than a feedback control temperature (A or B) which is set during feedback control.
US08978595B2	Piston engine having magnetic piston bearing A piston engine has a housing and a piston. The piston is magnetically and movably disposed in the housing. A device for magnetically supporting the piston is fixedly mounted relative to the housing. A linear machine in conjunction with the magnetic bearing of the piston can prevent friction and thus result in a machine for converting mechanical into electric energy without having to lubricate and with reduced mechanical effort.
US08978587B2	Auto-freshening water dispenser An automatic freshening water dispenser includes a bottom and is defined by a sidewall engaging the bottom and rising to a top edge. The sidewall having a first height between the bottom and the top edge and includes a recessed portion having a lower height. Three water inputs are positioned in the bowl Two water inputs positioned adjacent to the bottom of the bowl to eject water in a direction away from the recessed portion. A third water input is positioned in the sidewall at a location in the bowl opposing the recessed portion to eject water in a direction toward the recessed portion. A conduit couples the first, second and third water inputs to a water source connection.
US08978585B2	System and method for cognitive enrichment of an animal A system and method for cognitive enrichment of an animal. At least one display device is configured to display stimuli to an animal. At least one input device is configured to accept input from the animal. At least one reward dispenser is configured to dispense a reward to the animal. At least one processor is communicatively coupled with the at least one display device, the at least one input device, and the at least one reward dispenser. Execution of computer-readable instructions causes the at least one processor to carry out steps including displaying one or more stimuli to the animal using the at least one display device, accepting an input from the animal corresponding to at least one of the one or more stimuli, making a dispensing decision based on the input, and dispensing a reward using the at least one reward dispenser based on the dispensing decision.
US08978584B2	Milking system for mammals, preferably cattle, that differentiates when the milk is over, comprising a collector, teat cups and hoses A system that attached to mechanized milking equipment allows its automation that solves the subclinical mastitis by “differentiating” among each individual mammary quarter the time when teat cups must be removed after the milk is over, in an asynchronous and independent manner from other teat cups. Minimize the negative consequences of over-milking as a results of not removing teat cups on time after the milk flow has stopped; reduces economic, financial and productivity problems arisen as a result of subclinical mastitis mainly caused by over-milking; thus improving the product quality and amount. Mastitis produces somatic cells in milk, the greater the amount of these cells the lower the price received by the producer. Damage to the mammary gland may be permanent resulting in the loss of the gland and may be contagious.The system includes teat cups, tubes, collector, discrete flow sensor, vacuum sensor, command control, software comprising as a part thereof the mammary quarters with physiological and anatomical characteristics thereof.
US08978582B2	Device for stimulating an udder during milking The invention relates to a device for stimulating an udder during milking, made up of a housing with a first connection (350, 351) and a second connection (352, 353), which housing can be grasped by a hand. The first connection connects the housing to a pulsator and the second connection connects the housing to a teat cup. A throttle valve (305, 306) is interposed between the first connection and the second connection. A control device (309) is housed in the housing and is adapted to bring the throttle valve, after a defined duration, from a partially open to an open position.
US08978581B2	Adhesive applying device An adhesive applying device includes a robot including a robot arm; a rotor set jig for setting thereat a rotor; a gun including a holder to which a cartridge containing the adhesive is mountable, the gun discharging the adhesive in the cartridge mounted to the holder and being mountable to an end of the robot arm; an electromagnetic valve that performs on/off switching control of supply of compressed air at a predetermined pressure into the cartridge mounted to the holder of the gun; a robot controller that controls an operation of the robot; and an upper-order controller that coordinates and controls the on/off switching control performed by the electromagnetic valve and the control of the operation of the robot performed by the robot controller.
US08978578B2	Powder delivery apparatus A powder delivery apparatus for transporting powder from one or more hoppers to one or more powder applicators. A cross feed network of multi-directional valves and fluid connections is interposed between transfer pumps coupled to the outlets of the hoppers to provide alternately selectable flow paths for the powder from each hopper to selected one of the powder applicators.
US08978577B2	Waxing device A waxing device is used for applying a waxing treatment to a polishing wheel, and includes a supporting assembly, an adjusting assembly, a driving mechanism, a mounting assembly, a motor, a wax block and a resisting mechanism. The supporting assembly includes a sliding rail, and the adjusting assembly is slidably positioned on the sliding rail; the driving mechanism is mounted on the adjusting assembly; the mounting assembly includes a mounting member positioned on the driving mechanism; the motor is mounted on mounting member; the wax block is positioned on the motor and rotated by the motor; the resisting mechanism is positioned on the supporting assembly and resists the adjusting assembly for adjusting a pressure applied to the polishing wheel during the waxing process.
US08978572B2	Submarine A submarine is provided with an upwardly directed drilling device (12, 12′). The drilling device (12, 12′) is arranged in a pressure hull (4) of the submarine and has a drill (14, 14′) which can be extended out of the pressure hull (4) through an opening (10) arranged on the upper deck of the submarine. The drill has a drilling head (42, 42′) which forms a closure body which closes the opening (10) of the pressure hull. The drill functions to drill a hole from under an ice sheet to allow occupants of the submarine to exit through the hole.
US08978571B2	Body board having a heat engine and capable of moving in waves A body board (1) has a heat engine (10) and an automatic starter (11), which is capable of moving in waves and remaining on the water when the engine is stopped, and onto which the user holds in order to be pulled along in the water in a body-drag position.
US08978570B2	Lifting floor for bodies of water A lifting platform for use in a body of water has (a) a plurality of float modules, each float module having a buoyancy compartment, and each float module being attached to adjacent float modules by means of flexible joints; (b) at least one container disposed in each float module for retaining a buoyancy fluid; and (c) a discharge apparatus for discharging buoyancy fluid to the buoyancy compartments of the float modules, so as to fill each buoyancy compartment with buoyancy fluid, thereby causing the plurality of modules to float to a position at or near the surface of the body of water.
US08978569B2	Hatch of a ship A hatch for an outer wall or skin of a ship includes a guide device for guiding a flexible electrical line through the hatch to provide the ship with electrical power. A ship having such a hatch is also provided.
US08978568B2	Chain release apparatuses and methods An apparatuses and methods to release a chain. Apparatuses and methods include an electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator system used to rotate a hooking arm. The actuator system includes an extendable piston. In some embodiments, the actuator system is hydraulic. In other embodiments, the actuator system is pneumatic.
US08978566B2	Sewing machine A sewing machine may comprise a needle bar driving mechanism, a cutting needle rotation mechanism, and an embroidery frame movement mechanism configured to move an embroidery frame comprising a protruding portion. A cam member may be fixed to the needle bar and comprise a plurality of cams. A processor of the sewing machine may set a height of the needle bar to a specific position from a plurality of positions. Each of the plurality of positions may represent that each of the plurality of cams is able to contact with the protruding portion. The processor may instruct the needle bar driving mechanism to move the needle bar to the specific position and instruct the embroidery frame movement mechanism to move the embroidery frame to a position where the protruding portion is able to contact with one of the plurality of cams.
US08978559B2	Cartridge cases and base inserts therefor A base insert for a cartridge case comprises a base end having a lip and a groove proximate the lip and having a primer pocket defined in the base end and an insert end having a base wall and a cylindrical wall extending there from, the base wall and cylindrical wall defining a powder fill pocket. The base wall has a flash hole disposed therein and an inner surface facing the powder fill pocket. The cylindrical wall has an inner surface intersecting with the inner surface of the base wall and an outer surface defining the outer circumference of the base insert. The intersection of the inner surface of the base wall and the inner surface of the cylindrical wall is curved or forms an oblique angle, while the outer surface of the insert end is not curved and does not form an oblique angle.
US08978553B2	Heat-sensitive lithographic printing plates The present invention relates to a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate requiring no on-press development or no water development, which provides clear printed image, has sufficient printing wear resistance, and has improved scumming, more specifically to a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate comprising, on a water-resistant support, an image-forming layer containing a thermoplastic resin, a water-soluble polymer compound, and at least one selected from a compound of the following formulae (1), (2), (3) and (4). The present invention also relates to a direct heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate by which the generation of sticking phenomenon has been reduced.
US08978552B2	Device for treating packaging means The invention relates to a device for treating packaging means, such as bottles, cans or similar containers, comprising a device-internal transport section, on which the treatment of the packaging means is carried out on processing stations (8) in at least two process steps, and further comprising holding and centering elements, by means of which the packaging means (1) are held at least during the respective process step in an orientation on the device-internal transport system necessary for said process step and/or by means of which the packaging means are moved at least during one process step.
US08978547B2	Cooking assembly An improved cooking assembly and method is disclosed. The assembly includes a base pan for heating and boiling water. An inner pan is suspended or elevated above the base pan via a support member. Ideally, the support member allows water to flow over, under, or through it. A lid is disposed over the base pan, and a gap remains between the rim of the inner pan and the base pan. Optionally, the handle of the inner pan fits into a notch in the rim of the base pan to lock it into place, and a projection may extend from the handle of the inner pan to a receiving member in a handle of the base pan. The lid may be extended using a free-standing peripheral extender or an extender wall about the lid. Optionally, a grill may be placed on the inner pan, or poaching pans may be placed in the inner pan. Water is heated and transformed to steam. The steam is allowed to condense on the interior concave surface of the lid, and condensed water then streaks down the lid toward the outside edge. In this manner, food is cooked evenly without any of the problematic effects of burning.
US08978546B2	Device for preserving and dispensing wine This invention provides a device for preserving and dispensing a beverage, having: (a) a housing including one or more compartments, each compartment for storing a beverage container; and (b) one or more dispensing head removably connected to a cartridge, wherein said dispensing head having an aerator for aerating said beverage, wherein said cartridge removably and securely holds a beverage container, wherein said beverage flows from said container to said dispensing head by the force of a pump connected to said cartridge. In one embodiment, the beverage is wine.
US08978541B2	Brewed beverage appliance and method A beverage assembly includes a housing having a liquid reservoir, an inlet portion formed in the housing, a beverage container configured to be removably accommodated within the inlet portion and having a fracturable seal and containing a beverage ingredient of a first size, a grinding mechanism positioned within the housing and in fluid communication with the inlet portion, and a piercing assembly positioned within the housing, wherein the piercing assembly selectively pierces the fracturable seal thereby causing said beverage ingredient to enter the grinding mechanism. The grinding mechanism selectively transforms the beverage ingredient from the first size to a second size, the second size being smaller than the first size. The beverage assembly further includes a brewing area disposed beneath the grinding assembly and configured to removably accommodate the beverage container after the beverage container has been pierced by the piercing assembly.
US08978540B2	Cylinder A clamping cylinder is disclosed. The cylinder includes a cylinder block defining a receiving chamber and two vents communicating with the receiving chamber, the cylinder block further defining a through hole communicating with the receiving chamber at a side; a piston slidably mounted in the receiving chamber and defining a through groove corresponding to the through hole, the piston further comprising a resisting surface; and a pushrod assembly comprising a push block movably mounted in the through hole, and a resilient member mounted in the through groove, the resilient member is connected to the push block; wherein the resilient member is adapted to pull the push block towards the piston, and the resisting surface is configured to resist the push block so that the push block moves along the through hole when the piston slides along the receiving chamber.
US08978535B2	Articulating protective system for resisting mechanical loads Articulating protective systems for resisting mechanical loads and related methods are generally described. The protective structures described herein can incorporate one or more features that enhance the ability of the structure to resist an applied force while remaining sufficiently flexible to allow for movement of the object or person the structure is designed to protect.
US08978530B2	Cutting apparatus employing a magnet A cutting apparatus is disclosed and which includes a cutter knife which is reciprocally moveable along a path of travel, a track member mounted adjacent to the cutter knife, and which mechanically cooperates with the cutter knife so as to define, at least in part, a first non-cutting position, and the second, cutting position for the cutter knife, and a magnet mounted on the track member and which releasably magnetically restrains the cutter knife when the cutter knife is in either of the first non-cutting position, or the second, cutting position.
US08978520B2	Tightening machine having socket unit A tightening machine has a socket unit which tightens a reaction washer and a nut to each other. The socket unit includes an inner socket whose tip end can engage with the nut, and an outer socket formed concentrically with the inner socket. A tip end of the outer socket can engage with the reaction washer. The socket unit concentrically includes an inner socket holder and an outer socket holder. The inner socket holder and the outer socket holder can rotate in opposite directions from each other, and the outer socket holder is formed around an outer periphery of the inner socket holder. The inner socket is detachably engaged with the inner socket holder, and the outer socket is detachably engaged with the outer socket holder. The inner socket is engaged with the inner socket holder with clearance in its circumferential direction.
US08978518B2	Double lever corkscrew A corkscrew includes an elongate body, an auger pivotally mounted to the body, a first bearing arm pivotally mounted to the elongate body at a first distance from the auger, and a second bearing arm slidably mounted on the first bearing arm. The first and second bearing arms each have a shoulder, the shoulders being aligned adjacent one another. A connecting rod is pivotally mounted to the elongate body at a second distance which is greater than the first distance and pivotally engaged with the second bearing arm. During the extraction of a cork, the first bearing arm begins the extraction in engagement with the rim of the bottle neck. As the elongate body is tilted, the second bearing arm in turn engages with the rim of the bottle neck in order to take over from the first lever and fully extract the cork.
US08978515B2	Transmission heating and storage device A heat storage and release system for a transmission includes a material capable of super cooling within an operating temperature range of the transmission. The material is in thermal communication with the transmission. An energy input device is associated with the material and operable to input energy to the material to initiate an exothermic phase change within the material in order to deliver heat to the transmission.
US08978514B2	Bicycle front sprocket A bicycle front sprocket has a sprocket body and a chain engagement structure. The sprocket body has a center rotational axis, a first side surface and a second side surface. The second side surface is a smaller sprocket facing side. The chain engagement structure is disposed on an outer periphery of the sprocket body. The chain engagement structure includes a plurality of sprocket teeth extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the sprocket body. The sprocket teeth include at least one first tooth having a first tooth top with a first leading edge and a first trailing edge. The first leading edge is positioned downstream from the first trailing edge with respect to the driving-rotational direction of the bicycle sprocket. The first tooth top is shaped so that the first leading edge is positioned closer to the first side surface than the first trailing edge in the axial direction.
US08978512B2	Operating pedal and overlapping welding method An operating pedal includes a joining portion at which a first member and a second member whose thickness is smaller than a thickness of the first member are overlapped with each other, and welded to each other along an end edge of the second member, a step portion being provided in the first member along the end edge of the second member by recessing a protruding portion that outwardly protrudes from the end edge so that the protruding portion is drawn back from the second member; and the first member and the second member being welded to each other at a portion extending from the end edge of the second member to the step portion of the first member.
US08978511B2	Position control mechanism A position control mechanism is provided for a bicycle control device that basically has a fixed member, a first positioning member and a second positioning member and an operating member. The fixed member includes a first tooth and a second tooth. The first positioning member includes a first positioning tooth selectively contacting the first tooth to prevent the first positioning member from moving in a first direction. The second positioning member includes a second positioning tooth selectively contacting the second tooth to prevent the second positioning member from moving in the first direction. The operating member is arranged relative to the first and second positioning members such that the first and second positioning members move relative to the fixed member and the first and second positioning teeth contact the first and second teeth alternately as the operating member is moved in the first direction.
US08978509B2	Robot arm assembly A robot arm assembly includes a main base, a joint and at least one arm. The main base includes a main body, and the main body includes a mounting portion and a limiting post on a side of the mounting portion. The joint is rotatably mounted on the mounting portion and includes a limit piece corresponding to the limiting post. The at least one arm is fixed to the joint, when the arm rotates relative to the main base to a predetermined extent of rotation, the limit piece abuts against the limiting post to stop the rotation of the arm.
US08978504B2	Shift device In a shift lever device, operation of a shift lever to a “P” shift position is allowed when electric-power is not supplied to a solenoid in a state where the shift lever has been operated to a shift position other than the “P” shift position. Moreover, operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position is regulated when electric-power is not supplied to a lock solenoid in a state where the shift lever has been operated to the “P” shift position. Therefore, in a case where the shift position of the shift lever is other than the “P” shift position when electric-power is not supplied to the solenoid and the lock solenoid, operation of the shift lever from the “P” shift position can be regulated by operating the shift lever to the “P” shift position, and the shift lever can be placed in the “P” shift position.
US08978497B2	Linear actuator with anti-rotation mechanism An assembly comprises a housing, a motor within the housing, and a thrust tube with an anti-rotation mechanism. The motor comprises a hollow rotor. An externally threaded screw shaft is coupled to the hollow rotor for rotation therewith. An internally threaded nut is coupled to the externally threaded screw shaft, wherein rotation of the screw shaft causes the nut to move axially. The thrust tube is operably connected with the nut, and the anti-rotation mechanism is attached to the thrust tube to substantially prevent rotation relative the housing.
US08978493B2	Conduit length adjustment apparatus and method A conduit length adjustment apparatus having first and second housings each having a member structured to engage the respective housing with a first conduit. A housing movement device is connected between the first and second housings and configured to change a distance between the first and second housings. Selective operation of the members and housing movement device causes the first conduit to move into or out of a second conduit.
US08978491B2	Systems and methods for inline sampling Methods and devices for inline sampling of a bulk material, such as a powder, are provided. The material's bulk density can be determined from samples drawn using methods and devices described herein. One embodiment of a method of sampling a material allows the material to flow through a sampling compartment, closes off the flow of material below the sampling compartment, builds up a column of material through the sampling compartment, shifts the sampling compartment to remove a slice of material in the column, and places the slice of material into a sample container. A device for sampling a material is provided in another embodiment. The device includes an inlet, an outlet aligned with the inlet, and a sample collector. The sample collector can include at least one through hole and be configured to move such that the at least one through hole can be moved into and out of alignment with the inlet and the outlet.
US08978488B2	Magnetic force sensor including a magneto-electric transducer The present invention provides a magnetic force sensor that can precisely detect and correct variations in a magnetic field generated by a magnetic flux generating source. Therefore, a displacement magneto-electric transducer, which detects a change in the magnetic field caused by an external force, and a fixed magneto-electric transducer, where the change in the magnetic field caused by the external force does not occur, are provided to face end sides of magnetic poles of the magnetic flux generating source. The fixed magneto-electric transducer detects a variation of the magnetic field caused by, for example, changes with time and environmental variations such as a temperature rise in the interior of the sensor. On the basis of a detection amount thereof, an operational section performs a correction operation, so that a sensitivity coefficient or an offset of the displacement magneto-electric transducer is corrected.
US08978485B2	Apparatus and method for inspecting rubbing-cloth An apparatus and method for inspecting a rubbing-cloth is provided. The apparatus for inspecting a rubbing-cloth includes: a base-platform provided with a pressure-sensing device on a surface thereof; a supporting-frame; a rubbing-roller, rotatably supported above the surface of the base-platform by means of the supporting-frame, with a rubbing-cloth wrapped around an outer circumference of the rubbing-roller; when the rubbing-roller is rotated, the rubbing-cloth rubs the surface of the base-platform, and the pressure-sensing device can detect pressure-sensing signals of pressure applied by the rubbing-cloth at each of detection-points on the surface of the base-platform.
US08978482B2	Partition plate securement for an ultrasonic flow meter An ultrasonic flow rate measuring device includes a flow path, a partition plate that is inserted from an aperture to partition the flow path into plural sections, an ultrasound transmission body, plural ultrasonic transducers that are provided in positions facing a bottom plate such that an ultrasonic wave transmitted from one of the ultrasonic transducers through the ultrasound transmission body is reflected by the bottom plate and received by the other ultrasonic transducer, a measurement circuit that measures an ultrasonic propagation time between the plurality of the ultrasonic transducers; and a calculation circuit that obtains a flow rate of the target fluid based on a signal from the measurement circuit.
US08978480B2	Recursive hexapod system and method for multiaxial mechanical testing A recursive hexapod testing machine for mechanical testing of deformable material specimens under six degrees of freedom multiaxial loading. The machine includes a fixed base, a movable base connected to the fixed base at by a hexapod arrangement of six linearly extendable actuator linkages, with an end of each linkages attached to the movable base and the other end of the linkage attached to the fixed base. Each actuator linkage includes a hydraulic cylinder and piston, a digitally-controlled electro-hydraulic servo-valve for actuating the hydraulic cylinder in response to a digital command string, a load cell in line between the piston and the universal joint attached to the movable base, a linear variable displacement transducer for measuring extension of the piston, and a magneto-resistive position transducer for measuring a position of the piston. The servo-valves extend each hydraulic cylinder a predetermined amount to effect a desired motion of the material specimen.
US08978477B2	Linearly-travelling ultrasonic probe mount and methods for use A device for conducting an ultrasonic inspection of an object of interest comprises a base member. In addition, the device comprises a track coupled to the base member. Further, the device comprises a carriage moveably coupled to the track. Still further, the device comprises a drive system coupled to the carriage and configured to move the carriage linearly along the track. Moreover, the device comprises an ultrasonic probe coupled to the carriage.
US08978475B2	MEMS proof mass with split z-axis portions This document discusses among other things apparatus and methods for a proof mass including split z-axis portions. An example proof mass can include a center portion configured to anchor the proof-mass to an adjacent layer, a first z-axis portion configure to rotate about a first axis using a first hinge, the first axis parallel to an x-y plane orthogonal to a z-axis, a second z-axis portion configure to rotate about a second axis using a second hinge, the second axis parallel to the x-y plane, wherein the first z-axis portion is configured to rotate independent of the second z-axis portion.
US08978474B2	Inertial measurement systems, and methods of use and manufacture thereof A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial measurement system facilitates accurate location and/or attitude measurements via passive thermal management of MEMS inertial sensors. Accuracy of the system is also improved by subjecting the inertial sensors to programmed single-axis gimbal motion, and by performing coarse and fine adjustments to the attitude estimates obtained by the system based on the programmed motion and on the passive thermal management of the sensors.
US08978472B2	Gyro sensor, electronic apparatus, and method of manufacturing gyro sensor A gyro sensor according to the invention includes a driving portion that includes a driving support portion connected to a driving spring portion and a detecting portion that includes a detecting support portion connected to the driving support portion with the detecting spring portion interposed. The driving support portion is configured to vibrate in a first axis (X-axis) direction, and the detecting support portion is configured to be displaced in a second axis (Y-axis) direction orthogonal to the first axis (x-axis). When the resonant frequency of the driving portion is f1, the resonant frequency of the detecting portion is f2, the width of the driving spring portion is w1, and the width of the detecting spring portion is w2, Expression (1) below is satisfied. 0.87(f2/f1)≦(w2/w1)≦1.13(f2/f1) (1) (where, w1≠w2 and f1≠f2).
US08978470B2	Inertial sensor Disclosed herein is an inertial sensor. The inertial sensor includes a sensing unit and a driving-mass-position initialization module. The sensing unit includes a driving mass, a flexible board unit which displaceably supports the driving mass, and a support which supports the flexible board unit to allow the driving mass to move in a suspended state. The flexible board unit has driving electrodes which move the driving mass, and sensing electrodes which sense the movement of the driving mass. The driving-mass-position initialization module includes a position initialization member which reciprocates to initialize the position of the driving mass, and a coil unit which surrounds the position initialization member. An initialization-member-receiving depression is formed in the driving mass. The shape of the initialization-member-receiving depression corresponds to that of the position initialization member.
US08978469B2	Piezoelectric thin film structure and angular velocity detection apparatus A piezoelectric thin film structure includes a substrate, a silicon oxide film disposed on the substrate, a first aluminum oxide film disposed on the silicon oxide film, a lower electrode layer disposed on the first aluminum oxide film, a piezoelectric film layer disposed on the lower electrode layer, and an upper electrode layer disposed on the piezoelectric film layer.
US08978468B2	Nonvisual indication of an unwanted chemical in an ingestible substance Methods and systems for detecting and indicating the presence of undesirable substances in ingestible substance such as food or beverages. More specifically, systems and methods for nonvisually and concealably indicating and detecting the presence of unwanted or undesired drugs in beverages and/or food.
US08978464B2	Magnetostrictive probe with inverted signal detection An alternate construction and method for a magnetostrictive probe intended to be used as a tank monitoring device. Height determination, either water or fuel, is referenced to an ultrasonic pickup assembly located inside the shaft at the foot of the probe. With this inverse approach, height measurement uses the relative geothermal stability of underground storage tanks, or the temperature stability offered by the thermal mass of the fuel, to facilitate a tank level determination. At that new location, the detection circuit is isolated from the effect of magnetic risers, large temperature swings and other undesirable phenomenon that often affect magnetostrictive probe measurements that are referenced to the canister. Aside from its primary use as referred to by this disclosure, this probe could be adapted for any application necessitating precise knowledge of height or distance measurement in relation to the foot of the probe without using a reference magnet.
US08978461B2	Apparatus and measuring stress in a subterranean formation A method and apparatus for determining a stress field in a subterranean formation include deploying a stress measurement tool on a tubular string, opening at least three fractures in three different radial directions in the subterranean formation, and closing the at least three fractures. The at least three fractures are reopened while measuring stress and strain conditions. From the reopening, a tangential stress component for each of the at least three fractures is determined. From the tangential stress components and radial directions of the at least three fractures, the stress field of the subterranean formation is determined.
US08978460B2	Method for operating a tire pressure monitoring system for a motor vehicle, tire pressure monitoring system and motor vehicle A method of operating a tire pressure monitoring system for a motor vehicle includes detection of a stationary state of the motor vehicle by way of a centrifugal force measured on the wheel side or a vehicle speed measured on the vehicle side, during a time period during which the vehicle speed is zero; detection and vehicle-side storage of an acceleration force in each wheel during the time period, and renewed detection of an acceleration force in each wheel at the end of the time period. The detected acceleration force in each wheel is transmitted to a vehicle-side control device and compared with earlier-stored acceleration forces associated with the respective wheel position. The tire pressure system is initialized following the stationary state of the motor vehicle in the event of a deviation in any of the wheels. There is also provided a tire pressure monitoring system and a motor vehicle.
US08978457B2	Sensor module for a master cylinder A sensor module for use with a master cylinder of a brake system is described, wherein the master cylinder has an input-side activation element and an underpressure region for communicating with an underpressure brake booster. The sensor module comprises an underpressure sensor for detecting an underpressure in the underpressure region of the master cylinder as well as at least one further sensor for detecting a signal transmitter which is rigidly coupled to the activation element. The underpressure sensor and the at least one further sensor are accommodated in a housing of the sensor module. An opening in the housing permits communication between the underpressure sensor and the underpressure region of the master cylinder.
US08978456B2	Brake booster fault diagnostics Methods and systems for indicating brake booster degradation when braking is suspended may include comparing expected brake booster vacuum with measured brake booster vacuum, and indicating a fault when the difference between the two values exceeds a threshold. In one example, the expected brake booster vacuum is computed differently depending on whether intake manifold vacuum or vacuum from one or more vacuum-powered pumps dominates evacuation of the brake booster. Expected brake booster vacuum may be computed based on expected brake booster mass air flow and brake booster volume; when measured brake booster vacuum is less than intake manifold vacuum, expected brake booster mass air flow may be computed as a function of intake manifold vacuum and measured brake booster vacuum, whereas expected brake booster mass air flow may be computed based on flow characteristics of the pump(s) when measured brake booster vacuum is not less than intake manifold vacuum.
US08978455B2	Sensor device for detecting at least one flow property of a fluid medium A sensor device for detecting a flow property of fluid medium, e.g., an air flow in the intake tract or the charge air tract of an internal combustion engine, includes: a sensor housing introduced into the air flow and having at least one housing body, at least one cover, and at least one channel through which the fluid medium flows; a sensor element for detecting the flow property, the sensor element being held on a top side of a carrier. The carrier is situated at least partially in the channel and has a cross section which becomes wider in parallel with the main flow direction of the fluid medium at the location of the sensor element in a sectional plane in parallel to the main flow direction of the fluid medium in the channel.
US08978453B2	Crank signal error detection using a cam signal interval A method of detecting a crank signal error that includes incrementing a crank tooth counter in response to detecting a crank signal, comparing the crank tooth counter to an expected value when a cam signal is detected, and indicating a crank signal error if the crank tooth counter is not substantially equal to the expected value. This method is advantageous because a cam interval used to determine when to start and stop counting crank tooth pulses is automatically adjusted for variations in engine speed, while the prior art time based methods must adjust the time interval for variations in engine speed.
US08978452B2	Wetness sensor using RF circuit with frangible link A wetness sensor includes a substrate that carries a tuned RF circuit. The circuit includes a conductive pattern applied to the substrate, a capacitor, and a jumper all disposed on a same side of the substrate. The conductive pattern includes an inductive coil, and an inner and outer terminus. The jumper electrically couples the inner terminus to the outer terminus. The jumper also includes a frangible link which, when contacted by a target fluid, produces a drastic change in the operation of the RF circuit. The drastic change can be interpreted by a remote reader as a “wet” condition. Contact of the frangible link by the target fluid may change the impedance or resistance of the RF circuit by at least a factor of 5, 10, 100, or more, and/or may cause the frangible link to disintegrate to produce an open circuit, and/or may substantially render the RF circuit inoperative.
US08978451B2	Spindle clamp The invention relates to a balancing device, having a measuring system for determining the rotational unbalance of a test object, comprising a spindle unit with a spindle, which is intended to hold the test object and rotate it at a test rotational speed, and a spindle mounting, by which the spindle unit is movably anchored on the machine base, such that the spindle unit can oscillate in a predetermined measuring direction as a result of the unbalance forces occurring during the measurement operation, and at least one sensor, which upon rotation of the spindle detects at least one unbalance characteristic variable occurring in the measuring direction, and a material removal system for balancing the test object by material removal in a predetermined site. The measuring system and the material removal system are designed such that material can be removed when the test object is held in the spindle.
US08978450B2	Combination fluid sensor system An apparatus for determining and controlling characteristics of a fluid is provided that includes a substrate, a heating circuit, and a sensing circuit applied on the substrate by a layered process. A control module is in communication with the heating circuit and the sensing circuit for determining, for example, type, concentration, liquid level, and temperature of the fluid, which in one form is a urea solution.
US08978448B2	In vitro testing of endovascular device Some embodiments relate in part to endovascular devices such as prostheses and methods of testing same prior to deployment. Some embodiments may be directed more specifically to inflatable grafts or stent grafts and methods of in vitro leak testing of such grafts prior to in vivo deployment.
US08978445B2	System and a method relating to measuring humidity in a ventilated space The present invention relates to a system and a method for measuring humidity in a ventilated space (3) comprising humidity sensing means (10), a heating device (201), and a control system (301) having access to pre-stored values on saturation vapor content of air at different temperatures. The relative humidity, Hrel(T1), at a first temperature, T1, is measured, with the heating device inactivate. For TI a pre-stored saturation vapor content value, Vsat(T1), is found. A first absolute humidity value, Vc(T1), is calculated by multiplying the first saturation vapor content value by the first relative humidity value. A second relative humidity, Hrel(T2), at T2 is measured, with the heating device on, a second vapor content value, Hsat(T2), at T2 is found and a nominal relative humidity value, RHnom, is calculated by dividing the first absolute humidity value, Vc(T1), by the second saturation vapor content value, Vsat(T2). The difference, ΔRH, between the second measured relative humidity value, Hrel(T2), and the nominal relative humidity value, RHnom is established and used to adjust subsequent relative humidity measurements for error compensation.
US08978443B2	Shock detection in a utility meter having reporting capability An arrangement for use in a utility meter includes an accelerometer, a processing circuit, and a source of power. The accelerometer is configured to detect impact force on a utility meter housing. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive information representative of detected shock events from the accelerometer, and is configured to store information regarding detected shock events in a non-volatile memory. The source of power is independent of a main meter power supply, and is operably connected to the processing circuit.
US08978438B2	Method for start-up of a measuring device A method for start-up of a measuring device, which is embodied to monitor by means of at least one measuring transducer in contact with the interior of a process container, especially of a single-use container, a measured variable of a medium contained in the process container, wherein, for ascertaining a measured value, at least one measurement signal of the measuring transducer is mapped to a measured value of the measured variable according to a predetermined characteristic curve, wherein the method includes: introducing a process medium into the process container; bringing the measuring transducer in contact with the process medium; and performing a one-point calibrating of the measuring device based on a measurement signal registered by the measuring transducer in the process medium or a measured value derived therefrom based on the characteristic curve.
US08978437B2	Nozzle header An apparatus and a method provided for spraying a coolant to a work piece include a coolant feed line, at least one delivery nozzle for delivering the coolant, and shielding means which surround at least part of said delivery nozzle. The shielding means are arranged with the work piece to form an essentially closed space, and said shielding means includes exhausting means for exhausting gas from the essentially closed space, and means for keeping the outside of the shielding means at a temperature above the dew point.
US08978430B2	System and method for stainless steel cladding of carbon steel pieces A system and method of cladding a carbon steel piece with stainless steel according to which the carbon steel piece is cleaned, heated, coated with the stainless steel, and strengthened. In an exemplary embodiment, coating the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel includes melting the stainless steel, atomizing the melted stainless steel, and spraying the atomized stainless steel so that at least a portion of the atomized stainless steel is deposited on the carbon steel piece to thereby coat the carbon steel piece with the stainless steel.
US08978428B2	Apparatus for automatically returning a lock to a desired orientation An electromechanical lock includes a spring-biased cylinder plug return mechanism for automatically rotating the rotatable plug to a home position after the plug has been rotated from the home position and thereafter released. In one embodiment, the cylinder plug return mechanism comprises a torsional spring coupled to the plug, In a second embodiment, the cylinder plug return mechanism comprises a slider that is coupled to the plug so that rotation of the plug moves the slider, thereby increasing the potential energy in a return spring, and when the plug is released, the increase potential energy is released by moving the slider, and the coupling between the slider and the plug causes the plug to rotate back to a home position.
US08978425B2	Motor usable with washing machine and washing machine having the same Disclosed herein are a motor usable with a washing machine to assure interchangeability of constituent elements thereof and a washing machine having the same. The motor includes a stator mounted to a tub of the washing machine, and a rotor to rotate a drum of the washing machine. The stator includes a stator core, first and second insulators arranged to cover the stator core, and a plurality of mounts to couple the stator to the tub. The plurality of mounts is selectively provided at one of the first insulator and the second insulator.
US08978424B2	Device for housing a bearing provided with a system for detecting the load applied to the bearing The invention relates to a housing device provided with a system for detecting the load applied to an element arranged in the housing, an internal part configured in such a way as to hold said element, and an external part for fixing the device to a mechanical group, the internal part being connected to the external part by at least two deformable connection parts in such a way that the internal part can be displaced in relation to the external part under the action of a load applied to the element. The system for detecting the applied load comprises a means for directly detecting the displacement of one of the parts, internal or external, in relation to the other part, external or internal, under the action of a load applied to the element.
US08978420B2	Bending device for shaping glass for use in aircraft transparencies A sheet bending device includes a sheet shaping rail having a stationary shaping rail portion mounted on a support member and an articulating shaping rail portion pivotally mounted on the support member for movement from a non-shaping position to a shaping position. A retention member limits movement of a sheet to be shaped relative to the stationary shaping rail portion when the articulating shaping rail portion moves to the shaping position. A “cut-to-size” method is also disclosed to shape a sheet for use in making an aircraft transparency.
US08978417B2	Method for low energy separation of a glass ribbon Disclosed is a method of separating a glass sheet from a moving glass ribbon, wherein the glass ribbon comprises thickened bead portions. The method comprises weakening the bead portions of the ribbon using laser-initiated ablation at the bead portions to overcome the potential for uncontrolled cracking through the bead portion.
US08978408B2	Liquefier for a heat pump and heat pump A liquefier for a heat pump includes a liquefier space and a process water tank. The process water tank is arranged within the liquefier space such that it is substantially surrounded by liquefied working fluid. A wall of the process water tank, however, is spaced from a wall of the process water tank so that a gap formed to communicate with the region of the heat pump in which compressed gas is present is obtained, so that the process water tank is thermally insulated from the space for liquefied working fluid via this gas-filled gap. The liquefier itself may also be surrounded by the gas region, in order to provide for inexpensive insulation of the liquefier.
US08978405B2	Food cooling appliance There is described a food cooling appliance (1) having an outer casing (2) extending along a vertical reference axis (A); a food cooling chamber (3) housed inside the outer casing (2) and of a given length (L1) measured along the reference axis; at least one food-supporting shelf (5) positioned firmly, m but in easily removable manner, inside the cooling chamber; a primary inductor (8) extending in a direction parallel to the reference axis, and of a length (L2) substantially equal or less than the length of the cooling chamber; one or more light-emitting units (18) located along an outer peripheral edge of the shelf and coplanar with the shelf; and at least on secondary inductor (9) housed in the shelf to supply the light-emitting diodes (18) with electric current.
US08978401B2	Data center cooling system A data center cooling system may include heat transfer equipment to cool a liquid coolant without vapor compression refrigeration, and the liquid coolant is used on a liquid cooled information technology equipment rack housed in the data center. The system may also include a controller-apparatus to regulate the liquid coolant flow to the liquid cooled information technology equipment rack through a range of liquid coolant flow values based upon information technology equipment temperature thresholds.
US08978396B2	Vent ice prevention method An improved vent ice prevention method including introducing a cold vent stream into a first conduit, wherein at least a portion of the first conduit is concentric with a second conduit, thereby producing an annular region, introducing a hot vent stream into a third conduit, and wherein the third conduit is in fluid connection with the annular region, thereby preventing the first conduit or the second conduit from forming ice. The cold vent stream is a cold compressor seal vent stream. The hot vent stream is a warm compressor seal vent stream.
US08978395B2	Reject heat driven absorption cooling cycle An electric machine system includes: an electric motor; and an absorption cooling system driven by heat generated by the electric motor and configured to cool a primary cooling fluid that removes the heat from the electric motor to a temperature below an ambient temperature of an ultimate heat sink. A method for operating the electric machine system is also disclosed.
US08978394B2	Convertible refrigerant recovery, recycle, and recharge system A convertible refrigerant recovery, recycle, and recharge unit, comprising a control valve array, a vacuum pump, an oil separator, an oil-less compressor, and one or more storage tanks. The vacuum pump and the oil separator are in flow communication with the control valve array, the oil-less compressor is in flow communication with the oil separator, and the storage tanks are in flow communication with said oil-less compressor. The control valve array receives refrigerant from a refrigerant containing device wherein the oil-less compressor draws the refrigerant into said the storage tanks. The unit is compatible with a plurality of refrigerant types without cross-contamination of the refrigerant due to the oil-less compressor and conversion cycle whereby the vacuum pump is activated to remove residual refrigerant from the unit. A refrigerant identifier sensor is in flow communication with the system and can detect contaminants and selectively open and close the storage tanks.
US08978389B2	Radial inflow gas turbine engine with advanced transition duct A gas turbine engine (10), including: a turbine having radial inflow impellor blades (38); and an array of advanced transition combustor assemblies arranged circumferentially about the radial inflow impellor blades (38) and having inner surfaces (34) that are adjacent to combustion gases (40). The inner surfaces (34) of the array are configured to accelerate and orient, for delivery directly onto the radial inflow impellor blades (38), a plurality of discrete flows of the combustion gases (40). The array inner surfaces (34) define respective combustion gas flow axes (20). Each combustion gas flow axis (20) is straight from a point of ignition until no longer bound by the array inner surfaces (34), and each combustion gas flow axis (20) intersects a unique location on a circumference defined by a sweep of the radial inflow impellor blades (38).
US08978384B2	Swirler assembly with compressor discharge injection to vane surface A swirler assembly in a gas turbine combustor includes a hub, a shroud, and a plurality of vanes connected between the hub and the shroud. The vanes include a high pressure side on which air and fuel impinge the vanes and a low pressure side. An air circuit is provided in each of the plurality of vanes receiving discharge air from a compressor. Each of the air circuits includes an air entry passage into the vanes and an air exit passage on the low pressure side of the vanes.
US08978376B1	Gas-powered buoyant force systems and method Energy is derived from the flow of gas in an existing, active gas pipeline. A buoyant power unit includes a wheel assembly having a wheel mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis, submerged within a tank of water and carrying receivers located and configured for turning the wheel in response to the reception of gas from the gas pipeline. Gas is drawn from the gas pipeline at an upstream location, is directed to the receivers of the wheel to turn the wheel in response to buoyant forces as the gas rises within the water, and is returned to the gas pipeline, at a downstream location. The wheel is coupled to a generator for producing usable energy. In one arrangement, a plurality of such buoyant power units are connected serially between the upstream and downstream locations. In another arrangement, injectors inject the gas directly into each receiver.
US08978375B2	Hydraulic transmission apparatus making quick positive clutching/declutching possible Hydraulic transmission apparatus including a pressurized fluid source and at least one hydraulic motor fed by said pressurized fluid source. The motor has two motor ducts for feed/discharge, and one casing duct. The motor can be operated in assisted mode, in which it generates torque or in unassisted mode in which it does not generate any torque and its pistons are maintained in the retracted position under the effect of the pressure in the casing duct. The apparatus further includes an accumulator suitable for feeding: the motor ducts during a stage of passing from the unassisted mode to the assisted mode in order to facilitate deployment of the pistons; and the casing duct during a stage of passing from the assisted mode to the unassisted mode in order to facilitate retraction of the pistons. This apparatus thus enables the motor to be positively clutched/declutched quickly.
US08978373B2	Meterless hydraulic system having flow sharing and combining functionality A hydraulic system includes a variable-displacement first pump, a variable-displacement second pump, and a first actuator selectively connected either to the first pump in a closed loop manner and not the second pump, or to the first and second pumps in a closed loop manner. The hydraulic system also includes a second actuator selectively connected either to the second pump in a closed loop manner and not the first pump, or to the first and second pumps in a closed loop manner. The hydraulic system further includes a variable-displacement rotary actuator selectively connected either to the first pump in a closed loop manner and not the second pump, or to the first and second pumps in a closed loop manner.
US08978371B2	Cooling adapter There is provided a cooling adapter provided between a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and an exhaust pipe of the internal combustion engine in such a manner as to connect the cylinder head and the exhaust pipe to each other. This cooling adapter is equipped with a plurality of exhaust passages provided in parallel with one another to cause an exhaust gas from the cylinder head to flow to the exhaust pipe, a water jacket formed around an entirety of the respective exhaust passages and among the respective exhaust passages to cause a cooling liquid to flow to exchange heat with the exhaust gas flowing through the plurality of the exhaust passages, an inlet portion configured to cause the cooling liquid to flow into the water jacket, and an outlet portion configured to cause the cooling liquid to flow out from inside the water jacket. The inlet portion is so provided as to open to the water jacket at a position close to the cylinder head and corresponding to a gap between adjacent ones of the exhaust passages.
US08978368B2	Exhaust-gas aftertreatment system and method for exhaust-gas aftertreatment An exhaust-gas aftertreatment system (1) for a motor vehicle having a turbocharged internal combustion engine (2) comprises a large-volume lean NOx trap (5) which is connected by means of a short connecting pipe (4) to an outlet of the turbocharger (3), wherein the lean NOx trap (5) has a first region (6) for the storage and/or reduction of NOx and oxidation of NO to form NO2 and/or reduction of hydrocarbon and/or carbon monoxide in the exhaust gas, and a downstream second region (7) for the storage and/or reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas.
US08978365B2	Exhaust gas purification system In the exhaust gas purification system, a diesel particulate defuser (“DPD”) for trapping particulate matter (“PM”) in exhaust gas is connected to an exhaust pipe of an engine to automatically regenerate the DPD by raising a temperature of the exhaust gas from the engine by carrying out post injection when an amount of PM in the DPD exceeds a predetermined amount. Further, the system includes detecting the temperature of the exhaust gas during DPD regeneration when the DPD is automatically regenerated, calculating a deviation between the detected temperature of the exhaust gas and a target temperature for the DPD regeneration, and controlling a quantity of the post injection by resetting an integral control term used in a PID control to zero when running mode automatic regeneration is shifted to idling mode automatic regeneration after a vehicle is stopped, when PID-controlling the quantity of the post injection based on the deviation.
US08978347B2	Device and method for attaching banderoles, security tags, label strips, and/or control strips to containers A container handling machine and method of handling containers, in which an attachment arrangement is used to attach an elongated strip, such as a banderole, a security strip, a label strip, or a tax strip, to the removable top of a closed container. Either or both of the container holder and the attachment arrangement which attaches the strips can be rotated in order to place the strip in a particular orientation with respect to the container.
US08978344B2	Device for filling and sealing pharmaceutical containers The invention is a device (10) for filling and sealing pharmaceutical containers. The containers are received in a receptacle (12), in which a carrier element (11) is inserted. The containers are arranged in receivers of the carrier element (11) in multiple rows. The device further includes a first handling unit (27) for removing the carrier element (11) from the receptacle (12), a filling and sealing device (35) for the containers, and a second handling unit (45) for reinserting the carrier element (11) into the receptacle (12) which is conveyed with the carrier element (11) on a conveying device (20). The containers are embodied as syringe barrels (1) or as containers which are to be provided with crimp caps (53), and the second handling device (45) is associated with a crimping device (54).
US08978342B2	Residential radiant barrier assemblies Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods of radiant heat rejection, and structures for use in same, where Aluminet® is provided in a roof or an attic of a building structure. The Aluminet® material is installed by providing a structure for the material to breathe, that is, the material is provided so that an air space surrounds it.
US08978341B2	Core hole back stop A method of inserting material into a hole formed through a building structure includes inserting a cover assembly into the hole formed through the building structure, moving at least a portion of the cover assembly from an insertion position to a deployed position, and inserting material into the hole with the cover assembly in the deployed position. An apparatus for filling a hole formed between first and second sides of a building structure includes a cover assembly insertable into the hole from the first side of the building structure, a connector configured to be positioned on the first side of the building structure, and a fastening mechanism configured to secure the cover assembly relative to the connector.
US08978338B2	Structural trusses with monolithic connector plate members The structural truss includes a connector plate member welded to the framework between two corresponding longitudinal tubes. The connector plate member is made of a monolithic piece. It includes a corner beam section protruding from the rear side of the connector plate member and a main plate section extending perpendicularly inwards on a side of the corner beam section. The main plate section and the corner beam section define together a planar outer abutment plate surface. The connector plate member also includes a lip projecting at right angle from the main plate section on the rear side of the connector plate member. The lip extends substantially parallel to the corner beam section.
US08978336B2	Floor panel and floor covering consisting of a plurality of such floor panels The invention relates to a floor panel, in particular a laminated floor panel. The invention also relates to a floor covering consisting of a plurality of mutually coupled floor panels according to the invention. The invention further relates to a method for mutually coupling two floor panels, in particular laminated floor panels, according to the invention.
US08978331B2	Building construction with lost shuttering and construction method A plurality of pre-formed panels are provided. Each panel comprises construction boards held apart from each other by spaced apertured metal strength members (2) to form a sandwich construction. Each strength member is provided with at least one bar (10) extending beyond an edge of the construction boards. Each strength member has a bar receiving portion (63) associated with its end opposite the at least one bar. To construct a wall, a first such panel is first erected with its strength members (2) extending vertically and with the bars (10) projecting above the remainder of the panel. The void between the construction boards is then filled with a settable material. A second panel is located vertically above the first by slotting the bars of the first panel into bar receiving portions of strength members in the second panel. Thereafter, the void between the construction boards of the second panel is filled with the settable material.
US08978328B2	Protective foot for a unit load, in particular concrete tower segments A protective foot is provided for a piece goods item, in particular a pylon section segment or a concrete pylon segment of a wind power installation. The protective foot has a bottom plate for receiving an end of the item and a fixing unit for releasable fixing to the end of the item.
US08978327B2	Fastening arrangement for glass balustrades A fastening arrangement for glass balustrades for balconies, terraces and steps has a U-shaped receiving profile (1), between the two limbs (3, 5) of which a safety glass plate (39) is inserted. Dovetail grooves or T grooves (13) are embedded on the limbs (3, 5) of the receiving profile (1) and interact with corresponding dovetail grooves or T grooves on a fastening element (27). The fastening element (27) is first of all pushed into the grooves (13) on the receiving profile (1) and the fastening elements (27) are subsequently tightened at the destination. Any dimensional inaccuracy in the placing of the fastening elements (27) can be compensated for by moving the latter into other grooves in the receiving profile (1).
US08978326B2	High-strength partition top anchor and anchoring system utilizing the same A high-strength partition top anchor and anchoring system is disclosed. The high-strength partition top anchor is a dynamic anchor that provides resistance to wall and deck separation during periods of high lateral forces. The partition top anchor is set within a slip tube embedded within the upper most portion of a partition or masonry wall and interconnected with a channel affixed to an overlying slab or deck structure. Foam filler is emplaced within the slip tube and a compressible mat is positioned between the wall and the overlying slab or deck structure to further temper the results of high lateral forces on the building structure.
US08978325B2	Insulating wall panel with electrical wire chase system An insulating panel to be used in a panelized insulation system for insulating and finishing walls, including basement walls has a foam core made of inorganic materials. The system incorporates a capillary break, an integrated water drainage system and an electrical wire chase system within an insulating wall panel. Vertical slots are provided for insertion of metal studs for use in attaching the interior finish panel, such as inorganic fiber cement board with a vinyl laminate finish, onto the insulating panels. Embedding metal studs in the panel core reduces the sound transmission though the panel and eliminates thermal bridging between warm and cold surfaces. Steps on the edges and the top/bottom surfaces of the insulating panel allow more panels to join together with shiplap joints.
US08978322B2	Solar panel A solar energy collecting panel includes a support substrate and one or more solar energy receiving surface disposed on the support substrate. The panel is mountable to extend in a mounting plane across an underlying structure. The support substrate is configured so that when the panel is mounted to the underlying structure at least a portion of the solar energy receiving surface is at an inclined angle to the mounting plane.
US08978321B1	Snap lock soffit system A snap lock soffit system includes: a receiver rail including; a receiver rail flange; an end fastening tab located at one end of the receiver rail; and a plurality of snap lock receiver tabs depending from the receiver rail, the snap lock receiver tabs being spaced along the length of the receiver rail flange; and a soffit panel including: a plurality of retainer grooves each adapted to receive a corresponding snap lock receiver tab in a press fit locking configuration to secure the soffit panel to the receiver rail, the retainer grooves spaced along the length of the soffit panel; a fastening edge located at a first end along the length of the soffit panel, where in the fastening edge is aligned with the plane of the end fastening tab of the receiver rail when the soffit panel is secured to the receiver rail; and a soffit extension.
US08978320B2	Temporary storage system for agricultural products Disclosed herein are apparatus and systems for forming a temporary storage facility for granular materials such as agricultural products including grain and corn. The temporary storage facility includes a retaining wall constructed by connecting free-standing wall sections in a circular or rectangular shape. The free-standing wall sections have overlapping elements on the face to hold the agricultural products inside the retaining wall sections while admitting air for ventilation. Ventilation holes are made in the panel elements so as to admit air but prevent water or vermin entry to protect the agricultural products.
US08978319B2	System and method for modular housing It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular structure comprising a base, four upstanding sidewalls, and a roof. In various embodiments, the structure may include a clamping system adapted to interconnect the base, sidewalls, and roof. In various embodiments, a beam may be disposed across the top of two opposing sidewalls to provide structural support for the roof. In various embodiments, the collapsible container may be disassembled, for example for transport, and reassembled for reuse. In various embodiments, the collapsible container, when assembled, may be used as a housing structure adapted for use as a mobile work station, temporary housing, or barracks.
US08978318B2	Erectable indoor shelter An erectable shelter for indoor use, providing protection against threats associated with missiles. The shelter includes: one metal frame attached to at least one of the internal walls of an apartment; six protective walls attached to the frame for forming a shelter, wherein one wall covers the opening of the frame, four other walls are hinged on the frame, and another wall is hinged on a free edge of one side wall; and at least one strut connecting at least a ceiling wall with the frame.
US08978317B1	Coping for attachment to a wall with a non-structural exterior building facade A coping for attachment to a wall with an exterior building facade includes at least one anchor clip and a coping cover. The anchor clip includes a clip support channel, a cover support and a spring support. The clip support channel includes a top member, a first side member and a second side member. The spring support is attached to the top member on a first end. The cover support is attached to the top member and the second side member. The coping cover includes a top surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. A bottom end of the first and second side surfaces are terminated with first and second attachment clips. The coping cover is attached to the at least one anchor clip. The facade coping system also includes a splice channel, a corner support clip, a corner coping cover and an end cap coping cover.
US08978316B2	Insulated structural metal panel with integrated energy collectors Structural insulated metal panels each include exterior and interior skins and an interior core of stiff, incompressible, insulating material. Fluid conduits extend within the panels in contact with the exterior skin to circulate fluid for heat exchange. Photovoltaic cells may be secured to the exterior skin proximate to the conduits to cool the PV cells. Edge joining features enable easy assembly of the panels into an extended matrix that is airtight, weatherproof, insulated, and self-supporting due to the inherent structural strength of the laminated panel assemblies. The panels can be configured both as solar collectors (both thermal and photovoltaic) and radiant hydronic heaters. The supply manifolds of the solar thermal panels, and the connections and output wiring of the photovoltaic panels, are enclosed in a ridge cap, and the return manifolds are enclosed in a soffit cap, yet all are accessible for maintenance.
US08978313B1	Precipitation deflector A roofing apparatus for deflecting precipitation comprises a first roofing panel movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The roofing apparatus further comprises an electrostatic charging device configured to selectively apply an electrostatic force to the first roofing panel to cause movement of the first roofing panel between the retracted position and the extended position. In another example, a method for deflecting precipitation comprises the steps of providing a first roofing panel biased by gravity and applying an electrostatic force to the first roofing panel to cause the first roofing panel to move between a retracted position and an extended position against the bias of gravity.
US08978312B2	Rainwater runoff diverting attachment for building roofs A rainwater runoff diverting attachment for building roofs is an arrangement of thin, solid bodies connected in two dimensions and elongated in a third dimension. An attachment flange facilitates installation onto the fascia board of a building adjacent to the roof edge. Rainwater runoff falls into a runoff diversion trough and is diverted laterally. A projecting overhang ensures effective collection of rainwater runoff and provides shielding against debris falling into the runoff diversion trough.
US08978311B1	Mobile stage system In a mobile stage system, a pair of hydraulic actuators at each end of the stage, in combination with certain structural elements, provides all of the necessary movement to transition the mobile stage system from the transport position to a deployed position, i.e., raise the roof and deploy the canopies. The hydraulic actuators not only control raising of the roof and deployment of the canopies, but also deployment of the outer deck panels of the stage. The roof panels and the canopy panels of the mobile stage system may also be in the form of a single, one-piece fabric covering. The mobile stage system may also be provided with a hitch assembly that can be folded out of view of the audience.
US08978306B2	Vehicle seal system A vehicle sealing system includes an outer sash molding component, an inner sash trim component, a first seal, and first, second and third seal members. The outer sash molding component covers a first portion of a door frame member. The inner sash trim component covers a second portion of the door frame member. The first seal is co-extruded with the outer sash molding component. The first seal member is dual shot molded with the inner sash trim component. The second seal member is co-extruded with the outer sash molding component. An end of the outer sash molding component is embedded in the second seal member. The third seal member forms a cushion between the glass and the door frame member. The seal members are spaced apart from each other and coupled to one of the outer sash molding component and the inner sash trim component separately from each other.
US08978305B2	Apparatus and method for electromechanically retracting a door latch A retractor element includes a rigid slide connected between a latch bolt and a solenoid plunger for movement between a first position and a second position, the slide operably connected to plunger. A pivoting link defines a slot having an inner end portion extending transversely, the slot configured for pivoting the link when the slide moves between the first position and the second position of the slide. When the retracting mechanism is energized the plunger retracts causing movement of the slide to the second position of slide and the pin to enter the transverse end of the slot in the link. A bearing surface intersects the path of movement of the pin such that significantly less current is required for retaining the plunger in the retracted position than to retract the plunger for blocking the return of the latch bolt to the projected position.
US08978301B2	Opening/closing apparatus with lock Provided is an opening/closing apparatus with a lock capable of performing the opening/closing and closed lock of a sliding door by a single actuator and arbitrarily setting the timing of a lock operation. In the opening/closing apparatus with a lock, an electric motor is driven and the drive force of the electric motor is input to the sun gear of a planetary gear mechanism and output from the internal gear or the carrier. A pair of sliding doors are opened and closed by the drive force output from the internal gear. While the pair of sliding doors are at a fully closed position, the lock and lock-released states of a lock mechanism are switched by a lock restricting mechanism.
US08978299B2	Flexible biodegradable package for flower bulbs A flexible biodegradable package for flower bulbs for holding, storing, transporting and direct planting into the ground a plurality of flower bulbs, wherein said plurality of flower bulbs is placed between a flexible top layer of material comprising biodegradable fibers and a flexible bottom layer of material of material comprising biodegradable fibers, wherein said flower bulbs are separated by inter-bulb areas effected by a pre-selected inter-bulb distance, the bulbs being in a fixed position and a preferred planting orientation, said top layer being glued to the bottom layer at the inter-bulb areas and at the periphery of said layers. The invention also relates to methods of use and manufacturing of the package.
US08978297B2	Method and apparatus of high-throughput pollen extraction, counting, and use of counted pollen for characterizing a plant An apparatus and method of quantitatively obtaining a measurement of pollen of a plant. One method of counting comprises imaging the sample with the pollen well-distributed in the focal plane of the imager. Image evaluation software can identify and count objects in the image that are consistent with pollen. Total pollen count for the plant can be derived from the count of pollen of the sample, proportionality of the sample volume to the starting volume, and proportionality of area of sample imaged to total area of sample. Pollen quantification can be used for research or commercial production decisions relative to the plant or its seed.
US08978296B2	Watering system and method of implementing A watering system for providing a flora-nourishing substance to flora. The system comprises a nourishment receiving and delivery mechanism for receiving and delivering the flora nourishing substance; and at least one percolation bore disposed adjacent to the flora and at least partially filled with a material for absorbing the nourishing substance.
US08978295B2	Self-actuating stand and methods thereof A self-adjusting, self-actuating and clamping apparatus employing only non-elastic material parts for vertically or approximately vertically and also downwardly securing Christmas trees or, more generically, other items configured similar to the Christmas tree trunk, to be secured vertically or approximately vertically and downwardly such that in the specific case of the Christmas tree the apparatus can accommodate various sized tree trunks as well as various peripherally/externally configured tree trunks. More specifically, when the apparatus is employed to secure a Christmas tree, or other items configured similar to the Christmas tree trunk, the stability of the Christmas tree, or other items configured similar to the Christmas tree trunk, is increased. In addition, the apparatus can be mounted on a turn-table so as to facilitate the process of decorating the Christmas tree.
US08978294B2	Stackable holder or planter for potted plants A stackable holder for a potted plant has a top having a central opening and a plurality of legs extending from the top. A plurality of flexible flaps may extend inward from the central opening, and be frangibly joined to each other along a length of the flap. The stackable holder has a plurality of connectors attached to the top and/or the legs, which may connect multiple stackable holders side-by-side in a row. The stackable holder is configured so that it may be stacked upon a second stackable holder, allowing the stackable holders to be tightly packed for storage or shipment. The stackable holder may have a planter body having a base and at least one sidewall extending from the base to form a cavity. The planter body may be attached to the stackable holder or may be removable. The planter body may have a lid.
US08978293B2	Process for the production of useful materials for sustaining manned space missions on mars through in-situ resources utilization A process for the production of useful materials to sustain manned space missions on Mars, as well as the kit of materials and apparatus for implementing the same, is described. Said process uses as raw feedstock only natural resources available in-situ, namely Mars atmosphere and regolith. The kit allows to implement the process of the invention by providing all materials and apparatus that will be used on the Martian soil.
US08978292B1	Cross-linked biofiber products and processes for their manufacture Value-added compositions such as mulches, insulation, and animal bedding may be produced from cotton waste. These compositions are formed from mixtures of at least two cellulosic, biofiber components, wherein one or both of the components are fiberized. The compositions of this invention include mixtures of: a. a first cellulosic component of cotton byproducts, and b. a second cellulosic component which is visible to the naked eye, and which includes hay, grass, kenaf, straw, plant residue remaining following the harvest of crops such as cereal grains, rice, soybeans, and grass seed, wood, sawdust, wood pulp, paper, or mixtures of any of the above, wherein one or both of the first or second cellulosic component are fiberized and the fibers of the fiberized component are intermixed with and entangled about the other component in a 3-dimensional matrix.
US08978287B1	Elevated gun sighting device for hitting moving targets A shotgun sight for mounting to the end of a shotgun barrel comprises a clear plate having a pin extending generally normally from the plate back toward the eye of the shooter and parallel to the axis of the barrel. The plate has a circle surrounding the base of the pin to facilitate proper eye positioning for use of the plate as a sighting device and a dot marked on the plate between the pin and the barrel to serve as an elevation mark. Arcs marked on the plate centered on the pin serve as lead indicators for moving targets.
US08978285B1	Anti-rattle collapsible buttstock An apparatus for an anti-rattle assembly for a collapsible buttstock for a firearm may include a baseplate with a plurality of lower guides and a plurality of fasteners wherein the plurality of fasteners removably secure the anti-rattle assembly to a plurality of fastener positions of a buttstock body. The anti-rattle assembly may further include a pressure plate with one or more ridges to engage one or more rail surfaces of a receiver extension and a plurality of upper guides and a plurality of biasing members wherein the pressure plate is vertically aligned with the baseplate and the plurality of biasing members are coupled between the upper guides and the lower guides and bias the one or more ridges against the one or more rail surfaces. The anti-rattle assembly restricts the movement of the receiver extension in a tubular aperture of the buttstock body.
US08978284B1	Stock and vibration isolator for a small arms weapon A stock for a small arms weapon which may include a proximal end surface and a distal end surface, the distal end surface including a first opening extending toward the proximal end surface. The stock further may include a multi-lobe chamber connected to the first opening. The multi-lobe chamber may include a primary lobe for housing a receiver extension. The primary lobe may include a track for supporting a bottom surface of a receiver extension. The primary lobe further may include a first side lobe adjacent to the first wall, and a second side lobe adjacent to the second wall. A first insert may be disposed in the first side lobe and a second insert may be disposed in the second side lobe for isolating movement between the stock and a receiver extension disposed in the track.
US08978280B2	Arched display In an embodiment of the present invention, an arched display unit is provided. The unit includes a pair of display mounts, and a display support attached to each of the pair of display mounts. A side header is attached to each of the display supports, and a center header is located between the pair of side headers. In another embodiment, each of the display mounts, display supports, side headers, and center header are formed from a single blank of corrugated material, such as cardboard or plastic.
US08978279B1	Method and apparatus for producing kinetic imagery An apparatus for repetitively lifting and lowering objects to create visual patterns having a plurality of units each with a motor, a rotary member, a cord attached at its distal end to the circumferential edge of the rotary member, an attaching mechanism affixed to the proximal end of the cord, and an object removably connected to the attaching mechanism. A computer or microprocessor is provided and programmed to selectively rotate the rotary members to move the objects between selected pre-determined positions along a generally vertical path of travel to establish a geometric pattern of repetitive elements.
US08978277B2	Dual thread hammerless wedge and spool An excavator tooth mounting member attachable to an abutment of an excavator shovel, for supporting an excavator tooth, wherein the abutment has an opening, and having a tooth mounting member with an opening, attachable to the abutment, a two part wedge secured within the openings which can be operated to expand or contract, and a rotary bolt in the wedge.
US08978273B2	Article of footwear with a sole structure having fluid-filled support elements An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber. The chamber may be bonded to other portions of the sole to secure the chamber within the sole. A surface of the chamber may also be angled to form a corresponding bevel in a lower surface of the sole structure, potentially in a rear-lateral area of the sole structure. A plate may also extend under a portion of the chamber.
US08978270B1	Method for drying interstitial space A method for drying or removing water from a wall cavity or structure without the need to tear to make holes, tear apart the structure, or use suction cups. The method uses a reversible portable moisture removal system for flowing pressurized heated air at a targeted location and for creating a vacuum to withdraw moist air from the wall cavity or structure a the moisture removal housing. The method dries wet walls in less time than current systems while also being reversible to remove moist air from wall cavities and structures.
US08978267B2	Dryer having a heat pump, method for operating the same, and method for air conditioning a room A dryer is provided that includes a drying chamber for items to be dried; a supply air duct; a process air duct; an exhaust air duct; and a heat pump having a heat sink and a heat source, wherein the supply air duct and the exhaust air duct can be connected to each other through a recirculating air duct by means of a mechanism in order to adjust a proportion of recirculating and exhaust air in the dryer, and wherein the dryer has a first sensor for determining a process air temperature. A method for operating the dryer and a method for controlling the temperature and/or the humidity of the air of a room using the dryer are also provided.
US08978265B2	Bandage/diaper aeration device A bandage/diaper drying device includes a gas inlet and channels formed between two layers of a very thin material (e.g. plastic). A spiral tube is positioned between the two layers to reduce occlusion of the layers and maintain flow of gas from the inlet to vents that are directed to a potential source of moisture. The vents are formed on a peripheral distribution channel that is in fluid communication with the gas inlet. In a preferred embodiment, each vent has a one-way duckbill valve allowing for the flow of gas from the peripheral distribution channel to dry a diaper/bandage in which the bandage/diaper drying system is mounted. The one-way duckbill valves reduce backflow of foreign matter into the peripheral distribution channel.
US08978264B2	Fuel cell system and method for drying of exhaust gas of a fuel cell system A fuel cell system having an apparatus for gas drying that includes, but is not limited to at least one cooling element with at least one first surface and at least one detachment device. The cooling element is designed to be thermally connected to a heat sink and to come into contact with gas flowing past. The detachment device is movably held relative to the first surface and is designed to detach frozen water from the first surface.
US08978257B2	Utility knife with a blade having multiple cutting portions A utility knife employing a blade having multiple cutting portions, and a housing for quickly and simply swapping out one cutting portion for another. In a preferred embodiment, a six-cutting-portion featured blade is employed. Each point of the six-cutting-portion featured blade features two distinct cutting portions, for a total of six cutting portions located on a single blade. The blade can be rotated about a central axis to expose new cutting portions as old portions wear and dull. In another embodiment, a single-edged blade featuring two cutting faces is housed in a knife handle. The blade can be flipped when the first portion is dull or worn to expose a second cutting face. The handle may optionally include a storage space for storing additional blades.
US08978254B1	Exchange blade knife An replacement blade knife includes a replaceable blade, a blade holder and a blade lock. The replaceable blade includes an opening adjacent to its base edge. The blade holder includes a blade recess for receiving the replaceable blade and a boss corresponding to the opening in the blade which projects from the surface of the blade recess. The boss has a low portion that is no thicker than the replaceable blade and a raised portion that extends above the surface of the replaceable blade. The blade lock pivots on the blade holder between an opened position for receiving the replaceable blade and a closed position for retaining the replaceable blade. The blade lock also includes an opening for receiving the boss of the blade holder.
US08978250B2	Article and method of manufacture thereof A particle damper is formed using a solid freeform manufacturing technique. A filler provides support for the closing wall of the cavity as it is formed. Apertures allow at least a portion of the filler to be removed. A particle fill of between 90 and 95% is achieved either by removing sufficient filler to reach this fill or removing excess filler and re-filling with damping particles.
US08978247B2	TSV fabrication using a removable handling structure A method for forming an interconnection element having metalized structures includes forming metalized structures in an in-process unit that has a support material layer with first and second spaced-apart surfaces defining a thickness therebetween, a handling structure, and an insulating layer separating at least portions of the first surface of the support material layer from at least portions of the handling structure. The metalized structures are formed extending through the thickness of the support material layer. The method also includes etching at least a portion of the insulating layer to remove the handling structure from the in-process unit and further processing the in-process unit to form the interconnection element.
US08978246B2	Fabrication process and package design for use in a micro-machined seismometer or other device A method of attaching two wafers in a seismometer comprising the steps of forming a patterned wetting metal layer on a first wafer and forming a plurality of cavities mirroring the pattern of the wetting metal layer on the first wafer. The steps further include pouring a plurality of solder balls on the surface of an alignment wafer, pouring off excess solder balls, aligning the first wafer with the alignment wafer, and connecting the first wafer with the alignment wafer. The solder balls are immobilized on the wetting metal layer by performing a partial reflow onto the wetting metal layer and removing the alignment wafer. The first and second wafers are aligned so that each solder ball is immobilized between the first and second wafer. The wafers are then bonded together.
US08978242B2	Connector device having connectors and a lever jig A connector device includes a pair of connectors and a lever jig. The lever jig includes: an opening/closing door configured to be displaced between an open position where the opening/closing door allows a connector to be attached to the lever jig and a close position where the opening/closing door prevents the connector positioned at an attachment position from being detached from the lever jig; a door holding portion configured to hold the opening/closing door at the close position; and an automatic door opening portion configured to move the opening/closing door at the close position to the open position against a holding force of the door holding portion at a point in time when a manipulation from a fitting manipulation start position to a fitting manipulation completion position is completed.
US08978241B2	Pallet refurbishing apparatus and method A method and apparatus is described for disassembling a wooden pallet by mechanically and automatically removing a pre-selected damaged board from the pallet, comprising a frame intended to be arranged in close proximity with a conveyor and a bi-directional rotating ram assembly mounted within the frame and carrying spikes thereupon. The invention is configured such that the ram assembly is moved into a board-engaging position to enable the spike to puncture and fasten to a predetermined (damaged) board of the pallet, and to thereafter be moved up and away from the pallet in order to remove and separate the board from the pallet.
US08978235B2	Leadless oil filled pressure transducer An oil-filled pressure transducer having reduced back pressure, comprising an alignment plate having a sensor accommodating aperture, a sensor module inserted into the sensor accommodating aperture, a header surrounding the alignment plate, the header having a protruding top surface, and a diaphragm disposed on the protruding top surface to create a relatively small oil accommodating region between the diaphragm and the sensor. This configuration reduces the oil volume required for operation, which ultimately reduces the back pressure applied against the diaphragm.
US08978231B2	System for rivet fastening A system and method for rivet setting comprising an anvil having an anvil face, a plunger having a sensor coupled to a control system that measures the distance between the anvil face and the work surface during the rivet setting process and stops the rivet driver when the driven rivet head achieves a desired head height above the work surface. In preferred embodiments, the control system also communicates the stage of the rivet driving cycle to the operators to expedite the rivet driving process.
US08978229B2	Device and method for attaching a tag to a tool A method for producing an identification device, including: obtaining a holder, substantially shaped as a curved stratum having a C-shaped cross-section, the holder having an external surface and an internal surface, the stratum having at least one opening thereon; micro-etching the internal surface of the holder; fixing an identification tag within the holder by a hardening material; and wherein fixing the identification tag within the holder includes the following steps in the order as listed: placing the holder within a container on a curved rim of the holder; filling the holder to about half the height with a hardening material; placing the identification tag within the holder; filling the holder to its height with the hardening material; and hardening the hardening material.
US08978227B2	Dishwasher A dishwasher comprising a wash compartment with a base wall that has a retaining contour, and an electronic control module supported by the retaining contour and which controls appliance components in the dishwasher.
US08978222B2	Tool for removing annular elements tightly mounted in holes, in particular blind holes, of parts A removal tool which exerts an axial pull on an annular element including a tie rod with a widened end head adapted to be inserted in the coaxial passage of the annular element, beyond the annular element, and a mechanism for engaging with the element in a form of an annular cage with lateral prongs capable of deforming elastically in the radial direction, passing through the axial passage to engage via the elastic prongs thereof with the distal transverse surface of the element and to allow the element to be removed by the engagement of the widened head with the prongs, following the axial movement of the tie rod outside of the hole by a control mechanism.
US08978221B1	Puller device A puller device for pulling bearings, gears, wheels and pulleys from objects such as shafts and axles and other machine parts. The puller device includes a jaw support assembly; jaw members being in operable communication with the jaw support assembly; a jaw actuating assembly being supported by the jaw support assembly and including a jaw guide member being in operable communication with the jaw members; and an elongate push member being adjustable relative to and in operable communication with the jaw support assembly for urging against an object to facilitate the removal of a press fitted work piece.
US08978220B2	Tool and die for a riveting tool A die for a riveting tool for implementing a punch rivet connection between at least two joined part sections is proposed, the die being used in a state provided in the riveting tool for supporting the joined part sections during a connection procedure and a die front side facing toward a movable punch of the riveting tool, using which a rivet element can be pressed in a punching manner through the joined part sections to be connected, an embossing section of the die protruding in relation to adjacent areas of the die front side and causing an embossment in the die-side joined part section, so that components of the joined part material flow into an external depression on the rivet element. According to the invention, the embossing section is implemented as divided into sections. The invention additionally relates to a riveting tool.
US08978219B2	Machine tool A lathe is provided that can produce complex shapes. The lathe includes a turret movement system with a B axis, which can be activated by a control. The turret axis may be designed as an H axis, which extends in a place at right angles to the B axis and can be activated by the control.
US08978216B2	Method for forming an acoustical stack for an ultrasound probe A method for forming an acoustical stack for an ultrasound probe comprises partly dicing a single crystal piezoelectric material to form single crystal pieces that are partly separated by a plurality of kerfs. The single crystal piezoelectric material comprises a carrier layer. The kerfs are filled with a kerf filling material to form a single crystal composite and the carrier layer is removed. At least one matching layer is attached to the single crystal composite, and dicing within the kerfs is accomplished to form separate acoustical stacks from the single crystal composite.
US08978215B2	Method of manufacturing piezoelectric actuator In a method of manufacturing piezoelectric actuators, a vibrating body plate supporting vibrating bodies at vibrational nodes thereof and a moving body plate having moving bodies are provided. Each of the vibrating bodies has a vibrator and a piezoelectric body mounted on the vibrator. The vibrating body plate and the moving body plate are stacked over one another to provide a piezoelectric actuator assembly. The piezoelectric actuator assembly is then cut at the vibrational nodes of the vibrating bodies to provide individual piezoelectric actuators.
US08978213B2	Clamping buckle for belts and straps A buckle for use with a belt or with strapping in which the bucket uses magnetic attraction forces to apply a clamping force on the belt or strap, when the buckle assembly components are in a first predetermined orientation. Typically, a plurality of magnets is used, and when the buckle assembly is rotated to a second predetermined position, the magnets are moved from a state where they attract one another, to a position where they repel one another. In this second predetermined orientation, the buckle components are forced apart by the repulsive forces so as to create a larger gap between the buckle components, and thus allow the belt or strap material to move freely within the gap. The buckle is preferably held in the second predetermined orientation by a restraint device such as a pin located within a recess on the corresponding rotating assembly. However, a slight depression and rotation of the buckle moves the buckle components out of the restraint device, and allows the magnets to effect rotation of the buckle assembly back to the first orientation position, and thus, decrease the size of the gap between the buckle components. This once again clamps the belt or strap material within the gap. A simple magnetic clamping device is provided.
US08978207B2	Vacuum cleaner edge cleaning system A vacuum cleaner having a based and a handle. The handle has first and second valves to selectively receive suction airflow from a main suction inlet, a first edge cleaning inlet, and an accessory hose. The first valve is operable to connect a dirt separator to either a main floor cleaning inlet or an auxiliary cleaning inlet. The second valve is operable to selectively connect the auxiliary cleaning inlet to the edge cleaning inlet. The accessory hose is mountable to an accessory hose mount on the handle. When mounted, the accessory hose contacts a second actuator for the second valve to hold the second valve in an edge cleaning position.
US08978205B2	Safety cover for a hinge The present invention relates a hinge safety cover and, more particularly, a hinge safety cover in which a hinge installed between a door frame and a door of furniture or a sink, a cabinet, etc. used in a kitchen, is prevented from being exposed to the outside, thereby preventing clothes/bedclothes or a hanger being caught in the hinge so that the clothes/bedclothes are not damaged or the hinge is not broken, or preventing an accident which may cause a part of the body of a person, such as a finger, etc., to be trapped and injured.
US08978203B2	Decklid hinge assembly for a vehicle A hinge assembly includes a hinge box, and a decklid attachment bracket rotatably attached to the hinge box. The decklid attachment bracket includes a contoured surface. A compressible member is positioned for engagement with the contoured surface as the decklid attachment bracket moves between an open position and a closed position. The contoured surface defines an outer region, a recessed region, and an inner region. The outer region compresses the compressible member as the decklid attachment bracket moves between the open and closed positions to absorb energy and dampen movement of the decklid attachment bracket. The recessed region cradles the compressible member without substantially compressing the compressible member when the decklid attachment bracket is in the open position to secure the position of the decklid attachment bracket. The inner region compresses the compressible member to absorb energy, and limit movement of the decklid attachment bracket beyond the open position.
US08978201B2	Anti-rattle sleeve for a hinge joint An anti-rattle sleeve that includes a retention feature on a split end that extends radially from the body portion and a slot configured to allow the retention feature to be pressed through an opening. The sleeve also includes a flange portion opposite the split end that includes an inner bump configured to contact a surface of an object bracket and an outer bump configured to contact a surface of a mounting bracket. The inner bump and the outer bump are located relative to the slot such that the sleeve is deformed by the brackets in a manner effective to reduce relative motion between the object bracket and the mounting bracket when compressed between the brackets.
US08978178B2	Anti-wrinkle fabric arrangement The present invention relates to a fabric arrangement and pillow designed to prevent skin lines and wrinkle formation while improving sleep using combinations of fabrics, cooling technologies and scents. The present invention is designed with a specific fabric and materials combination that create a surface in which the shear stresses causing skin lines and wrinkles are eliminated. Multiple layers make up the fabric arrangement include a top layer comprising a stretchable material and a second layer comprising a low friction material relative to the first layer. Supporting the first two layer is a support layer such as foam. Lower layers may comprise a cooling material, an antimicrobial or anti-allergenic material and a scent layer.
US08978176B1	Adjustable, collapsible, compact mattress support An adjustable, collapsible mattress support for a box spring has cross bars with slidably connected sections. A first section of each cross bar is fixedly attached to a band that folds around the second section and slides along the second section. A bolt that passes through holes in the second section slides into a slot in the band. By aligning the slot over one of the holes through which the bolt passes, the length of the cross bars can be adjusted to accommodate the widths of different sized box springs and mattresses. The first section is fixedly attached to a hinge plate. First and second bars are pivotally attached to the plate. The first and second bars pivot about parallel axes that pass through the plate at separate fixed locations and that are orthogonal to the plate. The mattress support accommodates full, Queen, California King and Eastern King sized mattresses.
US08978169B2	Protective clothing ensemble with two-stage evaporative cooling A hazardous materials protective garment may use a two-stage evaporative cooling process to ease heat strain on the wearer of the garment. The garment may include an impermeable inner layer and a wicking outer layer. One or more reservoirs may be disposed interior to the inner layer for collecting condensed and/or unevaporated sweat. One or more pumps may move the sweat to the exterior of the impermeable layer for distribution in the wicking layer and evaporation from the garment.
US08978168B2	Swim goggles A pair of swim goggles include a connecting frame being assembled with a left lens frame and a right lens frame and a head strap, characterized in that the left and the right lens frames respectively have a lens and a frame body, an upper side and a lower side of the frame body respectively provided with a track thereon, the connecting frame including a first rib and a second rib spaced apart from each other and respectively defining a connection part thereon for being detachably coupled with the respective track, whereby the left and the right lens frames are detachably and separately assembled with the respective first rib and second rib and therefore are slidable with respect to the first and the second ribs though the track.
US08978166B2	Multi-function garment A multi-function garment includes an article of clothing and pockets disposed thereon. Each pocket includes an opening, a lining, and a two-sided engaging unit. The lining of one pocket includes a storage body of a ring-like configuration. The storage body has an open external vacancy interrupting the ring-like configuration of the storage body and an inner vacancy having one end closed and the other end communicating with the external vacancy. A dimension of the external vacancy is smaller than a dimension of the inner vacancy, and a protecting layer is disposed on an inner surface of the lining. Besides a wearing function of sheltering users' skin, the interior of the lining can be reversed outward to allow the article of clothing to be stuffed into the storage body, which is then converted into a neck pillow configuration for achieving the multiple function of using. The structure of the garment is also compact and easy to carry.
US08984661B2	Probes for multidimensional nanospectroscopic imaging and methods of fabrication thereof This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to probes for multidimensional nanospectroscopic imaging. In one aspect, a method includes providing a transparent tip comprising a dielectric material. A four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure is formed at an apex of the transparent tip using a focused ion beam. Metal layers are deposited over two opposing sides of the four-sided pyramidal-shaped structure.
US08984660B2	Portable data carrier having an operating error counter A method in a portable data carrier for safeguarding the data carrier against external attacks on the data carrier, wherein at least one counter is employed in the data carrier. A specified command is safeguarded such that it is executed by the data carrier only when the at least one counter lies in a specified values range. The at least one counter is decremented before an execution of the command and incremented only when the command has been executed without interruption. The at least one counter here is settable multiple times, in particular even after the issuance of the data carrier to a user.
US08984659B2	Dual trust architecture Mechanisms for executing a software routine in an application executing as a multi-user single address space subsystem in an operating environment having a trusted mode of operation for trusted routines and a reduced-trust mode of operation for untrusted routines. The application includes a control module for execution as a trusted routine and a trusted routine table including identifiers of trusted routines. The control module performs switches between a trusted mode of operation for execution and a reduced trust mode of operation based on various determinations regarding the nature of a calling routine being trusted or untrusted, a call stack, and whether the calling routine is being restored or not from the call stack.
US08984658B2	Copyright protection data processing system and reproduction device A content protection data processing system and a playback device determine whether to permit playback of a content recorded in a recording medium, based on a type of the recording medium and a signature type of a signature attached to a program. Additionally, the content protection data processing system and the playback device switch a procedure relating to a digital signature for each signature type of the digital signature, which enables both the protection of the copyright of the content and the efficient manufacturing of commercial ROM media.
US08984657B2	System and method for remote management of applications downloaded to a personal portable wireless appliance The present invention relates to a system and method for remote management of applications downloaded to a personal portable appliance. Applications comprising programs and data structures are updated to include a dummy application that can replace the ordinarily executable application and that manipulates the data structure when invoked, so as to limit it. The dummy application is subsequently reduced to have a limited amount of the original functionality and to prompt the user to delete it.
US08984656B1	Sensitive data aliasing Database management and security is implemented in a variety of embodiments. In one such embodiment, data sets containing sensitive data elements are analyzed using aliases representing sensitive data elements. In another embodiment, the sensitive data elements are stored in an encrypted form for use from a secure access, while the alias is available for standard access.
US08984655B2	License information access based on developer profiles Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and software for facilitating application licensing. In at least one implementation, license information for an application is identified based at least in part on a developer profile associated with the application and a state of a license for the application identified from at least a portion of the license information. Presentation of the application in accordance with the state of the license for the application can then be initiated.
US08984654B2	Time check method and base station A time check method and a base station are provided. The base station receives an authentication interaction message sent by an authentication interaction device; extracts time information in the authentication interaction message; and uses the time information to check local time. Before an Internet Key Exchange (IKE) connection is set up between the base station and a security gateway, relatively accurate time is obtained from an external authentication interaction device and is used for aligning the local time. Therefore, the cost of installing a clock component and a battery is saved, the time on the base station is trustworthy, and the security gateway is authenticated securely.
US08984653B2	Client controlled lock for electronic devices An electronic device can be locked and secured by activating a hardware locking mechanism on the device. The locking mechanism is controlled by a locking policy that is defined and implemented from the client side. If the locking mechanism is activated, then the device operates in a limited mode of operation instead of in a normal mode of operation. The locking mechanism can be deactivated, placing the device into the normal mode of operation, when a specified condition is satisfied.
US08984649B2	Method and system for authenticating user access to a restricted resource across a computer network A method of authenticating user access to a restricted resource across a computer network, the method characterised by: communicating client device configuration data to a server and assigning a risk analysis score based on the client device configuration data; and generating an alert at a client device in response to the risk analysis score.
US08984647B2	Systems, methods, and computer readable media for security in profile utilizing systems Security and distributed storage is described for systems using electronic profile information. Embodiments may be utilized for ID, data, and access analysis. Dynamic distributed redundant encryption may be used that may be based on user, device, location, context information, physical, or environmental characteristics. In one implementation, encrypted electronic profiles are stored on behalf of users by a profiling system, allowing user information within the electronic profiles to be accessed only by decryption of a portion of the electronic profile by the profiling system using distributed decryption codes.
US08984646B2	Content transmission device and content reception device A content reception equipment for accessing an in-home content transmission equipment from a remote place executes a first authentication process with the content transmission equipment in advance, executes the remote access information sharing process required for access from a remote place, and causes the information on the content reception equipment and the remote access information to be registered in an equipment information table of the content transmission equipment.In the case where the in-home content transmission equipment is accessed by the content reception equipment brought out of home, the content transmission equipment transmits the content to the content reception equipment only in the case where the information on the content reception equipment is registered in the device information table of the content transmission equipment and the second authentication process using the remote access information is successfully executed between the content transmission equipment and the content reception equipment.
US08984644B2	Anti-vulnerability system, method, and computer program product A system, method, and computer program product are provided for identifying a first and second occurrence in connection with at least one of the networked device. In use, it is possible that it is determined that the at least one actual vulnerability of the at least one networked device is capable of being taken advantage of by the first occurrence identified in connection with the at least one networked device. Further, it is also possible that it is determined that the at least one actual vulnerability of the at least one networked device is not capable of being taken advantage of by the second occurrence identified in connection with the at least one networked device. To this end, the first occurrence and the second occurrence are reported differently.
US08984643B1	Ordered computer vulnerability remediation reporting Techniques for ranking a set of vulnerabilities of a computing asset and set of remediations for a computing asset, and determining a risk score for one or more computing assets are provided. In one technique, vulnerabilities of computing assets in a customer network are received at a vulnerability intelligence platform. Breach data indicating set of breaches that occurred outside customer network is also received. A subset of the set of vulnerabilities that are most vulnerable to a breach is identified based on the breach data. In another technique, multiple vulnerabilities of a computing asset are determined. A risk score is generated for the computing asset based on the vulnerabilities. In another technique, multiple remediations associated with a risk score and multiple vulnerabilities are identified. The remediations are ordered based on the remediations that would reduce the risk score the most if those remediations were applied to remove the corresponding vulnerabilities.
US08984641B2	Field device having tamper attempt reporting A method of tamper attempt reporting includes receiving a write attempt to configuration data stored within a field device in an industrial plant configured to run a process involving a plurality of physical process parameters including a network server, a plurality of processing units, and a plurality of field devices. The plurality of field devices include (i) a sensor for measuring at least one of the plurality of physical process parameters or (ii) an instrument for performing control output actions for at least one of the plurality of processing units. The plurality of field devices are in communication with at least one remote host system or device. The write attempt is automatically detected. An alert of the write attempt is automatically sent to at least the remote host system or device.
US08984639B1	Method and apparatus of performing data executable integrity verification Disclosed are an apparatus and method of verifying an application installation procedure. One example method of operation may include receiving an application at a computer device and initiating the installation of the application on the computer device. The method may also provide executing the application during the installation procedure and creating a hash value corresponding to the executed application data. The method may further provide storing the hash value in memory and comparing the hash value to a pre-stored hash value to determine whether to continue the installation of the application.
US08984637B2	Method and apparatus for detecting shellcode insertion A method of detecting malware present on a computer system where the computer system is running an application. The method includes redirecting a function call, made by the application to a decoding function that performs decoding of an argument provided to it by an application, to a scanning function. The scanning function is then employed to scan an argument of the function call for suspect code or data. In the event that suspect code or data is detected, the function call is inhibited, otherwise program control is returned to the called decoding function.
US08984636B2	Content extractor and analysis system A security system provides a defense from known and unknown viruses, worms, spyware, hackers, and unwanted software. The system can implement centralized policies that allow an administrator to approve, block, quarantine, and log file activities. The system can extract content of interest from a file container, repackage the content of interest as another valid file type, perform hashes on the content of interest, associate the hash of the container with the hash of the repackaged content, transfer the repackaged content, and store the hash with other security-related information.
US08984634B2	Quarantine network system, server apparatus, and program A quarantine network system 100 quarantines terminals 30 and 31 connected to a network via a wireless communication. The quarantine network system 100 is provided with an access point 20 for a business NW used for connection to a business network, an access point 21 for a quarantine NW which is used for connection to a network for quarantining and restricts the number of terminals connectable thereto, and an NW switching performance server 10 transmitting to the terminal a command which makes the terminal switch SSID of an access point which the terminal uses for wireless communication, in accordance with the situation.
US08984631B2	Processor with differential power analysis attack protection A device including a processor to perform an operation yielding a result, the processor including a register including bit storage elements and including a first and second section, each element being operative to store a bit value, and a power consumption mask module to determine whether the whole result can be completely written in half or less than half of the register, determine a balancing entry if the result can be completely written in half or less than half of the register, a write module to perform a single write operation to the register including writing the result and the balancing entry to the first and second section, respectively, if the result can be completely written in half or less than half of the register else writing the result of the operation across at least part of the first and second section. Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US08984622B1	User authentication through video analysis A user of a computing device can be authenticated using image information captured by at least one camera of the computing device. In addition to analyzing the image information using a facial recognition algorithm, for example, variations in color of a portion of the captured image information corresponding to a user's face can be monitored over a period of time. The variations can be analyzed to determine whether the captured image information likely corresponds to an actual human user instead of a representation (e.g., photo) of a human user, such as where the chroma variations in at least a red channel occur with an oscillation frequency and amplitude consistent with changes due to a pulse or heartbeat.
US08984621B2	Techniques for secure access management in virtual environments Techniques for secure access management to virtual environments are provided. A user authenticates to a portal for purposes of establishing a virtual machine (VM). The portal interacts with a cloud server and an identity server to authenticate the user, to acquire an Internet Protocol (IP) address and port number for the VM, and to obtain a secure token. The user then interacts with a secure socket layer virtual private network (SSL VPN) server to establish a SSL VPN session with the VM. The SSL VPN server also authenticates the token through the identity server and acquires dynamic policies to enforce during the SSL VPN session between the user and the VM (the VM managed by the cloud server).
US08984620B2	Identity and policy-based network security and management system and method A system and method for providing security for a network connecting a source and a destination. The system and method provide a security and management system between the source and the destination which is configured to apply rules and policies which are specific to the user to the connection between the source and the destination. The user-specific policies are used to govern the security and management of each packet transmitted and received via the connection.
US08984619B2	Methods, systems, and computer readable media for adaptive assignment of an active security association instance in a redundant gateway configuration According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for communicating an encrypted data packet. The method includes steps occurring at a first gateway node. The method also includes receiving a data packet from a first host. The method further includes determining that a first security association (SA) instance associated with the data packet is in an inactive state. The method further includes identifying a second SA instance that is both associated with the data packet and in an active state. The method further includes forwarding the data packet to the second SA instance.
US08984618B2	System for managing virtual private network and method thereof Disclosed are a system for managing virtual private networks (VPNs) includes: terminals configured to transmit user data; a manager configured to transmit information for concealing networks and managing the VPNs; border gateways configured to decrypt the user data and perform a network address translation (NAT) procedure and a filtering procedure on the decrypted user data based on the information; and servers configured to receive the user data subjected to the NAT procedure and the filtering procedure, wherein the filtering procedure is a procedure discarding the user data to be transferred to the servers that are not allowed so as to allow the terminals to access only the allowed servers, the NAT procedure is a procedure changing an Internet protocol (IP) address used in a first network to an IP address used in a second network, and the first network and the second network are different networks.
US08984617B1	Client proxy operating in conjunction with server proxy Systems and methods for facilitating transmitting messages to remote host are provided. Method includes receiving request to connect client computing device to remote host, wherein client computing device resides on client side of firewall, and wherein request is associated with identification of local port, first port forward, and remote host. Method includes facilitating connection of client computing device to client proxy via local port. Method includes facilitating connection of client proxy to server proxy via splitting protocol. Method includes facilitating connection of server proxy to remote host via tunnel associated with the port forward or second port forward through tunnel. Method includes facilitating communication between client computing device and remote host via tunnel and splitting protocol, wherein facilitating communication comprises translating data between default format of client proxy corresponding to local port, default format of server proxy, and protocol of tunnel.
US08984611B2	System, apparatus and method for securing electronic data independent of their location The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus and method for securing electronic files and folders independent of their location. A computer network implemented system for securing data is provided. The system includes a central server (400) that manages access to a secure data architecture that enables one or more data security operations including data encryption, data decryption and secure data sharing. A security appliance (200) is also provided that is interoperable with each of one or more computer devices (100) to integrate each computer device (100) into the secure architecture so as to enable data security operations at each computer device, by authenticating a user of each computer device (100) to the security appliance (200) and to the central server (400).
US08984595B2	Method and system for hub-and-spoke website browsing and navigation on a multipaned platform for the communication, distribution, and collaboration of information and data The invention is a method and system for hub-and-spoke website browsing and navigation on a multipaned platform for the communication, distribution and collaboration of information and data. The invention allows multiple non-collocated users to collaborate on an interface created by a server-based application by utilizing a plurality of application spokes and a plurality of application fasteners to facilitate data exchange between a hub and at least one viewing pane on a display device.
US08984591B2	Authentication via motion of wireless device movement Motion of a wireless device is pre-registered as authentication credentials, then later matched, to provide motion-based authentication for access to software, service, etc. The wireless device may contain any number of gyroscopic, distance, positional or compass sensors—any or all of which are measured during a physical gesture or motion or the wireless device while the user is holding the wireless device. Recorded measurements of the specific motion then identifies the authorized user. If measurements of an attempted motion suitably matches the pre-registered and valid authentication credentials for the service or device, then the motioned wireless device is authenticated for use by the user. Such motion is difficult, if not impossible, for a user to pass on to another individual—even if they wanted to, making it the ultimate security technique.
US08984587B2	Method and system of managing and allocating communication related resources A system and method for managing communication. The system and method applying to but not limited to settop boxes (STBs) and other devices used to interface services. The management including any number of features and processes associated with achieving Quality of Service (QoS) across different domains and according to network limitations associated with the same.
US08984584B1	System integrating an identity selector and user-portable device and method of use in a user-centric identity management system A combination includes a user-portable computing device, and an identity selector adapted for interoperable use with the user device. The user computing device includes a security token service that issues security tokens in reference to a portfolio of user identities stored as information cards on the user device. The issuance of security tokens employs user attribute information that is stored onboard the user device. The identity selector exports the information cards from the user device and determines which user identity satisfies a security policy promulgated by a relying party as part of an authentication process within the context of an online interaction. The identity selector generates a token request based on one of the eligible user identities, and forwards the token request to the user device to invoke the token issuance operation. The identity selector presents the issued security token to the relying party to comply with the security policy.
US08984583B2	Healthcare privacy breach prevention through integrated audit and access control A computer-implemented method for compliance with a privacy requirement. The method comprises analyzing, using one or more processors, an access log related to a history of users accessing records; deriving a plurality of roles assigned to the users and a plurality of accesses reflecting actions taken by the users; and deriving from the access log a mapped log comprising a plurality of mapping records including a plurality of mapped role-access pairs. The method further comprises generating, using the one or more processors, a reduced log including a plurality of reduced records comprising a mapped role-access pair and statistics that are associated with the mapped role-access pair, the statistics being derived from a subset of the mapping records that include the mapped role-access pair; and deriving an access policy based on the reduced log, wherein the access policy includes a plurality of proposed role-access pairs.
US08984582B2	System and method for secure synchronization of data across multiple computing devices A computer implemented method and apparatus comprises detecting a file content update on a first client computer system, the file to be synchronized on a plurality of different types of client computer systems in a plurality of formats. The method further comprises associating a security policy with the file, wherein the security policy includes restrictions to limit one or more actions that can be performed with the file, and synchronizing the file to a second client computing system while applying the security policy to provide controls for enforcement of the restrictions at the second client computer system.
US08984573B2	Receiving apparatus, display control method, broadcasting system, and computer program Disclosed herein is a receiving apparatus including: a broadcast reception block; a network connection block; an operation input block; a display block; a broadcast content display block; a network content processing block; a pseudo-data broadcast content processing block configured to process pseudo-data broadcast content having a first designation part and a second designation part, and a data broadcast content processing block.
US08984572B2	Method and system for transmitting channels to at least one digital video recorder A method and system for transmitting channels to at least one digital video recorder is described. A server receives at least one recording schedule from a plurality of digital video recorders (step 304). A subset of channels is selected from the channels associated with the at least one program identification of the received at least one recording schedule (step 306). Information is transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders, the information indicating channels associated with the at least one program identification of the at least one recording schedule that were not selected (step 308). The selected subset of channels is also transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders (step 310).
US08984569B2	Chunking of multiple track audio for adaptive bit rate streaming Systems, devices and methods are provided to support multiple audio tracks in an adaptive media stream. Segments of the adaptive stream are encoded so that the player is able to locate and request a specific one of the available audio tracks using byte range requests or the like. Audio content can be removed from video segments, or at least moved to the end of the segments so that a byte range request obtains just the video content when the default audio is not desired. The audio content can be obtained from a separate audio segment. Indeed, multiple audio tracks can be packaged into a common audio segment so that byte range requests can obtain just the particular audio track desired.
US08984568B2	Enhanced experience from standard program content Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing the viewing experience of video content by analyzing the content to determine where enhanced sensory experience events may be appropriate, by identifying devices at the viewing location and devices personal to the viewer that can be controlled to provide an enhanced sensory experience, and by activating those devices in a way that is synchronized with the presentation of the content.
US08984557B2	Method and apparatus for displaying entertainment system data upon selection of a video data display A graphical user interface (GUI) includes a first window that displays video data of a first entertainment selection. A first area of the first window displays entertainment system data that corresponds to the first entertainment selection. The GUI includes a second window that displays video data of a second entertainment selection. A second area of the second window, displays entertainment system data that corresponds to the second entertainment selection. Upon selection by a user of the respective window, entertainment system data regarding the entertainment selection corresponding to the respective window is displayed.
US08984550B2	Parental media palettes Systems and methods for viewing media content are provided. Sets of permitted media content and/or channels that have been screened in advance by parents are created. Content suggestions may also be made. In response to media set creation and activation, permitted programming in the media set may be tuned and presented to a viewer, while access to other media content is restricted.
US08984544B2	Disk conveying device Provided is a disk conveying device including a conveying mechanism configured to convey a disk recording medium inside and outside a disk cartridge including a plurality of holding grooves into which both end portions of the disk recording medium positioned at opposite sides with a center hole interposed therebetween are inserted, the plurality of holding grooves being formed in a line in a thickness direction of the disk recording medium, and a discharge lever configured to press an outer circumferential surface of the disk recording medium to the disk cartridge side when the disk recording medium is conveyed by the conveying mechanism.
US08984543B2	Beam controlling method and optical pickup device for performing the method Provided is an optical pickup device that compensates for an aberration caused by a beam splitter. When a beam of light is reflected from a disc and proceeds towards a beam splitter, the beam splitter is designed to allow the reflected beam to pass therethrough. However, the beam splitter can cause an astigmatism in the reflected beam due to diffraction. According to various aspects herein, an optical pickup device may include a compensation device that generates an inverse astigmatism to compensate for the astigmatism generated by the beam splitter.
US08984540B2	Multi-user computer system The present invention provides a multi-user computer system, comprising a master computer with a first wireless module, a virtual graphic driver, a virtual audio driver and a user mode application. At least one virtual computer is included, wherein the at least one virtual comprises a second wireless module for communicating with the first wireless module, a USB connector and a video processing device. The first wireless module and the USB connector are coupled to the video processing device. The virtual graphic driver and the virtual audio driver are coupled to the user mode application for driving USB devices and to enable virtual image/audio data to transmit to the at least one virtual computer.
US08984536B1	Heterogeneous data from multiple sources A computer implemented method, system and product for transferring information between systems of record connected to a bus comprising generating an event in response a change in a system of record of the systems of record, transforming the change event into a generic event at an adaptor for the system of record; wherein the adapter is communicatively coupled to the system of record and the bus, conveying the generic event to the bus from the adapter, reasoning on the generic event to determine if at least some information of the generic event should be propagated to another system of record and based on a positive determination, propagating at least some of the information of the generic event in a new event to another adapter communicatively coupled to the another system of record; and translating the new event, at the adapter, to an event able to be understood by the another system of record.
US08984532B2	Hybrid service-oriented computing architecture Loading of a component to an operating system process that is being executed on a node is initiated. Thereafter, a first available resource location is sequentially determined among a plurality of ranked component resource locations and according to the ranking. Subsequently, the component is loaded to the operating system process via the first available resource location. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US08984531B2	Episodic coordination model for distributed applications An episodic execution of program instances and a coordinated message exchange protocol are combined to achieve eventual consistency in the communication between nodes of a distributed system. Program instances run in episodic loops that are triggered by defined input events and that generate checkpoints. The checkpoints indicate when messages are to be sent from the one instance to another instance or other device. The coordinated message exchange protocol allows the instance to send a message to a receiver, to acknowledge that the message has been received, and to confirm the acknowledgement to the receiver.
US08984527B2	System and method for execution time donation in a time-partitioning scheduler A system and method donates time from a first process to a second process. The method includes determining a time slice for each of a plurality of processes to generate a schedule therefrom. The method includes determining a time donation scheme for the first process, the time donation scheme indicative of a donation policy in which the execution time of the first process is donated to the second process. During execution of the processes, the method includes receiving a request from the first process for a time donation to the second process and executing the second process during the time slice of the first process.
US08984523B2	Method for executing sequential code on the scalable processor at increased frequency while switching off the non-scalable processor core of a multicore chip Method and scheduler in an operating system, for scheduling processing resources on a multi-core chip. The multi-core chip comprises a plurality of processor cores. The operating system is configured to schedule processing resources to an application to be executed on the multi-core chip. The method comprises allocating a plurality of processor cores to the application. Also, the method comprises switching off another processor core allocated to the application, not executing the sequential portion of the application, when a sequential portion of the application is executing on only one processor core. In addition, the method comprises increasing the frequency of the one processor core executing the application to the second frequency, such that the processing speed is increased more than predicted by Amdahl's law.
US08984522B2	Relay apparatus and relay management apparatus A relay apparatus executes a reallocation process so as to transfer data received from an information processing apparatus allocated to the relay apparatus to a destination apparatus. The reallocation process includes the following operations. The relay apparatus determines reallocatability of the information processing apparatus on the basis of a status of receiving transfer data from the information processing apparatus. The reallocatability represents whether the information processing apparatus is reallocatable to another apparatus. The relay apparatus stores reallocatability information indicating the determined reallocatability in a storage unit. The relay apparatus determines whether to reallocate the information processing apparatus on the basis of the reallocatability information stored in the storage unit. The relay apparatus reallocates the information processing apparatus determined to be reallocated.
US08984520B2	Resource modeling and scheduling for extensible computing platforms Energy management modeling and scheduling techniques are described for reducing the power consumed to execute an application on a multi-processor computing platform within a certain time period. In one embodiment, a sophisticated resource model which accounts for discrete operating modes for computing components/resources on a computing platform and transition costs for transitioning between each of the discrete modes is described. This resource model provides information for a specific heterogeneous multi-processor computing platform and an application being implemented on the platform in a form that can be processed by a selection module, typically utilizing an integer linear programming (ILP) solver or algorithm, to select a task schedule and operating configuration(s) for executing the application within a given time.
US08984519B2	Scheduler and resource manager for coprocessor-based heterogeneous clusters A system and method for scheduling client-server applications onto heterogeneous clusters includes storing at least one client request of at least one application in a pending request list on a computer readable storage medium. A priority metric is computed for each application, where the computed priority metric is applied to each client request belonging to that application. The priority metric is determined based on estimated performance of the client request and load on the pending request list. The at least one client request of the at least one application is scheduled based on the priority metric onto one or more heterogeneous resources.
US08984516B2	System and method for shared execution of mixed data flows A method, computer program product, and computer system for shared execution of mixed data flows, performed by one or more computing devices, comprises identifying one or more resource sharing opportunities across a plurality of parallel tasks. The plurality of parallel tasks includes zero or more relational operations and at least one non-relational operation. The plurality of parallel tasks relative to the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation are executed. In response to executing the plurality of parallel tasks, one or more resources of the identified resource sharing opportunities is shared across the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation.
US08984515B2	System and method for shared execution of mixed data flows A method, computer program product, and computer system for shared execution of mixed data flows, performed by one or more computing devices, comprises identifying one or more resource sharing opportunities across a plurality of parallel tasks. The plurality of parallel tasks includes zero or more relational operations and at least one non-relational operation. The plurality of parallel tasks relative to the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation are executed. In response to executing the plurality of parallel tasks, one or more resources of the identified resource sharing opportunities is shared across the relational operations and the at least one non-relational operation.
US08984514B2	Modifying scheduled execution of object modification methods associated with database objects An original schedule module configured to receive an original schedule configured to trigger execution of a first original batch of entries including a set of object modification methods and a corresponding set of database objects before triggering execution of a second original batch of entries including a set of object modification methods and a corresponding set of database objects. An analysis module can be configured to determine logic for execution of each entry from the first original batch of entries based on the original schedule. A schedule generator can be configured to define, based on the logic for execution and based on the original schedule, a modified schedule configured to trigger parallel execution of a first modified batch of entries including less than all of the first original batch of entries, and a second modified batch of entries including less than all of the second original batch of entries.
US08984512B2	State separation for applications Application states may be stored and retrieved using policies that define various contexts in which the application is used. The application states may define configurations or uses of the application, including connections to and interactions with other applications. Applications that are virtualized may have state that is defined within a usage context and multiple states or configurations may be stored and recalled based on the usage context. Policies may define the context and what parameters are to be saved, and may be applied when applications are operated in a virtualized manner.
US08984509B2	Virtual machine display device, virtual machine display method, recording medium, and integrated circuit A dummy layer generating/finishing section 1301 generates a dummy layer, in the case where a screen layer of a secure virtual machine 101 is generated. In the case where at least one dummy layer is generated, a display driver switching section 1322 switches the display control to the secure virtual machine 101 for causing a screen data combining section 1331 to combine screen layers. On the other hand, in the case where a dummy layer is not generated, the display driver switching section 1322 switches the display control to a non-secure virtual machine 102 for causing a screen data combining section 1321 to combine screen layers.
US08984508B2	System and method for restarting a workload based on global load balancing A method for restarting a virtual machine in a virtual computing system having a plurality of hosts and a resource scheduler for the plurality of hosts includes writing a placement request for the virtual machine to a shared channel that is accessible by the resource scheduler. The method further includes reading a placement result from the shared channel, wherein the placement result is generated by the resource scheduler responsive to the placement request; and restarting the virtual machine in accordance with the placement result.
US08984503B2	Porting virtual images between platforms In an embodiment, an approach is provided that differences a source topology model associated with a source platform and a target topology model associated with a target platform. This differencing is performed by a processor and results in a topology difference. An operation in a workflow model is obtained from an asset library, the operation being associated with the topology difference. At least a portion of the asset library is stored in a persistent storage medium. The operation to deploy a portion of a solution is transmitted for deployment. The deployed portion of the solution includes a target image compatible with the target platform.
US08984501B2	Hierarchy and processing order control of downloadable and upgradeable media processing applications A method for an audio/video (A/V) system includes accessing processing modules for downloadable applications. Each downloadable application can have at least one processing module and data for a graphical user interface (GUI), and each processing module can be configured to interact with an upgradable engine to adjust a performance or a setting of an audio and video (A/V) equipment. The method includes arranging an order of two or more of the processing modules in a processing chain to share processing resources, to reduce a processing requirement of the A/V equipment, or to enhance a level of performance of the A/V equipment.
US08984500B2	Programming a computing node connected to a sensor and an actuator A computing node is connected to a sensor and an actuator. The computing node receives a module which is used to program the computing node to perform a function associated with the sensor and the actuator.
US08984499B2	Methods to optimize a program loop via vector instructions using a shuffle table and a blend table According to one embodiment, a code optimizer is configured to receive first code having a program loop implemented with scalar instructions to store values of a first array to a second array based on values of a third array and to generate second code representing the program loop using at least one vector instruction. The second code include a shuffle instruction to shuffle elements of the first array based on the third array using a shuffle table in a vector manner, a blend instruction to blend the shuffled elements of the first array using a blend table in a vector manner, and a store instruction to store the blended elements of the first array in the second array.
US08984498B2	Variance analysis for translating CUDA code for execution by a general purpose processor One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for translating application programs written using a parallel programming model for execution on multi-core graphics processing unit (GPU) for execution by general purpose central processing unit (CPU). Portions of the application program that rely on specific features of the multi-core GPU are converted by a translator for execution by a general purpose CPU. The application program is partitioned into regions of synchronization independent instructions. The instructions are classified as convergent or divergent and divergent memory references that are shared between regions are replicated. Thread loops are inserted to ensure correct sharing of memory between various threads during execution by the general purpose CPU.
US08984496B2	Extensible internal representation of systems with parallel and sequential implementations The present invention provides systems and methods which allow the translation of a first representation into an intermediate representation and then into a target representation. The first representation can take numerous forms, including a system model that contains hardware components, software components or some combination thereof. Additionally, the target representation can be in the form of a desired system implementation. The intermediate representation generated from the first representation can include both parallel and serial processes from the first representation. This intermediate representation then uses both serial and parallel processing techniques operating on the system model from within a single intermediate representation to translate the system model of the first representation into a target representation. The target representation may be in a format that is readily used in the creation of a system implementation by a user.
US08984489B2	Quality on submit process The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for providing a quality on submit process. One process includes operations for monitoring a source control system for submissions of new source code and determining that new source code has been submitted by a user to the source control system. A request to perform a quality control task for the new source code is sent to at least one quality control application. A report from the quality control application regarding results of the quality control task is received. A general report of results of each quality control task performed by each of the at least one quality control application is generated. The general report is sent to the user.
US08984485B2	Analysis of source code changes Use of an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) to select portions of source code when analyzing the affect of changes in that source code from one version to another. In this way, it is possible to better focus on how changes in the source code, especially changes which only impact limited portion(s) of the source code, affect code quality with respect to measures like code complexity, performance and so on.
US08984482B2	Abstracting request from a development environment to object model Techniques and a graphical user interface for abstracting a request from a development environment to an object model of an object store are disclosed herein. A request for data is made by the development environment, and the request is abstracted to make in compatible with the object model (e.g., by negating properties related to bitness, versioning, etc.). The request is transmitted to a broker process that retrieves a method and/or data commands corresponding to the request. The broker process may also decode one or more method parameters of the request. If one or more method parameters are not compatible with the object model, an adapter may be loaded into the object model to make the object model compatible with the request. The broker process may also transmit the method, data commands, and/or request to the object model wherein the request is fulfilled by the object model.
US08984481B2	System and method for automatically determining relationships between software artifacts using multiple evidence sources A method (which can be computer implemented) for inferring whether at least a first relationship exists between at least first and second entities includes the steps of applying a first assessor to obtain a first confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, applying a second assessor to obtain a second confidence level pertaining to putative existence of said at least first relationship between said at least first and second entities, and combining said first and second confidence levels to obtain an overall inference whether said at least first relationship exists between said at least first and second entities.
US08984480B2	Automating and/or recommending data sharing coordination among applications in mobile devices Coordinating data sharing among applications in mobile devices, in one aspect, may include a shared data manager application on a mobile device that manages data trade requirements automatically of a plurality of mobile applications, and permission grants or denials to reads and writes of data managed by the shared data manager and used by the plurality of mobile applications.
US08984478B2	Reorganization of virtualized computer programs In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises obtaining access to computer program code; identifying a plurality of code segments in the computer program code; reorganizing the computer program code into reorganized code, by re-ordering the plurality of code segments into a new order that is potentially different than an original order of the plurality of code segments; wherein the new order is unpredictable based on the original order; rewriting one or more pointers of the reorganized code to point to new locations in the reorganized code consistent with the order of the reorganized code; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
US08984474B2	Method and system for modeling business operations using a vision transition framework Provided is a method and system for logically articulating planned operations within a software based model. The method includes importing data relating to the planned operations and automatically (i) interrelating the imported data and (ii) producing threads and/or activity models. The threads and activity models are representative of the interrelations. The method also includes displaying the threads or activity models via a graphical user interface.
US08984472B1	Software development standards compliance system An apparatus of one embodiment evaluates standards compliance during software development. The apparatus includes an interface, a memory, and a processor. The interface is operable to receive design standards information, the design standards information including one or more design compliance rules for software development. The memory is operable to store the design standards information. The processor is communicatively coupled to the interface and the memory and is operable to determine a design status of a software change according to design information received regarding the software change; calculate one or more design compliance scores, each design compliance score indicating an extent to which the design status complies with at least one of the one or more design compliance rules; and determine whether to permit building of the change based at least on the one or more design compliance scores.
US08984469B2	System and method for strengthening of a circuit element to reduce an integrated circuit's power consumption A system and method enable strengthening of flip-Flops (FFs) in an integrated circuit (IC) for the purpose of reducing power consumption. This is achieved by using stability condition (STC) and observability don't-care (ODC) techniques. Strengthening enable is defined as ensuring that a FF later in the fan-out is enabled only when a FF earlier in the fan-out is driving a signal to that later FF. In an embodiment the fan-in of a FF is traversed and the STC or ODC is determined for the FF. Dependent on the determination a STC controller or an ODC controller is added to control the FF's enable signal. In an embodiment the power savings is checked and a controller is added only if there is a reduction in overall power consumption resulting from the addition of the controller.
US08984466B2	Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing the same, method for generating mask data, mask and computer readable recording medium A semiconductor device has first wiring layers and a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are provided on the same level as the first wiring layers. The semiconductor device defines a row direction, and first virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the row direction. The row direction and the first virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the first virtual linear lines. The semiconductor device also defines a column direction perpendicular to the row direction, and second virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the column direction. The column direction and the second virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the second virtual linear lines.
US08984462B1	Physical optimization for timing closure for an integrated circuit Physical optimization for timing closure for an integrated circuit includes processing a circuit design at least partially through a design flow to a late stage of the design flow. Using a processor, a baseline delay is calculated for each of a plurality of paths of the circuit design. A slack for each of the plurality of paths is determined. Physical optimization further includes selecting a path of the circuit design that meets a selection criterion according, at least in part, to the slack of the path, applying, using the processor, a physical optimization to the selected path resulting in an optimized path, and calculating a delay of the optimized path. The optimized path is incorporated into the circuit design only responsive to determining that the delay of the optimized path is less than the baseline delay of the selected path.
US08984456B2	Macro timing analysis device, macro boundary path timing analysis method and macro boundary path timing analysis program A macro timing analysis device comprises a netlist merging unit which merges a layout-implemented top netlist obtained by executing clock path distribution and layout processing with respect to a top netlist with a lower-order hierarchy as a macro and a layout-implemented macro netlist obtained by cutting out a circuit in the macro from the layout-implemented top netlist to generate a merging-implemented macro netlist including description of a clock path outside the macro and description of a macro boundary path which are clock paths related to the macro, and a timing analysis unit which analyzes a timing of the macro boundary path by using the merging-implemented macro netlist.
US08984451B2	Free form fracturing method for electronic or optical lithography The invention discloses a computer implemented method of fracturing a surface into elementary features wherein the desired pattern has a rectilinear or curvilinear form. Depending upon the desired pattern, a first fracturing will be performed of a non-overlapping or an overlapping type. If the desired pattern is resolution critical, it will be advantageous to perform a second fracturing step using eRIFs. These eRIFs will be positioned either on the edges or on the medial axis or skeleton of the desired pattern. The invention further discloses method steps to define the position and shape of the elementary features used for the first and second fracturing steps.
US08984450B2	Method and apparatus for extracting systematic defects The present disclosure provides a method of systematic defect extraction. Primary and secondary areas are defined in a wafer layout. A plurality of defects is identified by a first wafer inspection for an outside-process-window wafer. Defects located in the secondary area are removed. Defects associated with non-critical semiconductor features are also removed via a grouping process. Sensitive regions are defined around defects associated with critical semiconductor features. A second inspection is then performed on the sensitive regions for an inside-process-window wafer, thereby identifying a plurality of potentially systematic defects. Thereafter, a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) process is performed to determine whether the defects in the sensitive regions of the inside-process-window wafer are true systematic defects.
US08984443B2	Dynamic soft key arrangement based on phone orientation and user preferences An information processing device displays in a display area a key image indicating an associated key to which a process is allocated as a soft key. In the information processing device, a key to which a process is allocated can be changed. The information processing device changes what is displayed based on the display mode. For example, if processes are allocated to a key, the information processing device displays an associated key image. If the user desires to change the orientation of the device, the key and associated key image and allocated process can be changed.
US08984431B2	Device, method, and graphical user interface for moving a current position in content at a variable scrubbing rate A method is performed by an electronic device with a display and a touch-sensitive surface. The method includes: displaying a progress icon; while providing content with the electronic device: detecting a contact at a location that corresponds to the progress icon; detecting movement of the contact, wherein movement of the contact comprises a first component of movement on the touch-sensitive surface in a direction corresponding to movement on the display parallel to a first predefined direction and a second component of movement on the touch-sensitive surface in a direction corresponding to movement on the display perpendicular to the first predefined direction; and, while continuing to detect the contact on the touch-sensitive surface, moving the current position within the content at a scrubbing rate, wherein the scrubbing rate decreases as the second component of movement on the touch-sensitive surface increases.
US08984429B2	Searching desktop objects in view of time based statistics Embodiments of the present invention provide a search tool that allows users to efficiently retrieve or locate a desired object on their computer. Users specify their search based on a time criteria. In addition, the search tool may provide its results in a temporal context to assist the user in browsing through the results.
US08984428B2	Overlay images and texts in user interface In one embodiment, overlaying a first element on top of a second element in a user interface; and adjusting visual appearance of the first element based on a portion of the second element underneath the first element.
US08984421B2	Aircraft crew user interface for an aircraft entertainment system Provided is a system and method for displaying a graphic on a crew user interface. The system comprises a crew user interface comprising an input and an output, a server accessed by the crew user interface comprising a display application program that retrieves screen configuration data stored in a non-volatile memory of a database connected to the server and an aircraft entertainment system connected to the crew user interface. The output comprises the graphic that is produced during run-time by the application program interpreting the screen configuration data.
US08984419B2	Digital media frame A method and a device for displaying images on a digital media frame is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a memory, a processing unit, a display, an interface circuit, and a display circuit. The interface circuit has at least one receiving port capable of identifying various types of networking protocols that are used to transfer the image data. The processing unit attaches auxiliary information to each image before images are stored in a memory. The display circuit displays images according to the image data received. The digital media frame further contains a user input device, which allows a user to alter the image display sequence. The user input device is an input device other than a keyboard or a cursor control device.
US08984415B2	Content visualization Displaying a preference by a user of a content contribution is disclosed. A preference event by the user is detected. A plurality of detected events is stored. In response to a query from a client, at least a portion of the stored detected events is stored. At least a portion of the received events is displayed in an interface.
US08984411B2	User interface for a handheld device A user interface and method for composing a message to be sent over a wireless network environment using a handheld device is disclosed. According to the method, upon receipt of a user request to compose a message, a screen is displayed with a recipient field for a recipient address, an associated label to indicate that the recipient field is for a recipient address, and a message body field for holding message content. The method further includes, upon each keystroke entry of text to the recipient field, looking up entries from an address book which match the text, and displaying a selection menu representing addresses from at least a portion of the entries as well as cached entries previously looked up from a global address book.
US08984410B2	Image processing apparatus, data processing method therefor, and recording medium An image processing apparatus comprising: a display; an embedded web browser that displays hypertext-coded information on the display; a data input and output module that inputs and outputs hypertext-coded data and can be accessed from the embedded web browser and another web browser of an external machine; a judgment portion that judges which the data input and output module is accessed from, the embedded web browser or the web browser of the external machine; a data generator that generates different display data depending on the judgment made by the judgment portion; and a transmitter that transmits the display data generated by the data generator, to the embedded web browser or the web browser of the external machine.
US08984407B2	Methods and interfaces for displaying performance data related to a current remote access session A graphical user interface displays performance data related to a communication session between a first computing device and a second computing device. The graphical user interface comprises a first graphical element and a second graphical element. The first graphical element has a number of sections that represent respective physical portions of a connection between the first computing device and the second computing device. Each of the sections displays the performance data of a current session for that respective physical section. The second graphical element displays corresponding performance data for a predetermined number of previous sessions between the first computing device and the second computing device.
US08984402B2	Visual indication of document size in a virtual rendering Methods and a system for an electronic device to allow for indicating a size or scale of a rendering in a three dimensional view. A virtual scene is displayed on a display with a work product that is rendered, such as a document or packaging request having a job ticket. The rendering is provided with a common object that is a three dimensional virtual object that relates size to the document or packaging for approval in the proofing process. A quick visual cue is therefore provided to visually convey a realistic scale in proportion to the product rendered three dimensionally.
US08984394B2	System and method for generating a digital edition A system and method to concurrently preview or publish a digital edition. The system comprises a compilation database and an assembler system. The assembler system includes: a receiving module to receive page edition data; a verification module to identify pages edited or created since a last successful compilation; a parser to determine whether the pages edited or created since the last successful compilation are error-free or error-generating pages and to generate replacement parsed page data or parsed page data accordingly; and a compiler. The compiler is configured to: compile the parsed page data and generate compiled page data for each of the pages edited or created since the last successful compilation; combine the compiled page data of the pages edited or created since the last successful compilation with compiled page data stored in the compilation database for unmodified pages; and generate compiled edition data.
US08984392B2	Document synchronization over stateless protocols Example systems, methods, and data structures are directed at synchronizing documents. One example data structure includes receiving a request from a first client to edit a document, and sending short-term check out metadata to the first client to begin an editing session. The data structure includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of data objects defining content of the document. Each data object is associated with one of the cells and has an object identifier that uniquely identifies the data object within the associated cell, and is configured to communicate with other cells and with objects within the associated cell. In addition, each of the cells is defined so that each other cell remains unaffected by changes to data objects of the cell.
US08984390B2	One-click sharing for screenshots and related documents According to an embodiment, an application comprises a sharing mechanism that allows a user to 1) quickly generate an image of information from a document, such as a screenshot of information displayed in a graphical user interface; 2) concurrently generate a link to the document, and 3) simultaneously paste the image with the associated link in another application. The image and link are generated in response to a single user input, such as a click on a “one-click sharing button.” The image and link are placed in a buffer, such as a clipboard, in such a manner that both may be retrieved via a single paste operation. Once pasted in another document, the image with the associated link may be shared with other users via email or any other suitable means. Techniques for pre-cropping and pre-annotating generated screenshots are also described.
US08984387B2	Real time sharing of user updates Techniques for sharing user updates in real time are disclosed. A user can type in a text view related to a specific view and that text can be shared with other users that take part in sharing of that view. Other users can specify interest in user application events and be automatically alerted to the occurrence of the events. A user can effectively share content with a group of users in one action by using sharing controls associated with the content. Sharing controls can be implemented as links or voice activated commands.
US08984383B2	Methods for decoding, methods for retrieving, method for encoding, method of transmitting, corresponding devices, information storage means and computer program products A method for decoding comprises the following steps: receiving a first codeword comprising a plurality of elements of a first finite commutative group and associated to a plurality of symbols in accordance with a first code defining codeword elements by respective summations in said first commutative group; determining, by applying a projection onto elements of the first codeword, a second codeword comprising a plurality of elements of a second finite commutative group having a cardinal strictly smaller than the cardinal of the first finite commutative group, wherein the projection is a morphism from the first finite commutative group to the second finite commutative group; decoding the second codeword in accordance with a second code defining codeword elements by respective summations in said second commutative group.
US08984380B2	Method and system for operating a communication circuit configurable to support one or more data rates A method and system for operating a communication circuit that is configurable to support one or more communication standards on a single device. The communication circuit includes a transmitting device that comprises a PCS module operating at a first data rate, and a second PCS module operating at a second data rate. The circuit also includes a plurality of forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding modules, each operating at a specified data rate. A first group of FEC encoding and decoding modules is configured to support the first PCS module, and a second group of FEC encoding and decoding modules is configured to support the second PCS module.
US08984373B2	Method for accessing flash memory and associated flash memory controller An exemplary method for accessing a flash memory. The method comprising obtaining a first random sequence; utilizing the first random sequence as a first seed for generating a second random sequence, wherein the first random sequence is not equivalent to the second random sequence; scrambling data according to the second random sequence for generating scrambled data; performing an error correction encoding operation upon the first random sequence and the scrambled data for generating parity check code; and storing the scrambled data and the parity check code to the flash memory.
US08984368B2	High reliability memory controller An integrated circuit includes a memory having an address space and a memory controller coupled to the memory for accessing the address space in response to received memory accesses. The memory controller further accesses a plurality of data elements in a first portion of the address space, and reliability data corresponding to the plurality of data elements in a second portion of the address space.
US08984364B2	Multiple interleavers in a coding system Second interleaved data is de-interleaved using a second interleaving mapping to obtain encoded data. The second interleaved data includes a copy of constrained data in the same sequence and having the same values as the constrained data. Also, the portion of the second interleaved data that includes the copy of the constrained data satisfies a modulation constraint associated with limiting a number of consecutive events to a maximum number of consecutive events. The encoded data is decoded to obtain first interleaved data and the first interleaved data is de-interleaved using a first interleaving mapping to obtain the constrained data, a copy of which is included in the second interleaved data, where the constrained data satisfies the modulation constraint.
US08984362B2	MAC PDU splitting based on a subframe size with CRC added to the split unit A method is described for transmitting signals in a mobile communication system which splits an information block into a plurality of split-information blocks and performs a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process upon each of the split-information blocks. A method is also described for reducing control information overhead by transmitting control information only through one control channel when splitting an information block and transmitting split-information blocks through a plurality of subframes or a plurality of resource blocks. The segmentation of the information block is performed in a physical layer to reduce medium access control (MAC) overhead and to simplify implementation.
US08984356B2	Circuitry selectively coupling scan circuitry to test data out lead An integrated circuit has controller circuitry having inputs coupled to a test clock lead and to a test mode select lead, and having state outputs indicating states that include a register clock state, a register capture state, and a register update state. Register circuitry has an input coupled to a test data in lead, control inputs coupled to the state outputs of the controller circuitry, and a control output. Connection circuitry has a control input connected to the control output of the register circuitry and selectively couples one of a first serial data output of first scan circuitry and a second serial data output of second scan circuitry to a test data out lead.
US08984350B1	Replication method and apparatus in a distributed system Embodiments of a method and apparatus for replicating a process performed on a first computer on a remote computer, particularly for the replication of a database maintained of each of the computers. An offset is added to time stamps for a sequence of commands so that a correction in a command or data associated with the command that is subsequently received before the command is executed can be implemented. The correction can result in removing the command from the sequence of commands to be performed, changing the data associated with the command or delaying execution of the command, for example.
US08984346B2	Method for automatically reloading software and a device for automatically reloading software Method for automatically reloading software characterized in that it comprises: a step of detecting corruption (E101) of at least one part of a software package of an on-board programmable device (10-1, 10-2, 10-n); and, in response to signaling, a step of reloading (E103) a non-corrupt version of the said at least one corrupt part of the software in order to replace the said at least one corrupt part of the software.
US08984342B2	Unit testing and analysis using a stored reference signal Method and system for a test process. The method may include performing tests on one or more units under test (UUTs). At least one test on one or more UUTs may be performed. A signal may be acquired from the UUT. A reference signal may be retrieved. The reference signal may be derived from a transmitted signal characteristic of the UUT. The signal may be analyzed with respect to the reference signal. Results, useable to characterize the one or more UUTs, from performing the at least one test on the one or more UUTs may be stored. The reference signal may be derived from an initial test and may be stored for subsequent retrieval. A respective reference signal may be retrieved for all UUTs of the one or more UUTs for a respective test. The signal may be a radio frequency signal. The UUT may be a wireless mobile device.
US08984338B2	Home appliance diagnosis system, and method for operating same The present invention relates to a home appliance diagnosis system and to a method for operating same, wherein product information is output in a predetermined signal sound by a home appliance product, and the signal sound is transmitted via a communication network connected to a remote service center to enable the service center to easily check the state of the home appliance product. In addition, the product information is encoded into a predetermined format and modulated to enable sound to be outputted by the home appliance product, thereby preventing noise or signal errors. The present invention enables stable signal modulation and accurate sound output, and enables the easy recovery of the sound transmitted to the service center via the communication network.
US08984336B1	Systems and methods for performing first failure data captures A computer-implemented method for performing first failure data captures may include 1) identifying a process that has failed within an old process context and is undergoing a first failure data capture within the old process context, 2) identifying at least one resource allocated within the old process context and required for restarting the process in a new process context, 3) freeing the resource from the old process context before terminating the process within the old process context, and 4) initiating the process in the new process context before the process within the old process context has terminated. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08984335B2	Core diagnostics and repair Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus that comprises a first core susceptible to an error condition, and a second core configured to perform a diagnostic on the first core to identify a cause of the error condition and an action to remedy the error condition in order to recover the first core.
US08984333B2	Automatic computer storage medium diagnostics An approach to providing diagnostics of data storage medium units may be performed automatically without interruption to system operations. Upon receipt of one or more error messages occurring on a first data storage medium unit, data content from the first data storage medium unit may be copied to a second data storage medium unit. A system may operate using the second data storage medium unit while the first data storage medium unit is diagnosed for possible disk failure.
US08984331B2	Systems and methods for automated memory and thread execution anomaly detection in a computer network Systems and methods are provided for detecting an anomaly in a computer that is part of a population of networked computers. Snapshots are received from a plurality of computers within the population of computers, where individual snapshots include a state of assets and runtime processes of a respective computer. An asset normalization model is generated from the snapshots and serves as a baseline model for detecting an anomaly in the state of assets and runtime processes of a respective computer. A snapshot from at least one of the computers is compared to the asset normalization model in order to determine whether an anomaly is present in a state of static assets and runtime processes of the at least one of the computers.
US08984330B2	Fault-tolerant replication architecture A fault-tolerant replication system includes a first machine running a first hypervisor. A second machine is failure-independent of the first machine. The second machine runs a second hypervisor. A first plurality of virtual machines runs on the first hypervisor. A second plurality of virtual machines runs on the second hypervisor. Each of the virtual machines of the first and second plurality of virtual machines constitutes either a virtual machine replica server of a fault-tolerant replicated state machine or a backup corresponding to a virtual machine replica server of the fault-tolerant replicated state machine. Every backup is embodied on a different machine, of the first and second machines, from its corresponding virtual machine replica server.
US08984329B2	System and method for stream processing utilizing multipotent morphogenic stem cells A method, computer program product, and system for de-centralized stream processing is provided. The method may include providing a plurality of processing nodes in a hierarchical genome having a plurality of levels, wherein each of said processing nodes is configured to transmit and receive a stream of data. The method may further include restricting a subset of the plurality of processing nodes from differentiating into a role within each level of the hierarchical genome. The method may also include identifying a failure at one of the processing nodes and replacing the failed node with one of the processing nodes from the restricted subset.
US08984328B2	Fault tolerance in a parallel database system Embodiments are directed to establishing a fault tolerant parallel database system and to detecting the health of parallel database services. In an embodiment, a computer system establishes a control node cluster that includes at least one active control node and at least one spare control node. Each node of the control node cluster includes specific functions assumable only by other control nodes. The computer system also establishes a compute node cluster that includes at least one active computing node, at least one spare computing node, at least one active storage node and at least one spare storage node. Each of the computing and storage nodes includes specific functions assumable only by other computing and storage nodes. The computer system detects a failure of an active node and instantiates a corresponding spare node that is configured to perform the functions of the failed active node.
US08984322B2	Device configured to switch a clock speed for multiple links running at different clock speeds and method for switching the clock speed A device configured to switch a clock speed for multiple links running at different clock speeds and a method for switching the clock signals are disclosed. A frequency divider derives a plurality of clock signals at different frequencies from a source clock signal. A clock switching controller selects a maximum data rate among data rates requested by a plurality of ports of links and outputs a transmit clock signal at the selected maximum data rate to the ports along with a clock enabling signal for each of the ports. Each of the clock enabling signals selectively enables the transmit clock signal for matching a data rate requested by each port. The clock speed may be selected and updated as required by the ports glitch-free in a known amount of time without interrupting data transfers on any of the other ports.
US08984321B2	Jitter reduction method and apparatus for synchronised USB devices A method of reducing jitter in a local clock of a synchronised USB device attached to a USB Hub, the USB Hub having a local clock and repeater circuitry, comprising: observing a USB data stream with the USB Hub, the data stream having a data stream bit rate; the USB Hub decoding a periodic signal structure in the USB data stream; the USB Hub generating an event signal in response to decoding of the periodic signal structure; and the USB Hub locking a frequency of the local clock of the USB Hub to the periodic event signal. The local clock of the USB Hub is adapted to be a clocking source for the repeater circuitry of the USB Hub at substantially an integer multiple of a frequency of the data stream bit rate.
US08984320B2	Command paths, apparatuses and methods for providing a command to a data block Command paths, apparatuses, and methods for providing a command to a data block are described. In an example command path, a command receiver is configured to receive a command and a command buffer is coupled to the command receiver and configured to receive the command and provide a buffered command. A command block is coupled to the command buffer to receive the buffered command. The command block is configured to provide the buffered command responsive to a clock signal and is further configured to add a delay before to the buffered command, the delay based at least in part on a shift count. A command tree is coupled to the command block to receive the buffered command and configured to distribute the buffered command to a data block.
US08984315B2	Method and system for adjusting the operation mode of a multicore data processing device The data processing device comprising at least two processing units, each processing unit (CR1, CR2) being alternately in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode, each processing unit switching to its second operating mode at the end of a transient phase (PHT1, PHT2) comprising at least one activation of resources common to these two processing units; at least one of the two units is configured to switch at least once to its second operating mode with a temporal flexibility, and the instant of switching to its second operating mode, of the processing unit or units exhibiting the said flexibility, is adjusted in such a way that the two units are in their second operating mode after the said common resources have been activated once (26) in the course of the two respective transient phases, if this temporal adjustment is compatible with the said temporal flexibility.
US08984313B2	Configuring power management functionality in a processor including a plurality of cores by utilizing a register to store a power domain indicator In one embodiment, a multicore processor includes cores that can independently execute instructions, each at an independent voltage and frequency. The processor may include a power controller having logic to provide for configurability of power management features of the processor. One such feature enables at least one core to operate at an independent performance state based on a state of a single power domain indicator present in a control register. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08984311B2	Method, apparatus, and system for energy efficiency and energy conservation including dynamic C0-state cache resizing Embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for energy-efficient operation of a device are described. In some embodiments, a cache performance indicator of a cache is monitored, and a set of one or more cache performance parameters based on the cache performance indicator is determined. The cache is dynamically resized to an optimal cache size based on a comparison of the cache performance parameters to their energy-efficient targets to reduce power consumption.
US08984304B2	Active idle communication system To reduce power consumption and heat generation, an active idle system is proposed that monitors for an idle period and then, after a predetermined time, initiates a silent period. During the silent period data and idle frames are not transmitted. During the silent period, one or more transceiver components may be turned off or forced into some other power saving mode. The predetermined time may be any amount of time and is selected to balance network usage and power savings. Periodically during the silent period, such as at predetermined times, one or more sync or idle frames are transmitted. Received sync or idle frames are processed to maintain receiver settings, synchronization or equalizer adaptation. Restoring active data communication may occur by monitoring the channel during silent periods for a request or only during the predetermined times when sync or idle frames are sent.
US08984303B2	System for automating storage device swaps and/or replacements A storage device manipulation system for implementing communications between a set of storage devices and a midplane is described. The storage device manipulation system may comprise a receiver and a communication system. The receiver may be configured to receive a command and generate a stimulus corresponding to the command. The communication system may be communicatively connected to the receiver and may be communicatively connectable to the set of storage devices and the midplane. The communication system may be configured to implement communication between the set of storage devices and the midplane based upon the stimulus by selectively providing power to the storage devices in the set of storage devices, selectively providing power to the ports on the midplane, and selectively establishing communication between the storage devices and the ports.
US08984297B2	Authenticated adversarial routing A routing protocol is used to transmit messages from a sender to a receiver over a network of nodes, where adversaries can control links between the nodes and can also control the behavior of a large number of nodes. Various techniques can be used, along or in combination, to combat these effects. In one approach, certain trigger conditions are identified, the occurrence of which signals malicious behavior within the network. When signaled, the sender requests status reports from the intermediate nodes in an effort to determine which nodes are malicious. The information for the status reports is generated by nodes as packets are passed from one node to the next.
US08984296B1	Device driver self authentication method and system A method for device driver self authentication is provided. The method includes accessing a device driver having encrypted authentication parameters therein including, for instance, a vendor identification, a device identification, a serial number, an expiration date and a filename. The method includes executing an authentication portion of the device driver to generate a message digest of these parameters and comparing the message digest to a stored digest for a match thereof. The method further includes loading the device driver only if the authentication portion successfully authenticates the device driver, e.g., there is a match. The method can be applied to USB device drivers and peripherals.
US08984295B2	Secure access to electronic devices Disclosed is an electronic device that selects a password and encrypts it utilizing a public key of a public/private encryption key pair. The electronic device then provides the encrypted password to a client device when an access request is received from the client device. The client device proceeds to obtain an unencrypted version of the password by submitting the encrypted password to a private key server (which utilizes the private key of the public/private encryption key pair to decrypt the password) and receiving the decrypted password in return. The client device then returns the password to the electronic device which, upon receiving the decrypted password, allows access from the client device. The device generates the password once during operation or each time an access request is received.
US08984293B2	Secure software product identifier for product validation and activation Systems, methods, and apparatus for generating and validating product keys. In some embodiments, a product key includes security information and identification information identifying at least one copy of a software product. The identifying information may be used to access validation information from at least one source other than the product key, and the validation information may be used to process the identification information and the security information to determine whether the product key is valid. In some further embodiments, the security information includes a first portion to be processed by a first validation authority using first validation information and a second portion to be processed by a second validation authority using second validation information, wherein the second validation information is stored separately from the first validation information.
US08984292B2	Keyed human interactive proof players A human interactive puzzle (HIP) authorization architecture where keyed and animated puzzles are executed by HIP players which are distinct and obfuscated to the point where breaking a single player is a relatively costly operation. A key is created in response to a request for a service, a HIP player is created based on the key, and a small installation executable is created that expands during installation to produce a computationally expensive data structure on the client relative to verification of the solution at the server. Thus, copying of the player or relay of the puzzle to a third system requires more time than allowed to receive the solution at the server.
US08984291B2	Access to a computing environment by computing devices A method for managing access to a computing environment by a computing device includes providing at least one credential that identifies both the computing device and a user of the computing device, storing data at the computing environment relating to the computing device and the user in association with the credential, and selectively granting an access request received from the computing device using the credential in accordance with the data stored at the computing environment.
US08984288B1	Electronic signing of content This specification describes technologies relating to applying electronic signatures to content items. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include receiving a content item and receiving a request to electronically sign the content item by a user by associating the content item with a credential associated with the user, the request comprising data identifying the credential from among a set of credentials that are associated with the user. The method may further include generating a package comprising the content item and data for the identified credential.
US08984287B2	Wireless personal area network access method based on primitive A wireless personal area network access method based on the primitive, includes: a coordinator broadcasts a beacon frame to the device which requests connecting to the wireless personal area network (WPAN), the beacon frame includes the authentication request information for the device and the authentication and a key management tool supported by the coordinator; the device authenticates the authentication request information, when the coordinator has an authentication request to the device, the coordinator and the device execute the authentication based on the primitive and obtains the conversation key.
US08984286B2	Message originator token verification A digital signature of a message originator of a message is validated by a processor on message retrieval by a message recipient as a first-tier validation of the message. In response to a successful first-tier validation of the digital signature of the message originator, a transaction token and a message originator identifier are extracted from a message payload of the message. Communication is initiated with a verification service within a secure messaging environment of the message originator as a second-tier validation of the message using the extracted transaction token and the extracted message originator identifier to confirm whether the secure messaging environment of the message originator generated the transaction token and inserted the transaction token into the message payload. Results of the second-tier validation of the message with the verification service within the secure messaging environment of the message originator are determined.
US08984283B2	Private certificate validation method and apparatus Methods and apparatuses for validating the status of digital certificates include a relying party receiving at least one digital certificate and determining if the at least one digital certificate is to be validated against a private certificate status database. The relying party accesses the private certificate status database and cryptographically validates the authenticity of data in the private certificate status database. The relying party also validates the at least one digital certificate based on information in at least one of the private certificate status database and a public certificate status database.
US08984277B2	Reduced authentication times in constrained computer networks In one embodiment, a capable node in a low power and lossy network (LLN) may monitor the authentication time for one or more nodes in the LLN. The capable node may dynamically correlate the authentication time with the location of the one or more nodes in the LLN in order to identify one or more authentication-delayed nodes. The node may then select, based on the location of the one or more authentication-delayed nodes, one or more key-delegation nodes to receive one or more network keys so that the key-delegation nodes may perform localized authentication of one or more of the authentication-delayed nodes. The capable node may then distribute the one or more network keys to the one or more key-delegation nodes.
US08984276B2	System and method for device registration and authentication Systems and methods for device registration and authentication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for authentication of a device may include (1) receiving, at a mobile device, a first credential; (2) transmitting, over a network, the first credential to a server; (3) receiving, from the server, a first key and a first value, the first value comprising a receipt for the first credential; (4) receiving, at the mobile device, a data entry for a second credential; (5) generating, by a processor, a second key from the data entry; (6) retrieving, by the mobile device, a third credential using the first key and the second key; (7) signing, by the mobile device, the first value with the third credential; and (8) transmitting, over the network, the signed third value to the server.
US08984275B2	Virtual air gap—VAG system This invention consists of a virtual air gap—VAG system developed in order to provide Internet and computer security. The virtual air gap system developed in this invention is characterized by the principal elements of: “Virtual air gap (14),” Internal security component (15), “External security component (16),” Message transfer mechanism of the system components positioned between internal and external security components (5, 6) and a shared memory (7), “Internal system (9) consisting of the internal security component and such other components (11) contained in the system, and connecting the same to the internal network (1),” External system (10) consisting of the external security component and such other components contained in the system, and connecting the same to the external network (2), and “Shared memory (7).
US08984274B1	Secure data updates In one implementation, actions may include generating a first key for encryption of data and a second key for encryption of connection parameters. The connection parameters may enable the client device to establish a connection to an update server. Further actions may include encrypting the connection parameters using the second key and providing the first key and the second key to the update server. Additional actions may include storing the first key on the client device, receiving, at the client device, a notification of an update that includes the second key, decrypting the encrypted connection parameters using the received second key, and connecting to the update server using the decrypted connection parameters. Actions may further include providing a request for the update to the update server, receiving data encrypted using the first key in response, and decrypting the encrypted data using the first key.
US08984271B2	User interface systems and methods for input and display of secure and insecure message oriented communications Given the rise in popularity of communicating personal, private, sensitive, or vital peer-to-peer or peer-to-group information over potentially insecure text messaging infrastructure, it would be highly desirable to provide a solution that would enable the initiator and/or the consumer of these communiqués to determine the state of the privacy associated with the messages. The non-limiting technology herein provides systems and methods for enabling a consumer to graphically, linguistically, verbally, or programmatically, determine the privacy and security state of a communiqué and/or the privacy/security association with the at least one plurality of peers. Methods and systems provided by a computer application can enable a consumer to input message oriented data that will be subsequently communicated to at least one of a plurality of peers. Upon reception of the data, systems and methods are also describe to display the message oriented communiqué to the at least one peer consumer or other user.
US08984270B2	Data file decryption method, decryption device and data broadcasting system A data file decryption method, a decryption device and a data broadcasting system are disclosed, which are applied to a data broadcasting service. Among them, the data file decryption method includes the steps of: receiving the file delivery information which includes a data file identification and a key file identification corresponding to the data file; receiving the corresponding data file and key file according to the data file identification and the key file identification; and decrypting the data file according to the key file. According to the data file decryption method, decryption device and the data broadcasting system of the present invention, by setting the data file identification and the corresponding key file identification in the file delivery information and receiving the corresponding file according to the data file identification and the key file identification, the resource dissipation due to a large quantity of useless information received at a terminal is avoided, and the file to be received can be quickly located by the terminal, so that the time delay due to the decryption of a data file is avoided, and the service experience for users is improved.
US08984260B2	Predecode logic autovectorizing a group of scalar instructions including result summing add instruction to a vector instruction for execution in vector unit with dot product adder A circuit arrangement, method, and program product for substituting a plurality of scalar instructions in an instruction stream with a functionally equivalent vector instruction for execution by a vector execution unit. Predecode logic is coupled to an instruction buffer which stores instructions in an instruction stream to be executed by the vector execution unit. The predecode logic analyzes the instructions passing through the instruction buffer to identify a plurality of scalar instructions that may be replaced by a vector instruction in the instruction stream. The predecode logic may generate the functionally equivalent vector instruction based on the plurality of scalar instructions, and the functionally equivalent vector instruction may be substituted into the instruction stream, such that the vector execution unit executes the vector instruction in lieu of the plurality of scalar instructions.
US08984254B2	Techniques for utilizing translation lookaside buffer entry numbers to improve processor performance A technique for operating a processor includes translating, using an associated translation lookaside buffer, a first virtual address into a first physical address through a first entry number in the translation lookaside buffer. The technique also includes translating, using the translation lookaside buffer, a second virtual address into a second physical address through a second entry number in the translation lookaside buffer. The technique further includes, in response to the first entry number being the same as the second entry number, determining that the first and second virtual addresses point to the same physical address in memory and reference the same data.
US08984249B2	ID generation apparatus and method for serially interconnected devices A plurality of memory devices (e.g., DRAMs, SRAMs, NAND Flash, NOR Flash) is serially interconnected. Each of the interconnected devices receives a device identifier (ID) and latches it as its ID. Each device includes a circuit for calculating another ID or an incremented ID to generate it. The generated ID is transferred to another device and the ID is incremented in each of the devices in the serial interconnection. The last device in the interconnection provides a last generated ID that is provided to a memory controller having a recognition circuit that recognizes the total number of the serially interconnected devices, from the provided last generated ID. The recognition circuit recognizes the total output latency of the devices in the serial interconnection.
US08984245B2	Memory protection unit and method for controlling an access to memory device A memory protection unit includes at least a first access control unit and a second access control unit programmed for controlling an access to a memory device. Further a method to operate a processing system comprising multiple processing devices and multiple memory protection units associated to the multiple processing devices. The access to the memory by a processing device is approved if first access control unit and second access control unit of the memory protection associated to the processing device approves the access and access is rejected if first access control unit or second access control unit rejects the access. The first access control unit is programmable by the associated processing device alone and the programming of the second access control unit is readable by an additional processing device which is to be used in a system with multiple programming devices, not the associate processing device.
US08984231B2	Methods and apparatus to perform adaptive pre-fetch operations in managed runtime environments Methods and apparatus to perform adaptive pre-fetch operations in managed runtime environments are disclosed herein. An example pre-fetch unit for use with a pre-fetch operation includes a first size function executed by a processor to determine a size of an object associated with a pre-fetch operation; a comparator to compare the size of the object associated with the pre-fetch operation to a first one of a plurality of thresholds; and a fetcher to pre-fetch an amount of memory defined by a first one of a plurality of size definitions corresponding to the first threshold when the comparator determines that the size of the object is less than the first threshold.
US08984230B2	Method of using a buffer within an indexing accelerator during periods of inactivity A method of using a buffer within an indexing accelerator during periods of inactivity, comprising flushing indexing specific data located in the buffer, disabling a controller within the indexing accelerator, handing control of the buffer over to a higher level cache, and selecting one of a number of operation modes of the buffer. An indexing accelerator, comprising a controller and a buffer communicatively coupled to the controller, in which, during periods of inactivity, the controller is disabled and a buffer operating mode among a number of operating modes is chosen under which the buffer will be used.
US08984224B2	Multiple instances of mapping configurations in a storage system or storage appliance The present invention is directed to a method and software for managing the host-to-volume mappings of a SAN storage system. The host-to-volume mappings of the SAN storage system are represented in mapping configuration components. The active mapping configuration component represents the current host-to-volume mapping for the SAN storage system. Only one mapping configuration component is active at a time. The host-to-volume mappings of the SAN storage system are changed by deactivating the active mapping configuration component and activating an inactive mapping configuration component that represents a different mapping configuration, effecting a repartition, repurpose, disaster recovery, or other business activity. This can be a scheduled task or performed in an on-demand manner. The mapping configuration components are managed and controlled through the management component of the SAN storage system.
US08984220B1	Storage path management host view In large complex multi-path storage environments, knowing there is a problem is extremely valuable. Example embodiments of the present invention include a management framework that provides an easy to use and read graphical perspective that allows analysis of faults in a multi-path storage environment. The architecture is not only responsive, scalable, and robust, but also provides “middleware” services to a broad spectrum of enterprise management applications whose domains may extend beyond storage path management. The management framework includes a consolidator that, along with an agent on the hosts, supports an administrator in: collecting storage path information from hosts; summarizing, aggregating, filtering, and reformatting storage path information to serve enterprise management needs and policies; forwarding an alert regarding storage path information to interested managers; routing storage path management commands from managers to hosts; and reporting command completion status from the host back to the requesting manager.
US08984219B2	Data storage device and method of writing data in the same A method is provided for writing data in a storage device, including a nonvolatile memory. The method includes receiving a pre-write command including a logical address and size information of write data, performing a pre-operation for optimization of a write operation based on the pre-write command, and writing the write data in the nonvolatile memory after the pre-operation is completed.
US08984218B2	Drive indicating mechanism for removable media A system (and associated method) comprises a storage drive and a central processing unit (“CPU”). The storage drive is adapted to accommodate a removable storage medium. The CPU is configured to execute code to cause the CPU to write data to an addressable unit of the storage medium and also to write an identifying value to the addressable unit. The identifying value is indicative of an identity of the system or the storage drive.
US08984216B2	Apparatus, system, and method for managing lifetime of a storage device Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for managing lifetime for a data storage device. A target module determines a write bandwidth target for a data storage device. An audit module monitors write bandwidth of the data storage device relative to the write bandwidth target. A throttle module adjusts execution of one or more write operations on the data storage device in response to the write bandwidth of the data storage device failing to satisfy the write bandwidth target.
US08984212B2	Non-volatile memory system In one embodiment, a memory system includes a memory device with a first memory and a second memory, and a controller configured to control storing of data in the memory device. The controller is configured to control an (N−1)th piece of meta data to be stored in the second memory when an Nth piece of user data is stored in the first memory or control the Nth piece of the user data to be stored in the second memory when the (N−1)th piece of the meta data is stored in the first memory, where N denotes a natural number equal to or greater than ‘1’. Also, a time period of storing the Nth piece of the user data is controlled to partially or entirely overlap with a time period of storing the (N−1)th piece of the meta data.
US08984209B2	Semiconductor device and method of controlling non-volatile memory device A control circuit of a semiconductor device (memory module) realizes long life and others by a mechanism that suppresses and smoothes variations in use of a memory by equalizing the sizes of data write and data erase with respect to a data write request and sequentially allocating and using addresses of the memory in data write to an overwritable non-volatile memory device without carrying out an overwriting operation even in the case of an overwrite request. The control circuit realizes data write by a set of two types of operations of (a) an operation of erasing data of a first address or an operation of setting a flag value to an invalid state and (b) an operation of writing data to a second address different from the first address or an operation of setting a flag value to a valid state.
US08984207B2	Memory system performing incremental merge operation and data write method Disclosed is a method of executing a write operation in a nonvolatile memory system. The method includes receiving a write command indicating the write operation and write data associated with the write operation, and determining a selected merge size for use by a merge operation responsive to the write command by determining a number of free blocks and then determining a selected free block level (FBL) from among a plurality of FBLs in accordance with the number of free blocks.
US08984200B2	Task scheduling in big and little cores One aspect provides a method comprising: ascertaining an interrupt at an information handling device having two or more cores of different size; determining if the interrupt should be directed to one of a bigger core and a littler core based on a policy for scheduling interrupts; directing the interrupt to the little core if the interrupt does not qualify as an exception based on the policy for scheduling interrupts; and processing the interrupt on an appropriate core according the policy for scheduling interrupts. Other aspects are described and claimed.
US08984193B1	Line speed sequential transaction packet processing Methods and systems for processing transaction packets at a serial interface are disclosed. The method includes receiving transaction information at a serial interface. The method further includes executing one or more pipelined operations based on the transaction information, where the operations relate to processing of the transaction packet. The method is performed such that the serial interface is configured to send and receive transaction packets at a line speed of the serial bus.
US08984188B2	External contact connector A plug connector with external contacts is provided. The connector has one pair of contacts for transmitting data and one pair of contacts for receiving data. All data transmitted and received using the plug connector is serialized/de-serialized to enable data transmission at a very high rate. A corresponding receptacle connector has configurable contacts that are configured based on the orientation of the plug connector with respect to the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector may be included in a host device and has associated circuitry to detect orientation of the plug connector and to configure the contacts of the receptacle connector.
US08984183B2	Signaling, ordering, and execution of dynamically generated tasks in a processing system One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for enabling the insertion of generated tasks into a scheduling pipeline of a multiple processor system allows a compute task that is being executed to dynamically generate a dynamic task and notify a scheduling unit of the multiple processor system without intervention by a CPU. A reflected notification signal is generated in response to a write request when data for the dynamic task is written to a queue. Additional reflected notification signals are generated for other events that occur during execution of a compute task, e.g., to invalidate cache entries storing data for the compute task and to enable scheduling of another compute task.
US08984181B2	Video sender and video receiver According to one embodiment, a video sender comprises: a video processor and a communication module. The video processor creates video. The communication module is configured to communicate with a video receiver. The communication module comprises: a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver receives, from the video receiver, specific information specifying which one of a color signal and a frame rate takes precedence over the other one in transmission. The transmitter converts the video created by the video processor into video in which one of the color signal and the frame rate takes precedence over the other one in accordance with the specific information, and transmit the video thus converted to the video receiver.
US08984179B1	Determining a direct memory access data transfer mode In response to receiving a request for a DMA data transfer, a DMA transfer mode may be determined based on based on the size of the requested DMA data transfer and profile data of an I/O adapter. The profile data for the I/O adapter may include a physical location of the I/O adapter or a number of clients supported by the I/O adapter. The DMA transfer mode may also be determined based on a preference of an application or an I/O device. Moreover, the DMA transfer mode may be determined based on a CPU usage metric being outside of a threshold for the CPU usage metric or on a memory usage metric being outside of a threshold for the memory usage metric.
US08984178B2	Network devices with multiple direct memory access channels and methods thereof A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and a system for communicating with networked clients and servers through a network device includes receiving a first network data packet destined for a first executing traffic management application of a plurality of executing traffic management applications operating in the network device. A first DMA channel is identified to allocate the received first network data packet. Further, the first network data packet is transmitted to the first traffic management executing application over the first identified DMA channel.
US08984177B2	Control device, input/output device, connection switch device and method for an aircraft control system A connection switching device for an aircraft network includes a switching network and a second identification device. The switching network connects input/output devices, such that applications may be interconnected or such that an application may be connected to a peripheral device. The second identification device detects an input/output device that is connected to the connection switching device.
US08984176B2	SATA/eSATA port configuration In one embodiment, a computer system comprises one or more processors, a circuit board assembly having at least one SATA port, a general purpose input/output port proximate the SATA port, signal generating logic to generate a signal when the general purpose input/output port is coupled to a connector, and a memory module communicatively connected to the one or more processors and comprising logic instructions stored in a computer readable medium which, when executed on the one or more processors, configure the one or more processors to configure the SATA port according to the signal generated by the signal generating circuitry.
US08984172B1	System, method and article of manufacture for monitoring, controlling and improving storage media system performance based on storage media device fill percentage An apparent load is determined based on assigning weightings to commands based on various factors including, but not limited to, the limitations of the underlying storage media device(s), where the command queue fullness is viewed from that perspective rather than simply the number of commands outstanding in a storage media device. Also disclosed is the use of a positive bias and a negative bias to artificially influence the apparent load based on fill percentages of storage media devices.
US08984171B2	Data storage device and flash memory control method A data storage device and a FLASH memory control method with a cache space. The FLASH memory control method includes the following steps: using a plurality of channels to access a FLASH memory, wherein the FLASH memory has a plurality of blocks each with a plurality of pages, and the blocks are grouped to be accessed by the different channels; allocating a random access memory to provide a cache space, the cache space having a plurality of cache areas caching write data for the different channels, respectively; distributing the data issued from a host to correspond to the different channels; and reusing a latest-updated cache area of the cache space to cache write data when a logical address requested to be written with data is identical to a logical address that the latest-updated cache area corresponds to.
US08984163B2	Method for creating a communication network from devices of an automation system A method for creating a communication network from devices of an automation system, wherein the automation system is developed based on logical addresses of the devices and the devices are assigned physical addresses by which the devices are accessed to exchange data over the communication network when operating the automation system. An overlay network comprising a decentralized network is constructed with the devices as network nodes, wherein conventional mechanisms for decentralized networks for publication of resources and subscription to resources are used to map logical addresses used during development of the automation system to the physical addresses used when operating the automation system. Mapping is achieved by a resource or a subscription to a resource being suitably published during initialization of a respective device, wherein the resources are stored based on keys in the decentralized network which corresponds to a logical addresses, and the resource contents represent physical addresses.
US08984157B2	Network analysis in a file transfer system Aspects of the invention are directed to a method and system for discovering business content transfer paths in a network using file transfer information, and for calculating business risk per network component in a network. A method according to an embodiment includes: obtaining file transfer information for a plurality of file transfers between a plurality of nodes within a network; generating a confidence of correlation for each pair of file transfers in the plurality of file transfers; determining interdependencies between the plurality of file transfers based on the confidence of correlation for each pair of file transfers; and determining a business content transfer path based on the interdependencies between the plurality of file transfers.
US08984148B2	Method and apparatus for signaling post-ring reservations In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a request from a first endpoint to establish a session, determining whether a resource reservation may be established post-ring, and identifying a second endpoint to establish the resource reservation post-ring when it is determined that the resource reservation may be established post-ring. The method also includes notifying the second endpoint of the request and ringing the second endpoint. Notifying the second endpoint of the request includes notifying the second endpoint that the resource reservation may be established post-ring.
US08984146B2	Method and apparatus for identifying an IMS service A method of indicating IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services and IMS applications to which a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message relates. An IMS communication service identifier and an IMS application reference are added to the SIP message. The identifier and the reference may be added as Feature Tags. The reference may also be added as an a-line augmenting an m-line in a Session Description Protocol (SDP) part of the SIP message.
US08984142B2	Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for facilitating remote session pooling An apparatus is provided for generating a pool of remote session references that may be utilized to establish authenticated sessions. The apparatus includes a processor configured to generate remote session references that may be maintained in a pool. The remote session references may include information used to establish authenticated sessions with a secure device. The processor is also configured to determine whether a remote session reference(s) of the pool may be borrowed in response to receipt of a request for a resource(s) on the secure device. Additionally, the processor may perform a test on a borrowed remote session reference when a determination reveals that one of the remote session references may be borrowed. The processor may also provide the secure device with the borrowed remote session reference and a request for the resource(s) in response to determining that the test passed. Corresponding computer program products and methods are also provided.
US08984139B2	System and method for editing a conversation in a hosted conversation system A method, at a computing device having one or more processors and memory storing programs for execution by the one or more processors, identifies a conversation including a plurality of participants. A sequence of edits to a content unit in a plurality of content units of the conversation is obtained from a first participant in the plurality of participants to produce a revised content unit. While a second participant of the plurality of participants is providing or editing a portion of the content unit, or viewing the portion of the content unit, the following conditions are imposed. When the second participant is a team member, the conversation is updated for the second participant with the revised content unit by providing the revised content unit to the second participant. When the second participant is a non-team member, updating the conversation for the second participant with the revised content unit is delayed.
US08984137B2	Synchronized processing of data by networked computing resources Systems 100, 1000, methods, and machine-interpretable programming or other instruction products for the management of data processing by multiple networked computing resources 106, 1106. In particular, the disclosure relates to the synchronization of related requests for processing of data using distributed network resources.
US08984135B2	Methods and apparatus for load balancing in communication networks Example methods disclosed herein include, in response to receiving a first message associated with a first registration request for a device, determining whether the device is currently assigned to a first call processor and performing a load balancing procedure to reassign the device to one of a plurality of call processors including the first call processor, the load balancing procedure to bias reassignment to the first call processor in response to the device being determined to be currently assigned to the first call processor. Such example methods further include, in response to receiving a second message associated with a second registration request for the device, causing the first call processor to de-register the device in response to determining that the second message is associated with a pending reassignment of the device from the first call processor to a second call processor included in the plurality of call processors.
US08984134B2	Unified cloud computing infrastructure to manage and deploy physical and virtual environments A method, system and computer program product for managing and deploying physical and virtual environments across multiple hardware platforms. A single unit, referred to herein as a cloud construction block, contains both the hardware and software components used to build a cloud computing environment. By having such a single unit contain both the hardware and software components needed to build a cloud computing environment, the user no longer needs to purchase and integrate different hardware and software components. Furthermore, the cloud construction block contains modular pieces of hardware, such as compute hardware, memory hardware, storage hardware and network hardware, that are integrated with management software configured to manage both the hardware and the cloud computing environment in a seamlessly integrated package. Since there is a single management system, the management software allows the user to manage the modular pieces of hardware via a single user interface.
US08984130B1	Tracking content across the internet System, methods and articles of manufacture for tracking content across an Internet. An embodiment comprises receiving the content from a content source, wherein the content includes a unique content identifier, injecting the content into a content aggregation system, retrieving the unique content identifier from the content, analyzing the content based on the unique content identifier and data in the content aggregation system, and generating a report of the analyzed content.
US08984128B2	Evaluation of page load performance of web browser A new method and computer program for evaluating page load performance of a web browser is presented. The evaluation method comprises obtaining a first browser timestamp from the web browser when the web browser starts a page process in order to load a page from the server. Further, the method comprises obtaining at least one intermediate timestamp associated with an intermediate stage during the page load. The intermediate timestamp can be for example a second browser timestamp, a first server timestamp or a second server timestamp. After that, a third browser timestamp is obtained from the web browser when the web browser completes the page load. The obtained timestamps are used for calculating a first and second page load performance parameters relating respectively to a first and second technical aspect of the page load performance.
US08984127B2	Diagnostics information extraction from the database signals with measureless parameters In general the invention relates to a method for processing signals from a data server. The method includes obtaining, by a monitoring facility, a measured signal from the data server, wherein the monitoring facility comprises a central processing unit, generating a first probing characteristic from the measured signal, and determining that the first probing characteristic is measureless. The method further includes decomposing, by the central processing unit in response to the determination, the first probing characteristic into a plurality of component parts, constructing a reconstructed signal using a first one of the plurality of component parts, generating a second probing characteristic using the reconstructed signal, wherein the second probing characteristic is not measureless, and processing the reconstructed signal by the monitoring facility.
US08984126B2	Service collaboration device, service collaboration method, and computer-readable recording medium A service collaboration device 1 includes: a first determination unit 21 that determines whether or not the message triggers an inflow excess state based on a data amount of the message received from the collaboration source server and a data amount of the message transmitted to the collaboration target server; an augmentation instruction issuance unit 22 that, when the first determination unit 21 has determined that the inflow excess state is triggered, issues an augmentation instruction for augmenting a resource for the collaboration target server; a path change unit 32 that, when the augmentation instruction is issued, changes a path for transmitting the message to the collaboration target server to a path for transmitting the message to the collaboration target server after buffering the message; and a path addition unit 33 that adds a path for transmitting the buffered message to the resource augmented.
US08984125B2	Computer program, method, and information processing apparatus for analyzing performance of computer system In an information processing apparatus, a comparing unit determines whether the response time of each transaction falls within an acceptable time range that is specified previously. For each time window, a first calculation unit calculates a load of processes executed in parallel by the servers in a specified tier, based on transaction data of individual transactions. Further, a second calculation unit calculates a total progress quantity in each time window, based on the transaction data of transactions whose respective response times are determined to fall within the acceptable time range. A determination unit determines a specific load value as a threshold at which the total progress quantity begins to decrease in spite of an increase of the load.
US08984119B2	Changing an event identifier of a transient event in an event notification system An event notification system for distributed processing systems provides for replacement of event identifiers associated with transient objects, such as processes within the processing system. An event management interface receives a notification from an event producer that an identifier of an event produced by the event producer is no longer valid. The event management interface blocks event notification for the event and dissociates an event registration entry associated with the event from the event identifier. A new event identifier is received from the event producer by the event management interface, which associates the registration entry with the new event identifier. Event notification for the event is then resumed.
US08984117B2	System and method for re-publication of information in a network-based communication system Methods, devices, and computer program products facilitate communications between two or more network entities that utilize Session Initiation Protocol. To this end, an Event State Compositor may force an Event Publication Agent to provide update information as deemed necessary by the Event State Compositor. The update of the publication information may be carried out by initiating an update triggering mechanism that is addressed to the Event State Compositor and comprises information that specifically identifies a particular publication. Such a triggering mechanism may be initiated when a predefined condition associated with the Event State Compositor's local policies is satisfied.
US08984113B2	Internet of things service architecture and method for realizing internet of things service The present invention discloses the architecture of an internet of things (IOT). The architecture includes multiple levels of IOT service platforms, wherein a superordinate IOT service platform is configured to manage one or more of the following function entities: IOT terminal, IOT terminal gateway, subordinate IOT service platform, special service platform and service gateway. The present invention also discloses a method for implementing an IOT service. The method includes the steps of: the superordinate IOT service platform providing management for one or more of subordinate IOT service platform, special service platform and service gateway, wherein the management includes one or more of: registration, login, logout, data synchronization and heartbeat. With the present invention, the deployed industries or special service platforms can be integrated into a unified architecture, thus lightening the burden of the IOT service platforms.
US08984112B2	Internet address information processing method, apparatus, and internet system Embodiments of the present invention provide an Internet address information processing method, apparatus and an Internet system. The method includes: receiving, by a first leaf node, a query request message containing an IP address to be queried sent by user equipment, and performing query or sending a query request to an intermediate layer node; obtaining, by the intermediate layer node, an IP address of a second leaf node according to a prefix of the IP address to be queried to send the query request message to the second leaf node; and finally, sending, by the second leaf node, address information about the IP address after receiving the query request message. Embodiments of the present invention further provide corresponding apparatus and system. The method, apparatus, and system provided by the present invention are capable of implementing real-time query for address information about IP addresses.
US08984111B2	Techniques for providing dynamic account and device management Techniques for providing data in dynamic account and device management are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system for providing data in dynamic account and device management. The system may comprise one or more processors communicatively coupled to a network. The one or more processors may be configured to identify a user device to be managed. The one or more processors may be configured to transmit a request for delegate authority to manage the user device. The one or more processors may be configured to receive delegate authority to manage the user device. The one or more processors may be configured to provide network access to the user device. The one or more processors may also be configured to manage the user device and monitor data communicated to and from the user device.
US08984106B2	Extending a DHCP relay to backup a DHCP server Techniques are described for providing a backup DHCP server using a DHCP relay agent. Embodiments retrieve DHCP server configuration information specifying a configuration of one or more DHCP servers. Additionally, embodiments monitor, at a DHCP relay agent, DHCP lease traffic between the one or more DHCP servers and one or more DHCP clients passing through the DHCP relay agent. Upon determining that the one or more DHCP servers have failed, DHCP server services are provided at the DHCP relay agent, based on the received DHCP server configuration information and the monitored DHCP lease traffic.
US08984103B2	Calculation processing system, program creation method, and program creation program A calculation processing apparatus includes a monitor, a CPU, a memory and a hard disk. The hard disk stores an initial program input from outside, a network creation program, a network modifying program, network information, node operation definition, and learning variables. The CPU executes the network creation program, and creates network information related to a network representing an algorithm structure of the initial program. Further, the CPU executes the network modifying program and modifies the network information based on the result of calculation by the network, using a learning algorithm.
US08984101B1	System and method for model-based configuration of a server cluster A system and method for configuring servers in a cluster. The method may include storing one or more base configuration files associated with an application in a domain administration server, deploying the base configuration files onto one or more servers in a cluster of servers, making one or more instance-specific modifications to the base configuration files, and executing the application in accordance with the one or more modified base configuration files. In various embodiments, the base configuration files may be XML files, and the modifications may be xpath expressions. An alternate embodiment of the method may include storing one or more configuration files based on a common template and representing a platform-specific configuration of a server in a domain administration server, deploying the configuration files onto one or more servers in a cluster of servers, and configuring the servers in accordance with the configuration files.
US08984099B1	Systems and methods for identifying increased user interest and promoting content in a geographic information system Systems and methods for identifying increased user interest in a geographic area and selecting and promoting content associated with such geographic area within a geographic information system are provided. One exemplary aspect relates to a computer-implemented method of promoting an item of content within a geographic information system. The geographic information system can comprise a plurality of geospatial data objects respectively representing a plurality of geographic areas. The plurality of geospatial data objects can be accessed by one or more client devices. The method includes identifying a first geospatial data object experiencing an increased volume of access. The method further includes selecting an item of content associated with a geographic area represented by the first geospatial data object and promoting the item of content within the geographic information system. An exemplary system includes a host server system in communication with one or more client devices over a network.
US08984096B2	Method and apparatus for transmitting data in a peer-to-peer network An apparatus for transmitting data which includes a management unit that manages network-topology information of clients participating in the P2P service, and an interface unit that provides to a first client a peer list including information of a client having the minimum network distance to the first client, based on the network topology information, when receiving a request for content from the first client.
US08984095B2	Methods and systems for JavaScript parsing The present invention relates to systems, apparatus, and methods of parsing a script within an HTML page. The method includes receiving a script object, where the script object includes text. The method further includes parsing the text of the script object for tokens and comparing the parsed tokens with a valid tokens list to determine locations within the text of the script object that include potential universal resource locators (URLs). The method includes parsing before and after the determined locations until complete URLs are constructed, and forwarding the complete URLs to a detector. The detector then determines whether the complete URLs are valid. The method then sends object retrieval requests to websites associated with the valid complete URLs.
US08984092B2	Method for transmitting telegrams in an automation system A method for transmitting telegrams in an automation system which is composed of a plurality of network components connected to form a network, includes the steps of a) receiving with a first of the network components a first telegram composed of datagrams associated with each of the network components, b) removing from the first telegram a first datagram associated with the first network component, c) inserting into the first telegram an updated datagram associated with the first network component, thereby forming a second telegram, and d) transmitting the second telegram to at least one of the other network components. The steps a) through d) are carried out by each of the network components.
US08984091B1	Providing content based on timestamp of last request for content Systems and methods of providing information via a computer network are provided. A request for content to display with a resource can be received via a computer network at a data processing system. The request can include user information and resource information. The data processing system can retrieve a timestamp of a last request for content from a user associated with the user information. The data processing system can determine if a difference between current time and the timestamp reaches a threshold, and can retrieve a plurality of content items based at least in part on whether the threshold is reached and at least one attribute of the content items. The data processing system can select at least one content item and provide it for display with the resource. The data processing system can store the current time as the timestamp of the last request for content from the user.
US08984081B2	Organizing messages in a messaging system using social network information A messaging system receives a message that is intended for a recipient, who is a user of a social networking system. An object associated with the message is identified based on the message content and/or metadata associated with the message. The messaging system accesses a social networking system database to obtain social information about a relationship between the recipient and the identified object. The message is then indexed using the social information, wherein an entry for the message is stored in a message index based on the social information. This process may be repeated for each received message, and multiple different message indexes may be generated for received messages to track different types of social information. A user interface for viewing messages uses the message index to organize the messages, such as to filter, categorize, and/or sort the messages in the display.
US08984079B2	Providing a newsfeed based on user affinity in a social network environment A system and method for measuring user affinity in a social network environment is provided. One or more activities performed by a user associated with a social network environment are monitored. A relationship associated with the one or more activities is identified. An affinity for one or more objects associated with the social network environment is then determined based on the one or more activities and the relationship.
US08984075B2	Method and system for broadcasting multimedia message A method and system for broadcasting a multimedia message are disclosed. The method includes: a broadcasting source node packs multimedia content to be broadcasted into a multimedia message, and sends the multimedia message to a reception end node in structural Peer-to-Peer which establishes a virtual connection with the present broadcasting source node; the reception end node receiving the multimedia message forwards the multimedia message to other reception end nodes establishing a virtual connection with the present reception end node. The method and system can save bandwidth and processing capability resources of the whole overlay network, and can make loads be distributed to nodes except the broadcasting source node more evenly to prevent the broadcasting source node from being bottleneck.
US08984074B2	Sender-based ranking of person profiles and multi-person automatic suggestions Systems and methods for searching of information regarding persons or to provide assistance for completion during address input. In one embodiment, a method includes automatically generating profiles for persons identified in messages, such as outgoing emails. Based on how the addresses of the persons are used in outgoing messages, the relevancy scores of the addresses are determined. When a user is searching for information or typing an address, the profiles and the relevancy scores are used to identify and sort search results or suggestions for the completion of the address input.
US08984072B2	System and method for providing recommendations to a user in a viewing social network Method and systems are provided for initiating communication with a social networking server maintaining user information corresponding to a user, the user information for the user comprising media preferences for the user, one or more connections associated with the user, and media preferences for each of the one or more connections, retrieving at least a portion of the user information for the user from the social networking server and generating a viewing recommendation for the user at least in part based on at least one of the media preferences of the user, and the media preferences of the one or more connections, the viewing recommendation comprising one or more multi-media content.
US08984070B2	Personalized messaging on web inserts A method is provided for rendering a personal message sent by a sender for a recipient. The method includes: receiving the personal message by a processing software component of a server of a communications network; detecting, by the server, a connection of the recipient to an information rendering space; and replacing an advertisement insert display by the message subsequently to the connection of the recipient as a function of at least one rendering parameter accompanying the message.
US08984068B2	Email-read status A method and computer program product for marking email-read status in an email application is described. A method may comprise defining, via at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, a marked-read characteristic corresponding to an email. The method may further comprise determining, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, a marked-read preview time based upon, at least in part, the marked-read characteristic. The method may also comprise designating, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, the email as read based upon, at least in part, the marked-read preview time.
US08984065B2	Systems and methods for online matching using non-self-identified data An electronic process for presenting interpersonal relationship analysis includes: receiving recorded responses of a plurality of users to selected stimuli, such recorded responses comprising indications of traits and preferences that are not explicitly identified in the recorded response; generating match profile data at least partially from the response; and presenting potential matches to a first user based on a compatibility score generated from correlating match profile data of the plurality of users with the match profile data of the first user.
US08984063B1	Techniques for providing a user directory for communication within a communication system A group communication system is disclosed. The group communication system integrates a number of electronic communication tools to meet various communication needs among registered users in the system. To facilitate private communication among members in a group, a user directory is provided to allow an initiator to clearly view who he/she wants to communicate with. The user directory includes icons respectively associated with members in a group. Each of the icons can be enlarged when activated. Data from the communication is transported via a server device in the system based on respective identifiers (not email addresses) of the participants.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10