Document Document Title
US08997763B2 Bin washing system
Provided is an example of bin washing system. The bin washing system may include a first solid-liquid separating device, a second solid-liquid separating device, a pump, and an inlet structure. The first solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive a first solid-liquid suspension having first solids and second solids, separate the first solids from the second solids, and dispatch a second solid-liquid suspension having the second solids. The second solid-liquid separating device may be configured to receive the second solid-liquid suspension, capture the second solids, and dispatch cleaned water. The pump may be configured to pump cleaning water to the first solid-liquid separating device. The inlet structure may be configured to receive waste water that includes the first and second solids. The bin washing system may be configured to combine the cleaning water pumped by the pump with the waste water to form the first solid-liquid suspension.
US08997761B1 Mini-toothbrush with flosser
A disposable mini-toothbrush comprises a brush and flosser head positioned at a first and second end of a handle portion. The brush head is comprised of a plurality of bristles that extend in opposite directions from a bristle supporting element. The plurality of bristles which extend in opposite directions facilitate cleaning of the upper and lower teeth without having to readjust grip by a user. The mini-toothbrush also comprises a first and second flat grip element to facilitate manipulation of the brush and flosser head while using only a thumb and at least one finger by the user. In its preferred embodiment, the plurality of bristles will be coated with dentifrice for cleaning is of the user's teeth and gums. A thin plastic cover surrounds and seals the toothbrush and provides a seal which maintains sterility during shipping and storage.
US08997757B1 Golden ratio eyebrow shaping method
An eyebrow shaping method includes providing an image of a face. Three guidelines are determined on the image and thee points are located via the guidelines. An eyebrow is shaped to have Golden Ration proportions via the three points.
US08997756B2 Scalp soother
Embodiments pertain to a scalp care device. The scalp care device includes a handle extended along a longitudinal axis and a set of curved teeth that extend along the longitudinal axis. The teeth are curved so as to facilitate sliding the teeth underneath a user's hair so that the tips of the teeth reach the user's scalp and can manipulate the scalp so as to provide care for it. The curved teeth are joined to the handle by a bridge region. In one embodiment, the teeth are hollow and the handle includes a bottle for holding liquid, such that the liquid may flow through the teeth to be deposited upon the scalp.
US08997755B2 Filter element comprising smoke-altering material
The invention provides a filter element of a smoking article having a longitudinal axis and adapted for filtration of mainstream smoke generated by the smoking article, the filter element including a first region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a first pressure drop and a second region extending along the longitudinal axis of the filter element and exhibiting a second pressure drop lower than said first pressure drop, wherein the first and second regions are arranged in a side-by-side configuration such that both regions are visible in a cross-section of the filter element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and wherein mainstream smoke can move from the second region into the first region, and further comprising a smoke-altering material, such as an oxidation catalyst, positioned in the first region.
US08997754B2 Electronic cigarette
An electronic smoking article includes a liquid supply including liquid material, a heater operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the liquid material and form an aerosol, a wick in communication with the liquid material and in communication with the heater such that the wick delivers the liquid material to the heater, at least one air inlet operable to deliver air to a central air passage upstream of the heater, and an aroma carrier on an outer surface of the outer tube. The aroma carrier includes fragrance material and is operable to deliver fragrance during smoking.
US08997752B2 Skin wound treatment method, dressing and biochemical activation device for the use of such a method
The present invention relates to a system for treatment of skin wounds, comprising an energy source for activation of a biochemical healing effect, and at least one dressing intended to be placed on the wound before the step of activation by said energy source, characterized in that said dressing comprises an identification means interacting in a contactless manner with a sensor that triggers the function of the energy source only when the distance between the sensor and said identification means is below a threshold value.
US08997749B2 Surgical assembly
A surgical assembly (20) comprises a post (100) having a longitudinally extending axis (104), a support (56) for resisting movement of the post in a negative longitudinal direction, and a platform (70) offset from the support in a positive longitudinal direction. The platform includes an opening (82) through which the post projects. The opening includes a throat (86). The post has a first dimension which renders the post incapable of passing through the throat and a second dimension which renders the post capable of passing through the throat. Alternate embodiments in which the post can be removably engaged with the support and platform and disengaged therefrom without translating the post in the longitudinal direction are also disclosed.
US08997745B2 Tracheostomy tube combination radial snap and bayonet cannula connector
A medical device tube having extended retention tabs with notches therein for improved coupling of an inner cannula connector to an outer cannula connector. The medical device tube comprises an outer cannula connector having retention tabs on an outer cannula connector flange attached to the proximal end of an outer cannula. The retention tabs maintain the snap ears of the inner cannula connector when the inner cannula connector is rotated whereby the notches substantially hold the snap ears. The snap ears may further be positioned in notches in the outer cannula flange when the snap ears lock onto the outer cannula connector flange.
US08997742B2 Ergonomic and adjustable respiratory mask assembly with cushion
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a front surface and a rear surface adapted in use to face the patient. A cushion having a side wall is removably attachable to the frame. The cushion has a rim extending away from the side wall, and a membrane provided to substantially surround the rim. An inner edge of the membrane defines an aperture, the aperture having a generally trapezoidal shape.
US08997741B2 Respiration system
A respiration system feeds an anesthetic gas having, a density ρgas, with a Y-piece for connection to a patient, with a respiration circuit having an inspiration branch and an expiration branch, which extend away from the Y-piece. A first supply line from a branch in the expiration branch leads to an anesthetic gas discharge valve and a second supply line from the branch leads to a reservoir. A too high pressure, opposing expiration, cannot build up in the expiration branch and losses of anesthetic gas are kept to a minimum. A prestressing device exerts a prestressing force onto the valve body of the anesthetic gas discharge valve against the effect of gravity. The mass mvalve and the prestressing force determine a threshold pressure in the anesthetic gas discharge line that results in an opening of the anesthetic gas discharge valve.
US08997740B2 Humidifier with back-flow prevention valve
A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.
US08997737B2 Inhaler
An inhaler is disclosed. It comprises a housing to receive a strip of blisters each having a puncturable lid and containing a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, a mouthpiece through which a dose of medicament is inhaled by a user and, an actuator operable to sequentially move each blister into alignment with a blister piercing member. The actuator is also operable to cause the blister piercing element to puncture the lid of a blister such that, when a user inhales through the mouthpiece, an airflow through the blister is generated to entrain the dose contained therein and carry it out of the blister and via the mouthpiece into the user's airway.
US08997735B2 Nebulizer
A nebulizer having an insertable container and a monitoring device for counting actuations of the nebulizer is proposed. The monitoring device is mounted in a detachable housing part and directly detects movements of container during a nebulizing process, an air supply current in the region of a mouthpiece, and/or the production of aerosol, in order to detect this as the actual dispensing of fluid and actuation of the nebulizer, while preferably the time of actuation of the nebulizer is additionally detected and stored. This allows better monitoring and guidance for the user.
US08997734B2 Solar concentrating heat receiver and system thereof
The concentrating heat receiver (10) is provided with a casing (41) which has an opening portion (15) into which sunrays are made incident, a heat receiving portion (42) which is accommodated inside the casing (41) so that a working fluid flows therethrough and receive heat from sunrays made incident from the opening portion, thereby raising the temperature of the working fluid, and hanging members (61, 62) in which the upper end sides thereof are coupled to an upper angle (14) and the other end sides thereof are loosely inserted into through holes (44a, 44b) of the casing (41), thereby supporting in a hanging manner the heat receiving portion (42) inside the casing (41).
US08997730B2 Grease handling apparatus for closed system oven
A grease removal system for a combination oven, requiring venting and condensation of steam, conducts excess grease through the same drainpipe as the steam to a water-filled condenser, then segregates the grease within a reservoir wall. In this way, a single opening may serve to remove both excess steam pressure and grease and temperature-moderated grease may be readily pumped to a convenient location.
US08997726B2 Method for diagnosing a liquid-cooled exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine
A method is provided for checking the functional capacity of a liquid-cooled exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine, having an exhaust line connected to the exhaust manifold, in the course of which an exhaust gas sensor having an electrical heater is arranged. During the operation of the internal combustion engine, the electrical resistance of the exhaust gas sensor is determined, on the basis of which the current value of the exhaust gas temperature is evaluated, and compared to a target value of the exhaust gas temperature, which is expected at this point in the operation of the internal combustion engine. Depending on the result of the comparison, the functional capacity of the liquid-cooling of the exhaust manifold is estimated.
US08997725B2 Methods and systems for reducing the formation of oxides of nitrogen during combustion of engines
The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of systems and methods for reducing the production of harmful emissions in combustion engines. One method includes correlating combustion chamber temperature to acceleration of a power train component, such as a crankshaft. Once the relationship between acceleration/deceleration of the component and combustion temperature are known, an engine control module can be configured to adjust combustion parameters to reduce combustion temperature when acceleration data indicates peak combustion temperature is approaching a harmful level, such as a level conducive to the formation of undesirable oxides of nitrogen. Various embodiments of the methods and systems disclosed herein can employ injectors with integrated igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels.
US08997723B2 Method and system for pre-ignition control
Methods and systems are provided for reducing late burn induced cylinder pre-ignition events. In response to a late burn combustion event in a cylinder, ignition coil dwell time is extended in the cylinder to reduce unintended combustion delays. In addition, pre-ignition mitigating actions are performed in a neighboring cylinder that may be prone to pre-ignition induced by the late combustion event.
US08997721B2 Intake apparatus of engine
An intake apparatus of an engine provided with a fuel supply device for supplying fuel into an intake passage. A guide body is disposed in the intake passage located downstream from the fuel supply device, and the guide body may have at least one hole. The volume ratio of the guide body relative to the intake passage range and the volume ratio of the total holes relative to the guide body are ranged in the preferable volume percent.
US08997717B2 Integrated fuel injector orientation and retention device
Attaching a fuel injector to a common rail may utilize a fuel injector and an integral tab that has a solid head portion from which a first flexible prong and a second flexible prong protrude and define a gap therebetween. A fuel injector cup may define a notch through which the first prong and the second prong reside to secure the fuel injector to the fuel injector cup, which is attached to the rail. A first prong interior straight wall surface and a second prong interior straight wall surface may face the gap and be parallel. The prongs may define entry contact surfaces and exit contact surfaces that meet at prescribed angles to aid in insertion and hinder retraction of the injector tab from the injector cup. The tab defines a solid head portion below the gap that resides in the notch.
US08997711B2 Fuel management system for variable ethanol octane enhancement of gasoline engines
Fuel management system for efficient operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder of the engine. A fuel management microprocessor system controls injection of the anti-knock agent so as to control knock and minimize that amount of the anti-knock agent that is used in a drive cycle. It is preferred that the anti-knock agent is ethanol. The use of ethanol can be further minimized by injection in a non-uniform manner within a cylinder. The ethanol injection suppresses knock so that higher compression ratio and/or engine downsizing from increased turbocharging or supercharging can be used to increase the efficiency or the engine.
US08997709B2 Mass equalization gear mechanism of an internal combustion engine
A mass equalization gear mechanism of an internal combustion engine is provided, having a gear mechanism housing (8) with bearing points (16, 17, 18), at least one equalization shaft (6) with a drive section (9) and an imbalance section (12) and rolling bearings (10, 11, 15) by which the equalization shaft is mounted in the bearing points. In this context, the gear mechanism housing is hydraulically sealed, with the result that the imbalance section and at least one of the rolling bearings is hydraulically separated from the drive section and is provided with autonomous lubrication.
US08997708B2 Intake manifold
An intake manifold capable of discharging oil or water in a liquid reservoir in a stable manner includes an introduction section for introducing air to a combustion chamber of an engine, a liquid reservoir provided under the introduction section for retaining a liquid medium, a differential pressure tank including a first chamber, a second chamber, and a differential pressure valve for regulating flow from the second chamber to the first chamber, a return passage for allowing the liquid medium accumulated in the liquid reservoir to return to the first chamber from the liquid reservoir when the pressure in the second chamber is higher than the pressure in the first chamber, and an exhaust passage for discharging the liquid medium having flown into the second chamber from the first chamber to the instruction section when the pressure in the second chamber is lower than the pressure in the first chamber.
US08997707B2 Vehicle fuel burner
A method is provided. The method includes, during stopped engine operation, burning fuel in an engine intake heater to generate heated gas, the heated gas bypassing engine cylinders via an exhaust gas recirculation passage. The method further includes during combusting engine operation, burning fuel in the engine intake heater to generate heated gas, and flowing the heated gas through combusting engine cylinders.
US08997706B2 Internal combustion engine valve actuation control arrangement
In an internal combustion engine a valve actuation control arrangement is provided, which has at least three independently axially displaceable cam elements and a switch gate which has at least one continuous gate track for displacing the at least three cam elements sequentially one after the other.
US08997694B2 Microbial mediated chemical sequestering of phosphate in a closed-loop recirculating aquaculture system
A system and method for removal of phosphates from a closed loop estuarine or marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), involving denitrification in the presence of a media substrate for: 1) anaerobic nitrate, nitrite and ammonia removal and 2) sequestering of excess phosphate in the RAS. Phosphate is precipitated in or on the denitrifying biofilm formed on the media substrate as phosphate salts. The phosphate salt-containing media substrate can be removed from the RAS, the phosphates can be removed, and both the substrate and the phosphates can be reused or recycled.
US08997693B2 Feeder for livestock
A feeder for livestock is disclosed and includes a sidewall having a top portion and a bottom portion, at least a portion of the sidewall forming a feed-receiving enclosure. A plurality of spaced-apart first bars is provided, each first bar extending inwardly from the top portion of the sidewall and are spaced sufficiently apart to allow an animal to place its head therebetween during feeding. An upper portion includes a top member and an intermediate member having a substantially smaller perimeter than a perimeter of the top portion of the sidewall. At least some of the first bars extend between the sidewall and the upper portion. A plurality of spaced-apart second bars are also provided, each the second bar extending between the intermediate member and the top member spaced close enough to prevent feeding from the top portion.
US08997692B2 Pet feeding system with removable food holding container
A pet feeding system that includes a dish assembly configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish assembly includes a housing and a cooperating food-dispensing receptacle that dispenses food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one feeder port that only permits a paw of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food, while preventing direct access to the food by the head or muzzle of the pet. A lip can be provided adjacent the feeder port that provides an obstacle to free withdrawal of the food out of the feeder port.
US08997691B2 Pet feeding dish and system
A pet feeding system is disclosed that includes a dish configured to regulate intake of food by a pet, such as a cat. The dish has a housing in cooperation with a food-dispensing receptacle that dispense food into a food-receiving chamber within the housing permitting a pet to access food in the chamber through at least one food access port that only permits part of the pet to reach within the housing to get some food. The food-dispensing receptacle can be a bowl that can be integrally formed as part of the housing and can also be a food-holding container that seats in the bowl. A cap is provided that can cover food in the bowl or container preventing a pet from accessing the food.
US08997690B2 Automated animal care device
An automated animal feeder may have a pair of traditional pet bowls, one for food and one for water, and the water bowl may be physically lifted and dumped on a timed schedule as the water bowl may be mounted upon a hinged plate which swings up to empty the water bowl at programmed intervals controlled by a programmed logic controller, and the water bowl may be refilled whenever the weight of the bowl is light enough to indicate that the bowl is not full. Food may be metered by means of a portion control hopper located beneath the food supply hopper. The programmed logic controller (PLC) allows the timing of feeding and watering to be controlled by the user.
US08997687B2 Apparatus and method for plasma arc coating
A system for coating a side surface of a moving substrate. The system includes an array of plasma sources, a first plurality of orifices located upstream of the array and a second plurality of orifices located downstream of the array. A coating reagent is injected from each orifice into a plasma jet issuing from plasma source associated with that orifice. A controller modulates the flow of coating reagent and the flow flush gas to the orifices according to the contours of the substrate and to the position of the substrate relative to the array. An additional plasma array and set of orifices may be employed to coat the opposite side surface of the substrate.
US08997686B2 System for and method of fast pulse gas delivery
A system for and method of delivering pulses of a desired mass of gas to a tool is described. A system for delivering pulses of a desired mass of gas to a process chamber or tool, comprising: a gas delivery chamber; a first valve arranged so as to control the flow of gas into the gas delivery chamber; a second valve arranged so as control the flow of gas leaving the gas delivery chamber so that the gas can leave the gas delivery chamber in pulses, each of a selected mass as a function of the initial pressure of the gas in the gas delivery chamber and the duration of the respective pulse; and a pressure control arrangement configured and arranged so as to control the flow of gas into the gas delivery chamber so as to precharge the gas in the gas delivery chamber to an initial pressure set point prior to delivering the pulses of gas such that the variance of the starting pressure of the gas in the gas delivery chamber is controlled prior to delivering the pulses of gas, and the repeatability of the mass delivery is improved as a function of the duration of each of the pulses.
US08997679B2 Pleasure boat
The present invention refers to a pleasure boat and particularly but not exclusively to a pedal boat. According to the invention, in order to make sea excursions with said pleasure boat more attractive, the boat comprises a jetted tub on board, preferably fed with seawater drawn directly from the surrounding environment.
US08997674B1 PlugHug™ watercraft drain plug holder
A watercraft drain plug holder has a holder body defining a shell operative to receive and retain a watercraft drain plug therein. A coupler is affixed to the holder body and defines a perimeter and a hole inside the perimeter. The perimeter operatively passes through a boat hook eye or other similar boating component and around an eye circumference. The holder body passes through the coupler hole, thereby operatively wrapping around a boat hook eye and suspending the holder body from the eye. Several embodiments are shown, including a preferred version that incorporates resilient and non-marring materials and alternative solid and non-marring embodiments. In addition, several methods are described for storing a drain plug, launching a boat, and trailering a boat.
US08997673B1 Power boat emergency floatation device
A power boat emergency floatation device deploys from a power boat to inhibit sinking of the power boat. The device includes a boat having a hull. The hull has an upper edge extending around the boat. Each of a plurality of cavities extends into the hull of the boat. The cavities are positioned in spaced arrangement around the hull of the boat. Each of a plurality of inflatable bladders is positioned in an associated one of the cavities. Each inflatable bladder is coupled to the hull of the boat and is selectively inflatable wherein the inflatable bladders inhibit sinking of the boat when the inflatable bladders are inflated and extended from the hull. A trigger mechanism is operationally coupled to each inflatable bladder wherein actuation of the trigger mechanism deploys each inflatable bladder from the associated cavity and inflates each inflatable bladder.
US08997666B2 Elevated fixed-grate apparatus for use with multi-fuel furnaces
A combustion device in the form of an elevated fixed-grate that includes arcuately shaped solid refractory brick with ribs placed thereunder so as to allow horizontal air flow for fuel combustion. The brick are arranged atop one another in a stacked concentric configuration that forms a central fuel passageway and allows cascading of a fuel pile throughout the combustion stages. The device provides the benefit of proper de-ashing online while distributing the underfire air radially around the fuel pile. The elevated design of the bricks allows the air to be evenly distributed throughout the fuel pile and further allows the isolation of overfire and underfire air. Segregating overfire and underfire air in an evenly distributed manner allows the burner to combust a wide range of fuel moisture contents without modifying the mechanical components of the burner.
US08997664B2 Gasification combustion system
A two stage refuse gasification combustion system for processing refuse is disclosed. The system may contain features such as an advancer, a first and second gasifier, a gas regulator, and a post combustor. Additionally, methods for regulating gas and advancing refuse through a two stage refuse gasification combustion system are disclosed.
US08997661B1 Table top extension and method for increasing the table top surface area of an existing table top
A table top extension and method for increasing the table top surface area of an existing table. The table top extension includes at least first and second planar panel sections each having a first, inner peripheral edge and a second, outer peripheral edge. The first, inner peripheral edges include interlocking tongue and groove structure such that the first, inner peripheral edges can be locked together to form the table top extension having a combined table top area defined by at least the first and second planar panel sections. The second, outer peripheral edges of the first and second planar panel sections align to form an outer peripheral edge of the table top extension when the first and second panel sections are locked together with the interlocking tongue and groove structure. The table top extension is configured as a planar panel including at least the first and second planar panel sections, and may be placed on the existing table to increase the table top surface area by placement of the outer peripheral edge of the table top extension radially outside of an outer peripheral edge of the existing table, relative to a center point of the table.
US08997658B2 Wheelbarrow cover
A cover of rigid planar configuration is designed for removable placement on the open top of a wheelbarrow for complete closing thereof to protect materials that are oftentimes contained therein from environmental damage. In particular, curable materials such as cement, mortar and the like will begin to cure if left unattended for more than short periods of time and this problem is particularly troublesome in dry climates. The cover is provided with a depending lip for engaging the sides of the wheelbarrow to prevent the cover from siding movement on the wheelbarrow, and tie-down devices can be used to releasably secure the cover on the wheelbarrow. In addition to protecting the contents of the wheelbarrow, the planar surface of the cover can provide a convenient work surface of use on a job site.
US08997652B2 Weapon and weapon system employing the same
A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having an outer casing. The warhead includes a frangible container within the outer casing of the warhead and a destructive element within the frangible container. The destructive element is formed with a non-explosive material. The weapon may also include a guidance section configured to direct the weapon to a target.
US08997651B2 Printing operation assisting device
A printing operation assisting device for assisting a printing operation performed by a solder printer configured to print a solder cream on a substrate surface, including: a measure determining portion configured to determine a remedial measure against a deterioration of a print quality specified on the basis of print-result information obtained from an inspecting machine configured to inspect a print result by the printer, in accordance with a kind of the print-quality deterioration; and a measure issuing portion configured to issue a command relating to the remedial measure determined by the measure determining portion to at least one of the printer and its operator, wherein the measure determining portion is configured to determine a remedial measure against a certain print-quality deterioration and to redetermine another remedial measure different from the previously determined remedial measure where the deteriorated print quality is not improved by execution of the previously determined measure.
US08997644B2 Punching device, paper processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus
A punching device includes a punching unit that punches a hole in a sheet of paper; a container that receives a chad of paper generated upon punching by the punching unit; a dispersing member that is provided within the container and that is configured to disperse the chad of paper; and a guiding member configured to guide the chad of paper that is generated upon punching by the punching unit and fallen into the container to the dispersing member.
US08997643B2 Waste containment apparatus
A waste containment apparatus fits within, the same physical envelope as a typical 6 cubic yard bin. The apparatus has lifting fittings to permit conventional lifting and dumping by a garbage truck. The bin has, internally, a compactor including a motor and a compaction head driven by the motor. The unit has a single point power connection. The working mechanical assemblies and the electrical control unit are mounted well above the inlet chute. The inlet chute is a front or rear access chute, such that the lifting height of the inlet chute is significantly lower than the top opening level of the bin generally. The unit has an internal refuse flow accumulation path, and internal members such as deflector plates oriented to urge the refuse to fill and compact more evenly than otherwise. The unit may have a liquid drain and collection sump. The sump may have a sump heater.
US08997642B2 Method for transporting, placing and compacting composite stiffeners
A device for compacting a contoured elongate composite layup includes flexible first and second fiber reinforced resin flexible sections flexible along their lengths. The first section is flexible within a first plane and the second section is flexible within the first plane as well as within a second plane.
US08997640B2 Temperature controlled food display system
The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.
US08997629B2 Pneumatic actuator
A pneumatic actuator comprises a containment jacket (2) and an activating bar (14) mounted through the containment jacket (2) and able to move between a first operating position and a second operating position. The actuator (1) also comprises a fixed part (23) integral with the jacket (2) having a main axis of extension (X), and a mobile part (26) slidably connected to the fixed part (23), and operatively connected to the activating bar (14) in such a way that it moves with the bar. The fixed part (23) also comprises at least a core (25) made of ferromagnetic material extending along the axis (X). Two magnets (29) are attached to the mobile part (26) on diametrically opposite sides relative to the main axis of extension (X). The mobile part (26) can also move relative to the fixed part (23) between a first position of maximum magnetic uncoupling between the magnets (29) and the ferromagnetic core (25), and a second position of maximum magnetic coupling between the magnets (29) and the ferromagnetic core (25). Finally, a sensor (30) for detecting the magnetic field is mounted at one end of the ferromagnetic core (25).
US08997628B2 Integrated magnetostrictive linear displacement transducer and limit switch for an actuator
The present invention relates to a position sensor and limit switch apparatus for an actuator. The actuator has a cylinder and a piston with at least one magnetized portion reciprocatingly disposed within the cylinder. The apparatus includes an elongate housing aligned parallel with the cylinder. A magnetostrictive linear displacement transducer is disposed within the housing for sensing the position of the at least one magnetized portion. The apparatus includes a switch means responsive to the transducer for operatively interrupting actuation of the piston upon the at least one magnetized portion reaching a limit position.
US08997622B2 Gas operating systems, subsystems, components and processes
A gas operating system for a firearm includes a gas block, a barrel nut that maintains the gas block at a predetermined axial position on a barrel of the firearm, a member that is movable with respect to the gas block axially with respect to the barrel in response to pressure exerted by expanding propellant gases conveyed thereto by the gas block and a mechanical linkage receiving a force form the member urging it in an axial direction of the barrel and coupled with a loading and ejection mechanism of the firearm to convey the force thereto for operating the loading and ejection mechanism. Various embodiments of gas block assemblies and operating rods for gas operating systems for firearms are provided.
US08997621B1 Quick mount adapter for firearm suppressor
A quick mount adapter for a firearm that includes a cylindrical adapter base having a first portion, a second portion, and a central bore. The central bore includes a first bore having a smaller diameter and a second bore having a larger diameter. A portion of the second bore is threaded and an exterior portion of the housing includes threads. The quick mount adapter includes a biasing mechanism and a washer being positioned within the second bore of the adapter base. A collar having a central bore and an internal locking profile in the central bore is threaded into the adapter base to retain the washer and biasing mechanism within the second bore. The quick mount adapter includes a spacer comprising a hollow cylindrical housing having a top surface, a central opening in the top surface, and a plurality of annular openings positioned around the central opening.
US08997618B1 Quick release blade lock assembly
Disclosed is a quick release lock for blades mountable to a motor driven rotary tool consisting of a tool mount for mounting to the mandrel of a motorized tool. A blade retainer and lock ring positioned on each side of a user provided blade with the blade retainer providing a bore having a plurality of channels and rails and the tool mount having a collar with corresponding exterior helical channels and rails whereby the blade retainer can quickly mounted onto the tool mount.
US08997617B2 Punch assembly with quick attach punch point and stripper plate removably secure thereon
A punch assembly for a turret punch press having a two piece reciprocally movable punch member that has a punch point insert removably attached to a punch driver that allows replacement of the punch point insert without the need to extract the punch member from its punch guide. A locking assembly having four vertical guideways containing slider strips for coupling the punch point insert to the punch driver ensures precision registration of the punch point insert with its driver.
US08997616B2 Plastic bag making apparatus
It is intended in an apparatus for successively making plastic bags that a plastic film 1 is cut by a Thomson blade 3 without making the Thomson blade 3 pressed with a large force. The Thomson blade 3 is brought into contact with the plastic film 1 on one of opposite sides of the plastic film 1 in a direction of thickness thereof while a rolling member 4 is brought into contact with the plastic film 1 and rolled and moved along the plastic film 1 and the Thomson blade 3 on the other side of the plastic film 1 in the direction of thickness thereof. The plastic film 1 is therefore sandwiched between and cut by the Thomson blade 3 and the rolling member 4 to successively make plastic bags.
US08997615B2 Microtome and cryostat
A microtome comprising a head 32 which holds a sample, an alignment mechanism 50 which aligns the head 32, a body portion 42 which is provided on a back face side of the alignment mechanism 50, a cylindrical coupling portion 41 which couples the body portion 42 with the head 32, a temperature controller 34 in the head 32, and refrigerant piping 40 and electrical wiring 46 for the temperature controller 34, and the alignment mechanism 50 includes a spherical member 68 coupled with the back face side of the head and having a spherical outer periphery and includes retainer portions 70 and 71 retaining the outer periphery of the spherical member 68 slidably along a spherical surface, the spherical member 68 has a through hole 74 which communicates with the hollow portion 43 of the coupling portion 41, the refrigerant piping 40 and the electrical wiring 46 are connected with the temperature controller 34 in the head 32 through the through hole 74 of the spherical member 68 and the hollow portion 43 of the coupling portion 41.
US08997608B2 Stud removal tool
An apparatus for removing a stud is described. The apparatus includes a housing, a cage and a canted coil spring. The housing has an interior sidewall with a three-lobed cam and a groove. Each lobe has a counterclockwise cam inner surface and a clockwise cam inner surface on the opposite side of the lobe center line. The cage has a top surface, a tapered terminus and a groove disposed between the top surface and the tapered terminus. The cage includes a plurality of jaws, in which the jaw outer cam surface of each jaw interfaces with the cam inner surface of the interior sidewall. The canted coil spring rotatably couples the cage to the housing. During stud removal, the housing rotates counterclockwise relative to the cage and the cage rotates counterclockwise to engage the stud.
US08997606B2 Housing assembly
An assembly that includes a tube mount, a tube, a first fillet weld, and a second fillet weld. The tube mount has a tubular side wall, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart notches formed on a first end of the tubular side wall, and a securing aperture formed through the tubular side wall. The notches form a plurality of teeth. The tube is received into the tube mount. The first fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The first fillet weld is formed about a perimeter the first end such that each of the first welds is formed substantially completely over the entirety of the teeth. The second fillet weld couples the tube to the tube mount. The second fillet weld is formed about a perimeter of the securing aperture such that the second fillet weld is formed substantially completely over an inside perimeter of the securing aperture.
US08997593B2 Nut for ball screw
A nut for a ball screw mainly includes a nut, multiple dual-narrowed paths, multiple micro fans, a control portion, and multiple temperature sensing portions. The nut has a threaded path and the dual-narrowed paths are defined through the central axis of the nut and substantially parallel to the threaded path. Each of the dual-narrowed paths has a high-speed area and the diameter of each of the dual-narrowed paths is gradually reduced from two ends toward the high-speed area. The nut has micro fans which drive the air flows and reduce the temperature to increase the life of use and the precision of positioning.
US08997591B1 Control knob return/detent mechanism
An encoder assembly including control knob return mechanisms and encoder elements. Each control knob return mechanism includes a frame assembly including return spring locators. A return rotor assembly, includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor located spring stops. A return mechanism rotatable shaft is operably positioned within the return rotor assembly and operably connectable to an encoder element. The rotor and the shaft are rotatably stationary relative to each other. A return spring is positioned about the rotatable shaft and operably positioned relative to the return spring locators and the rotor located spring stops to bias the return mechanism rotatable shaft and the rotor in a normally centered position. Each encoder element is connected to an associated return mechanism rotatable shaft of an associated control knob return mechanism, wherein the return mechanism rotatable shafts of the control knob return mechanisms are concentrically positioned relative to each other.
US08997590B2 Multi-part mounting device for an ultrasonic transducer
A multi-part mounting device for an ultrasonic transducer, the mounting device comprising a first part configured to mount the mounting device on a housing of an ultrasonic test probe, and a second part configured to retain the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second part is at least in touching contact with the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second part comprises a first plastic and is connected by positive fit to the first part, and wherein the first part has a greater hardness than the second part.
US08997589B2 Automatic analysis apparatus and automatic analysis method
A rack buffer unit 8 serving as a sample-container switching unit is provided between a rack conveying module 4 and a rack conveying module 5 which convey racks 2 on which the sample containers 1 are mounted, and an urgent-sample loading module 7 installing a rack 2 on which a sample container 1 storing a sample desired to be preferentially analyzed is mounted is provided. The rack 2 which is in the process of sample dispensing and the rack 2 desired to be preferentially analyzed are switched from each other by the rack buffer unit 8, and the sample container 1 mounted on the rack 2 desired to be preferentially analyzed is moved to a sample dispensing position in a short period of time.
US08997588B2 Force detecting mat with multiple sensor types
A flexible force or pressure sensing mat includes a first sheet of electrically conductive first paths, a second sheet of electrically conductive second paths, and a sensing layer positioned between the first and second sheets. The first and second conductive paths are oriented transversely to each other, and the locations of their intersections define individual sensing areas or sensors. The sensing layer is made from materials that have first and second electrical characteristics—such as capacitance and resistance—that vary in response to physical forces exerted thereon. A controller repetitively measures the multiple electrical characteristics of each sensor in order to produce a near real time pressure distribution map of the forces sensed by the mat. The mat can be used on a patient support surface—such as a bed, cot, stretcher, recliner, operating table, etc.—to monitor and help reduce the likelihood of a patient developing pressure ulcers.
US08997586B2 Mass flow measuring or controlling device
A mass flow measuring or controlling device having a base body, a flow channel and a sensor module which comprises a sensor element and which can be coupled to an electronic unit, the flow channel having a measuring channel section which is in fluidic contact with the sensor element is characterized in that the sensor module comprises a sensor support part and a stabilizing element for stabilizing the sensor support part in the region of the measuring channel section.
US08997585B2 Fluid flow monitor
There are disclosed methods and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow along a conduit such as a well bore or a pipeline. A sensor optical fiber is disposed along the conduit, and an optical interrogator is used to launch probe light pulses into the fiber and to determine optical properties of probe light backscattered within the fiber, the properties being indicative of vibration as a function along the fiber. An analyzer is used to detect one or more vibration features moving along the conduit and to determine a measure of fluid flow based on the detected movement.
US08997575B2 Method and apparatus for damping diaphragm vibration in capacitance diaphragm gauges
A system and method mitigate the effects of these external vibrations on a capacitance diaphragm gauge by sensing the motion of the diaphragm at the first natural frequency of the diaphragm of the CDG. The presence of the natural frequency signals superimposed on the pressure signal is determined by sensing variations in the output of a sensor at or near the known natural frequency of the diaphragm and filtering that known low frequency from the output. The filtered signal is used in a feedback circuit to impose electrostatic forces on the diaphragm. The imposed electrostatic forces oppose the motion created by the external vibration to suppress the effects of the vibration on the pressure measured by the CDG.
US08997568B2 Micromachined gyroscope with detection in the plane of the machined wafer
A gyroscope having a vibrating structure, produced by micromachining in a thin planar wafer, the gyroscope including two symmetrical moving assemblies that are coupled by a coupling structure connecting the two assemblies so as to allow mechanical vibration energy to be transferred between them, each moving assembly including a first moving element connected to the coupling structure and able to vibrate with two degrees of freedom in orthogonal directions Ox and Oy of the plane of the wafer, and a second moving element adjacent the first moving element, capable of vibrating only in the Oy direction and connected to the first moving element via linkage element, wherein the linkage element allow the transmission, in phase opposition, to the second moving element of the vibration movement of the first moving element in the Oy direction.
US08997565B2 Micro-mechanical sensor of angular velocity
A micro-mechanical resonator is provided. The micro-mechanical resonator comprises two masses coupled in the direction of a common axis by a spring structure. The spring structure comprises a spring that couples at least a first bar connected to the masses and a second bar extending in the motion axis direction, said spring being arranged to bend in a direction perpendicular to the motion direction of the motion axis. A micro-mechanical resonator matrix, a sensor and a navigation device are also provided.
US08997562B2 Drilling fluid sampling system and sampling heat exchanger
A system for sampling drilling fluid to identify one or more species of interest within the drilling fluid includes a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage. Each fluid passage has an inlet and an outlet. In addition, the system includes a supply line coupled to the inlet of the first fluid passage. Further, the system includes a return line coupled to the outlet of the second fluid passage. Still further, the system includes a drilling fluid heater having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the first fluid passage and an outlet. The system also includes a drilling fluid degasser having an inlet coupled to the outlet of the heater, a first outlet coupled to an analyzer configured to identify the one or more species of interest, and a second outlet coupled to the inlet of the second fluid passage.
US08997560B2 Method for synchronising measurements
A method for synchronizing the measurements obtained, over a given period, from a number of measurement acquisition means for acquiring measurements of characteristics associated with the stresses withstood by a tire fitted on a running vehicle. The measurement acquisition means are brought into operation independently of one another and at least one indexing at a given instant of the measurements from each of said means is created relative to a time-measuring reference means.
US08997559B2 Method and device for diagnosing a blowoff valve for a supercharging device of an internal combustion engine
A method for diagnosing a blowoff valve in an engine system having a supercharged internal combustion engine, the blowoff valve being situated in a blowoff line around a compressor of a supercharging device, by performing the following: detecting a compressor rotational speed indication of the supercharging device; and determining a malfunction of the blowoff valve if the compressor rotational speed indication includes an oscillation after the blowoff valve is activated for opening the blowoff valve.
US08997557B2 Device and method for carrying out measurements of an analysis fluid
The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for carrying out measurements of a analyte fluid having a housing (12, 18), a measurement chamber (40) arranged in the housing (18), a resonator (16, 34) and conduits (42, 44) for inputting and outputting media for the measurements into/out of the measurement chamber (40), wherein the resonators (16, 34) delimit the measurement chamber (40) in areas. The invention distinguishes thereby that two resonators (16, 34) are provided which delimit the measurements chamber (40) each.
US08997555B2 System and method for generating a change in pressure proportional to fluid viscosity
A system and method for generating a change in pressure proportional to fluid viscosity is disclosed herein. The system can comprise a first pilot stream, a second pilot stream, and a pressure sensing device that reads a differential pressure across a first junction on the first pilot stream and a second junction on the second pilot stream. The first junction is between a first section having a first predominant pressure loss characteristic, and a second section having a second predominant pressure loss characteristic. Similarly, the second junction can be between a third section having a third predominant pressure loss characteristic and a fourth section having a fourth pressure loss characteristic.
US08997553B2 Leak testing device and method
A leak testing device includes a body portion and a purge gas supply. The body portion defines a cavity. The cavity is operable to enclose a portion of a part to be leak tested. The body portion also comprises at least one fluid port operable to deliver a purge gas to the cavity. The purge gas supply is in fluid communication with that at least one fluid port. The purge gas supply is configured to supply a purge gas through the at least one fluid port. The purge gas is operable to purge the cavity of at least a portion of an atmospheric tracer gas contained in the cavity.
US08997551B2 Apparatus for determining coefficients of friction
The apparatus for determining coefficients of friction collects data required for determining static and dynamic coefficients of friction between various materials. The apparatus includes a ramp with adjustable slope and a plurality of test masses for placement on the ramp. Upslope lights and sensors, downslope lights and sensors, and a digital angle meter are installed on the ramp. The apparatus has a timing device having a display to show the elapsed time between a test mass passing the upslope sensor and the downslope sensor. The operator can determine the static coefficient of fraction from the tangent of the angle displayed on the digital angle meter when a test mass first begins to slide, and can compute the kinetic coefficient of friction from the angle displayed on the digital angle meter and the elapsed time shown on the timing device.
US08997547B2 Gauge with visual calibration confirmation and related method
A device for taking pressure readings on a HVAC system includes a first needle connectable in communication with the HVAC system for taking a first pressure reading thereof. The first needle is mounted within a first gauge and configured to self-calibrate. The device further includes a second needle connectable in communication with the HVAC system for taking a second pressure reading thereof that is independent of the first pressure reading. The second needle is mounted within a second gauge and configured to self-calibrate. A first stepper motor actuates the first needle and a second stepper motor actuates the second needle. A microcontroller controls the first and second stepper motors to move the needles to a plurality of respective positions and thereby visually confirm calibration.
US08997543B2 Crimp die set
A die set for crimping operations includes first and second die members having raised areas including a plurality of knurls and character areas. The die set combining knurls and character areas on the operative areas of the die members allows a single die set to be used to condition a surface for crimping operations as well as crimping connectors and marking them with relevant indicia without having to change die sets.
US08997541B2 Method and device for stretch-flow forming
A method for stretch-flow forming, in which a tubular workpiece is arranged around a spinning mandrel, set into rotation and formed by advancing at least one forming roller. A wall thickness of the tubular workpiece is reduced and the tubular workpiece is lengthened, as spinning mandrel use is made of a universal spinning mandrel with different external diameters in the axial direction for producing cylindrical and/or conical and/or cambered hollow parts of different design. during forming the forming roller and the spinning mandrel are moved relatively in the axial direction with respect to the workpiece, and, for the purpose of designing varying diameters and/or wall thicknesses of the workpiece, the forming roller is moved relatively in the axial direction with respect to the spinning mandrel.
US08997540B2 Tail end ring control in a curved guide of a coiler
A method is described in which a length of hot rolled product is decelerated in the course of being passed through the rotating curved guide of a coiler. The product exits the coiler at a reduced velocity and is delivered to and progressively accumulated on a cylindrical drum as a helical formation of rings. The drum is rotated to continuously unwind the accumulating product at the reduced velocity. The tail end of the product is retained in the coiler until substantially all of the rings previously deposited on the drum have been unwound.
US08997537B2 Opening apparatus for a door that has an outer panel, a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle door with such an opening apparatus
A door (200) of a motor vehicle has an outer panel (100) and an opening apparatus. The opening apparatus has a door handle (30) and a door lock (20) with a lock barrel (10). The lock barrel (10) and the door handle (30) are arranged completely on the inner side of the outer panel (100) of the door (200).
US08997536B2 Lockout device
A lockout device for a handle assembly includes first and second lockout members each including an outward facing base wall and outward extending first and second projections. The first and second projections of the first base member are spaced apart to receive the handle therebetween, and the first and second projections of the second base member are spaced apart to receive the handle latch therebetween. The first and second lockout members are pivotable with respect to each other to a lockout position for engagement of the base walls of the first and second lockout members with facing surfaces of a handle and a handle latch of the handle assembly. When the first and second lockout members are secured between the handle and the handle latch in the lockout position, the first and second lockout members block movement of the handle latch to prevent rotational movement of the handle assembly.
US08997531B2 Expandable/collapsible enclosure for a clothes refresher
An expandable and collapsible enclosure is provided for a garment refreshing appliance. The appliance has at least either a top or a bottom rigid housing structure. The enclosure comprises a wall structure extending substantially an entire height of the enclosure. The wall structure is made of a flexible material. An opening is provided in the wall structure through which garments can be introduced into or removed from the enclosure. A zipper is attached at the opening to selectively open and close the opening. A snap attachment mechanism is located at either or both of the top and a bottom of the wall structure for securing the wall structure to the top and/or bottom rigid housing structures.
US08997529B1 Article of footwear including a monofilament knit element with peripheral knit portions
An article of footwear including a knitted component having a monofilament knit element with peripheral knit portions is described. The knitted component includes a monofilament knit element formed by knitting with a monofilament strand. The monofilament knit element is formed of unitary knit construction with the remaining portions of the knitted component, including peripheral portions that are knit using a natural or synthetic twisted fiber yarn. An inlaid tensile element can extend through the knitted component, including portions of the monofilament knit element. The monofilament knit element may be knitted with a monofilament strand according to a variety of knit structures.
US08997528B2 Method for producing synthetic quartz glass
A known method for producing synthetic quartz glass comprises the method steps of: forming a stream of a SiO2 feedstock material which contains octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) as the main component which has a reference molecular mass assigned to it, feeding the stream to a reaction zone in which the feedstock material is converted under formation of amorphous SiO2 particles by pyrolysis or hydrolysis into SiO2, depositing the amorphous SiO2 particles on a deposition surface while forming a porous SiO2 soot body, and vitrifying the SiO2 soot body while forming the synthetic quartz glass. Starting therefrom, to enable the production of large-volume cylindrical soot bodies with outer diameters of more than 300 mm of improved material homogeneity, it is suggested according to the invention that the feedstock material contains additional components in the form of further polyalkylsiloxanes, wherein light polyalkylsiloxanes with a relative molecular mass of less than the reference molecular mass are contained with a weight fraction of at least 50 ppm, and heavy polyalkylsiloxanes with a relative molecular mass of more than the reference molecular mass are contained with a weight fraction of at least 30 ppm.
US08997525B2 Systems and methods for making foamed glass using submerged combustion
Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce foamed glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having an outlet, the melter configured to produce an initial foamy molten glass having a density and comprising bubbles filled primarily with combustion product gases. The initial foamy molten glass is deposited directly onto or into a transport apparatus that transports the initial foamy molten glass to a downstream processing apparatus. An intermediate stage may be included between the melter and the transport apparatus. One intermediate stage is a channel that includes gas injectors. Another intermediate stage is a channel that produces an upper flow of a less dense glass and a relatively more dense glass lower flow. The upper flow may be processed into foamed glass products, while the more dense flow may be processed into dense glass products.
US08997524B2 Apparatus for manufacturing polysilicon based electron-beam melting using dummy bar and method of manufacturing polysilicon using the same
Methods and apparatus for manufacturing high purity polysilicon. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber; first and second electron guns disposed at an upper side of the vacuum chamber to irradiate electron beams into the vacuum chamber; a silicon melting unit which is placed on a first electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the first electron gun and to which powdery raw silicon is fed and melted by the first electron beam; and a unidirectional solidification unit placed on a second electron beam-irradiating region corresponding to the second electron gun. The unidirectional solidification unit is provided therein with a start block driven in a downward direction to transfer molten silicon in the downward direction and is formed at a lower side thereof with a cooling channel. The start block includes a dummy bar having a silicon button joined to an upper portion of the dummy bar.
US08997522B2 Glass container having a graphic data carrier
A method of making a glass container with an optically readable graphic data carrier. A glass container is exposed to electromagnetic radiation to produce discoloration within the glass of the container, and then focused beam energy is directed at the glass container in a pattern corresponding to a desired graphic data carrier to heat the glass and selectively remove the discoloration in the pattern corresponding to the desired graphic data carrier.
US08997521B2 Method and apparatus for supporting and heating glass sheets on a hot gas cushion
A method and apparatus for supporting and heating glass sheets for tempering or bending on a hot gas cushion. One edge of the glass is supported on transport rollers and the rotation axes of the rollers are transverse relative to the plane of the glass. The glass sheet is supported by means of gas pressure on a planar surface which has an angle of inclination of 2-20° relative to horizontal plane. The angle of inclination is sloping towards that edge of the glass which is supported by the transport rollers. Gas is expelled through the planar surface by way of gas outlet slots or holes. As the glass is moving, a gas is drawn or blown by fans from a certain part of the glass through the planar surface more than from the rest of the area by adjusting the rotating speed of the fans or by changing the suction pressure or delivery side pressure of the fans.
US08997520B2 Method and device for producing air gases in a gaseous and liquid form with a high flexibility and by cryogenic distillation
A method of producing at least one air gas using cryogenic distillation is provided. The expanded streams coming from the two turbines are combined and then split into two fractions. The first fraction is sent to the medium-pressure column of the system in gaseous form, whereas the second fraction is returned to the cold end of the heat exchange line. At a temperature T4 below −100° C. and above T2, the second fraction is sent to a turbine where it expands up to a temperature T5, forming an air stream. This air stream is then warmed in the heat exchange line before being discharged into the atmosphere, so that the distillation is not disturbed. A liquid product is withdrawn from the column system as final product. The sole liquid product from the apparatus is liquid oxygen, but of course other products may be produced.
US08997515B2 Auxiliary device intended for adding to an air conditioning device
An auxiliary device is tended and adapted to be accommodated in an air conduit forming part of an air conditioning device, to which air conduit first flow components, such as a fan, are connected for the purpose of bringing about a main airflow through the air conduit such that the whole main airflow flows through the auxiliary device. The auxiliary device has an arrangement of a number of air conditioning modules which in an active state of the relevant air conditioning module, each allow passage of a partial flow of the airflow and together allow passage of the whole main flow. Control components adjust each of the air conditioning modules between an active state, in which passage of the relevant partial flow is allowed, and a passive state in which a partial flow substantially amounts to zero or flows in opposite direction.
US08997514B2 Air-conditioning apparatus with a control unit operating as an evaporator
An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioning apparatus that can effectively utilize heat energy generated by a control unit. In an air-conditioning apparatus in which a main heat source unit having a main compressor, a main four-way switching valve, and a main heat-source-side water-cooling heat exchanger and a use side load device having a throttle device and a use side heat exchanger are connected by a pipeline so as to constitute a refrigerant circuit that performs cooling/heating by switching a circulation path of a refrigerant by the main four-way switching valve, a main control unit that controls operations of at least the main compressor and the main four-way switching valve is disposed in the refrigerant circuit as an evaporator that exchanges heat generated by the main control unit with the refrigerant.
US08997513B2 Fluid level measurement system and method
A method for measuring a fluid level in a tank containing a fluid for a transportable temperature controlled space. The method includes providing a temperature control system for the transportable temperature controlled space, providing a fluid level sensor for sensing a fluid level in the tank, generating fluid level signals with the fluid level sensor indicative of the fluid level in the tank, providing a fluid level algorithm for receiving the fluid level signals from the fluid level sensor and computing the fluid level in the tank, and inhibiting nondeterministic fluid level signals from being introduced to the fluid level algorithm.
US08997512B2 Fluid level measurement system and method
A transport refrigeration system for a transportable temperature controlled space includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator fluidly connected to one another, an engine operatively connected to the compressor, and a fuel tank assembly fluidly connected to the engine. The fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank configured to contain the fuel, a fuel vapor and air, and an ultrasonic fluid level sensor for sensing a level of fuel, the fuel tank having a maximum fuel level. The fluid level sensor includes a transducer having a ring period. The distance from the fluid level sensor to the maximum fuel level is at least half the distance that the sound travels through the fuel vapor and air during the ring period of the transducer.
US08997510B2 Solar powered compressor/pump combination
A solar powered compressor and pump is disclosed having a trough-shaped parabolic reflector for heating a conduit of refrigerant as it passes through the system. The compressor/pump combination includes a lens that covers the reflector and insulates and protects the reflector from the elements while increasing the intensity of the sun's energy entering the reflector. The reflector converts the sun's energy into heat that superheats the refrigerant as it passes through the reflector, reducing or eliminating the amount of mechanical work that the system has to do to achieve the needed superheating stage.
US08997509B1 Frequent short-cycle zero peak heat pump defroster
A heat pump system is configured to have a defrost cycle operable during a heating mode of operation. The system uses: larger than conventionally sized capillary tubes at the liquid refrigerant entry end of an exterior air-source heat exchanger; a special amount of additional refrigerant charge; a supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line extending from the compressor; a special valve in the new supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line; and another special valve controlling a restriction to the refrigerant flow in the common consolidated vapor refrigerant transport line exiting the exterior heat exchanger. A controller opens the valve in the new supplemental hot gas refrigerant transport line and to simultaneously engages, for a special period of time, the valve controlling the specially sized restriction to the refrigerant flow in the common consolidated vapor refrigerant transport line exiting the exterior heat exchanger at periodic intervals during potential frost conditions. Additionally, the exterior heat exchanger fan is disabled during a part of the defrost cycle.
US08997507B2 Low energy evaporator defrost
A refrigerator is provided that includes a low energy defrost system and method for melting frost formed on an evaporator of a cooling system for the refrigerator. The low energy defrost system includes using air from the refrigerator compartment or external air adjacent the refrigerator to be directed to the evaporator and passed adjacent the evaporator coils to melt any frost formed thereon. As the air is above freezing temperature, it will melt any frost formed on the coils without the need of use an electrical heater. Re-cooled air from the melted frost may then be directed back into the refrigerator compartment to be used to aid in cooling the refrigerator compartment or keeping the refrigerator compartment at the programmed or predetermined temperature.
US08997503B2 Vehicle air-conditioning system and operation control method therefor
A vehicle air-conditioning system includes an HVAC unit that blows air whose temperature is adjusted by a refrigerant evaporator and a second refrigerant condenser. The system includes a heat pump cycle in which a refrigerant compressor, a refrigerant circuit changeover section, a first refrigerant condenser, a first expansion valve, and the refrigerant evaporator are sequentially connected. The system includes a second expansion valve and a refrigerant heat exchanger connected in parallel with the first expansion valve and the refrigerant evaporator. The second refrigerant condenser is connected in parallel with the first refrigerant condenser. The system includes a coolant cycle in which a coolant circulating pump, a ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, a motor/battery, an electric heater, and the refrigerant heat exchanger are sequentially connected, and the ventilation-exhaust-heat recovery unit, motor/battery, and electric heater can be selectively used as a heat source.
US08997499B2 Load rejection and recovery using a secondary fuel nozzle
A system and way for controlling a gas turbine engine in the event of a partial or full load rejection from a generator is disclosed. Upon detection of a partial or full load rejection, the fuel flow of the combustor is directed to a secondary circuit of a secondary fuel nozzle to maintain a flame in a downstream chamber of the combustor. By maintaining the flame in the downstream chamber while the engine speed is controlled, the recovery process to a load condition avoids use of spark ignition system and flame detectors in the upstream chamber.
US08997494B2 Gas turbine engine fan blade airfoil profile
A fan blade for a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil that includes leading and trailing edges joined by pressure and suction sides to provide an exterior airfoil surface that extends in a radial direction to a tip. The external airfoil surface is formed in substantial conformance with multiple cross-sectional profiles of the airfoil described by a set of Cartesian coordinates set forth in Table 1. The Cartesian coordinates are provided by an axial coordinate scaled by a local axial chord. A circumferential coordinate is scaled by the local axial chord, and a span location. The local axial chord corresponds to a width of the airfoil between the leading and trailing edges at the span location.
US08997490B2 Heat utilization in ORC systems
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for the improved use of waste heat recovery systems which utilize the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) to generate mechanical and/or electric power from waste heat of large industrial machines (prime movers) generating power from biofuel such as biogas produced during the anaerobic digestion process. Waste heat energy obtained from prime mover(s) is provided to one or more ORC system(s) which are operatively coupled to separate electrical generator(s). The ORC system includes a heat coupling subsystem which provides the requisite condensation of ORC working fluid by transferring heat from ORC working fluid to another process or system, such as anaerobic digester tank(s), to provide heat energy that enhances the production of fuel for the prime mover(s) without requiring the consumption of additional energy for that purpose.
US08997488B2 Turbocharged reciprocating piston engine having a connected pressure tank for bridging turbo lag, and method for operating said engine
The present invention relates to a turbocharged reciprocating piston engine, and to a method for operating said engine. The combustion chamber includes at least one inlet valve (10), one outlet valve (13) and at least one additional charging valve (11), for the additional feed of compressed air to bridge the turbo lag, that are each operatively connected to the crankshaft via a camshaft and the operative connection of the charging valves to the crankshaft can be deactivated, with the result that the at least one charging valve (11) remains closed. An approximately stoichiometric combustion mixture is achieved by a turbocharger (4) and a throttle valve (8). By displacement of the opening instant of the charging valves (11), air can be pumped from the cylindrical combustion chambers into the compressed air tank (14). An additional compressor (24) can likewise deliver air into the compressed air tank (14).
US08997486B2 Compressor wheel
A compressor wheel for use with turbochargers or superchargers for forced air induction of internal combustion engines includes a base having a hub portion, and a plurality of blades extending from the base, each blade having a length defined by the distance between opposite axial extremities of the blade, the plurality of blades including at least three different types of blades, each having a substantially different length.
US08997484B2 Boost reservoir control
Methods and systems are provided for reducing turbo lag in a boosted engine. A boost reservoir coupled to the engine may be charged with compressed intake air and/or combusted exhaust gas. The pressurized charge may then be discharged during a tip-in to either the intake or the exhaust manifold.
US08997483B2 Engine thermal management system and method for split cooling and integrated exhaust manifold applications
A thermal management system and method for split cooling and integrated exhaust manifold applications in an automotive engine is provided. The thermal management system includes a cooling circuit that directs coolant through a plurality of components to warm the engine and passenger compartment efficiently, as well as remove excess heat from the engine and promote a constant operating temperature during vehicle operation. The cooling circuit directs liquid coolant, propelled by a coolant pump, through at least one of an engine block cooling jacket, an engine head cooling jacket, and an integrated exhaust manifold (IEM) cooling jacket, along a variety of cooling paths. The cooling circuit also incorporates a plurality of flow control valves to selectively distribute flow of the liquid coolant between a radiator, an engine heater core, and a return path to the coolant pump.
US08997479B2 Hydraulic control system having energy recovery
A hydraulic control system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic control system may have a pump, a tank, and an actuator. The hydraulic control system may also have at least a first valve configured to control fluid flow between the pump, the tank, a first chamber of the actuator, and a second chamber of the actuator; a second valve fluidly disposed between the second chamber and the tank; and a third valve fluidly disposed between the first and second chambers. The hydraulic control system may further have a controller configured to selectively cause the second valve to block fluid flow from the second chamber of the actuator to the tank, and to selectively cause the third valve to fluidly communicate the first and second chambers of the actuator when the second valve blocks fluid flow from the second chamber of the actuator to the tank.
US08997475B2 Compressor and expander device with pressure vessel divider baffle and piston
An apparatus can include a pressure vessel that defines an interior region that can contain a liquid and/or a gas. A piston is movably disposed within the interior region of the pressure vessel. A divider is fixedly disposed within the interior region of the pressure vessel and divides the interior region into a first interior region on a first side of the divider and a second interior region on a second, opposite side of the divider. The piston is movable between a first position in which fluid having a first pressure is disposed within the first interior region and the first interior region has a volume less than a volume of the second interior region, and a second position in which fluid having a second pressure is disposed within the second interior region and the second interior region has a volume less than a volume of the first interior region.
US08997473B2 Electro-hydraulic actuator
An electro-hydraulic actuator (EHA) includes a hydraulic circuit having a plurality of pressure compensated flow control valves for limiting the maximum flow rate through the fluid conduits regardless of the loads imparted on the actuator. In one embodiment of the EHA, a plurality of combination manual override/thermal expansion valves that simplify the manufacture of the EHA.
US08997472B2 Abnormality detecting device for construction machine
Provided is an abnormality detecting device for a construction machine that can estimate an abnormality occurring to a component (engine, pump, etc.) of the construction machine based on the relationship among a plurality of pieces of sensor information and thereby prevent machine failure. A correlation coefficient calculation unit 102 calculates correlation coefficients between time-series sensor values acquired by a plurality of sensors 101. A correlation coefficient comparison unit 103 compares the correlation coefficients and calculates the degree of difference between each correlation coefficient and other correlation coefficients. An abnormality judgment unit 104 judges that an abnormality has occurred to a part related to a sensor when the degree of difference calculated in regard to the sensor exceeds a preset value.
US08997469B2 Engine with exhaust treatment device and attachment method for exhaust treatment device
An engine with an exhaust treatment device (2) wherein a rotation moment of a side support stay (12) is generated by a load of a side portion (50) received by side support stay fastening tool (13) via an edge portion (21) of a cutout groove (20). As a result, a load of the side portion (50) of the exhaust treatment device (2) can be supported by the side support stay (12). A one-side temporary mount portions (22) is provided in a one-side support stay (10). The one-side support stay (10) can be temporarily mounted on the one-side temporary mount portions (22).
US08997467B2 System and method for post-shutdown temperature management and purge
A machine includes an engine having a coolant system, an electrical system, and an exhaust system. A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) injector provides DEF into the exhaust system. The DEF injector includes a housing that forms a coolant passage therethrough. The coolant passage is adapted to accommodate a flow of coolant through the coolant passage for cooling the DEF injector. A DEF pump is arranged to provide DEF to the DEF injector from a reservoir during operation of the engine. A power management module is associated with the electrical system, the DEF injector and the DEF pump. An auxiliary power unit is associated with the power management module and is configured to remain active after the engine electrical system has been deactivated. The power management module is configured to cause a purge of the DEF from the DEF injector when the engine is shut down.
US08997466B2 Mixing and/or evaporating device
A mixing and/or evaporating device (12) for an exhaust system (5) of a combustion engine (1), in particular of a motor vehicle, includes a support body (19), which encloses a flat cross section through which a flow can flow running transversely to the axial direction (20) of the device (12) in the circumferential direction (32). The support body (19) comprises two long side walls (21, 22) located opposite each other and two short side walls (23, 24) located opposite each other, wherein the short side walls (23, 24) each connect the two long side walls (21, 22) with each other. At least on one long side wall (21, 22) at least on one axial end (26, 27), a plurality of guide blades (25) is arranged. The guide blades (25) stand away in a direction of the other long side wall (21, 22) and are angled relative to the axial direction (20).
US08997464B2 Waste heat recovery system with integrated hydrocarbon adsorber, and method thereof
A waste heat recovery system with an integrated hydrocarbon adsorber for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine that generates exhaust gas containing hydrocarbons, and a catalytic converter, includes an exhaust gas conduit, an exhaust gas heat exchanger, a heat exchanger bypass valve, a coolant circuit with a coolant bypass and a coolant bypass valve, and a controller. The exhaust gas heat exchanger includes at least one channel through which the exhaust gas is flowable, the channel having an interior surface coated with a hydrocarbon adsorbing material configured to adsorb hydrocarbons. The heat exchanger and coolant bypass valves are configured to selectively direct at least a portion of the exhaust gas and the coolant, respectively, to the exhaust gas heat exchanger or to bypass it. They are controlled by the controller such that the hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas are selectively adsorbable by and desorbable from the coating.
US08997463B2 Reductant delivery unit for automotive selective catalytic reduction with reducing agent heating
A reductant delivery unit for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) after-treatment for vehicles includes a solenoid operated fluid injector associated with an exhaust gas flow path upstream of a SCR catalytic converter. The fluid injector has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet receiving a source of reducing agent and the fluid outlet communicating with the exhaust gas flow path so that the fluid injector controls injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. The fluid injector has an inlet tube for directing the reducing agent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A shield is fixed with respect to the fluid injector and surrounds at least portions of the fluid injector. A coil heater is integral with the fluid injector and is constructed and arranged, when energized, to inductively heat the inlet tube to thereby heat the reducing agent within the inlet tube.
US08997459B2 NOx emission reduction system and method
A method and system to reduce NOx emissions from an engine connected to a fuel tank and an exhaust line, the apparatus including, a reformer to reform the fuel into hydrogen (H2); a fuel cell stack to convert the hydrogen into electricity; a reduction unit disposed on the exhaust line to convert the NOx into N2; a first bypass line to provide a fluid communication between the first fuel tank and the fuel reformer; a second bypass line to provide a fluid communication between the fuel reformer and the fuel cell stack; a first reformate line to provide a fluid communication between the second bypass line and the exhaust line. The hydrogen is mixed with the NOx in the exhaust line, and then the reduction unit uses the hydrogen to convert the NOx into nitrogen (N2).
US08997456B2 Compression ignition engine with low load rapid warm up strategy
An electronically controlled compression ignition engine includes an electronic engine controller in control communication with fuel injectors, a high pressure exhaust recirculation system and a variable geometry turbocharger. The controller is configured to execute a low load rapid warm up algorithm that generates control signals to reduce turbine efficiency, set an air fuel ratio in a predetermined range, set the exhaust gas recirculation in a predetermine range and supply fuel in a split injection in each engine cycle that includes a main injection initiated before top dead center and a post injection initiated after top dead center. These settings allow for rapid warm up to the aftertreatment inlet in excess of 300° C.
US08997450B2 Filter cartridge assembly for use with turbine engine systems
A filter cartridge assembly includes a first filter including a first cavity defined therein and a second filter coupled to the first filter. The second filter includes a second cavity defined therein in flow communication with first cavity. The filter cartridge assembly also includes at least one pre-filter extending about the first filter and the second filter such that a third cavity is defined between the at least one pre-filter and at least one of the first filter and the second filter.
US08997449B2 Flow restrictor for lubrication line
A flow restrictor is provided for a lubrication circulation system. The flow restrictor comprises a body configured to obstruct a flow of lubricant within the lubricant circulation system. The body has one or more through holes communicating with upstream and downstream portions of the lubrication circulation system. Each of the one or more holes has a cross-sectional area sufficiently small, and a length sufficiently long, to prevent turbulent lubricant flow therethrough at temperatures below a first predetermined reference temperature. The one or more holes have sufficient aggregate cross-sectional area to allow a desired lubricant flow rate through the body at temperatures at or above a second predetermined reference temperature.
US08997448B2 Supporting and guiding device for power lines for excavation devices
A supporting and guiding device for power lines 2 is intended for use in association with an excavation tool 15 mounted on a drilling machine 1. The device is formed by at least one supporting branch 4, having spacer elements 3, wherein a cable 16 is inserted into at least one housing in said spacer 3, and at least one supply hose 22 for the at least one line 2. The supply hose 22 contains hydraulic hoses and/or electric cables for signal transmission. The device includes transversal connection elements or cross members 42 which are adapted to support supply hoses 22 and are connected to the branch 4. Cable 16 of branch 4 runs through each spacer 3; also, the same cable 16 is subject to a preload generated by the insertion of at least one tensioning element.
US08997444B2 Seat support device for a riding animal or a pack animal
A seat support device for a riding animal or a pack animal, a saddle tree, and a saddle with such a saddle tree. The seat support device comprises a right multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section and a left multi-linked lug arrangement with a first link section and at least a second link section. A pivoting device with a pivot axis is each formed case between two adjacent link sections, so that two adjacent link sections are pivotable towards one other around a pivot axis substantially within a pivot plane which penetrates the pivot axis substantially perpendicular.
US08997441B2 Medicine packaging apparatus and method of packaging medicine
There is provided a medicine packaging method, which is capable of rapidly coping with errors occurring during processes. The medicine packaging method includes the following steps: a medicine supplying step for supplying a relevant medicine according to a prescription data; a medicine standby step for allowing the supplied medicine to temporarily stand by; a medicine detecting step for detecting the standing by medicine; a printing step for printing a packaging paper when the medicine based on the prescription data is detected; a conveying step for conveying the packaging paper; and a packaging step for supplying the temporarily standing by medicine to a printed portion of the packaging paper and packaging the medicine. The steps are performed in sequence.
US08997434B1 Method of installing a flooring system utilizing gypsum underlayments
A method of installing a flooring system including pouring a gypsum underlayment on a substrate, allowing the underlayment to set, but not dry. A water-borne epoxy sealer is provided and applied to the wet, but set, underlayment.
US08997427B2 System, method and apparatus for increasing average reflectance of a roofing product for sloped roof
A roofing product includes coating a substrate with bitumen to yield a bitumen coated substrate having an exposure zone. First granules are adhered to the exposure zone to yield a first granule coating. The first granules have a solar reflectance greater than 35. An adhesive is adhered to at least a portion of the first granule coating. An open portion of the first granule coating that is free of the adhesive is maintained. An overlay of non-white second granules is adhered to the adhesive, such that the overlay of second granules and the adhesive provide a raised structure above a plane of the first granule coating.
US08997426B1 Ceiling panel clip
A ceiling panel clip to engage the grid structure of a drop ceiling and thereby hold panels of a drop ceiling in place.
US08997425B2 Wall panel system and method
A wall panel system and method is disclosed. The wall panel system for covering an unfinished wall including one or more studs, includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and a first stud cover. The first sheet has a length, a width, a first edge, and a second edge. The second sheet is attached perpendicular to the first sheet at the second edge. The first stud cover is attached perpendicular to the first sheet at the first edge and the first stud cover includes a base with a first side and a second side, a first leg attached perpendicular to the base at the first side, and a second leg attached perpendicular to the base at the second side and wherein the first leg and second leg are parallel. Additional wall panel systems are also disclosed. In addition, storage units may be secured to the stud covers and the underlying studs.
US08997424B1 Structural wall panel for use in light-frame construction and method of construction employing structural wall panels
A structural wall panel includes an elongated shared structural framing member and one or more elongated intermediate structural framing members. An elongated top track is connected to a top end of each of the framing members. An inner sheet of suitable sheet material is secured to the framing members so as to form an inner face of the structural wall panel, while an outer sheet of suitable sheet material is secured to the framing members so as to form an outer face of the structural wall panel opposite the inner face. The elongated top track and inner and outer sheets are aligned on the framing members so as to form a male receiver at one lateral side of the panel and a female receiving structure along the opposite lateral side of the panel.
US08997423B2 Panel veneer system with cage-type embedded rail
Provided are stone-like or brick-like veneer systems for covering walls. Specifically provided in embodiments are facade panels comprising: (i) a molded brick-like or stone-like panel; and (ii) a suspension rail partially embedded in the panel comprising: a first four-sided frame with horizontally and vertically disposed sides; one or more cross bar joining two or more sides of the first frame; a plurality of posts extending perpendicularly from the first frame or cross bars; a second four-sided frame in communication with the plurality of posts; a tab in communication with the frame for connecting the suspension rail to a surface.
US08997420B2 Reinforced insulated forms for constructing concrete walls and floors
A panel for a building form made of insulating material such as polystyrene is integrated with a reinforcing member for enabling the panel to resist deformation due to forces applied against its concrete-facing surface. Reinforcement of floor/roof panels is beneficial to reduce the amount of, or eliminate the need for, shoring for supporting the weight of wet concrete or workers. The reinforcement resists against deformation due to cracking, splitting etc. Reinforcement is likewise beneficial for wall forms where the weight of concrete asserts significant pressure against the concrete-facing surface of the form, in order to resist deformation of the wall forms under pressure. The reinforcing member may be made of a plastic material such as polypropylene or high-impact polystyrene. Methods of manufacturing reinforced form panels are disclosed.
US08997417B2 Door made of polyurethane and method for manufacturing the same
A door made of polyurethane, including a door body, the door body including a plurality of integrated plates stacked on one another for supporting. A method for preparing the door includes providing a mold, and spraying a parting agent inside the mold; heating the mold to a temperature of 30-70° C., spraying the parting agent, and placing a plurality of plates or a metal skeleton in the mold; mixing raw materials to obtain a mixture; injecting the mixture into the mold to cover the stacked plates, and curing for 30-90 min; demolding, transferring a product from the mold to a thermostatic chamber for shaping at a constant temperature; trimming uneven edges and surfaces of the product; and spraying a paint on the product.
US08997411B2 Safe room system for folding attic stair assembly
A system and method for establishing a safe room environment within an attic space utilizing a typical folding attic stair and door assembly. The system includes components that retrofit to an existing folding attic stair in a manner that allows the user to draw the attic stair up behind them and to secure the attic door panel closed and locked while the user is within the attic space. The components include a retractable lift cord attached to a middle section of the attic stair, and a lift rod attached to the attic door. Brackets and frames positioned on the attic door and door frame allow the user to pull up to fold and raise the stair into the attic space. A lock may then secure the attic stair closed preventing access from below. Methods for installing the system and using the system are provided.
US08997410B1 Seam stabilizer for standing seam panels
A seam stabilizer for maintaining standing seam roof panels on module during installation, the seam stabilizer having profile members that provide pressing force on the standing seam for maintaining and aligning the horizontal and vertical shape of the standing seam formed at interconnected upstanding corrugations along the length of adjacent panels; a pressing mechanism moves the profile members into pressing engagement with the standing seam during installation. Further, a module set gauge extends between the profile members to fit over the opposing upstanding edge of the adjacent panel and secure same on module as the edge is secured to the underlying support members.
US08997409B1 Coupling device for forming a protective building system
A modular building removable coupling device for forming an explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant facility. The coupling device can include two hollow square or rectangular tubings having hollow top sides, a sealing means disposed between the tubings, a fastener connecting the tubings, a roof plate secured to each tubing, and a roof cap disposed over the roof plates. The coupling device can include sealing tubes secured to inner sides of the roof cap. A plurality of explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant modules can be connected with a plurality of modular building removable coupling devices to form an explosion resistant, forced entry resistant, and/or ballistic resistant facility.
US08997408B2 Roof provided with an anchor system
Aspects of the invention relate to a roof comprising at least an inclined surface and a rim marking a transition to another surface extending horizontally or at a different inclination, the inclined surface and the rim being covered by roof elements. The roof further comprising at least one anchor for attaching an anchor rope to. The anchor is secured to the roof beneath the roof element or elements covering the rim and the roof elements covering the rim are spaced apart from the roof elements covering the inclined surface so as to allow access to the anchor from outside the roof.
US08997406B2 Modular living unit
An unfoldable modular living unit includes one or more folding modules having a bottom, pitched roof elements forming the roof and the side walls, and two opposing facades, front and back. Each one of the modules includes a folding and collapsible structure having two adjacent rigid sides or walls hinged to each other through a hinge or a fixed knot, a third foldable side or wall hinged to the first two rigid sides or walls, and at least one intermediate plane hinged to one of the pitched roof elements and suited to be constrained to the other pitched roof element.
US08997404B1 Hide-away closet door hardware
A closet door support mechanism that provides rotation and translation of a door used to close the entry to a room such as a closet is disclosed. An example of the mechanism includes a first track that is generally straight and is connected to a first track retraction section by a curved section. The track sections are mounted a distance from the floor, and allow movement of a closet door through translation and rotation to close the entry of the closet.
US08997403B1 Covered rain gutter assembly
A rain gutter assembly including an overlying cover. A gutter trough is in the form of a channel having an upwardly-facing opening. The cover overlies the channel opening and includes a front edge that is spaced from the front edge of the gutter channel to define a gap therebetween to allow roof runoff to flow around the convex front edge of the cover and into the channel. A series of longitudinally-spaced support brackets are positioned within the gutter channel and support the gutter trough and the cover to provide a rigid gutter assembly. An end cap is provided at each longitudinal end of the gutter channel and overlies both the gutter channel cross section and the space between the gutter channel cross section and the cover, to prevent entry of leaves, twigs, and debris into the channel through the ends of the gutter trough.
US08997400B2 Low profile latch and closing panel for pet door
The present invention provides improved pet doors, systems and related methods that may be used or installed on the fixed panel of a new or existing sliding door, such as a patio door, without interfering with the sliding movement of the companion door by providing a low profile closing panel and latch.
US08997399B2 Vegetative roofing systems
Vegetative systems are described. In one embodiment, a vegetative system has substantially distinct or separate zones or layers in which each zone or layer performs primarily one of the functions of water retention, a growth medium for vegetation, and weed suppression. An upper may comprise coarse aggregate and serve the primary function of weed suppression; a middle layer may comprise a mixture of coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and fine organic material and serve primarily as a growth medium for vegetation; and a lower layer may comprise high-density hygroscopic material and serve the primary function of water retention.
US08997394B2 Waterfowl decoy with lifelike feeding movement
A motorized decoy provides lifelike feeding motion by rotating a weighted head through a full 360 degrees. As the head passes the upper apex of rotation, a drive cam located on the drive shaft disengages from a cam located on the decoy head, thereby allowing the head to accelerate and plunge quickly into the water. This action simultaneously causes the rear of the decoy to rotate to a vertical orientation. The head pauses under water until the drive cam re-engages the head cam at the bottom point of the rotation and continues to rotate the head through a channel in the body. This redistribution of weight causes the body to return to a horizontal position. The head rotation continues to the apex and the cycle repeats. This motion also disturbs the surface of the water surrounding the decoy, which can impart motion to adjacent static waterfowl decoys.
US08997393B2 Aiming sight with a multi-focal collimator
An aiming sight for a firearm. The aiming sight includes: a mounting unit; a light gathering fiber; and a parallax multi-focal lens. When aimed at a target, the aiming sight displays to the shooter a complex light signal having a central dot and a peripheral corona around the dot.
US08997386B2 Backpack-type large-scale promotional mannequin
The present invention relates to a mannequin, and, more specifically, relates to a large-scale promotional mannequin capable of being manipulated while moving carried on a person's shoulders like a backpack at, for example, various venues or on the streets for the purpose of advertising or promotion. The backpack-type large-scale promotional mannequin according to the present design comprises: a main mannequin body fitted with a blower operated by means of a battery on one side such that air can be injected therein in tube fashion; a support for supporting the main mannequin body from the bottom so as to allow same to be upright; and a backpack means for strapping, onto the shoulders, the main mannequin body supported upright by means of the support.
US08997385B1 Rotatable fountain display device
A rotatable fountain display device rotatably displays an indicia, such as advertisement over a fountain. The device comprises a plurality of spheres immediately adjacent and sequentially connected to each other to rotatably display an indicia, such as an advertisement. The device works in conjunction with a fluid source, such as a fountain, to receive a fluid carrying a fluid pressure. A lower sphere contains a rotation mechanism that harnesses the fluid pressure from the fluid source to generate rotational energy on the lower sphere, which then rotates sequentially connected middle and upper spheres. A central channel runs through the spheres. A nylon elastic member and a rubber band interconnect the spheres and enables multidirectional movement by the spheres. A guide wire passes through the spheres to help counterbalance the movement. An annular bearing apparatus restricts rotation of the central channel and reduces friction during rotation of the rotation mechanism.
US08997381B2 Interchangeable cleat system for footwear
An interchangeable cleat system for an article of footwear includes an outer sole member with a plurality of fixed cleat members and a plurality of removable cleat members. The spacing between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant in at least one portion of the article of footwear. The differences in height between the removable cleat members and the fixed cleat members may be approximately constant within a portion of the outer sole member. The cleat system can include at least three sets of cleat members that can be interchanged over different portions of the outer sole member.
US08997372B2 Forced convection hanging clothes dryer
A clothes dryer has a cabinet forming a drying chamber and a drying rack slidably mounted to the cabinet and movable between a retracted position where the drying rack is within the drying chamber and an extended position where the drying rack is exteriorly of the cabinet. A removable dividing panel is retained by the drying rack and divides the drying chamber into two horizontal and vertically extending drying chambers. A control system associated with the dryer has selectable modes to operate the divided drying chambers independently or concurrently as a single large drying chamber. A recycle system associated with the dryer permits recycling of heat air to increase drying efficiency.
US08997370B2 Centrifugal dryer with replaceable blades and self-cleaning rotor seal and centrifugal dewatering tower
A centrifugal pellet dryer with a self-cleaning rotor seal, replaceable wear plates, and a fluid powered dewatering tower is presented. The self-cleaning rotor seal includes a plurality of grooves that are structured to eject pellet debris that migrates into between the seal and the housing for the rotor. The replaceable wear plates are secured to the rotor at locations such that they contact pellets that are entering the rotor housing. The dewatering tower includes a helical augur that dewaters a pellet slurry and delivers partially dried pellets to the rotor housing.
US08997368B2 Length measuring device
A length measuring device for measuring a position in a measuring direction of a first object and a second object displaceable relative to one another. The device includes a hollow profile, a scale and a fastening element. The fastening element includes a first portion designed to fix the scale in stationary fashion in a measuring direction and to fix the first portion in stationary fashion in the measuring direction on the first object to be measured. The fastening element also includes a second portion with which the fastening element is fastened on the hollow profile. The length measuring device further includes a length compensation element provided between the first portion and the second portion of the fastening element, wherein the length compensation element is embodied for enabling motion of the first portion relative to the second portion in the measuring direction.
US08997358B2 Box cutter with retractable blade
A box cutter includes a housing with a blade slide slidably received therein. A pivotal member is pivotably connected to of the blade slide. An inclined face is defined in one of surfaces of the pivotal member and is gradually raised. The inclined face is connected to a pressing area which has two respective rounded guide portions. A spring is connected between the pivotal member and the housing to maintain the blade slide at the initial position. A button is slidably connected to outside of the cover and a spring is connected between the button and the cover. The button is moved to move the blade slide from the initial position thereof to an extended position. When the blade is cutting a workpiece, the blade is tilt and the pivotal member is pivoted by the cover so that blade slide is retracted into the housing.
US08997355B2 Toothed part manufacturing method, toothed part manufacturing device, and toothed part
A method for manufacturing a toothed part from a cylindrical blank using a forming die. When forming a toothed portion on a radially outer section of the blank by applying a load in the axial direction of the blank to a radially center section of the blank while constraining a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the blank such that a constituent material of the blank flows radially outward, the constituent material of the blank at an intermediate section between the center section and the outer section flows in the axial direction toward a depressed portion of the forming die to form a projection portion. When the load is at maximum, a space is provided between the toothed portion and the forming die, and a space is provided between the projection portion and the forming die.
US08997354B2 Manufacturing method for toothed member, manufacturing device for toothed member, and toothed member
A manufacturing method for a toothed member includes a thickened tooth shaping process in which a toothed shape is formed on a side wall portion while making a thickness of the side wall portion larger than a thickness of a bottom surface portion by relatively moving the compression die with respect to the restraint die and the pressure receiving member in the axial direction from the side of the opening end of the cup-shaped raw material toward the bottom surface portion. The manufacturing method being such that the thickened tooth shaping process includes applying a load against the restraint die such that the restraint die restrains the first surface and the second surface.
US08997352B2 Method for manufacturing exhaust gas ducting device
A method for manufacturing exhaust gas ducting devices provides each device with an outer housing having an insert clamped therein, wherein the insert comprises a substrate traversed by exhaust gas, and an elastic compensating element surrounding the substrate. The method includes spreading each individual compensating element on a base and deforming the compensating element substantially vertical to the base by exerting a pressure such that the entire compensating element is subjected to a full-surface load. Then a setpoint deformation of the compensating element is determined, which is necessary to achieve a specified setpoint pressure. The method further includes determining at least one parameter of the substrate individually, placing the compensating element around the substrate, and mounting the insert thus obtained in an outer housing having inside dimensions that correspond to outside dimensions of the insert with the determined setpoint deformation.
US08997351B2 Non-metallic cover for a fixture
An assembly used in performing a manufacturing process on a turbine engine component includes a turbine engine component and a fixture including an opening shaped to receive a portion of the turbine engine component. The assembly includes a non-metallic cover placed over at least a portion of an external surface of the fixture. The non-metallic cover is visible when positioned over the at least a portion of the external surface of the fixture and is visible when the turbine engine component is received in the fixture opening of the fixture.
US08997348B2 Dry running flexible impeller pump and method of manufacture
This invention relates to a Dry Running Flexible Impeller Pump and Method of Manufacture designed to provide a flexible impeller pump capable of being run dry for extended periods of time without damage. The pump's components are comprised of low friction materials limiting the heat of friction created by the impeller in use. The impeller is cast of pre-molding silicone substrate containing a quantity of mold release that will not prevent the deposition of a low friction compound coating on the surface of the impeller in a mold that is treated with a low friction industrial coating. Once the impeller is removed from the mold it is solvent cleaned, vacuum baked at a temperature high enough to drive off residual traces of mold release or compounds used to maintain the silicone substrate in suspension, and then coated with a polymer of Poly Para Xylylene by vacuum deposition.
US08997345B2 EMI-preventing socket and manufacturing method thereof
A manufacturing method for an EMI-preventing socket comprises the following steps of providing an EMI-preventing element and a plurality of pins, wherein at least one of the pins is a ground pin; connecting the EMI-preventing element to the ground pin via a direct physical connection; providing a mold; placing the EMI-preventing element, the ground pin and the remaining pins of the plurality of pins in the mold, wherein the EMI-preventing element surrounds the pins in the mold; and providing a molding material into the mold to cover the plurality of pins and to cover a joint of the EMI-preventing element and the ground pin to form a socket body of the EMI-preventing socket. Parts of the EMI-preventing element and one end of each of the plurality of pins is exposed out of the socket body of the EMI-preventing socket.
US08997344B2 Method for manufacturing interposer
A method for manufacturing an interposer including forming a first insulating layer comprising an inorganic material on a supporting substrate, forming a first wire in the first insulating layer, forming a second insulating layer on a first side of the first insulating layer, forming a second wire with a longer wire length and a greater thickness than the first wire on the second insulating layer, and removing the supporting substrate.
US08997342B2 Method of fabrication, a multilayer electronic structure and structures in accordance with the method
A method of fabricating a multilayer electronic support structure comprising electroplating copper substructures, laying a dielectric pre-preg comprising a polymer resin over the copper substructures, and pressing to pressures of 200 to 600 PSI against a release film having a higher hardness than the resin of the prepreg but a lower hardness than the cured resin, and heating through a curing cycle while maintaining pressure.
US08997340B2 Method of manufacturing and insulating sheet
A method of manufacturing an insulating sheet, the method including providing a reinforcement material having a thermoplastic resin layer stacked thereon; stacking the thermoplastic resin layer stacked on the reinforcement material over a core substrate; and hot pressing the reinforcement material and the thermoplastic resin layer onto the core substrate.
US08997339B2 Method for fabricating thin touch sensor panels
A method for fabricating thin DITO or SITO touch sensor panels with a thickness less than a minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. In one embodiment, a sandwich of two thin glass sheets is formed such that the combined thickness of the glass sheets does not drop below the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment when thin film process is performed on the surfaces of the sandwich during fabrication. The sandwich may eventually be separated to form two thin SITO/DITO panels. In another embodiment, the fabrication process involves laminating two patterned thick substrates, each having at least the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. One or both of the sides of the laminated substrates are then thinned so that when the substrates are separated, each is a thin DITO/SITO panel having a thickness less than the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment.
US08997335B2 Method of manufacturing a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording
A method of manufacturing a magnetic head includes the steps of: forming a pole-layer-encasing layer having a pole-layer-encasing section; and forming a pole layer in the pole-layer-encasing section. The pole layer includes a first layer, and a second layer formed thereon. The step of forming the pole layer includes the steps of: forming an initial first layer by physical vapor deposition; etching the surface of the initial first layer by dry etching so that the initial first layer becomes the first layer; and forming the second layer on the first layer.
US08997334B2 Auxiliary tool for assembling voice coil motor
An auxiliary tool for assembling a number of voice coil motors includes a number of trays, a rod member, and two limiting members. Each tray defines a through hole. The rod member passes through the through holes of the trays. The two limiting members are sleeved over the rod member at two ends of the rod member, the trays being between the two limiting members, each two neighboring trays being configured for clamping a respective one of the voice coil motors.
US08997328B2 Method in which a line connector by a fastening device is fastened to a line for liquid and/or gaseous media
The invention relates to a method, wherein a line connector (1), in particular a plug connector, by a fastening device (2) is fastened to a line (3) for liquid and/or gaseous media, wherein during or after the fastening of the line connector (1) to the line (3), a blocking body (4) already present on the line connector (1) and/or on the line (3) is removed from the line connector (1) and/or from the line (3) by means of the fastening device (2), wherein the blocking body (4) prevents a mating connector (5) from being connected to the line connector (1) as long as the blocking body is present on the line connector (1) and/or on the line (3).
US08997326B2 Process for manufacturing a laminated glazing unit and laminated glazing unit
According to this process for manufacturing a laminated glazing unit so that it withstands predetermined stresses, a reference laminated glazing unit is identified that withstands the predetermined stresses and that comprises at least one substrate and one interlayer having the same chemical compositions as those of the laminated glazing unit to be manufactured; the tear strength (Jc-ref) of the interlayer of the reference laminated glazing unit, and also the interlayer thickness (ei-ref) and the substrate thickness (eg-ref) of the reference laminated glazing unit are then determined; then, using a graph (C4) representative of the minimum interlayer tear strength (Jc-min) required so that any laminated glazing unit, comprising at least one substrate and one interlayer having the same chemical compositions as those of the laminated glazing unit to be manufactured, withstands the predetermined stresses, as a function of the interlayer thickness (ei) and/or of the substrate thickness (eg), a combination of optimum values (ei-opt, eg-opt) of the interlayer thickness and of the substrate thickness is deduced; the laminated glazing unit is then sized with an interlayer thickness (ei-dim) and a substrate thickness (eg-dim) that are greater than or equal to the optimum values (ei-opt, eg-opt).
US08997317B2 Connector for fall protection
In the case of a fall protection connector for connecting a strap to a load-fastening point for a person to be protected against falling, wherein the fall protection connector has a tubular band, at the ends of which respective connecting elements are arranged, wherein a length-variable element is arranged in the tubular band, the arrangement has been brought about in such a manner that the tubular band is formed from an elastic material.
US08997315B2 Self-locking clip systems and methods
A self-locking clip includes a clip body and a rotating cam gripper, the rotating cam gripper pivotally mounted on the clip body. The self-locking clip further includes a spring arm, the spring arm integrated into the clip body, the spring arm configured to provide tension to the rotating cam gripper such that the rotating cam gripper is held against a first gripping surface on the clip body.
US08997314B2 Fastening tool for string body
In a fastening tool, a male member is combined to a female member such that the male member can be pushed to at least a predetermined position of the female position against urging force. The fastening tool is fastened to the string body that is inserted through a side through-hole of the male member and a side through-hole of the female member that communicate with each other at the predetermined position by releasing the push-in state of the male member. The male member includes an attaching portion of an operating elongated member, and the operating elongated member is operated to move the male member to the predetermined position against the urging force. A positioning device to a fitting object is formed on the female member.
US08997311B2 Vacuum cleaner with a temperature-controlled battery
A vacuum cleaner (1) having a housing (2, 2′) and at least one battery (4) arranged therein, and/or at least one battery compartment (3) that serves to hold at least one battery (4). The vacuum cleaner (1) has a vacuum generator (5) that serves to generate an air stream along a flow path (A), wherein the at least one battery (4) or the at least one battery compartment (3) is arranged in said flow path (A).
US08997302B2 Wiper device
A wiper device including a wiper arm, a wiper blade, and a washer nozzle. The wiper blade moves in a first direction and a second direction. The wiper arm is arranged at a position in the second direction with respect to the wiper blade when the wiper blade is at the home position. The washer nozzle is fixed to a position located toward a basal side from the wiper blade on a main arm or a sub-arm that is closer to the wiper blade. The washer fluid is ejected toward the distal portion of the wiper blade at a position in the first direction with respect to the wiper blade when the wiper blade is arranged at the home position. The falling point of the washer fluid is set at a position located toward the basal side of the wiper blade from a central part of the wiper blade.
US08997301B2 Toothbrush with visual and/or other sensory effects
An oral care implement that emits a scent. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a toothbrush comprising: a base component having a gripping region and an oral engaging region, wherein said base component comprises a first scenting agent; and a second component covering at least a portion of said base component in said gripping region, to control a rate of release of said first scenting agent from said base component in said gripping region.
US08997299B2 Tooth cleaning device
A tooth cleaning device comprising a handle, and a pad coupled to the handle, wherein the pad has a front face, a back face and a plurality of side walls. There are a plurality of different areas disposed on the front face of the pad comprising a first area comprising a first set of protrusions, in a substantially semi-spherical shape, and a second area comprising a second set of protrusions in a substantially conical shape. There is also a third area of protrusions formed as a substantially conical shape, and a fourth area of protrusions formed as a substantially semi-spherical shape. The device can be formed as a pad which collapses voluntarily under pressure. The pad can be made from any suitable material such as any type of rubber or plastic.
US08997297B2 Toothbrush
An oral care implement is described herein. The oral care implement includes a base and a first grip member. The base has a gripping region and an oral engaging region. The base has an aperture extending therethrough. The first grip member at least partially overlays the gripping region of the base and has a plurality of gripping elements. The first grip member also has a at least one opening exposing a guidance element. The guidance element includes a protrusion and a ring surrounding the protrusion.
US08997296B2 Multilayered cleaning wipe
A multilayered premoistened cleaning wipe.
US08997295B1 Smart belt tooth brush
A teeth cleaning assembly includes a housing. A first wheel and a second wheel are each rotatably mounted to the housing. A belt is continuous and is positioned on the first and second wheels. The belt rotates the second wheel when the first wheel is rotated. A plurality of bristles is attached to the belt and extends away from the first and second wheels such that the bristles extend outwardly of the housing. A handle is attached to the housing and a motor is mounted within the handle. The motor is in mechanical communication with the first wheel. The motor rotates the first wheel when the motor is energized.
US08997293B2 Apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface with a disconnectable dirty circuit
The invention relates to a device for cleaning an immersed surface including a body and members for driving the body over the immersed surface; a filtration chamber which is provided in the body and which has: a liquid inlet; a liquid outlet; a hydraulic circuit for the flow of liquid between the inlet and the outlet through a filtering device, wherein the filtering device includes a filtering casing which is removably mounted in the filtration chamber and which can be inserted into and removed from the filtration chamber in one piece, and the filtering casing has at least a lower end which opens at the base of the body and which constitutes a liquid inlet into the body of the device.
US08997292B2 Extended-span and alternatively-shaped arch bridge and construction method therefor
A large-span and special-shaped arch bridge, comprising a main girder (2), a center abutment (11) served as a central bearing point and two auxiliary abutments (12,13) served as bearing points at two ends, wherein further comprising an arch-axis combination (3) and two arch-axis bending beams (4,5) presented as arcs projected upwards, the arch-axis combination being built on the center abutment (11) with two ends connected to the inner ends of the two arch-axis bending beams (4,5), the outer ends of the two arch-axis bending beams (4,5) being built on the two auxiliary abutments (12,13), the two arch-axis bending beams (4,5) being connected to the main girder (2) via a plurality of inhaul cables. A method for constructing said arch bridge is also disclosed. Through the dual-arch axis of two arch-axis bending beams, the bending strength of the cross-section of the arch bridge is significantly increased, the bending moment of the cross-section of the arch at the central bearing point is decreased, the vertical displacement at the haunch of the arch is lesser, and the deformation of the main girder is reduced, thus the force of the entire bridge is more reasonable, the construction cost can effectively be reduced and the construction period can be shortened.
US08997286B2 Adapter for connecting at least one accessory device to an operating table
An adapter (10) is described for connecting at least one accessory device (12) to an operating table (14), comprising a first fixing device for attaching a base body of the adapter (10) to the operating table (14) and a second fixing device for attaching the accessory device (12) to the adapter (10). The base body is formed from an X-ray transparent plate (16), said X-ray transparent plate (16) including a part lying on a support surface (15) of the operating table (14) and another part extending beyond the support surface (15) and forming a support surface extension for supporting a patient, when said X-ray transparent plate (16) is attached to the operating table (14).
US08997284B2 Surgical table with pivotable femoral support
A femoral support system includes a plate configured to support the pelvis of a patient on a table. In addition, the system includes a femoral support pivotally coupled to the plate and configured to support the thigh of the patient.
US08997283B2 Work surface extensions for embalming tables and embalming tables including the same
In one embodiment, a work surface extension for an embalming table may include a sheet member, one or more spar members, at least one stiffening member, and a clamping member. The at least one stiffening member may include a table accepting opening partially formed by a table datum feature, a strut member that extends laterally from the table accepting opening in a first direction, and a sheet contacting surface the extends laterally from the table accepting opening in a second direction. The table datum feature and the processing surface of the sheet member can be aligned at an extension alignment angle that is acute. The clamping member can be rotatably engaged with the at least one stiffening member. The clamping member may include a table engagement feature that is biased to at least partially enclose the table accepting opening of the at least one stiffening member.
US08997281B2 Operating table top assemblies and related devices
This disclosure relates to operating table top assemblies and related devices. In some aspects, an operating table top coupling assembly includes a receiver assembly and a hook assembly. The receiver assembly includes first and second spaced walls that define a central recess therebetween. The hook assembly includes an elongate hook member attached to or integrally formed with a housing that is configured to be at least partially disposed within the central recess of the receiver assembly.
US08997278B1 Beach towel anchor system
The present invention features a beach towel anchor system for securing a beach towel on a ground surface. The system features a rectangular beach towel and a plurality of towel anchors. The towel anchor features a pivoting clamp having a top clamping interface and a bottom clamping interface. The towel anchor features a first pivoting lever and a flexible pullstrap located on a clamp top lever. The towel anchor features a second pivoting lever located on a clamp bottom lever. The towel anchor features a removable ground projection centrally located on the clamp bottom lever. The removable ground projection is inserted into the ground surface. The pivoting clamp is pivoted into a first open position. The beach towel is inserted into the pivoting clamp. The pivoting clamp is released and clamped on the beach towel in a second closed position via a spring bias.
US08997276B2 Patient lift
The present invention provides a patient lift for transferring a person from a hospital bed to another patient support structure. The patient lift includes a mast, a boom, a stabilizer leg, and a coupler leg adapted to couple to the hospital bed. The boom is mounted to the top of the mast, and extends outwardly from a central vertical axis of said mast. In one aspect, the boom may rotate independently of the stabilizer leg about the central vertical axis while above the hospital bed and while within an angular distance of a side of the hospital bed. Once the boom moves past the angular distance, the boom and stabilizer leg may begin to rotate together about the central vertical axis. In another aspect, the boom is capable of being positioned in a stowed position above a footboard of the hospital bed.
US08997270B2 Automatic faucet
Provided is an automatic faucet using a radio wave sensor, which is capable of preventing erroneous stop of water spouting, with a simple configuration. The automatic faucet (1) has a radio wave propagation space, a radio wave emitting port (27), and directivity setting device. The directivity setting device is configured to direct a radio wave being emitted from the radio wave emitting port (27), in such a manner that, during a water stopping state, the emitted radio wave lies along a spouting direction (A) along which washing water is to be spouted from a spout port (26), and, during a water spouting state, a part of the radio wave emitted disposed offset in a direction C, with respect to the spout port (26) interferes with a region of a peripheral surface of a stream (W) facing in the direction C.
US08997269B1 Swimming pool hose holder
The present invention is a swimming pool hose holder used to retain a sweeper hose along a side wall of a swimming pool when the sweeper hose is not in use. The swimming pool hose holder includes a mounting plate that is attached to a securing plate using a spring-biased hinge. In use the swimming pool hose holder is located such that a retained sweeper hose is half above the waterline and half below the waterline. Either a fastening surface on the mounting plate is used to attach the swimming pool hose holder to a pool side wall or the mounting plate includes openings for fasteners to be used to attach the swimming pool hose holder to a pool side wall. In operation the sweeper hose is retained between the plates when the sweeper hose is not being used.
US08997268B2 Flush toilet control system and related method
A control system for a flush toilet includes a water delivery device for delivering a source of flush water to a bowl. The control system includes a controller and a user interface. The controller is operative to control the toilet through a flush sequence in a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a predetermined amount of water to the bowl. In the second mode, the controller opens the water delivery device to deliver a user adjustable amount of water to the bowl. The user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting between the first mode and the second mode. Where the toilet is a macerator toilet, the controller monitors current draw unit when the current draw satisfies a predetermined current condition. The controller may operate in a normal mode and a lockout mode.
US08997266B2 Adjustable facial protector
A head gear assembly that includes a shell; a facial protector connectively attached to the shell that further includes a first element; a second element positioned approximately parallel to the first element; a third and fourth element positioned approximately perpendicular to one or both of the first element and the second element; a gap further comprising a gap size defined by the position of a combination of at least two of the first element, the second element, the third element, and the fourth element, wherein the gap size is adjustable between a plurality of gap sizes, wherein the first element is movingly engaged with the second element, and wherein the first element moves freely from the second element as the gap size is adjusted.
US08997262B2 Personal load-carrying system
Personal load-carrying systems are described. Embodiments include a waist belt having a pocket within which a support panel sets. An upper portion of the support panel resides in a sleeve coupled to a backpack or ballistic garment. The support panel thus supports some of the weight of the backpack or ballistic garment and transfers the load to the waist belt. Embodiments include personal load-carrying systems in which a backpack and ballistic garment use the same waist belt and support panel, and are interchangeable thereupon. Variations include personal load-carrying systems in which a ballistic garment and backpack are worn simultaneously.
US09003560B1 Secure enclosure with internal security components
A secured enclosure system and a method for configuring a secured enclosure system are disclosed. The secured enclosure system includes at least one processing module for implementing a processing task, a security module in communication with the processing module for providing a trust anchor functionality to the processing module, a secure backplane in communication with the at processing module for monitoring a connection with the processing module, and a security controller module in communication with the secure backplane for providing a root of trust, for serving as a local system controller, and for serving as a key/certificate manager. An enclosure encloses the components of the system and includes a physical security component for detecting an interference with the enclosure.
US09003554B2 Verification that a user attempting to access content is a human user
An easier and less frustrating way of verifying that a user attempting to access content is a human user is provided. For example, data indicative of a request by a user to access content from a content server is received. An output of geographic data associated with a geographic region is generated. A task to be performed by the user to access the content is provided as a function of the generated output. The output and the task are transmitted to the content server for presentation to the user. Performance of the task by the user is substantially indicative of the user being a human user.
US09003553B2 Viewing content under enterprise digital rights management without a client side access component
An E-DRM remote caching system enables a user without a client side E-DRM access component to view E-DRM governed content on a variety of client devices. The user transmits inaccessible E-DRM governed content to be viewed to a the remote caching system. The remote system receives the content, temporarily stores it in a cache, and determines whether the user has sufficient rights to view the content. If the user does have sufficient access rights, the remote system transforms the content into a secure, viewable format and securely transmits it to the user. The user can view the E-DRM governed content without an E-DRM client side access component. The E-DRM remote caching system can add a unique digital marker to received content. The marker can be subsequently used to identify the origin of compromised content.
US09003550B2 Systems and methods for crisis management and situational awareness
Systems and methods for managing events, including either a server or a client device, are provided. Assets and events are defined. Information is received by a client device via an input device, associated with an asset and an event, and transmitted to the server. Information is also received by a client device from another client device. Client devices also access information from the server and display the accessed information and information received from other client devices. The server receives information from client devices and stores the information in association with an asset and an event to which the information pertains. The server also receives and stores information from client devices that is designated for transmission to other client devices. The server also permits client devices to access its stored information. The server stores multiple pieces of information pertaining to the same asset or event in association with each other.
US09003549B2 Analysis of an analog property of a signal
A third party provides an analysis of an analog signal property derived from an electronic device. A data set describing an analog signal property is obtained. The data set is derived from at least one measurement on the signal. A permission set based on data received from a supplier entity is maintained. A consumer entity having permissions are permitted access to information computed from the data set. A consumer input from the consumer entity is received. The consumer input represents a request for the analysis result. A determination is made based on permissions that the consumer entity is permitted access to the computed information. An analysis result from the data set is computed after receiving the consumer input. The analysis result is provided to the consumer entity. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US09003547B2 Using data analytics and crowdsourcing to determine roles for a computer system
In an embodiment of the invention, wherein users must be able to access a computer system to perform respective functions, initial data is acquired from data sources, some of the initial data pertaining to previously granted system access rights. The initial data is used to create a crowdsourcing task, which is executed to acquire crowdsourced data from SMEs in an SME population, wherein the crowdsourced data comprises additional data pertaining to previously granted system access. The crowdsourced data is used to create a set of role definitions, wherein the role definitions determine which of the users are assigned to be members of a particular role associated with the system, and further determine the access rights that are granted to each member of the particular role.
US09003546B2 Secured deletion of information
Secure deletion of a storage device includes monitoring the storage device, determining whether a predetermined condition occurs, and accessing the storage device when it is determined that the predetermined condition occurs. Further, deleted information to be securely wiped is identified in accordance with a predetermined unified policy for a virtual environment comprising the storage device. Alternatively, information being deleted is intercepted when it is determined that the information being deleted satisfies a predetermined condition. The identified or intercepted deleted information is securely wiped from the storage device by filling a portion of the storage device associated with the deleted information with zero bytes before the deleted information is marked as deleted. The secured wiping of deleted information may occur in accordance with a predetermined enterprise-wide policy.
US09003545B1 Systems and methods to protect against the release of information
A computer-implemented method to protect against the release of information is described. The processor monitors for a communication with an unverified number. Upon detection of the communication with an unverified number, the processor monitors the communication for a protected string. Upon detection of a protected string, the processor performs an intervention action.
US09003535B1 Systems and methods for certifying client-side security for internet sites
A computer-implemented method for certifying client-side security for Internet sites may include 1) identifying an Internet site that is subject to a security evaluation, 2) retrieving at least one resource from the Internet site, 3) parsing the resource to determine that the resource includes at least one client-side security policy for an Internet client to enforce on the Internet site, and 4) certifying the Internet site as providing client-side security based on determining that the resource includes the client-side security policy. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09003534B2 System and method for server-based antivirus scan of data downloaded from a network
Aspect of the invention are directed to antivirus scanning, by a proxy server, of data downloaded from the network onto a PC workstation. The antivirus scanning is optimized for each scan by selecting an algorithm for that scan based on a determined overall likelihood that the downloaded data contains malicious code. Determination of the overall likelihood is augmented by the strength, or confidence, of statistical data relating to malware screening of results of previous downloads having similar parameters to the instant download.
US09003523B2 Systems, methods, and media for outputting data based upon anomaly detection
Systems, methods, and media for outputting data based on anomaly detection are provided. In some embodiments, a method for outputting data based on anomaly detection is provided, the method comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor, an input dataset; identifying grams in the input dataset that substantially include distinct byte values; creating an input subset by removing the identified grams from the input dataset; determining whether the input dataset is likely to be anomalous based on the identified grams, and determining whether the input dataset is likely to be anomalous by applying the input subset to a binary anomaly detection model to check for an n-gram in the input subset; and outputting the input dataset based on the likelihood that the input dataset is anomalous.
US09003514B1 System and method to troubleshoot a defect in operation of a machine
A system and method to troubleshoot a defect in at least one machine is provided. The system includes a portable device having a tracking system to detect when within a threshold proximity of a machine, and a controller to perform the steps of: authenticating the user to operate the portable device and communicating a first signal including the unique identifier of the portable device in response to detecting when within threshold proximity of the at least one machine. The system can further include an agent located at the machine to receive the first signal from the portable device, and in response to automatically verify authorization of the portable device to access the machine; and automatically trigger transmission of an operational data of the least one machine to the portable device over a secure channel.
US09003507B2 System and method for providing a certificate to a third party request
Provided is a system and method for providing a certificate, and more specifically a certificate for network access upon a second system based on at least one criteria and an established identity with a first system. The method includes receiving criteria, such as at least one predefined attribute. Also received from a user known to a first system is a request for network access to a second system, the request having at least one identifier. The first system is then queried with the identifier for attributes associated with the user. The attributes associated with the user are evaluated to the predefined attribute(s). In response to at least one attribute associated with the user correlating to the predefined attribute(s), providing a certificate with at least one characteristic for network access on the second system to the user. An associated system for providing a Certificate is also provided.
US09003505B2 Cross platform social networking authentication system
Disclosed in one example is a method of authenticating with multiple social network services. The method may include storing first authentication information associated with a user for a first social networking service using at least one computer processor, receiving second authentication information associated with the user for a second social networking service from a social networking application, and sending to the social networking application the first authentication information. The first authentication information may enable the social networking application to utilize a protected application programming interface call for the first social networking service and the second authentication information may enable the social networking application to utilize a protected application programming interface call for the second social networking service.
US09003504B2 Remote login arrangement for heterogeneous systems using centralized authentication
Methods and systems for authenticating a remote user across heterogeneous authentication systems are disclosed. One method includes receiving domain user credentials at a first heterogeneous authentication system, and transmitting the domain user credentials from the first heterogeneous authentication system to an authentication interface associated with a second heterogeneous authentication system. The method also includes transmitting the domain user credentials from the second heterogeneous authentication system to a centralized authentication system, and receiving at the authentication interface a validation message from the centralized authentication system, thereby authenticating the user. The method further includes determining a local username at the authentication interface based on the domain user credentials. The method includes using the local username to authenticate the user within the first heterogeneous authentication system.
US09003503B2 Virtual computer and service
A virtual computer service includes receiving, at a network server computer over a network, an encrypted image and user credentials for a user of a computer, and storing the encrypted image and the user credentials in an image repository that is communicatively coupled to the network server computer. The virtual computer service also includes receiving a request to initiate a session, the request including the user credentials. Upon successful validation of the user credentials, the virtual computer service includes selecting the encrypted image from the image repository, decrypting the encrypted image, activating a session for a virtual computer associated with the computer, and synchronizing session details of the session, once completed, with the image and storing a synchronized image in the image repository.
US09003502B2 Hybrid multi-tenancy cloud platform
Technologies are presented for a hybrid cloud-based service model combining separate database/separate schema, shared database/separate schema, and shared database/shared schema architectures suitable for serving multiple tenants while addressing varying security needs. Roles and security level needs of different tenants may be determined based on tenant declaration or inference from tenant attributes. Tenants may then be assigned to suitable clouds or sub-clouds based on their security level needs. In some examples, a claims-based access control authorization model such as federation may be employed to support interactions between the three different types of clouds or sub-clouds under the umbrella of a single cloud-based service provider while maintaining application and data security.
US09003501B2 Method and system for protecting against unknown malicious activities by detecting a heap spray attack on an electronic device
A method and system for protecting against unknown malicious activities by detecting a heap spray attack on a electronic device are disclosed. A script is received at an electronic device from a remote device via a network and a loop operation is detected in the script that contains a write operation operable to write data to a memory of the electronic device. The amount of the data operable to be written to the memory by the write operation is determined and the data is prevented from being written to the memory if the amount of the data is greater than or equal to a threshold.
US09003500B2 Method and system for facilitating synchronizing media content between a vehicle device and a user device
A user uploads content such as files containing audio, video, graphical, data, points of interest, and other information from a user device such as a personal computer to a central server over the internet. Upon determining that a trigger event has occurred, communication and processing circuitry in a vehicle device automatically download the previously uploaded content over the interne and a short-range wireless network and store the content for use by a device such as an audio/visual/navigation unit. Examples of a trigger event include proximity to a short-range wireless communication network coupled to the internet, presence within a geofence, turning off a vehicle's engine, or detecting an SMS wake-up message while the vehicle device's main processor, transceivers not used for SMS, and auxiliary circuitry are in sleep mode. The short-range wireless network can be a vehicle owner's home network, or a commercial wi-fi hot spot, or subscription wireless service.
US09003496B2 Secure wireless communication apparatus
Aspects of various embodiments are directed to the communication of wireless data. In a particular embodiment, an apparatus includes a master/wireless communication circuit and a slave circuit that carries out a secure function. The master generates session initiation commands, and the slave is responsive to these commands by generating and storing a session ID. In response to the receipt and validation of user-input data, the slave accesses and locally stores the session ID. Upon the initiation of and/or during a wireless communication process, the slave again accesses the session ID and compares the accessed session ID with the locally stored session ID, and facilitates communication based on the comparison (e.g., communication is not permitted if the comparison does not indicate a match).
US09003491B2 Secure push and status communication between client and server
Systems and methods of authentication and authorization between a client, a server, and a gateway to facilitate communicating a message between a client and a server through a gateway. The client has a trusted relationship with each of the gateway and the server. A method includes registering the client with the gateway. The client also constructs the address space identifying the gateway and the client. The client communicates the address space to the server. The client receives an identity identifying the server. If the client authorizes to receive a message from the server through the gateway, the client informs the authorization to the gateway. The client puts the identity identifying the server on a list of servers which are authorized to send messages to the client. In addition, the client communicates the list of servers to the gateway.
US09003490B2 Using entitlement certificates to manage product assets
A server receives a consumer request from a client to access a product repository that is coupled to the server. The consumer request comprises an entitlement certificate and a uniform resource locator (URL). The server identifies at least one extended attribute object identifier in the entitlement certificate to determine whether the client is authorized to access the product repository. The at least one extended attribute object identifier has a corresponding URL in the entitlement certificate that specifies a location of the product repository that the client is authorized to access. The server grants the client access to the product repository based on a determination that the URL in the consumer request matches a URL in the entitlement certificate.
US09003481B1 Out-of band network security management
A computer-implemented method, network management system, and network clients are provided for out-of-band network security management. The network management system includes routers, firewalls, and out-of-band interfaces. The out-of-band interface of the network management system transmits access control lists to network clients connected to a trusted network. The trusted network connects the routers, firewalls, and network clients. The firewalls receive access control lists from the network management system to police communications that traverse the trusted network and an untrusted network. The routers receive access control lists from the network management system to police communications that traverse the router within the trusted network. The access control lists for the routers and firewalls are transmitted over a network interface to the trusted network and are transmitted separately from the access control lists for the network clients.
US09003479B2 Uniformly transforming the characteristics of a production environment
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for generating a secure sandbox environment. A computer identifies components of a production environment that utilizes sensitive information during operation. The components of the production environment can include one or more server computers, one or more storage devices, and one or more applications. The computer receives a security policy that defines what constitutes sensitive information, and in response identifies the sensitive information of the production environment. The computer modifies the sensitive information such that the production environment can utilize the sensitive information without error, and such that the sensitive information cannot be identified from the modified sensitive information. The computer generates the sandbox environment, based at least in part, on the identified components of the production environment and the modified sensitive information.
US09003478B2 Enforcement of conditional policy attachments
Framework for conditionally attaching web service policies to a policy subject (e.g., a web service client or service endpoint) at subject runtime. In one set of embodiments, a constraint expression can be defined that specifies one or more runtime conditions under which a policy should be attached to a policy subject. The constraint expression can be associated with the policy and the policy subject via policy attachment metadata. The constraint expression can then be evaluated at runtime of the policy subject to determine whether attachment of the policy to the policy subject should occur. If the evaluation indicates that the policy should be attached, the attached policy can be processed at the policy subject (e.g., enforced or advertised) as appropriate. Using these techniques, the policy subject can be configured to dynamically exhibit different behaviors based on its runtime context.
US09003477B2 Model for managing hosted resources using logical scopes
A hosted resource management system is described herein that provides systems and methods whereby a cloud-based tenant can define a logical model that allows the tenant to work with cloud-based entities in a manner that aligns with the tenant's own purpose and thinking. The system then reflects this model in a set of management tools and access paradigms that are provided to the cloud-based tenant. Each division in the logical model is termed a scope, and can include various types of cloud-based entities. Each of these scopes may contain similar cloud-based entity types, but because of the organization provided by scopes the tenant can manage these cloud-based entities according to the view and model that the tenant defines. Thus, the hosted resource management system provides a way of managing cloud-based entities that is intuitive for cloud-based tenants and facilities easier management of large-scale applications with many cloud-based entities.
US09003472B2 Method and arrangement for sharing media content
Method and arrangements for providing personal media content of a first user (A) to a device used by a second user (B). A personal TV channel is created (1:1) for the first user as a program with media content by an IPTV portal (100) in a device used by the first user. The created personal TV channel is published (1:2) and stored (1:3) at an IPTV server (104) serving the first and second users. Then, the personal TV channel is introduced (1:7) as an available channel in an electronic program guide (EPG) provided by the IPTV server to the device (104) of the second user. When the second user selects the personal TV channel from his/her electronic program guide, the program with media content is delivered (1:8) from the IPTV server to the second users device.
US09003466B2 Method and system for isochronous data stream management in high speed audio/video networks
A method and system for isochronous data stream management in high speed audio/video networks. One implementation comprises isochronous communication management between audio/video (AV) devices by maintaining forwarding information for forwarding data between AV devices, wherein each AV device includes multiple I/O ports for connecting the AV device to another AV device via a communication link including multiple communication lanes. The forwarding information is utilized to communicate AV path set-up request and response control messages between a source AV device and a destination AV device via said communication link, and allocating isochronous communication resources for AV data streaming, for establishing AV path streams for bi-directional isochronous AV data streaming between the source and destination AV devices.
US09003463B2 Program storage, retrieval and management based on segmentation messages
Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.
US09003460B2 Network monitoring with estimation of network path to network element location
A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using Keyhole Markup Language (KML) data. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software implementing KML encoding. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided.
US09003456B2 Presentation of still image data on display devices using a wireless home entertainment hub
A method of presenting still image data on multiple display devices using a wireless home entertainment hub comprises obtaining a registration of a plurality of devices with the wireless home entertainment hub, where the plurality of devices includes at least two display devices. An assignment of a zone for each display device of the at least two display devices is received. Still image data is caused to be displayed on a subset of the at least two display devices.
US09003452B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for recording broadband content
Systems, methods, and apparatus for recording broadband content are provided. A user command to record desired content included in broadband content output by a service provider may be received by a programming processing component configured to receive the output broadband content. The programming processing component may determine whether the desired content will be recorded by the programming processing component. If it is determined that the desired content will be recorded by the programming processing component, then the desired content may be stored by the programming processing component in at least one memory. If it is determined that the desired content will not be recorded by the programming processing component, then a request to record the desired content may be communicated by the programming processing component to a content recording server.
US09003445B1 Context sensitive thumbnail generation
A system and methodology provide for automatic generation of thumbnail images of a video stream of images from a television channel. A still frame image of the video stream of the channel is captured. A plurality of content filters is applied to the still frame image to determine whether the image is suitable for display. Images can be filtered for offensive content, defective content, or advertising content. A filtered image that is appropriate for display is selected and stored. If the still frame image is inappropriate for display, a default thumbnail image is selected. The selected image is stored as a thumbnail image in association with EPG data for the television program. The thumbnail image and EPG data are sent for display to a viewer.
US09003441B1 Probabilistic inference of demographic information from user selection of content
Demographic information for users and content are collected based on users' content selections. Each user is associated with some demographic data. Users who select particular content, such as an advertisement or a web page, are probabilistically inferred to be in the demographic associated with the content. The demographic data of users who selected the content are aggregated into visitor demographic data for the content. The demographic associated with the content may be modified based on the visitor demographic data. A feedback loop is formed, whereby the demographic data of both users and the content are continuously refined.
US09003438B2 Integrated advertising in video link aggregation system
Methods and systems for presentation of content through an interface to provide personalized video feeds to a user. A video feed is harvested from feed items gathered at various Internet sources. The feed items are filtered to remove those that do not link to video content. A criteria specified by the user is used to filter the feed items.
US09003436B2 Apparatus and methods for data collection, analysis and validation including error correction in a content delivery network
Methods and apparatus for collection, validation, analysis, and automated error correction of data regarding user interaction with content. In one embodiment, statistical methods are used to arrive at expected values for the collected data. The data is compared to the expected value and must meet one or more acceptance criteria (e.g., be within a prescribed range) to be considered valid. The prescribed range is determined by the network operator, or a computer program adapted to generate this value. The invention enables a network operator to assess a large volume of data without requiring significant amounts of manual monitoring and/or error correction. The ability to collect, validate and analyze data across multiple platforms is also provided. Still further, an automated system capable of learning evaluation and error correction patterns is disclosed.
US09003434B2 Spindle structure and optical disc drive including the spindle structure
A spindle structure for an optical disc and an optical disc drive employing the spindle structure are provided. The spindle structure includes a spindle motor having a rotation axis, a spindle that is coupled to the rotation axis, and a sliding cone coupled to the spindle and inserted into a center hole of the optical disc. The sliding cone includes a plurality of hook-shaped guide rods extended toward the spindle, and the spindle includes guide holes, to which the plurality of hook-shaped guide rods are inserted into and coupled.
US09003433B2 Off-premise and codeless process-centric business mashup to integrate BPEL based processes and web 2.0 widgets
Business application logic corresponding to a business is generated according to requirements of the business. The business application logic includes Web services and Widgets. The Widgets in the business application logic are mashed up to create a Widget mashup application. An adaptation relationship is established between the Web services and the Widgets in the Widget mashup application. An executable business process is generated for the business based on the business application logic and the adaptation relationship. An executable mashup Widget application is generated based on the Widget mashup application and the adaptation relationship.
US09003425B2 Optimizing workflow engines
Techniques for implementing a workflow are provided. The techniques include merging a workflow to create a virtual graph, wherein the workflow comprises two or more directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), mapping each of one or more nodes of the virtual graph to one or more physical nodes, and using a message passing scheme to implement a computation via the one or more physical nodes.
US09003423B1 Dynamic browser compatibility checker
Browser compatibility checking of a web page source document that generates one or more web page is implemented on one or more servers. The browser compatibility checking of a web page may involve receiving a script file that includes script commands for capturing the appearance of the web page following various dynamic interactions with one or more browsers. An interaction simulation engine may be directed to simulate an interaction with each web page based on an interaction script command included in the script file. Further, an image capture engine may be trigger by an image capture script command included in the script file to capture an image of the web page.
US09003421B2 Acceleration threads on idle OS-visible thread execution units
Disclosed are embodiments of a system, methods and mechanism for using idle thread units to perform acceleration threads that are transparent to the operating system. When the operating system scheduler has no work to schedule on the idle thread units, the operating system may issue a halt or monitor/mwait or other instruction to place the thread unit into an idle state. While the thread unit is idle, from the operating system perspective, the thread unit may be utilized to perform speculative acceleration threads in order to accelerate threads running on non-idle thread units. The context of the idle thread unit is saved prior to execution of the acceleration thread and is restored when the operating system requires use of the thread unit. The acceleration threads are transparent to the operating system. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09003418B2 System and method for accelerating input/output access operation on a virtual machine
A system and method for accelerating input/output (IO) access operation on a virtual machine, The method comprises providing a smart IO device that includes an unrestricted command queue (CQ) and a plurality of restricted CQs and allowing a guest domain to directly configure and control IO resources through a respective restricted CQ, the IO resources allocated to the guest domain. In preferred embodiments, the allocation of IO resources to each guest domain is performed by a privileged virtual switching element. In some embodiments, the smart IO device is a HCA and the privileged virtual switching element is a Hypervisor.
US09003411B2 Automated provisioning and configuration of virtual and physical servers
A system may receive a request to create a virtual machine, create the virtual machine on a first physical server in response to the request, and receive parameters for configuring a second physical server. The system may also configure the second physical server in accordance with the parameters during an installation of an operating system on the second physical server, and notify a user that the second physical server is ready for use.
US09003410B2 Abstracting a multithreaded processor core to a single threaded processor core
In an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus and method to abstract a multithreaded processor core to single threaded processor core include performing the steps of: viewing, by an operating system, a first hardware thread and a second hardware thread in a processor core; and viewing, by a user application, the first hardware thread and the second hardware thread as a single CPU object.
US09003402B1 Method and system for injecting function calls into a virtual machine
A method and apparatus for injecting function calls into a virtual machine whereby a Function Call Injection (FCI) process is employed, through which a Secure Virtual Machine (SVM) is used to trigger desired function call invocations inside a Guest Virtual Machine (GVM) by externally manipulating the GVMs memory and CPU register contents using a security API. Once the triggered function is executed, control is then returned at the originating SVM invocation point. Therefore, the GVM state is manipulated to externally inject function calls, making it possible to create control appliances which do not require an in-GVM agent.
US09003400B2 Tracking computing systems utilizing software repositories
A software repository can capture and record an identifier associated with a software package manager accessing the software repository.
US09003397B2 System and method for supporting automatically deploying/undeploying application components in a transactional middleware machine environment
A system and method can support automatically deploying application components in a transactional middleware machine environment. A deployment center can receive one or more application packages, each of which contains binary files for one or more transactional servers and configuration information that describes relationship and parameters of the one or more transactional servers in the application package. The deployment center can further generate one or more distribution packages for each transactional middleware machine in the transactional middleware machine environment based on the one or more application packages. Then, the deployment center can deploy the one or more distribution packages to the plurality of transactional middleware machines in the transactional middleware machine environment.
US09003395B2 Directing plug-in updates for a software application to a target audience using manifest parameters
Techniques for directing plug-in updates for software applications to a target audience using manifest parameters are disclosed. In some embodiments, directing plug-in updates for software applications to a target audience using manifest parameters includes processing a manifest to determine that a plug-in is available for a software application on a device; determining whether a plurality of attributes associated with the plug-in match corresponding attributes associated with the device or the software application, in which the plurality of attributes are identified in the manifest; and automatically installing the plug-in if the plurality of attributes are determined to match.
US09003394B2 Program determining apparatus and program determining method
A disclosed program determining apparatus includes a log recording unit configured to record, in response to at least one of a use request for use of a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus from a program for use in the image forming apparatus and consumption of a predetermined resource of the image forming apparatus by the program, content of said at least one of use request and consumption as log information; and a determining unit configured to determine whether said at least one of use of the predetermined function requested by the program and consumption of the predetermined resource by the program satisfies a predetermined restriction.
US09003393B2 HTML directed adaptive features for mobile applications
There is provided a method for HTML directed adaptive features for mobile applications. By presenting user interface portions of the application as HTML documents referenced from a manifest file, the manifest file may be updated from a remote server without directly modifying a native binary of the application. By registering URL handlers for application functions in the native binary of the application, and by modifying a local file manifest stored on a mobile device, the scope of application functionality can be updated by adding, removing, or modifying URLs. The manifest files may further be adapted using specific contexts, such as device hardware, location, user profile data, and other information. Advantageously, application update approval processes through application marketplaces may be bypassed since the native binary is kept intact, allowing for more timely and relevant updates.
US09003392B2 Use of cloning in maintenance of virtual appliances
Maintenance of a virtual appliance is provided. The virtual appliance comprises a set of software components each one installed on a corresponding virtual machine. A maintenance descriptor is provided comprising an indication of a new level of at least each one of the software components to be updated thereto. For each software component indicated in the maintenance descriptor, a current level is determined of the software component that is installed on the corresponding virtual machine. A set of old ones of the software components to be actually updated is determined according to a comparison between the corresponding current levels and new levels. The virtual appliance is then cloned. The cloned virtual appliance is updated by updating each old software component thereof to the new level. The virtual appliance is now replaced by the updated cloned virtual appliance.
US09003385B2 Software release
Some embodiments of a method and an apparatus to conduct software release have been presented. In one embodiment, a user submits a request to conduct software release on a set of servers. Each of the servers has a distinct platform. In response to the request, a set of commands in a cross-platform language is sent to the servers via remote procedure calls (RPCs) in a transactional format.
US09003383B2 Analytic engine to parallelize serial code
The subject system provides the ability to parallelize pre-existing serial code by importing and encapsulating all of the serial code into an object orientated flowchart language utilizing an analytic engine so that the imported code can be efficiently executed taking advantage of the partially ordered transitive flowchart system. The importation examines the serial code to ascertain what elements may be processed under an atomic time to instantiate them as either Action or Test objects, whereas statements which require more than atomic time are instantiated as Task object, with the Action, Test and Task objects being processable by separate processors to establish parallel processing, or by the multitasking afforded by the partially ordered transitive flowchart system.
US09003380B2 Execution of dynamic languages via metadata extraction
Methods and devices for executing scripts written in a dynamic scripting language include parsing scripts in two stages, a pre-parse using a simplified grammar to generate script metadata regarding the high level structure of the script, and a full parse using the grammar and syntax of the dynamic scripting language and generated script metadata. The generated metadata may describe the high level structure that is present in the language of the script such as functions, object methods, and a top level call graph. The script metadata may be used during the full parse to determine the parts of the code to be fully parsed. The aspects minimize processing time spent in the parsing at run-time, and may eliminate processing required to interpret or compile sections of code that will not be executed. Script metadata as well as results of full parsing may also be cached to provide further processing efficiencies.
US09003372B2 System and method for replacing software components with corresponding known-good software components without regard to whether the software components have been compromised or potentially compromised
Approaches for replacing software components executing in a runtime environment with corresponding known-good software components are disclosed. In some implementations, at least a first event indicating that at least a first software component executing in the runtime environment should be replaced may be determined. The first event may be determined without respect to whether the first software component has been compromised or potentially compromised. At least a second software component corresponding to the first software component may be obtained from a component repository that is separate from the runtime environment. The first software component may be replaced with the second software component based on the first event such that the second software component is available for use in the runtime environment after the first event and the first software component is no longer available for use in the runtime environment after the first event.
US09003369B2 HDMI-muxed debug port methods and apparatuses
The muxed HDMI debug port methods and apparatuses are directed toward means for detecting an extended display identification data (EDID) code indicating a debug cable or debug host device coupled to the high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port of a computing device. In addition, the methods and apparatuses include means for disabling a display data channel (DDC) bus of the high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port in response to the extended display identification data (EDID) code indicating the debug cable or debug host device. Furthermore, the method and apparatuses include means for transmitting and receiving debug commands and data on a serial input (RXD) and serial output (TXD) of the high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port in response to the extended display identification data (EDID) code indicating the debug cable or debug host device.
US09003364B2 Overriding system attributes and function returns in a software subsystem
An approach is provided in which a request is received from a software module to retrieve a value stored in a pre-defined location. Prior to retrieving the value, an override tank is checked for a corresponding override value. When the override tank includes an override value, the override value in the override tank is provided to the software module. When the override tank fails to include a corresponding override value, an actual value is retrieved from a pre-defined storage location and provided to the software module. In one embodiment, the override value is an override system attribute value. In another embodiment, the override value is an override function return value.
US09003363B2 Device flags
Device flag techniques are described. In one or more implementations, responsive to detection by a computing device that a device has been communicatively coupled to bus of the computing device, a database is queried by the computing device to determine whether one or more flags have been set for the device. Responsive to a determination made as a result of the querying that the one or more flags have been set for the device identifier, information associated with the one or more flags is communicated to software that is associated with the device to configure the software.
US09003357B1 Code generation for querying an active state of a model
A device may receive information that identifies a model of a finite state machine. The model may include information that identifies a group of leaf states. The group of leaf states may include states of the model with no child states. The device may determine, based on the information that identifies the model, a set of variables required to store information that identifies an active state of the model. The device may determine a numbering scheme for encoding the group of leaf states. The numbering scheme may be based on the set of variables. The device may encode the group of leaf states based on the numbering scheme. Encoding the group of leaf states may include generating and storing information indicating an association between a leaf state and a value.
US09003356B2 Business process change controller
The present disclosure involves computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for managing a transition between business process models. A computer-implemented method includes in parallel with a first business process model, instantiating, using at least one hardware processor, a second business process model, instantiating a temporary exit process step of a set of temporary exit process steps associated with the first business process model and a temporary entry process step of a set of temporary entry process steps associated with the second business process model, coupling an exit transition rule of a set of exit transition rules associated with the first business process model to the first business process model, and activating the exit transition rule after activating the second business process model.
US09003354B2 Optimizing memory usage and system performance in a file system requiring entire blocks to be erased for rewriting data
A file system which ensures that some of the (desired) files (“linear files”) are stored in corresponding exclusive blocks (i.e., a block that stores data corresponding to one file only). Due to such a feature, rewriting of data corresponding to other files would not cause data corresponding to linear files to be relocated/rewritten. Such a feature may provide reliable and steady retrieval of data of the corresponding file from a flash memory organized as sectors. According to another aspect, some of the files (“non-linear files”) are stored in non-exclusive blocks (i.e., multiple files can share the same block or the same file can span multiple blocks without contiguity).
US09003350B2 Multiple level spine routing
A computer implemented method for routing a net includes selecting, using one or more computer systems, a first spine routing track from a first multitude of routing tracks in accordance with a first cost function, and further in accordance with data associated with the net and the first multitude of routing tracks. The method further includes generating, using one or more computer systems, a first spine wire on the selected first spine routing track.
US09003343B2 Energy consumption simulation and evaluation system for embedded device
An energy consumption simulation and evaluation system for embedded device in energy consumption evaluation technology for electronic devices, which solves the problem that the energy consumption cannot be simulated under tasks operation condition with the existing systems. The present invention includes a graphical configuration management module for inputting graphical configuration parameters, a device energy consumption model building block for obtaining the AADL description model for software and hardware components through AADL abstract description of software and hardware at system-level, a model transformation module for AADL to GSPN model transformation; and a GSPN simulation module which utilizes QPME tool to simulate GSPN model; selectively loads an external energy-consuming event from the energy-consuming events sequence; and perform energy consumption simulation for the GSPN model in response to the external energy-consuming event by QPME tool to obtain a simulation result of the residual energy and lifetime of the system.
US09003341B2 Method for determining interface timing of integrated circuit automatically and related machine readable medium thereof
A method for determining an interface timing of an integrated circuit includes: reading a netlist file and a timing constraint file of the integrated circuit, and determining a first interface port of the netlist file according to the netlist file and the timing constraint file; determining a first transmission path and a load on the first transmission path between the first interface port and a specific circuit element in the netlist file; generating an interface circuit file according to the first transmission path and the load on the first transmission path; and calculating a first signal transmission time of the first transmission path out according to the interface circuit file.
US09003340B2 Communicating configuration information across a programmable analog tile to another tile
A programmable analog tile integrated circuit is configured over a standardized bus by communicating tile configuration information from a first integrated circuit tile, through a second integrated circuit tile, to a third integrated circuit tile. Each of the three integrated circuit tiles is part of an integrated circuit. The standardized bus is formed when the tiles are placed adjacent one another. Data bus and control signal conductors of the adjacent tiles line up and interconnect such that each signal conductor is electrically connected to every tile. Tile configuration information may be written to a selected register identified by an address in any selected one of the tiles using the data bus and control lines, regardless of the relative physical locations of the tile sending and the tile receiving the information. Thus, tile configuration information may pass from one tile to another tile, through any number of intermediate tiles.
US09003338B2 Common template for electronic article
One or more techniques or systems for incorporating a common template into a system on chip (SOC) design are provided herein. For example, a common template mask set is generated based on a first set of polygon positions from a first vendor and a second set of polygon positions from a second vendor. A third party creates a third party SOC design using a set of design rules generated based on the common template mask set. The common template is fabricated based on the third party SOC design using the common template mask set. Because the common template is formed using the common template mask set and because the common template mask set is based on polygon positions from both the first vendor and the second vendor, a part can be connected to the SOC regardless of whether the part is sourced from the first vendor or the second vendor.
US09003337B2 Systems and methods of local focus error compensation for semiconductor processes
A system and method of compensating for local focus errors in a semiconductor process. The method includes providing a reticle and applying, at a first portion of the reticle, a step height based on an estimated local focus error for a first portion of a wafer corresponding to the first portion of the reticle. A multilayer coating is formed over the reticle and an absorber layer is formed over the multilayer coating. A photoresist is formed over the absorber layer. The photoresist is patterned, an etch is performed of the absorber layer and residual photoresist is removed.
US09003334B2 Editing content using multiple touch inputs
Multitouch capabilities can be used to allow a user to set adjust one or more application control parameters at the same time as editing commands are provided via touch input. The control parameters may relate to how/what edit commands are provided, such as allowing for varying brush characteristics, colors, gradients, and the like used in editing graphics or other document content. Additionally or alternatively, the control parameters may relate to a design canvas or other depiction of the document, such as allowing rotation, position, or magnification of the canvas while the document is edited.
US09003324B2 Control device and control method thereof
A control device which controls a device is disclosed. The control device can be connected to at least one external device, and includes a display unit which generates and displays a frame; and a control unit which controls the display unit to add at least one frame corresponding to each of the at least one external device or to pre-installed applications. The control unit further controls the display unit to display corresponding content in each frame.
US09003322B2 Method and apparatus for processing multi-touch input at touch screen terminal
The present invention provides a method for processing multi-touch input in a touch screen terminal in which application programs in form of subordinate sub-windows are displayed by detecting a movement and the number of touch flickings; and switching between sub-windows opened in the corresponding application program or between the application programs depending on the number of touch flickings.
US09003321B2 Application bar browsing of tabbed-view applications
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to tabbed browsing and provide a method, system and computer program product for application bar browsing of tabbed-view applications. In one embodiment of the invention a method for application bar browsing of tabbed-view applications can be provided. The method can include populating a pop-up list for a consolidated application bar entry for multiple different instances of a single application with corresponding entries each for a different one of the multiple different instances of the single application. The method further can include associating at least one of the entries in the pop-up list with an instance of the single application configured for tabbed browsing. The method yet further can include configuring the associated at least one of the entries with a tabbed browser view.
US09003303B2 Production scripting in an online event
Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs are disclosed for producing an online event. One embodiment is a method comprising: creating a production script for an online event comprising an audio conference between one or more speakers and a plurality of listen-only viewers, the production script comprising a series of production prompts associated with a production timeline; a server presenting an event production user interface to an event producer and a viewer user interface to the listen-only viewers, the event production user interface configured to selectively control the viewer user interface during the online event; and presenting, in the event production user interface, the production prompts in accordance with the production timeline during the online event.
US09003300B2 Voice response unit proxy utilizing dynamic web interaction
A system, method and program product for providing a voice response unit (VRU) proxy. A system is provided that includes: a graphical user interface (GUI) for dynamically displaying information from a VRU and for receiving data from a user; a system for initiating a call with the VRU; and a VRU interface system for transmitting data from the user to the VRU, and for using speech recognition to capture broadcasts from the VRU for display within the GUI.
US09003299B2 Extensible application state preservation architecture
The preservation of the user interface state of first application on a first device allows, in one embodiment, a user to resume use of at least a portion of the user interface state on a second application on second devices. The first and second applications can be the same or different (with some common user interface UI features or elements and other UI features that are different).
US09003294B1 Scalable systems for change detection of statistic data feeds across multiple servers using shared memory with configurable messaging triggers
Various computerized systems and methods are provided for creating sports statistic triggers, and analyzing sporting statistic feeds and determination, bashed on updates to sporting statistic feeds, whether or not a trigger has been satisfied. Sports statistic triggers for sporting events may be created using a user interface and stored, along with associated parameters, in data storage. Live downloaded sports statistic data feeds can be analyzed by a plurality of processes to determine whether or not one or more sport statistic triggers have been satisfied. Based on satisfaction of one or more sport statistic trigger, a broadcast message may be delivered to subscribers using a variety of delivery methods according to a distribution list.
US09003292B2 System and method for network topology and flow visualization
A topology view of a network is generated on a visual display of a computer system. The topology view includes subnet objects, network device objects, and interface objects within the network device objects. Network flow records are acquired from each device within the network. Separate network flow records acquired from different devices in the network are correlated together into a common network flow record. Each of the separate network flow records shares a common source address and a common destination address. The common network flow record specifies transmission path segments of a communication through the network. The common network flow is rendered in the visual display over the topology view of the network by displaying an arrow for each transmission path segment traversed by the communication through the network.
US09003291B2 Private pinning including task bar pinning and jump list task and item launching
Various embodiments provide a mechanism to allow end users to install web applications and websites onto their desktop. In accordance with one or more embodiments, client-side code can be utilized to allow developers associated with a website to define boundaries associated with user interaction, and have those boundaries enforced by a run-time engine. In at least some embodiments, developers can provide, through JavaScript code and/or HTML markup, various configurations for the creation of a start menu shortcut, navigation, and so-called jumplist integration.
US09003288B2 System and method for displaying contextual advertisements with media
Systems and methods have been developed for displaying contextually relevant advertisements to users as media objects are being rendered. One or more data sources with contextual information for different portions of each media object are maintained. From this contextual information, keywords may be generated and used to locate contextually-related advertisements. The advertisements are selected based on contextual information about the media object in order to match or otherwise be contextually relevant with the media content being rendered. As the subject matter of the media object changes during rendering, different advertisements related to the new context are provided that replace the prior advertisement. The advertisements are displayed in an area that could be used for other purposes when the rendering device is not rendering media objects.
US09003286B2 System and method for providing broadcast listener participation
A method of allowing listeners to participate in broadcast programming is provided, the method generally comprising one or more of providing a library of media elements accessible by a plurality of listeners; receiving from each of at least two of the listeners a playlist of media elements, wherein at least one of the media elements in each playlist is from the library of media elements; editing the playlists using broadcast scheduling software; providing the edited playlists to the plurality of listeners for playback, and for feedback regarding the playlists; and receiving feedback from at least one of the listeners regarding the playlists. A system and apparatus are similarly provided.
US09003285B2 Displaying readme text inside an application
An application includes functionality for dynamically modifying controls based on readme documentation content after the development of the application is substantially complete. A developer marks up a documentation file to include references to graphical user interface controls. The application generates a registry that stores associations between the documentation content and the affected controls. The application then modifies the properties of the affected controls to alter presentation or at least one behavior of each affected control. When the application creates an instance of an affected control, the control includes the modified presentation or behavior.
US09003281B2 Image processing apparatus capable of automatically generating help document for workflow, help document generating method and help document generating form
To provide a user with an easily understandable help document, the MFP capable of executing a plurality of processes includes a process designation accepting portion to accept designation of at least one of the plurality of processes, a workflow generating portion to generate workflow definition data defining the one or more processes accepted, and a help document generating portion to generate a help document corresponding to the generated workflow. The help document generating portion includes a summary page generating portion to generate a summary page having listed thereon process names for identification of the one or more processes defined by the corresponding workflow definition data.
US09003277B2 Method and system for presenting web page resources
A method is disclosed for presenting specific resources on a computer having a web browser. The method includes accessing by the web browser a specific resource related to an original web page from a web server, obtaining attribute information of the specific resource, and identifying the specific resource contained in the original web page based on the obtained attribute information of the specific resource. Further, the method includes obtaining an independent window being independent from at least a web page window displaying the original web page, and presenting the identified specific resource in the independent window.
US09003270B2 Methods and apparatus for temporarily storing parity information for data stored in a storage device
Methods and apparatus for temporarily storing parity information for data stored in a storage device are provided. A first data block and parity information associated with the first data block are received. The first data block is stored in a first region of the storage device. The parity information is stored until a second data block is successfully stored in a second region of the storage device. The first region of the storage device is associated with the second region of the storage device.
US09003266B1 Pipelined turbo convolution code decoder
In one embodiment, a method of block decoding is provided. For each of a plurality of data blocks input to a memory arrangement, a plurality of decoding iterations are performed using a circular pipeline of processing stages. For each decoding iteration, one processing stage of the circular pipeline performs a first set and a second set of soft-input-soft-output (SISO) decoding operations on a block of data. The first set of SISO decoding operations produces an intermediate block of data. The second set of SISO decoding operations is performed on the intermediate data block to complete the one decoding iteration. The next decoding iteration of the plurality of decoding iterations is performed using the next processing stage following the one processing stage of the circular pipeline of processing stages.
US09003262B2 Memory controller, devices including the same, and operating method thereof
An operating method of a memory controller includes classifying a plurality of blocks in a memory cell array included in a flash memory into a first group and a second group according to the number of error bits in data programmed to each of the blocks, and creating a combinational block by combining a first block from the first group with a second block from the second group.
US09003260B2 Partial-writes to ECC (error check code) enabled memories
A memory system includes a memory and a memory controller coupled to the memory. The memory controller includes a data buffer configured to store a full data word as a result of a partial write operation, wherein for a subsequent partial write operation, data is read from the data buffer.
US09003258B2 Forward error correction with parity check encoding for use in low complexity highly-spectrally efficient communications
A transmitter inserts parity samples into a stream of information symbols in an inter-symbol correlated (ISC) signal. The inserted parity samples may be utilized to generate estimates of corresponding information symbols when they are received by a receiver. The information symbols may be pulse shaped by a first pulse shaping filter characterized by a first response. The parity samples may be pulsed shaped by a second pulse shaping filter characterized by a second response. The first response and the second response are diverse or uncorrelated. The transmitter may transmit the ISC signal comprising the pulse shaped information symbols and the pulse shaped parity samples. The parity samples may be generated utilizing a non-linear function over a plurality of the information symbols. The non-linear function may be diverse from a partial response signal convolution corresponding to the information symbols and is designed according to a desired SNR value at the receiver.
US09003257B1 Low density parity check encoder and encoding method
The present invention is directed toward a parity check encoder for low density error correction codes and to an encoding method. In accordance with an embodiment, an encoder for error correction coding comprises: first hardware resources configured to receive a message bits vector and to compute an intermediate parity bits vector from the message bits vector wherein the intermediate parity bits vector is computed based on a sub-matrix of a parity check matrix; and second hardware resources configured to compute a parity bits vector from the intermediate parity bits vector, wherein the second hardware resources are configured to compute parity bits for multiple different codes, and wherein portions of the hardware resources that are configured to compute the parity bits for a particular one of the codes are commonly shared with portions of the hardware resources that are configured to compute the parity bits for another particular one of the codes.
US09003256B2 System and method for testing integrated circuits by determining the solid timing window
Systems and methods are provided to determine a solid operating timing window for an integrated circuit device, and the solid operating timing window used to determine a key timing index. A method for determining the solid operating timing window is disclosed. A plurality of sets of operating parameters is generated. For each of the plurality of sets of operating parameters, the respective set of operating parameters is applied to a test environment. The integrated circuit is then operated under the applied respective set of operating parameters. A determining a data valid window is determined for the integrated circuit. The solid operating timing window for the integrated circuit is then determined using the data valid windows for the plurality of sets of operating parameters, where the solid operating timing window is defined as the logical intersection of the determined data valid windows such that the integrated circuit will return valid sample.
US09003255B2 Automatic test-pattern generation for memory-shadow-logic testing
An embodiment of a method for automated test pattern generation (ATPG), a system for ATPG, and a memory configured for ATPG. For example, an embodiment of a memory includes a first test memory cell, a data-storage memory cell, and a test circuit configured to enable the test cell and to disable the data-storage cell during a test mode.
US09003254B2 Methods and systems for testing electronic circuits
A system for testing electronic circuits is configured to receive a test signal and an ideal response signal and output a test result signal. The system for testing electronic circuits includes a circuit portion under test, a comparator and a comparison result recorder. The circuit portion under test receives a test signal from a test instrument, and outputs a system response signal. The comparator receives the system response signal from the circuit portion to be tested and receives an ideal response signal from the test instrument. The comparator outputs comparison results according to the system response signal and the ideal response signal. The comparison result recorder receives and records the comparison result. The system receives at least a portion of test signals and at least a portion of ideal response signals in a dynamically configurable time-interleaved manner via one or more physical channels from a test equipment.
US09003251B2 Diagnosis flow for read-only memories
A system and a method for diagnosis flow for a read-only memory (ROM) includes determining whether a window of the ROM is faulty, based on a pre-computed signature and a computed signature corresponding to the window. Based on the determination, the size of the window is reduced to form at least two reduced windows. It is further ascertained whether the at least two reduced windows are faulty based on pre-computed signatures corresponding to the at least two reduced windows and computed signatures corresponding to the at least two reduced windows.
US09003243B2 System and method for modulation diversity
A system and method for modulation diversity uses interleaving. Code bits are placed into groups and are then shuffled within each group.
US09003242B2 Semiconductor memory device and method of controlling the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, a first register configured to store data of the memory cells, and a sequence control circuit configured to control the memory cell array and the first register. In at least a data read operation of the memory cells, the sequence control circuit reads out, from the memory cell array, data including flag information representing whether the number of failed bits is in an allowable range.
US09003238B2 Systems and methods for error simulation and code testing
A method for error simulation in a data storage subsystem providing abstractions of one or more storage devices. The method includes dividing the data storage subsystem into two or more hierarchically organized subsystems, wherein the subsystems interact using IO Request Packets (IORPs), such that relatively higher level subsystems create and populate IORPs and pass them to relatively lower level subsystems for corresponding processing. The method further includes defining an IORP modifier configured to attach to matching IORPs based on one or more attributes of the IORP modifier and to modify at least one of the processing and one or more attributes of the IORP in order to simulate errors in the data storage subsystem.
US09003237B2 End user remote enterprise application software testing
A system and method for remote testing of enterprise software applications (ESA) allows one or more testers to remotely access an ESA and remotely test the ESA. In at least one embodiment, the ESA resides in a testing platform that includes one more computers that are provisioned for testing. “Provisioning” a computer system (such as one or more servers) refers to preparing, configuring, and equipping the computer system to provide services to one or more users. In at least one embodiment, the computer system is provisioned to create an ESA operational environment in accordance with a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) template interacting with virtualization software.
US09003236B2 System and method for correct execution of software based on baseline and real time information
In an embodiment of the invention an application provider may include “tracing elements” in a target software application. While working with the application the trace elements are detected and provide a “baseline trace” indicating proper application execution. The provider then supplies the application, which still includes the trace elements, and the baseline trace to a user. The user operates the application to produce a “real-time trace” based on the application still having trace elements that produce trace events. A comparator then compares the baseline and real-time traces. If the traces are within a pre-determined range of each other the user has a level of assurance the software is operating correctly. If the level of assurance is low, an embodiment may trigger a hardware interrupt or similar event to prevent further execution of software. Other embodiments are described herein.
US09003234B2 Machine and methods for reassign positions of a software program based on a fail/pass performance
A machine and methods for reassign the execution order of program steps of a multi-step test program is disclosed. In an embodiment a machine for evaluating an error in a software program includes a microprocessor coupled to a memory, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to evaluate the error by (a) providing program steps of the software program, (b) assigning a position number to each program step, (c) performing an evaluation run on the program steps, (d) evaluating a performance of each program step, (e) rearranging the position number of each program step based on the performance of each program step, and (f) repeating steps (c)-(e).
US09003233B2 Memory leak detection
In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, systems and methods are provided for monitoring one or more classes for detecting suspected memory leaks in a production environment. The systems and methods may include identifying which of the one or more classes hold at least one static or non-static field of collection or array type, accessing the one or more classes that hold the at least one static or non-static fields of collection or array type, and tracking a size for each field of each class by periodically sampling the size of each field over an interval, processing the size data for each field of each class, and detecting suspected memory leaks of each class by identifying which of the one or more fields of each class exhibits suspect behavior in the size over the interval.
US09003232B2 Debug architecture
Roughly described, a method of sending a message from a source unit to a destination unit both forming part of a hierarchical debug architecture on a chip, the units in the hierarchy using a protocol in which each unit has an internal address which is the same base address, and in which each unit addresses other units using addresses derivable relative to that unit's internal address given positions of other units in the hierarchy, comprising: the source unit in a first level of the hierarchy sending a message comprising a destination address of the destination unit, the destination address being relative to the source unit's internal address, and an intermediate unit in a second level of the hierarchy: adding an offset to the destination address to form a rebased destination address, being relative to the intermediate unit's internal address, and routing the rebased message onto the destination unit.
US09003231B1 System for instantiating service instances for testing in a known state
It is frequently difficult to generate multiple separate instances of a complex system. It is also difficult to restore the data state of these instances to a known state. Embodiments simplify the process by classifying the complex system under test in terms of its state components and service, by creating a new instance for testing, and by using copy-on write approaches to restore that new instance to the desired known state.
US09003228B2 Consistency of data in persistent memory
Consistency of data stored in persistent memory is maintained using separate commit and harden operations for a transaction. A transaction is committed with a processing device, the committing including marking an end of an atomic operation on a modified object from the transaction, creating a new copy of the modified object, and storing a mapping of the modified object to the new copy of the modified object in a recorded log. A checksum identifying the modified object is created and stored in the recorded log. The transaction is hardened by storing the modified object and the recorded log from cache into persistent memory.
US09003227B1 Recovering file system blocks of file systems
A method is used in recovering file system blocks of file systems. A first read error is encountered upon reading a file system block of a file system. The file system block includes a first set of chunks. A second read error is encountered upon reading a duplicate copy of the file system block. The duplicate copy of the file system block includes a second set of chunks. Each chunk of the first and second sets of chunks is evaluated. Based on the evaluation, the file system block is recovered.
US09003226B2 Core file limiter for abnormally terminating processes
Computer program product and system to limit core file generation in a massively parallel computing system comprising a plurality of compute nodes each executing at least one task, of a plurality of tasks, by: upon determining that a first task executing on a first compute node has failed, performing an atomic load and increment operation on a core file count; generating a first core file upon determining that the core file count is below a predefined threshold; and not generating the first core file upon determining that the core file count is not below the predefined threshold.
US09003223B2 Physical memory fault mitigation in a computing environment
Effects of a physical memory fault are mitigated. In one example, to facilitate mitigation, memory is allocated to processing entities of a computing environment, such as applications, operating systems, or virtual machines, in a manner that minimizes impact to the computing environment in the event of a memory failure. Allocation includes using memory structure information, including, information regarding fault containment zones, to allocate memory to the processing entities. By allocating memory based on fault containment zones, a fault only affects a minimum number of processing entities.
US09003221B1 Skew compensation for a stacked die
An embodiment for skew compensation for a stacked die is disclosed. For an embodiment of an apparatus, an interposer has a first and a second integrated circuit die coupled to the interposer. The first integrated circuit die includes an information generator, a signal delay compensator, and an input/output block. The information generator is configured to determine: a first delay value for a first path of the interposer between the first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die; a second delay value for a second path of the interposer between the first integrated circuit die and the second integrated circuit die; and a difference between the first delay value and the second delay value. The signal delay compensator is coupled to receive the difference and configured to adjust a parameter of the first integrated circuit die to reduce the difference.
US09003211B2 Method and apparatus for holistic power management to dynamically and automatically turn servers, network equipment and facility components on and off inside and across multiple data centers based on a variety of parameters without violating existing service levels
The present invention provides a METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOLISTIC POWER MANAGEMENT TO DYNAMICALLY AND AUTOMATICALLY TURN SERVERS, NETWORK EQUIPMENT AND FACILITY COMPONENTS ON AND OFF INSIDE AND ACROSS MULTIPLE DATA CENTERS BASED ON A VARIETY OF PARAMETERS WITHOUT VIOLATING EXISTING SERVICE LEVELS. This method and apparatus pertains specifically to a method and apparatus for power management in data centers and large server environments.Until today all servers running a specific application or virtualized environment are kept turned on to support various levels of application demand. With the invention of Holistic Power Management this invention completely automates the tasks required to shutdown and turn off servers not needed and to turn them on and start them up independent of their physical location. Furthermore this invention makes such changes dynamically based on application load, environmental conditions and energy pricing and availability and can adjust cooling services accordingly.
US09003210B2 Dynamic voltage transitions
The operating voltage of an integrated circuit (e.g., a processor) is changed in response to one or more conditions (e.g., a laptop computer is connected to an AC power source). Both the operating frequency and the operating voltage of the integrated circuit are changed. The voltage regulator providing the operating voltage to the integrated circuit is caused to transition between voltage levels using one or more intermediate steps. The integrated circuit continues to operate in the normal manner both at the new voltage and throughout the voltage transition.
US09003209B2 Efficient integrated switching voltage regulator comprising switches coupled to bridge drivers to provide regulated power supply to power domains
Described herein is an integrated circuit which comprises: a switching voltage regulator (SVR), having one or more bridge drivers, to provide regulated power supply to a plurality of power domains; and a power control unit (PCU) operable to adjust switching frequencies of the SVR according to states of the plurality of power domains, wherein drive strength or active phase count of the one or more bridge drivers is also adjusted by a logic unit of the SVR when the switching frequencies of the SVR are adjusted.
US09003205B2 Method to lower the operating cost of wireless network by enforcing low power infrastructure operation
A system and techniques for managing power utilization in a wireless local area network are disclosed. The system can utilize an infrastructure power management module that is configured to identify and power down one or more unused wireless devices and/or dynamically reconfigure the wireless operation of one or more wireless devices to consume lower power while still operating according to network requirements.
US09003203B2 Storage encryption
Storage associated with a virtual machine or other type of device may be migrated between locations (e.g., physical devices, network locations, etc.). To maintain the security of the storage, a system may manage the encryption of the storage area such that a storage area is encrypted with a first encryption key that may be maintained through the migration. A header of the storage area, on the other hand, may be encrypted using a second encryption key and the first encryption key may be stored therein. Upon transfer, the header may be re-encrypted to affect the transfer of security.
US09003202B2 Memory control device, semiconductor memory device, memory system, and memory control method
A technique for improving data security is provided. To be specific, in a memory system including an information processing apparatus and a semiconductor memory device, the semiconductor memory device has an interface section that transmits, to the information processing apparatus, data read out from a memory core according to a plurality of communication protocols having different signal transmission/reception methods. Based on a switch command inputted from the information processing apparatus, a communication protocol selection section inputs, to the interface section, a selection signal for selecting a particular communication protocol from the plurality of communication protocols.
US09003198B2 Method and apparatus for data processing
A method for processing an operating sequence of instructions of a program in a processor, wherein each instruction is represented by an assigned instruction code which comprises one execution step to be processed by the processor or a plurality of execution steps to be processed successively by the processor, includes determining an actual signature value assigned to a current execution step of the execution steps of the instruction code representing the instruction of the operating sequence; determining, in a manner dependent on an address value, a desired signature value assigned to the current execution step; and if the actual signature value does not correspond to the desired signature value, omitting at least one execution step directly available for execution and/or an execution step indirectly available for execution.
US09003195B1 Password topology monitoring and enforcement
The systems and methods described herein can be used for enhancing the security of computer passwords by electronically receiving a password, the password comprising a plurality of components, each of the components being of a type of component, storing the received password in an electronic data store, converting the stored password to a topological representation of the password by which each of the plurality of components is represented and stored as its type of component, and storing the topological representation of the password in an electronic data store.
US09003192B2 Protocol for protecting third party cryptographic keys
A protocol is provided that permits a third-party key issuing entity to have its issued keys protected by an unrelated key protecting entity. In at least some embodiments, a trusted key protecting entity is injected, in a sense, in a conversation between the third-party key issuing entity and a client to which one or more keys are distributed. The trusted key protecting entity is able to apply various protections which, in at least some embodiments are unknown to the key issuing entity, to a distributed key which can then be used by the client to access protected content.
US09003191B2 Token-based authentication using middle tier
An intermediary system facilitates a connection request from a client to a server. The intermediary system may participate in either or both of a token creation phase and a server connection phase. If participating in the token creation phase, the intermediary system generates a token that may later be used by the client during a server connection phase. The token includes a session identifier and is returned to the client. If participating in the server connection phase, the intermediary receives the token, which is sent from the client in conjunction with a connection request, extracts the session identifier from the token, and compares against the session identifier for the session in which the token was created. If the session identifiers match, then the intermediary connects to the server to complete the connection request for the client.
US09003190B2 Method and apparatus for providing a key certificate in a tamperproof manner
A method and a server are configured to provide, in a tamperproof manner, a key certificate for a public device key of a user device, which is installed for a user, by means of a server belonging to a service provider who provides the user with a service via the user device, wherein the server provides the user device with the key certificate if a signing request message received by the user device is successfully verified by the server using a one-time password generated for the user device by the server.
US09003189B2 Trusted third party client authentication
A method includes receiving, at a video service provider system, a request for an online video session from a third party device with a security markup assertion language (SAML) token as an input, decrypting a SAML assertion in the SAML token with a private key associated with the video service provider system, validating the SAML assertion based on a third party public key associated with the third party STS, and retrieving a third party account user identifier and a device type. The method also includes identifying a link time based on the third party account user identifier, identifying a password change time (PCT) stamp associated with the service provider user account, and providing the online video session to the third party device in response to determining that the PCT stamp is not later than the link time.
US09003181B2 Incorporating data into cryptographic components of an ECQV certificate
During generation of an implicit certificate for a requestor, a certificate authority incorporates information in the public-key reconstruction data, where the public-key reconstruction data is to be used to compute the public key of the requestor. The information may be related to one or more of the requestor, the certificate authority, and the implicit certificate. The certificate authority reversibly encodes the public-key reconstruction data in the implicit certificate and sends it to the requestor. After receiving the implicit certificate from the certificate authority, the requestor can extract the incorporated information from the public-key reconstruction data. The implicit certificate can be made available to a recipient, and the recipient can also extract the incorporated information.
US09003176B1 System and methods for full disk encryption with a check for compatibility of the boot disk
Disclosed are systems, methods and computer program products for full disk encryption of a boot disk of a computer. One example method for full disk encryption of a boot disk of a computer includes performing one or more pre-boot compatibility tests on the boot disk of the computer; determining one or more encryption policies applicable to a pre-boot execution stage of the computer; comparing results of the pre-boot compatibility tests with the encryption policies; determining whether to apply a full disk encryption to the boot disk based on an outcome of comparing the results of the pre-boot compatibility tests with the encryption policies; and when it is determined to apply the full disk encryption, applying the full disk encryption to the boot disk.
US09003174B2 Method for boosting an electronic device with multiple processing units, and electronic device for implementing the same
A method for reducing booting time is to be implemented by an electronic device including first and second processing units, a cache memory, and a storage medium. The method includes the steps of: configuring the first processing unit for executing a set of program instructions for initializing hardware equipments of the electronic device; configuring the first processing unit for loading at least one library from the storage medium into the cache memory after initializing the hardware equipments of the electronic device, the at least one library being specified for use by the second processing unit; and configuring the second processing unit for booting a kernel of an operating system associated with the second processing unit after initializing the hardware equipments of the electronic device.
US09003173B2 Multi-OS (operating system) boot via mobile device
A system that facilitates different levels of operating system (OS) boot so as to provide users with rapid access to certain mobile device functionalities, security, applications, etc. is provided. An OS can be loaded in phases or stages commensurate with policies, preferences, actions, context, etc. Similarly, a particular OS or group of OSs can be loaded to address a particular scenario or requirement.
US09003172B2 Intelligently controlling loading of legacy option ROMs in a computing system
Intelligently loading legacy option ROMs in a computing system, including: generating, by a legacy option ROM manager, an inventory for the computing system, wherein the inventory for the computing system identifies one or more devices in the computing system; determining, by the legacy option ROM manager for each option ROM available for loading, whether a device supported by the option ROM is included in the inventory for the computing system; responsive to determining that the device supported by the option ROM is not included in the inventory for the computing system, preventing the option ROM from being loaded into an option ROM address space; and responsive to determining that the device supported by the option ROM is included in the inventory for the computing system, enabling the option ROM to be loaded into the option ROM address space.
US09003171B2 Page fault prediction for processing vector instructions
A system including a processor that handles a TLB miss while executing a vector read instruction in a processor is described herein. During operation, the processor performs a lookup in a TLB for addresses in active elements in the vector read instruction. The processor then determines that a TLB miss occurred for the address from an active element other than a first active element. Upon predicting that a page table walk for the vector read instruction will result in a page fault, the processor sets a bit in a corresponding bit position in an FSR. A set bit in a bit position in FSR indicates that data in a corresponding element of the vector read instruction is invalid. The processor then immediately performs memory reads for at least one of the first active element and other active elements for which TLB misses did not occur.
US09003170B2 Bit range isolation instructions, methods, and apparatus
Receiving an instruction indicating a source operand and a destination operand. Storing a result in the destination operand in response to the instruction. The result operand may have: (1) first range of bits having a first end explicitly specified by the instruction in which each bit is identical in value to a bit of the source operand in a corresponding position; and (2) second range of bits that all have a same value regardless of values of bits of the source operand in corresponding positions. Execution of instruction may complete without moving the first range of the result relative to the bits of identical value in the corresponding positions of the source operand, regardless of the location of the first range of bits in the result. Execution units to execute such instructions, computer systems having processors to execute such instructions, and machine-readable medium storing such an instruction are also disclosed.
US09003162B2 Structuring storage based on latch-free B-trees
A request to modify an object in storage that is associated with one or more computing devices may be obtained, the storage organized based on a latch-free B-tree structure. A storage address of the object may be determined, based on accessing a mapping table that includes map indicators mapping logical object identifiers to physical storage addresses. A prepending of a first delta record to a prior object state of the object may be initiated, the first delta record indicating an object modification associated with the obtained request. Installation of a first state change associated with the object modification may be initiated via a first atomic operation on a mapping table entry that indicates the prior object state of the object. For example, the latch-free B-tree structure may include a B-tree like index structure over records as the objects, and logical page identifiers as the logical object identifiers.
US09003161B2 Systems and methods for managing read-only memory
A first virtual memory address is mapped to a real memory in a memory device, and a second virtual memory address is mapped to the real memory. Here, the first virtual memory address is authorized to modify data in the real memory and the second virtual memory address is not authorized to modify the data in the real memory.
US09003160B2 Active buffered memory
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a memory device that includes memory and a processing element includes receiving, in the processing element, a command from a requestor, loading, in the processing element, a program based on the command, the program comprising a load instruction loaded from a first memory location in the memory, and performing, by the processing element, the program, the performing including loading data in the processing element from a second memory location in the memory. The method also includes generating, by the processing element, a virtual address of the second memory location based on the load instruction and translating, by the processing element, the virtual address into a real address.
US09003156B2 Configurable and scalable storage system
The system utilizes a plurality of layers to provide a robust storage solution. One layer is the RAID engine that provides parity RAID protection, disk management and striping for the RAID sets. The second layer is called the virtualization layer and it separates the physical disks and storage capacity into virtual disks that minor the drives that a target system requires. A third layer is a LUN (logical unit number) layer that is disposed between the virtual disks and the host. By using this approach, the system can be used to represent any number, size, or capacity of disks that a host system requires while using any configuration of physical RAID storage.
US09003154B2 Device requiring address allocation, device system and address allocation method
A device requiring address allocation, a device system, and an address allocation method. A control device in the device system transmits currently allocated address information and a contention start signal to each device requiring address allocation in the device system through a bus, and the devices requiring address allocation with address allocation flag information being that no address information is allocated output an address contention signal. When outputting the address contention signal, each device requiring address allocation determines whether the currently allocated address information is available according to whether the other devices requiring address allocation with address allocation flag information being that no address information is allocated already output address contention signals. When determining availability of currently allocated address information, the device requiring address allocation stores currently allocated address information, and modifies address allocation flag information to address information already allocated, thereby achieving address allocation for the devices.
US09003153B2 Method of storing blocks of data in a plurality of memory devices in a redundant manner, a memory controller and a memory system
A memory controller, system and method for storing data blocks in a plurality of physically distinct non-volatile memory devices, each being independently written to or read from. The method includes generating one or more error checking data blocks based upon the plurality of data blocks; and storing the plurality of data blocks and the error checking data block(s) in the distinct physical non-volatile memory devices, with each data block in a different physical memory device. The method links the addresses of the data blocks and the error checking data block(s) in a cyclical link so that any entry to one of the data blocks will result in a link to all of the other data blocks. The memory controller has a processor and a memory for storing programming code for performing the foregoing method.
US09003147B2 Electronic device and save data recording method
A virtual capacity acquisition unit acquires a size of virtual capacity of a save data area from an application. A storage capacity acquisition unit acquires a size of save data of the application. A writing control unit prohibits the application from writing the save data exceeding the virtual capacity in a recording device. A free space acquisition unit acquires a size of free space of the recoding device, and the writing control unit prohibits the writing of save data whose size is larger than that of the free space.
US09003146B2 Managing memory of a computer
A method for managing data in a memory of a computer. The method includes the steps of: prohibiting a specified memory area in a memory from being accessed temporarily or intermittently; and attaching, to first data, a first mark indicating that the first data has been read when a page fault has occurred as a result of an access by any process to read on the first data; where the first data is present in a specified memory area prohibited from being accessed; and where at least one of the steps is carried out using a computer device.
US09003142B2 Volume swapping of point-in-time read-only target volumes
A mechanism is provided for adding point-in-time copy relationships to a data processing system. A request is received to establish a first point-in-time copy relationship. Responsive to determining that a first target of the first point-in-time copy relationship is target write inhibited, that a source of the first point-in-time copy relationship is a source of a first continuous synchronous copy relationship, that a target of the first continuous synchronous copy relationship is part of a second point-in-time copy relationship, and that the source of the first point-in-time copy relationship is part of a volume swap configuration, a volume swap relationship is added between the first point-in-time target volume and the second point-in-time target volume to the volume swap configuration. Both point-in-time copy relationships are established and any continuous synchronous copy requirements of the volume swap relationship between the first point-in-time target volume and the second point-in-time target volume are disabled.
US09003138B1 Read signature command
A method, system, and computer program product for providing a first site the ability to execute a read signature command, wherein the read signature command takes a set of arguments, wherein at least one of the arguments corresponds to at least a portion of the first storage medium, and returns a signature value for the at least a portion of the storage medium.
US09003136B2 Self learning backup and recovery management system
A system and method provide for a reception of data at a computer processor. The data relates to a dataset in a computer system. The computer processor calculates a weight for the dataset as a function of the data, and the processor executes an action on the dataset as a function of the weight. In an embodiment, the action is a backup of data on the computer system, and through recalculation of the weight over a period of time, the backup schedule, backup media, and other parameters are altered based on the changing weight for a dataset.
US09003131B1 Method and system for maintaining context event logs without locking in virtual machine
System for working with shared memory includes a plurality of contexts, each having executable processes writing and reading data; a ring buffer in the shared memory for writing and reading data by the contexts; a software primitive manages access attempts by the contexts to the ring buffer. Each context, upon writing to the ring buffer, is allocated an amount of space up to a maximum available at that moment. The software primitive guarantees consistency of the data written to the ring buffer. The software primitive permits simultaneous writing into the buffer by multiple contexts. After finishing writing to the buffer, the context updates a state of the buffer by decrementing the count of the active writers and/or by shifting the permitting pointers for communicating with writers and readers. A context can read from the buffer only data is marked as valid for reading by the context that wrote that data.
US09003129B1 Techniques for inter-storage-processor cache communication using tokens
A method, performed at a first storage processor (SP) connected to a mirroring second SP, includes (a) receiving a write command at the first SP from a host directed to a particular address of a data storage array, (b) identifying a reference in a first cache that is uniquely associated with the particular address, the reference having a token count field, (c) determining whether the reference is synchronized with a corresponding reference in a second cache, and (d) if the reference is synchronized with the corresponding reference, then (1) performing a cache write operation on a cache page pointed to by the reference if the reference stores a maximum token count value and (2) otherwise, sending a token request message from the first SP to the second SP over a cache mirroring bus to request a token from the second SP prior to performing the cache write operation.
US09003126B2 Apparatus, system and method for adaptive cache replacement in a non-volatile main memory system
Techniques and mechanisms for adaptively changing between replacement policies for selecting lines of a cache for eviction. In an embodiment, evaluation logic determines a value of a performance metric which is for writes to a non-volatile memory. Based on the determined value of the performance metric, a parameter value of a replacement policy is determined. In another embodiment, cache replacement logic performs a selection of a line of cache for data eviction, where the selection is in response to the policy unit providing an indication of the determined parameter value.
US09003124B2 Managing a region cache
A system or computer usable program product for managing a cache region including receiving a new region to be stored within the cache, the cache including multiple regions defined by one or more ranges having a starting index and an ending index, and storing the new region in the cache in accordance with a cache invariant, the cache invariant ensuring that regions in the cache are not overlapping and that the regions are stored in a specified order.
US09003122B2 Level one data cache line lock and enhanced snoop protocol during cache victims and writebacks to maintain level one data cache and level two cache coherence
This invention assures cache coherence in a multi-level cache system upon eviction of a higher level cache line. A victim buffer stored data on evicted lines. On a DMA access that may be cached in the higher level cache the lower level cache sends a snoop write. The address of this snoop write is compared with the victim buffer. On a hit in the victim buffer the write completes in the victim buffer. When the victim data passes to the next cache level it is written into a second victim buffer to be retired when the data is committed to cache. DMA write addresses are compared to addresses in this second victim buffer. On a match the write takes place in the second victim buffer. On a failure to match the controller sends a snoop write.
US09003115B2 Method and system for governing an enterprise level green storage system drive technique
A method and system for manipulating a spin state of each disk in a drive array is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring input/output (I/O) requests to each disk drive in a disk array and identifying any disk drive as an inactive disk drive based on a number of I/O requests directed to said any disk drive for a given time interval. The method further includes moving data from the inactive disk drive to an active disk drive having a free disk space to store the data and updating metadata associated with the data using a log-structured file system for the disk array. Further, the method includes manipulating a spin state of the inactive disk drive by spinning down the inactive disk drive to conserve power. Furthermore, the method includes redirecting subsequent I/O requests for the inactive disk drive to the active disk drive by accessing the metadata of the log-structured file system.
US09003113B2 Methods and systems for reducing churn in flash-based cache
A storage device includes a flash memory-based cache for a hard disk-based storage device and a controller that is configured to limit the rate of cache updates through a variety of mechanisms, including determinations that the data is not likely to be read back from the storage device within a time period that justifies its storage in the cache, compressing data prior to its storage in the cache, precluding storage of sequentially-accessed data in the cache, and/or throttling storage of data to the cache within predetermined write periods and/or according to user instruction.
US09003110B2 Dividing incoming data into multiple data streams and transforming the data for storage in a logical data object
Various embodiments for storing a logical object are provided. In one such embodiment, by way of example only, incoming data is divided corresponding to a logical data object into a plurality of independent streams, associating each data chunk of a plurality of obtained data chunks with a corresponding stream among the plurality of independent streams. At least one of the obtained data chunks and derivatives thereof is sequentially accommodated in accordance with an order the obtained chunks are received, while keeping the association with the corresponding streams. A global index is generated as a single meta-data stream accommodated in the logical data object and comprising information common to the plurality of independent streams and related to mapping between data in the logical data object and the obtained data chunks.
US09003106B1 Crash consistency
A system, method, and computer program product for establishing a memory-mapped file, enabling the memory-mapped file data to be paged to a non-volatile storage medium, marking a portion of the memory-mapped file as protected, wherein a write to the memory mapped file throws a segmentation fault; receiving a write at the memory mapped file, throwing a segmentation fault; and handling the segmentation fault in a segmentation handler, where the handling comprises reading the information in the memory mapped file facility into the undo log, and writing the write IO to the storage medium.
US09003105B2 Semiconductor memory device and method for writing therein
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of blocks in a memory cell, each of the blocks acting as an erasure unit of data, the block including a plurality of pages, each of the pages including a plurality of memory cell transistors, each of the memory cell transistors being configured to be an erasure state or a first retention state based on a threshold voltage of the memory cell transistor, and a controller searching data in the block with respect to, writing a first flag denoting effective into a prescribed page of the block with the erasure state, and writing the first flag denoting non-effective into a prescribed page of the block with the first retention state, reading out the prescribed page of the block with the first retention state, and determining that the block is writable when the first flag denotes effective.
US09003101B1 Prioritized access for media with heterogeneous access rates
A non-volatile storage subsystem is described which identifies performance-sensitive commands and heterogeneous performance characteristics of portions of a non-volatile storage media, and matches the performance sensitivity of the commands with an available physical write address corresponding to performance characteristics appropriate for the performance sensitivity of the command. A command can be considered performance sensitive if it originates from a host or a preferred host among a plurality of hosts, or if the command designates a frequently accessed logical address. Performance characteristics of the storage device can be determined by physical architectures of the storage media such as the distance from the axial center of a disk media, or the architecture technology of a solid-state array. Performance characteristics can also be determined dynamically and heterogeneous performance can be encouraged by internal maintenance policies of the subsystem.
US09003097B2 Information transfer apparatus, information transfer system and information transfer method
An information transfer apparatus of the present invention is an information transfer apparatus including a network interface connected to a server that distributes data, via a network, and a USB interface connected to an information presentation apparatus that presents the data, the information transfer apparatus transferring the data distributed from the server to the information presentation apparatus; and the information transfer apparatus includes: a switch that enables or disables connection with the information presentation apparatus via the USB interface; and a control section that judges whether or not the data distributed from the server has been updated, enables connection with the information presentation apparatus by the switch to transfer the data to the information presentation apparatus only upon judging that the data has been updated, and, after transferring the data, disables the connection with the information presentation apparatus by the switch.
US09003096B2 Serial interface
A method is provided. A communication is received by an input pin of an IC over a single-wire bus, where the communication includes a command byte. If the command byte is an initialization command byte, a self-addressing operation is performed to identify a bus address for the IC. Alternatively, if the command byte is a data movement command byte, a data movement operation is performed. When data movement operation is performed, the bus interface of the IC is set from the transparent mode to the operational mode if an operation address from the command byte matches the bus address so that a register identified in the command byte can be accessed and data movement with the register can be performed.
US09003092B2 System on chip bus system and a method of operating the bus system
A bus system of a system on chip (SoC) includes a first and a second masters, a first slave, and a first and a second control modules. The control modules generates a first and a second access control state signals in response to a first locking access preparation request signal from a corresponding master. The access control signals are broadcasted between the first and the second control modules through a communication channel.A method of operating a bus system in a locked access mode includes allowing one of masters to access one of slaves through a control module and restricting other masters from accessing the one of slaves through other control modules connecting the other masters and the one of slaves in accordance with a control state signal.
US09003088B2 Mapping virtual devices to computing nodes
A method for providing virtualization of information handling resources includes accessing a information handling system and a information handling resource, accessing a first virtual function configured to cause virtualized access to the information handling resource through the interface, accessing a second virtual function configured to cause virtualized access to the information handling resource through the interface, and selectively mapping the first virtual function and the second virtual function to information handling systems of the system. The selective mapping includes preventing the first virtual function and the second virtual function from both being mapped to the same information handling system.
US09003084B2 Sorting
Systems and techniques are disclosed that include in one aspect a computer implemented method storing a received stream of data elements in a buffer, applying a boundary condition to the data elements stored in the buffer after receiving each individual data element of the stream of data elements, and producing one or more data elements from the buffer based on the boundary condition as an output stream of data elements sorted according to a predetermined order.
US09003080B2 Managed access to peripherals of a service terminal
Managed access to one or more peripherals of a service terminal is provided. A master controller controls access to the peripheral(s) by applications of the service terminal, wherein only a single application can access the peripheral(s) at a time, by identifying an application of the applications for placing into an on-focus state in order to enable access to the peripheral(s) by the identified application, and placing the identified application into the on-focus state, where access to the peripheral(s) by the identified application is enabled. The remaining applications of the applications execute in an off-focus state in which the master controller simulates, for the remaining applications, connectivity to the peripheral(s), and in which access to the peripheral(s) by the remaining applications is disabled transparent to the remaining applications while the access to the peripheral(s) by the identified application is enabled.
US09003079B2 API methods for phone-on-file opt-in at a merchant server
A phone-on-file opt-in method is described. A phone-on-file opt-in request is received at the billing server including a msisdn and a merchant supplied unique consumer identifier. The billing server confirms the phone-on-file opt-in with a consumer device and records a phone-on-file opt-in status as active if the first phone-on-file is confirmed. A charge method includes receiving, at the billing server, a charge API call from a merchant server including at least one identifier and an amount, determining a phone-on-file opt-in status corresponding to the identifier at the billing server and transmitting a request to charge a user account to a carrier server if the phone-on-file opt-in status is active, but not if the phone-on-file opt-in status is inactive, the request including an amount corresponding to the amount received in the charge API call.
US09003078B2 Merchant managed subscriptions at a merchant server
A system and method is described for managing subscriptions between a consumer mobile phone, merchant server, billing server and carrier server. A charge-info method is used for the merchant server to retrieve charge elements from the billing server for constructing a user interface for the consumer mobile phone. An opt-in method is used to confirm a consumer's opt-in for a subscription. A remind-charge method is used to remind the consumer of an upcoming charge on the subscription. A charge method allows the merchant server to charge a user account on a carrier server via the billing server. A cancel method is used for the consumer to cancel the subscription.
US09003073B2 Communication connector enabling communication status thereof to be determined independently and communication apparatus comprising the same
Disclosed is a communication connector enabling the communication status thereof to be determined independently which makes it possible to determine the communication status of the communication connector by the communication connector itself independently without the involvement of a processor for controlling the communication connector through wired data communication and a communication apparatus comprising the communication connector.
US09003072B2 Portable data storage device with wireless functionality having a digital switch circuit and a method for storing data in the aforementioned
There is provided a portable data storage device with wireless functionality. The portable storage device includes a digital switch circuit for controlling a flow of data in the portable storage device; a non-volatile memory module coupled to the digital switch circuit, the non-volatile memory module being for storing data; an interface coupled to the digital switch circuit for enabling the portable data storage device to be used for data transfer with a host device; a microcontroller coupled to the digital switch circuit for controlling the digital switch circuit; and a wireless communications module coupled to the microcontroller for wireless transmission/reception of data. The microcontroller is configured to toggle amongst a plurality of discrete modes of the digital switch circuit such that in at least one of the plurality of discrete modes the digital switch circuit diverts data away from the microcontroller to reduce a processing load on the microcontroller. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US09003068B2 Service channel for connecting a host computer to peripheral devices
A computer system having a host adapter is provided. The host adapter includes a primary port that follows a primary communication protocol. The primary port is connectable to at least one peripheral device. The host adapter includes a service port that follows a service communication protocol to monitor and send recovery commands to the peripheral device. The service port is decoupled and separate from the primary port and connectable to the at least one peripheral device.
US09003067B2 Network and method for operating the network
A method for operating a network with two control devices and at least one peripheral device, wherein each of the control devices, in relation to the peripheral device, is in an active operating state in which it is sending control instructions to the peripheral device or is in an idle operating state in which it is not sending any control instructions to the peripheral device. The control device that is in the active operating state in relation to the peripheral device sends synchronization signals at regular intervals to the other control device and activity signals to the peripheral device. Upon failure of the synchronization signals, the non-active control device checks whether the peripheral device is still receiving activity signals from the active control device. If it is not, the non-active control device assumes control of the peripheral device.
US09003066B2 Storage controller selecting system, storage controller selecting method, and recording medium
A storage controller selecting system includes a time information storage unit, a receiver, and a processor. The time information storage unit is configured to store internal processing time information for each of a plurality of storage controllers. The internal processing time information for each individual storage controller relates to an internal processing time taken for processing performed within the individual storage controller in response to an access request to a logical volume. The receiver is configured to receive a creation request for requesting creation of a new logical volume. The processor is configured to select a certain storage controller from among the plurality of storage controllers according to the internal processing time information, and to cause the certain storage controller to create the new logical volume.
US09003065B2 De-duplicating of packets in flows at layer 3
Embodiments are directed towards receiving packets communicated over at least one network, determining layer 3 header information for the received packets, normalizing the determined layer 3 header information for each received packet, employing a determined value based on the normalized layer 3 header information to detect each received packet that is a duplicate, disregarding duplicate packets, and enabling monitoring and analysis of at least selected flows that include packets that are determined to be non-duplicated. Also, if the determined layer 3 header information indicates that the received packet is fragmented, that packet is de-fragmented at least in accordance with a fragment offset. Additionally, normalization may include at least one of masking at least one value in the layer 3 header information, or rolling back changes in the layer 3 header information.
US09003061B2 Methods and apparatus for an embedded appliance
In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a media module and a modification module included in an embedded appliance. The media module is configured to receive a first media signal associated with a first input port of the embedded appliance and a second media signal associated with a second input port of the embedded appliance. The media module is configured to identify a first set of media signal parameters based on the first media signal. The modification module is configured to receive a modification instruction associated with a session format having a second set of media signal parameters different from the first set of media signal parameters. The modification module is configured to modify the first media signal based on the first set of media signal parameters and the modification instruction to produce a first modified media signal in the session format and having the second set of media signal parameters.
US09003058B2 Method, system, user equipment and program for dynamically selecting proxies for communication with servers using known paths
Method, User equipment, system and program for limiting an amount of information transmitted between a plurality of user equipments and a server. The method comprising establishing communication links between a plurality of user equipments based upon a proximity of the plurality of user equipments, determining a tactical common mission group selected from the linked plurality of user equipments using a mission profile stored in each of the plurality of user equipments; and selecting a proxy for the tactical common mission group. The proxy communicates with a server on behalf of the tactical common mission group. A proxy is selected based upon a ranking.
US09003056B2 Maintaining a minimum level of real time media recommendations in the absence of online friends
The present invention provides a peer-to-peer (P2P) network for providing real time media recommendations. The P2P network includes a central server interconnecting a number of peer devices. In operation, a proxy function of the central server receives media recommendations from one or more peer devices that are active and online as media presentations identified by the media recommendations are played by the peer devices. The one or more peer devices are included in a group of peer devices associated with a first peer device. The proxy function provides the media recommendations to the first peer device. An augmentation function of the central server monitors a recommendation level of the first peer device. If the recommendation level falls below a minimum recommendation level, the augmentation function augments the media recommendations provided to the first peer device to increase the recommendation level to or above the minimum recommendation level.
US09003054B2 Compressing null columns in rows of the tabular data stream protocol
Systems and methodologies that enhance a Tabular Data Stream (TDS) protocol by enabling efficient transmission of a row(s) with null columns(s). An identification component employs a bit map that can be positioned at beginning of a row, to indicate to the receiving side (e.g., a client) columns that are to be sent. Accordingly, by distinguishing columns that are null from columns that are not null—followed by sending columns that are not null—transmission resources can be effectively employed.
US09003053B2 Message acceleration
A data processing system comprising: a host computing device supporting an operating system and a network protocol stack, the network protocol stack being operable to support one or more transport streams by performing transport stream protocol processing of data packets received over the streams; a network interface device arranged to couple the host computing device to a network and operable to receive data packets over a transport stream supported by the network protocol stack; and a message engine configured to perform upper layer protocol processing; wherein the network interface device is configured to, on receiving a data packet over one of a predetermined set of transport streams, pass the payload data of the data packet to the message engine and the message engine is configured to, in response to receiving the payload data, identify and process any upper layer messages in the payload data in accordance with the upper layer protocol.
US09003049B1 Interactive voice response object
Methods, devices, and systems for creating and using an interactive voice object are provided. An alternative way of providing Interactive Voice Response (IVR) capabilities to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoint is described. More specifically, the present invention allows the SIP endpoint to have its SIP signaling controlled by an application running in a SIP application server.
US09003040B2 Request routing processing
Generally described, the present disclosure is directed to managing request routing functionality corresponding to resource requests for one or more resources associated with a content provider. The processing of the DNS requests by the service provider can include the selective filtering of DNS queries associated with a DNS query-based attack. A service provider can assign DNS servers corresponding to a distributed set of network addresses, or portions of network addresses, such that DNS queries exceeding a threshold, such as in DNS query-based attacks, can be filtered in a manner that can mitigate performance impact on for the content provider or service provider.
US09003039B2 Method and apparatus of resource allocation or resource release
A method of resource allocation by a resource controlling device includes receiving, from a sending device, a list of resource devices requested by a resource requesting device. Allocation of a first resource device on the list of resource devices is performed. A list of remaining resource devices is sent to a next resource controlling device if the first resource device on the list of resource devices is successfully allocated for the resource requesting device and the first resource device is not a last resource device on the list of resource devices. An allocation failure message is sent to the sending device if the first resource device on the list of resource devices is not successfully allocated for the resource requesting device.
US09003036B1 HTTP header content-length information
The instant application describes a method for enabling manipulation of a HTTP header of content that is being downloaded through a datapower to include content-length information. The method includes steps of receiving, from a mobile device and at a mobile service provider network, a request for downloading content over a wireless network; forwarding the request to a datapower, which acquires the content from a server and removes content-length information from the content; enabling the datapower to recreate the content-length information of the downloaded content and repopulate the HTTP header of downloaded content with the content-length information; and sending the downloaded content to the mobile device.
US09003032B2 Video aware pages
A method is provided that includes retrieving user interface (UI) analytics data describing interactions with a UI provided by an online service, and retrieving media player state information describing interactions with video data included in the UI. The method further includes generating, based on the UI analytics data and the media player state information, UI data describing how the video data affects usage of the online service and how one or more elements within the UI affect user access to the video data, and presenting a comparison between a first subset of the UI data where the video data is not viewed and a second subset of the UI data where the video data is viewed to facilitate evaluation of how viewing the video data on the UI affects navigation to and from the UI.
US09003030B2 Detecting relative crowd density via client devices
Detecting crowds is provided. A location is selected in a set of locations a user of a client device wants to go to based on data within a profile associated with the user. A set of data inputs is monitored to determine a number of people currently at the selected location. Then, in response to determining that the number of people currently at the selected location is not greater than a user-defined threshold level of people for the selected location, a mapped route to the selected location is sent to the client device of the user.
US09003029B2 Method, apparatus and system for joint optimization
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus and a system for joint optimization. The method for joint optimization includes: decomposing the joint optimization of an entire network into the joint optimization performed in each sub-network, regarding a bandwidth requirement for a server off the sub-network as a bandwidth requirement for a virtual server on a port, iteratively performing the joint optimization in each sub-network, and applying results of the joint optimization in the network. In the embodiments of the present invention, the bandwidth requirement for the server off the sub-network is regarded as the bandwidth requirement for the virtual server on the port, the joint optimization is iteratively performed in each sub-network, and the results of the joint optimization are applied in the network, so that the joint optimization of the entire network is performed in parallel.
US09003024B2 Usage based accounting for network deployment
Usage based accounting is contemplated. The usage based accounting may be beneficial in facilitating assessment of data usage for devices connected inside of a network address translator (NAT) or other type of device having limited capabilities to associated data usage with specific user devices.
US09003021B2 Management of storage system access based on client performance and cluser health
In one embodiment, a method includes determining a previous client performance value in terms of a performance metric for a volume in a storage system. The previous client performance value is related to previous access for a client to the volume. Also, the storage system is storing data for a plurality of volumes where data for each of the plurality of volumes is striped substantially evenly across drives of the storage system. The method applies criteria to the previous performance value to determine a target performance value. Performance of the client with respect to access to the volume is regulated in terms of the performance metric based on the target performance value.
US09003018B2 System and method for data set synchronization and replication
According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for synchronizing data sets includes receiving a request to synchronize a first data set associated with a first server and a second data set associated with a second server. The method also includes determining, with reference to one or more replication constraints, whether to begin synchronization. The method further includes applying one or more resource control actions in response to determining to begin synchronization.
US09003010B1 Scalable network monitoring system
A scaleable network monitoring system is discussed. The network monitoring system identifies network monitoring information for the network elements being monitored. By storing only a non-redundant subset of the identified network information in memory, the network monitoring system is able to monitor a much larger group of network elements than is possible with conventional monitoring systems which are burdened by memory constraints. The scaleable network monitoring system also employs a multi-threaded architecture that dynamically spawns an array of multi-technology monitoring sub-systems.
US09003003B1 Managing computer resources
Managing computer resources. Workload state information associated with one or more servers in a data center is accessed by a computer, the workload state information comprises workload placement on one or more servers, cooling conditions of the one or more servers, and performance requirements associated with a data center. Cooling state information of cooling resources associated with the one or more servers are accessed by the computer, the cooling state information comprises cooling conditions of the cooling resources. The workload state information and the cooling state information are compared by the computer. Based on the comparing, the computer generates workload repositioning instructions that instruct repositioning of workload on the one or more servers to meet the performance requirements.
US09003000B2 System and method for operating system installation on a diskless computing platform
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for automatically provisioning a diskless computing device and an associated server system. A diskless computing device client incorporates an iSCSI initiator that is used to access resources provided by an iSCSI target that is resident on a server computing device. The iSCSI initiator is implemented in the client firmware, providing INT13 disk services entry points, thereby enabling the client to transparently access virtual storage devices at boot time. The client device conducts an apparently local installation using the virtual storage devices provided by the server computing device. A short signature value is associated with the boot image, uniquely associating the boot image with the specific client hardware configuration. When the client device boots normally, the signature value of the client device is presented to the server computing device to automatically reference the appropriate boot image.
US09002997B2 Instance host configuration
Methods and apparatus for instance host configuration are disclosed. A system includes a plurality of instance hosts configurable for resource instances of a network-accessible service, and control servers to manage remote configuration of the instance hosts. In response to an instance configuration request from a client, a selected control server transmits, to a selected instance host, a sequence of one or more commands. The selected instance host instantiates a remote command executor. The remote command executor initiates configuration operations corresponding to the command sequence, and terminates. The selected control server provides a response to the instance configuration request, based at least in part on results of the operations initiated by the executor.
US09002996B2 Transaction based server configuration management system and method therefor
A request to perform a system configuration operation at an information handling system is received at a service processor included at the information handling system. The service processor determines that the configuration operation completed successfully and prepares an abstraction of the system configuration operation that can be used to replicate the system configuration operation at another information handling system. The abstraction is provided to a coordinating processor. The coordinating processor generates an identifier that uniquely identifies the abstraction and provides the identifier to the service processor. The service processor stores the identifier.
US09002992B2 Location based game state synchronization
A technique and apparatus for backing up and restoring game application state across multiple devices are disclosed herein. The method includes running an instance of a game application at a first device. Based on any of various criteria, such as the proximity between the first device and a second device, a computer makes a determination to synchronize the application state between the two devices. The computer causes the application state data, which represents an application state of the game application running on the first device, to be saved and made available to the second device, such as by saving the application state data to cloud storage. The second device receives the application state data and restores the game application state.
US09002991B2 System and methods for cloud-based media play out
The present disclosure is directed to cloud-based media distribution and management systems, providing pushing of content to regional playout servers geographically dispersed for local rebroadcasting of network based content. Automation may be controlled through a hierarchical system, allowing easy and efficient playlist editing and media control. In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a playout server for retrieving or receiving content from a network or cloud based storage, and playing content according to an automated playlist received from a media distribution and management system.
US09002986B2 Systems and methods for sharing customer assets
In one embodiment, a system or method for sharing customer assets includes receiving with a first regional service universal login information provided by a customer, the first regional service comprising one of multiple regional services that each comprises a distinct version of a network-based service, wherein each regional service is specific to a particular geographical region in which it is operated, accessing a central database with the first regional service to verify the universal login information, wherein the central database is accessible to each of the multiple regional services, and accessing the central database with the first regional service to access shared customer assets stored in the central database, wherein the shared customer assets stored in the central database are accessible to each of the multiple regional services.
US09002981B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in communication system
A data transmission apparatus in a communication system includes a reception unit configured to receive terminal information from a plurality of terminals through a new frequency band for transmitting and receiving data between the plurality of terminals and one AP (access point); a verification unit configured to verify the terminal information, group the terminals into terminal groups by using the terminal information, and verify virtual APs which respectively correspond to the terminal groups, in the AP; and a transmission unit configured to transmit beacon frames in the virtual APs, to the terminals included in the terminal groups, wherein the beacon frames include beacon interval information, beacon duration information, beacon offset information, and terminal group information.
US09002980B2 Establishing a virtual tunnel between two computer programs
A system transfers data via a communication session between a client application and a server application, where the client application runs on a first network and the server application runs on a second network. The system includes a proxy having a socket to the client application. The proxy converts data between a local protocol run on the first network to a non-local protocol. An agent creates a socket to the server application. The agent converts data between a local protocol run on the second network and the non-local protocol. A server is in communication with the proxy and the agent. The server contains a message queue dedicated to the communication session. The message queue stores data transmitted during the communication session.
US09002976B2 System, apparatus and method for encryption and decryption of data transmitted over a network
A method and system for securing data transmitted between a client device and a server by obtaining input text at an intermediate module, processing the input text to obtain processed text, and transmitting the processed text to the server. According to one embodiment of the invention, the intermediate module may add excess information (referred to herein as bait) to encrypted user data in known locations. Such bait may be used when processed user data is received at the intermediate module in order to infer the kind of transformation applied to processed user data. Non-limiting examples of transformations for which bait may be used are application of a certain character encoding scheme and HTML tag elimination.
US09002972B2 Systems and methods for sharing the results of computing operations among related computing systems
A computer-implemented for sharing the results of computing operations among related computing systems may include: 1) identifying a need to perform a computing operation on a file, 2) identifying a unique identifier associated with the file, 3) determining, by using the unique identifier to query a shared store that is shared by a group of related computing systems, that at least one computing system within the group of related computing systems has previously performed the computing operation on an instance of the file, and then 4) retrieving the results of the computing operation from the shared store instead of performing the computing operation. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09002968B2 Fabric network
Systems and methods relating to communication within a fabric network are presented. The fabric network includes one or more logical networks that enables devices connected to the fabric to communicate with each other using various profiles known to the devices. A device sending a message may follow a general message format to encode the message so that other devices in the fabric may understand the message regardless of which logical networks the devices are connected to. Within the message format, a payload of data may be included for the receiving device to forward, store, or process the message. The format and the contents of the payload may vary according to a header within the payload that indicates a profile and a message type within the profile. Using the profile and message type, the receiving devices may decode the message to process the message.
US09002965B1 Distribution of messages in nodes connected by a grid architecture
A method, system, and a computer program product for transferring a message from a source node to recipient nodes connected by a grid architecture. According to an aspect, a source node stores a message in a message grid. An identifier and a message-type of the message are then received in a message manager node. If the type of message to be sent to the recipient nodes is the same as the message-type of the message stored in the message grid, the message manager node sends the identifier to the recipient nodes. The recipient nodes then retrieve the message from the message grid using the message identifier. Recipient nodes register with a registration grid specifying the type of message desired to be received.
US09002964B2 Criterion-dependent email display agent
There is set forth herein a computer program product, computing device, and method for displaying an email message. In one example, a computing device receives an input comprising at least one criterion for redacting email messages; stores the at least one criterion in a configuration of a client computer program; receives an email message having a field, the field comprising a first content; determines whether a condition of at least one of the email message and a current state of the computing device satisfies the at least one criterion stored in the configuration of the client computer program; and, in response to determining that the condition satisfies the at least one criterion, displays a second content in place of the first content in a user interface of the client computer program, wherein the second content is different than the first content.
US09002954B2 Task management system associating with contact information and method thereof
A task item can be stored in a collaboration database, wherein the collaboration database able to be accessed by a communication module and a task management tool, which both run on a client. The communication module can be able to access a communication server that provides a communication service to the client. The task management tool can be able to access a collaboration server that provides a collaboration service to the client. A collaboration item can be established that contains a task identifier associating with the task item and a collaboration identifier associating with contact information. The communication module running in a client can be called according to the contact information of the collaboration database. The task item can be displayed within a user interface of a communication application via the communication module.
US09002951B2 Web gateway multi-carrier support
Wireless Internet gateway (WIG) providing multicarrier support that allows the gateway to send message to other peer gateways including a Message Distribution Center (MDS) trough which short messages are routed to other carriers based on carrier formats stored in a lookup table. Carrier format tables may be updated rather than employing an Internet gateway program thereby reducing downtime for updating, reducing the complexity of updates, and improving reliability during changes in a subscriber carrier. The WIG communicates with other carrier gateways utilizing different or varying protocols. Information regarding other carriers may be added, changed, and/or removed by modifying a configuration property file relating to the message format for other carriers, rather than by providing each carrier with its own class thereby avoiding a need to reprogram sending gateways.
US09002945B2 Tracking, correlating, and processing multi-user online sessions
Scheduling an online session including: determining desired time slots for an online session; determining potential users to participate in the online session; sending invitations to the potential users; receiving responses to the invitations thereby identifying participants for the online session; and entering the online session into the calendars of the participants of the online session.
US09002944B2 Virtual badge, device and method
A system, methods, and devices comprising a virtual badge are disclosed. The virtual badge can be displayed on an electronic device or on another linked or unlinked portable device. For use in both emergency and non-emergency scenarios, the virtual badge comprises images and data which can be scanned, and the capability to alternate colors and/or self-destruct on a pre-set schedule. The system, methods, and devices may use a self-destruct mechanism which renders the virtual badge unusable. Using plugin technologies, the system optionally can enable field collected photos and notes on customizable forms to be mapped, tracked, and time/date stamped, including in a 100% disconnected environment. A modifiable virtual badge can aid in credentialing via certifications and qualifications, inventory, accountability, organization, and efficiency. The system, methods, and devices are designed to aid in access control, and other activities, such as data collection, inventory, accountability, payment gateways, and site management.
US09002943B2 Subscription-based dynamic content optimization
Content is received from a content source that is to be converted and provided to a subscriber. The subscriber is then associated with a document object model and rules for transforming the content according to the document object model. The content is mapped to the document object model using the rules to result in modified content so that the modified content can be provided to the subscriber. In one arrangement, an accompanying architecture includes a mobile device, an intelligent content gateway server (or group of servers), and one or more remote content sources. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
US09002940B2 Systems and methods for sharing of media sessions within a social network
To facilitate the sharing of media sessions by users within a social network. In an embodiment, a social networking system provides, for a second user of a social networking system, a reference about a first media session for a first user of the social networking system. The social networking system receives a request to participate in the first media session from the second user. The social networking system facilitates provision of a second media session for the second user that is synchronized with the first media session. The first media session may include media from at least one of an audio application, a video application, and a gaming application.
US09002936B2 Metanodes for open graph protocols
In one embodiment, one or more computing devices identify concept nodes of a same concept in a social graph, and create a meta node connecting to the concept nodes by respective edges.
US09002931B2 High-speed low-latency method for streaming real-time interactive images
An optimized ACK-less (“no acknowledgement required”) communication between the client and the server is enabled. Regardless of distance between the client and server, complete synchronization between the mouse movement, or any other updates to the three-dimensional model, and the rendered result is attained. Maximum frame rate is also attained, without requiring the inefficiency, and resulting latency, of acknowledged packets.
US09002928B2 Method and communication device for processing data for transmission from the communication device to a second communication device
A method and communication device for processing data for transmission from the communication device to a second communication device is provided. It is detected that the data comprises an attachment. An address of a copy of the attachment is determined, the attachment present on a storage device external to the communication devices. An address of the copy of the attachment is substituted in the data such that the copy is retrievable at the second communication device via the address. The data is then transmitted to the second communication device.
US09002927B2 Apparatus and method for managing remote user interface and system for the same
A system for managing a Remote User Interface (RUI) includes a Remote User Interface Server (RUIS) for sending an update message indicating that an RUI list including at least one RUI has been updated, and transmitting updated RUI list information upon receiving a request for updated RUI list information; and a Remote User Interface Client (RUIC) for sending a request for updated RUI list information to the RUIS upon recognizing from the update message received from the RUIS that an RUI list has been updated, receiving the updated RUI list information from the RUIS in response to the request, and updating existing RUI list information based on the updated RUI list information.
US09002925B2 Systems and methods for communicating between components in a hybrid environment
Systems and methods described herein provide for communication between a base component and a slate component of a hybrid computing system. The hybrid computing system is in a connected state when the base component and slate component are connected. Embodiments provide that the base component may control the slate component when the hybrid computing system is in a connected state. In addition, embodiments provide that a server module running on the display component and a client module running on the base component facilitate communication between the hybrid computing system components. Furthermore, systems and methods described herein provide that the base component may control hardware devices, peripheral devices, or software applications of the display component through communications between the server module and client module.
US09002923B2 Transparent web proxy
Disclosed is a system and method for providing a transparent proxy for Internet communications. A filtering and redirection module receives IP requests from at least one client, reads and saves the destination of the IP requests, and rewrites the destination of the IP request to the destination of a proxy module. Upon being unable to read, or otherwise determine, a destination for an IP request, the proxy module accesses destination information about the IP request from the filtering and redirection module. The proxy module then transmits the IP request to a web server at the original destination.
US09002920B2 Method and apparatus for extended management of state and interaction of a remote knowledge worker from a contact center
A network system for managing remote agents of a communication center includes a primary server connected to the network the primary server controlling at least one routing point; one or more secondary servers distributed on the network and accessible to the remote agents, the secondary server or servers having data access to agent computing platforms and communication peripherals; and, a software suite distributed in part to the secondary server or servers and distributed in part to one or more agents computing platforms and peripherals, the software suite including protocol for reporting agent status data. The system monitors agents computing platforms and peripherals for activity state through the one or more secondary servers whereupon the one or more secondary servers exchange control messaging and event related data using ISCC protocols with the primary server over the network for intelligent routing purposes.
US09002919B2 Data rearranging circuit, variable delay circuit, fast fourier transform circuit, and data rearranging method
A data rearranging circuit includes variable delay means and control means. The variable delay means, by imparting a delay of a number of delay cycles that differs for each input cycle and moreover for each port to each unit of data of a data group that is applied as input to a plurality of ports and in a plurality of cycles, switches the order of the data in the same port and supplies the data as the data group at a predetermined delay. The control means supplies control information that includes the number of delay cycles used in the variable delay means.
US09002918B2 Adaptive signal processing
An adaptive low pass filtering process with a filter delay DA is conducted in parallel with reference low pass filtering process with a filter delay DR which is greater than DA. The error is measured between a delayed version of the adaptive process output and the reference process output. Filter parameters of the adaptive process are controlled to minimize the error.
US09002917B2 Generating filter coefficients for a multi-channel notch rejection filter
Provided is a system for generating coefficient values. The system may include a base function generator and a series of accumulators including a leading and a last accumulator. In the series of accumulators, the data output of each accumulator, except the last, may be coupled to the data input of a successive adjacent accumulator. The base function generator may be configured to output, to the leading accumulator, a series of data values that may correspond to a base function that is a specified order derivative of a filter function. Each accumulator may be configured to: add a data value currently at its data input to a currently stored data value to produce an updated data value that may correspond to a respective value of a specified order integral of the base function; store the updated data value in the accumulator; and output the updated data value at its data output.
US09002916B1 Techniques for enhancing spurious free dynamic range performance
Techniques and architecture are disclosed for improving spurious performance in a signal generator/system. The disclosed techniques/architecture can be used, for example, to enhance/improve the wideband and/or narrowband spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) between a given carrier signal and spurious signals. In some example instances, wideband and/or narrowband SFDR may be improved to about −40 dBc or better. In some other example instances, wideband and/or narrowband SFDR may be improved to about −70 dBc or better. The disclosed techniques/architecture can be implemented in a wide variety of signal generators/systems, such as a direct digital synthesizer (DDS)-based system, and over a wide range of input clock frequencies (e.g., in the range of about 10 MHz to 40 GHz, or higher).
US09002914B2 Method, apparatus and instructions for parallel data conversions
Method, apparatus, and program means for performing a conversion. In one embodiment, a disclosed apparatus includes a destination storage location corresponding to a first architectural register. A functional unit operates responsive to a control signal, to convert a first packed first format value selected from a set of packed first format values into a plurality of second format values. Each of the first format values has a plurality of sub elements having a first number of bits. The second format values have a greater number of bits. The functional unit stores the plurality of second format values into an architectural register.
US09002911B2 Fileset masks to cluster inodes for efficient fileset management
A computer-implemented method enables efficient tracking of fileset IDs and inode utilizing a fileset mask and an internal inode mask. A utility dynamically updates the fileset mask and the internal inode mask to enable mapping of the number of one (1) bits in the fileset mask to a fileset identifier (ID) and mapping of the one bits in the inode mask to an inode number for the fileset, as either the number of filesets or the number of inodes required per filesets increases above a next power of two threshold. The one bits within the fileset mask and the internal inode mask are disjoint relative to each other. An external inode number is mapped to a corresponding fileset and to a corresponding inode number by concatenating individual bits of the external inode number corresponding to each one (1) bit within the fileset mask and the inode mask.
US09002909B2 Tracking marked documents
When data is stored on a computer, or subsequently, originator preferences relating to the data are stored in a database, for example in a network. When another user subsequently makes a request for processing of the received data, or a modified copy of the data, it is determined whether the requested processing is consistent with any stored originator preferences, and the requested processing is permitted only if it is consistent with the stored originator preferences. The preferences may relate to saving, copying or retransmitting the data. The originator may be notified of any processing operations that are carried out.
US09002908B2 System and method for automatically routing and managing stored documents based on document content
A system and method for routing and managing documents based on document content comprises obtain a document, determine a classification for the document based on the document content, determine a storage location for the document based on the document classification, determine whether the document is stored in the determined storage location, when the document is stored in the determined storage location, update the document in the determined storage location, when the document is not stored in the determined storage location, determine whether the document is stored in another storage location, when the document is stored in another storage location, add the document in the determined storage location and delete the document from the other storage location, and when the document is not stored in the other storage location, add the document to the determined storage location.
US09002907B2 Method and system for storing binary large objects (BLObs) in a distributed key-value storage system
A technique for storing binary large objects (BLObs) in a distributed key-value storage system is disclosed. In an embodiment, the storage of BLObs involves dividing the BLObs into smaller “BLOb chunks” and storing the BLOb chunks in storage nodes of the distributed key-value storage system. A BLOb is first associated with a key, referred to as a “BLOb key,” and each subsequent BLOb chunk is associated with a different unique key, referred to as a “BLOb chunk key.” A list of the BLOb chunks keys is maintained and all of the BLOb chunks of the BLOb can be retrieved from the distributed key-value storage system using the BLOb chunks key list.
US09002902B2 Techniques for constructing minimum supersets of test data from relational databases
A computer-implemented method is provided for constructing a minimum superset of data that complies with referential completeness as well as other specified data relationships. Given extraction criteria for the data, an iterative process analyzes the database for records to be included in the minimal superset. The iterative process includes: selecting a given table from a listing of tables implicated by the extraction criteria; identifying tables in the relational database having either a parent or a child relationship with the given table; evaluating concurrently and asynchronously each of the identified tables; and repeating these steps for each of the tables in the listing of tables.
US09002901B2 Optimized database content provisioning
Database content provisioning includes a broad base shipment as an initial release of database content. The database content may then be incrementally enriched with specific enhancements, which may be delivered as updates. Shipping variants for delivering upgrades include delta installations, and in some embodiments, may include full installations. Changes to an existing database object in activated database content may be treated as a new database object, and may include a reference to the existing database object. The user is notified of the new database object, but the new database object is otherwise not activated, thus ensuring stability of the activated database content.
US09002898B2 Automatically generating nodes and edges in an integrated social graph
In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining a data store of nodes and edges and for each of one or more users: scanning items of content associated with the corresponding user node; identifying a candidate item of content; searching for matches between the candidate item of content and existing nodes; determining whether or not a match between the candidate item of content and an existing node exists; and when it is determined that at least one match exists, generating an edge from the user node to the existing node for which the best match is determined; and when it is determined that no match exists, generating a new node based on the candidate item of content, and generating an edge from the user node to the new node.
US09002896B2 Knowledge-assisted approach to dynamically create data sources for variable-data marketing campaigns
A computer-implemented method and system for creating data sources for a variable data publishing (VDP) marketing campaign pattern. The method and system can be utilized to generate a data source from external sources, such as Encyclopedic knowledge-bases, when desired data is not locally available. A user can specify a conceptual identity, and the method and system automatically map the conceptual identity to an appropriate database, generate semantic queries, and query the database to develop the data source for use in the campaign.
US09002893B2 Optimizing a clustered virtual computing environment
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer program product, and system for optimizing a clustered virtual computing environment. In exemplary embodiments, performance attributes are identified for a set of operating devices within the clustered virtual computing environment. Historical data of the identified performance attributes is obtained to create a historical data repository. A rulebase is developed using the historical data repository and input from user. A combined correlation pattern repository is generated using a first correlation pattern, a second correlation pattern and a scale-time invariant weight fraction.
US09002892B2 Systems and methods for trend detection using frequency analysis
Systems and methods for trend detection using frequency analysis in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, trend detection includes generating a discrete time sequence of word counts for a target word using a trend detection device, performing frequency analysis of the discrete time sequence of word counts to determine contributions of frequency components within different frequency ranges to the discrete time sequence of word counts using the trend detection device, and detecting that the target word is a trending keyword based upon at least the frequency analysis of the discrete time sequence of word counts for the target word using the trend detection device.
US09002891B2 System, method and computer program product for portal user data access in a multi-tenant on-demand database system
In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for portal user data access in a multi-tenant on-demand database system. These mechanisms and methods for portal user data access in a multi-tenant on-demand database system can enable embodiments to provide portal-specific user accounts to the multi-tenant on-demand database system which have reduced configuration requirements than users directly accessing the multi-tenant on-demand database system. The ability of embodiments to provide portal-specific user accounts can reduce processing requirements of the database system.
US09002890B2 Rule-based access control list management
Access control list entries are managed as a function of access control list entry metadata for the object and the requesting user, and of an access control list rule applicable to the requesting user and the requested object. The access control list entry metadata for the object and the user is updated in response to request authorizations and denials. The access control list entry metadata for the object and the user is linked to the object and the user. Updating of the access control list entry metadata for the object and the user does not overwrite metadata for another access control list entry that is associated with the object and with another user that is different from the user.
US09002881B2 Assembling streamed content for on-demand presentation
Assembling streamed content for on-demand presentation is described. In embodiments, a media asset can be requested from a content distributor, and cacheable segments of the media asset are streamed to the requesting client device. The cacheable segments are received in an initial quality display format for uninterrupted playback of the media asset at the client device while the cacheable segments are being received. An asset matrix that correlates a bit rate and a time position for each cacheable segment in the media asset is also received. The cacheable segments of the media asset can be assembled according to the asset matrix to generate an assembled asset data file of the media asset. The assembled asset data file can then be back-filled with selected ones of the cacheable segments that are replaced with a highest quality display format for on-demand presentation of the media asset when selected for viewing.
US09002872B2 Techniques for parallel processing of directory searches
Techniques for parallel processing of directory searches are provided. A directory search is received on a multicore or multiprocessor architecture machine. At least two threads processing on different cores or processors of the machine handle different aspects of the directory search. A first thread identifies matches in the directory for the search and serially populates the matches to search results. The second thread serially and in parallel grabs the matches in the search results and filters some out and modifies other ones of them to complete processing on the search. The search results are then returned to an initial requester making the initial search.
US09002871B2 Method and system of mapreduce implementations on indexed datasets in a distributed database environment
In one exemplary embodiment, a method of a distributed database system includes the step receiving a query in a query language from a client with a distributed database system. An index that matches the query is located. The index is pre-generated from a database table in the distributed database system. A map function of a MapReduce programming model is implemented using the index. A reduce function of the MapReduce programming model is implemented using the output of the map function. Optionally, a finalize function can be implemented using the output of the reduce function. The distributed database system can be a scalable NoSQL database. The reduce function can be optional when the value of the output of the map function is guaranteed to be unique.
US09002870B2 System, method and computer program product for EDI-to-EDI translations
For the purpose of mapping an inbound Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) transaction to one or more outputs there are operations comprising receiving an inbound EDI transaction, and translating the inbound EDI transaction to any combination of EDI outbound transactions and non-EDI outbound transactions. Such translation is performed according to a map file, which is generated as follows. The inbound and any outbound EDI transactions are defined, and templates of the inbound and outbound EDI transactions are also defined. Then, mappings between the template of the inbound EDI transaction and the templates of the outbound EDI transactions are defined. A mapping between the inbound EDI transaction and application data may also be defined, where the application data may include a text file, a XML file, and/or a table of a database. Rules relating to or governing the mapping of the inbound EDI transaction to outputs may also be created. These definitions, mappings and rules are stored in the map file.
US09002869B2 Machine translation for query expansion
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for expanding search queries. One method includes receiving a search query, selecting a synonym of a term in the search query based on a context of occurrence of the term in the received search query, the synonym having been derived from statistical machine translation of the term, and expanding the received search query with the synonym and using the expanded search query to search a collection of documents. Alternatively, another method includes receiving a request to search a corpus of documents, the request specifying a search query, using statistical machine translation to translate the specified search query into an expanded search query, the specified search query and the expanded search query being in the same natural language, and in response to the request, using the expanded search query to search a collection of documents.
US09002866B1 Generating context-based spell corrections of entity names
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for correcting entity names. One method includes receiving texts and deriving a plurality of name-context pairs from the texts. The method further includes calculating a context consistency measure for each name-context pair and storing context-entity name data representing the name-context pairs. Another method includes identifying an entity name and one or more context terms from a query and generating candidate names for the entity name. The method further includes determining a score for each of the candidate names, selecting a number of top scoring candidate names, and using the selected candidate names to respond to the query.
US09002863B2 Method, apparatus and computer program product for providing a rational range test for data translation
A method for providing a data translation may include receiving an input string comprising a free text response indicative of a physiologic condition, and applying a selected transform to the input string to transform the input string into a translated value indicative of a value associated with the physiologic condition for storage in a fact repository. The selected transform may be selected from a library of potential transforms based on results of the selected transform relative to a rational range associated with the physiologic condition. A corresponding computer program product and apparatus are also provided.
US09002856B2 Agent rank
The present invention provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing techniques for searching and ranking linked information sources. The techniques include receiving multiple content items from a corpus of content items; receiving digital signatures each made by one of multiple agents, each digital signature associating one of the agents with one or more of the content items; and assigning a score to a first agent of the multiple agents, wherein the score is based upon the content items associated with the first agent by the digital signatures.
US09002854B2 Time series search with interpolated time stamp
Methods and apparatus consistent with the invention provide the ability to organize, index, search, and present time series data based on searches. Time series data are sequences of time stamped records occurring in one or more usually continuous streams, representing some type of activity. In one embodiment, time series data is organized into discrete events with normalized time stamps and the events are indexed by time and keyword. A search is received and relevant event information is retrieved based in whole or in part on the time indexing mechanism, keyword indexing mechanism, or statistical indices calculated at the time of the search.
US09002845B1 Systems and methods of analyzing changes and data between hierarchies
There is disclosed various embodiments of computer systems and methods for analyzing multi-dimensional trends from two dimensional hierarchical data by comparing and analyzing two hierarchies and their associated attributes. Certain embodiments may comprise: providing a database of previous time slice data, receiving new time slice data, comparing the new time slice data to the database of previous time slice data, generating additional attributes, incorporating the additional attributes and the new time slice data into the database so that analysis may be performed between the two hierarchies.
US09002840B2 Automated search
A system and method for automated search which may allow users to program their mobile devices to automatically bring up search results when a user or his mobile device meets a certain set of spatial, temporal, activity, or social context conditions.
US09002837B2 Systems and methods for providing expert thread search results
Systems and methods are provided for providing search results. An expert search thread associated with a search term is received. A first query from a first user based on the search term is received, and a set of results to the first query is provided, where the set of results includes the expert search thread. A credibility score is determined for the expert search thread. A second query is received from a second user based on the search term. A placement of the expert search thread in a set of results for the second query is determined based on the credibility score for the expert search thread, and the set of results for the second query is provided to the second user.
US09002836B2 System for managing electronic assets of a software service delivery organization
An asset management system (AMS) facilitates management of electronic assets of a software service delivery organization. The AMS may facilitate classification of the electronic assets according to delivery phases in which each electronic asset is usable and accordingly enables users to identify and download the suitable assets usable in a desired delivery phase. The AMS also may receive from the users, usage data for (representing an extent of use of) the downloaded electronic assets and generate a set of utilization characteristics of the electronic asset based on the usage data. In addition, the AMS may facilitate classification of the assets according to a set of technology areas in which each electronic asset is applicable. On identifying that a new user is expected to operate in a specific technology area, the AMS may determine and provide suitable assets applicable to the specific technology area.
US09002830B2 Determining reliability of electronic documents associated with events
A method of determining reliability of electronic documents associated with an event occurring in connection with a computing device may comprise, with a processor, composing a number of search queries based on text included in an event message, searching for a number of electronic documents via a network, said searching performed based on the composed search queries, and ranking the electronic documents identified by said searching based upon an indication of reliability in addressing the event associated with the event message, in which, ranking the electronic documents comprises applying a content source ranking criteria.
US09002826B2 Media file caching for an electronic device to conserve resources
An electronic device for media file caching for conserving resources is described. The electronic device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory. The electronic device monitors requests for a media file, stores media file information and determines whether the media file should be stored locally based on the media file information. If it is determined that the media file should be stored, the electronic device saves the media file and presents the media file.
US09002825B2 Estimating rows returned by recursive queries using fanout
In an embodiment, a recursive query is received that comprises a first select statement with a seed select statement and a second select statement with a recursive reference, wherein the recursive query further identifies at least two columns in at least one table, wherein the at least two columns have parent-child relationships represented by nodes in a graph, wherein the graph represents the organization of values in rows in the at least one table. A target recursion depth is calculated for the graph based on a fanout of the graph. In an embodiment, the target recursion depth is calculated by summing the fanout at each recursion depth of the graph multiplied by a number of nodes at each recursion depth of the graph. An estimated number of rows that the recursive query will return is estimated based on the target recursion depth.
US09002824B1 Query plan management in shared distributed data stores
The invention identifies and caches query plans in a shared-nothing distributed data store that are unlikely to become invalid because they do not reference objects that are likely to be changed or deleted. Plans that are likely to become invalid and are not cached are those plans that reference data that is partitioned across segment/query execution nodes of the data store, plans that are complex, and plans that reference objects that are not “built-in” (primitive) objects. The effect is that most plans which are generated on a query dispatch (master) node are not cached, whereas most plans generated on an execution (segment) node are cached.
US09002821B2 Indexing application pages of native applications
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for indexing application pages of native applications that operate independent of a browser application on a user device. In one aspect, a method includes instantiating a virtual machine emulating an operating system of a user device; instantiating, within the virtual machine, a native application that generates application pages for display on a user device within the native application; accessing, within the virtual machine, application pages of the native application, and for each of the application pages: generating application page data describing content of the application page, the content described by the application page data including text that a user device displays on the application page when the user device displays the application page; and indexing the application page data for the native application in an index that is searchable by a search engine.
US09002818B2 Calculating a content subset
A method for calculating a content subset can include crawling a number of webpages for content, determining a relevance to a particular domain of the content, determining a penalty value for each of the number of webpages; and calculating, utilizing a data tree-based model, a subset of the content to analyze based on the relevance and the penalty value.
US09002816B2 Information processing apparatus and information processing method
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus comprises a content display, an extraction module, a storage, and a keyword display. The content display is configured to display a content. The extraction module is configured to extract a keyword from the content displayed by the content display. The storage is configured to store a first keyword extracted by the extraction module. The keyword display is configured to display the first keyword extracted by the extraction module and a second keyword read from the storage.
US09002815B2 Migrating content items
Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for migrating content items from a source user account to a target user account. A user can specify content items in the source user account to be migrated to an existing or new target user account. A new content entry including an account identifier of the target account and a pointer to the content item can be created for each migrated content item. Further, a determination can be made as to whether a sharing link to each content item exists, and if so, the content pointer of the old content entry is modified to forward or redirect to the new content entry. An active flag associated with the old content entry can be set to false or 0 to indicate that the old content entry is no longer active.
US09002813B2 Execution plan preparation in application server
A system and method for execution plan preparation. One or more processors executing an application process of an application server receive a request from a client computer over a network. The one or more processors parse the request to determine one or more components of the request. An execution plan for the request is generated based on the one or more components determined by the parsing, and the execution plan is then sent to a database for execution of the request by a database process.
US09002811B2 System, method and program for information processing
An index update unit analyses the information stored in a document repository to create an index for search and stores the index in a time-series divisional index storage unit and creates, from an ACL repository, an access control entry ACE in association with the index for search, which is correlation of information to be searched with access right of at least a group to which the user belongs. The ACL cache generation unit creates ACL cache data that correlates the user with access right to the information to be searched, from the ACE, and registers the ACL cache data created in an ACL cache. A search processing unit searches for an index for search in response to a request for search from said user. In case the ACL cache data correlating the user with the index for search is registered in the ACL cache, the search processing unit takes, from among the information searched, the information, reference to which is allowed for the user as a search result, based on information in the ACL cache.
US09002810B1 Method and system for managing versioned structured documents in a database
A method for providing a query for searching over versions of a structured document includes providing a plurality of versioned nodes (vNodes) representing a plurality of objects of at least one version of a structured document. Each vNode includes versioning information associated with at least one version of the structured document and collectively, the vNodes graphically represent the version(s) of the structured document in a versioned document object model (“vDOM”) node tree. In an embodiment, a query for at least one version of the structured document is received. The query includes a versioned function (vFunction) having at least one argument relating to versioning information associated with one or more versions of the structured document. The vFunction is processed to identify a version of the structured document that includes an object represented by a vNode having versioning information satisfying the query.
US09002808B1 Using a web application as the default handler of local content
A method includes registering a web application, which is executable through a web browser, as a default file handler of a particular type of locally-stored files. A computing device provides a file manager interface that is configured to facilitate interaction, by a user, with a local filesystem of the computing device. The file manager interface receives a user selection of a file included in the local filesystem, where the file belongs to the particular type of files. Based on the user's selection, a user selectable action element is provided in the file manager interface to invoke the registered web application to handle the selected file. The file manager interface receives a user selection of the user selectable action element; and in response to the user selection of the user selectable action element the registered web application is automatically invoked to handle the selected file.
US09002805B1 Conditional storage object deletion
Methods and apparatus for conditional deletes of storage objects are disclosed. A storage medium comprises program instructions that when executed, implement a metadata node of a storage service in which a protocol based on sequence numbers is used to resolve update conflicts. The instructions store, as part of a conditional deletion record associated with a key of a particular storage object identified as a deletion candidate, a deletion sequence number derived from a particular modification sequence number of the object. In accordance with the protocol, the instructions determine whether an additional modification sequence number larger than the deletion sequence number has been generated in response to an operation associated with the key. If such an additional sequence number has been generated, the deletion of the storage object is canceled.
US09002802B2 High throughput, reliable replication of transformed data in information systems
Provided are techniques for, in response to a source object being changed by a local transaction, generating log records, wherein each of the log records includes a sequence identifier, a source system entity modification timestamp, a target key, a target partition identifier, and values of source properties, wherein the source properties are identified using a target key indicator. The log records to process are selected based on a phase value of each log record, wherein the phase value is one of submitted, in-flight, and source system entity state change complete. One or more disjoint partitions are assigned to each of multiple processing instances. Under control of each of the multiple processing instances, it is determined whether to transmit a log record in the one or more disjoint partitions assigned to said processing instance and, in response to determining that the log record is to be transmitted, the log record is transmitted.
US09002800B1 Archive and backup virtualization
A data storage and protection system includes secondary storage and at least one instance of a high efficiency storage application (“HESA”). The HESA backs up and archives client data stored in primary storage of a client computer system or client node to secondary storage. Archive files generated by the HESA re-use previously backed up client data stored in the secondary storage. In one embodiment, previously backed up client data is re-used for an archive file by organizing the archive file as a hash tree having hash values pointing to the previously backed up client data. In addition, the HESA can maximize available space in the primary storage by replacing previously backed up and/or archived client data in the primary storage with pointers that point to the previously backed up and/or archived client data in secondary storage.
US09002796B2 Database management method, database management system and database management program
In a database management method, a first database management apparatus comprises a list which holds storage location information indicating a write destination in a second database for data which is added to a first database, the method comprising a first step whereby, when optional data is added to the first database, the first database management apparatus appends the storage location information from the first list to the data, a second step whereby the first database management apparatus transmits the data to which location information has been appended to second database management apparatus and issues a request to add the data to the second database management apparatus, and a third step whereby the second database management apparatus adds the data to the location in the second database indicated by location information appended to the data in response to the data addition request.
US09002795B2 Object-based data storage device
A data storage device includes storage media with multiple media zone attributes of storage performance. The storage device includes a data channel that is connectable to a host system. The data channel receives an object from the host system that has a requested storage attribute attached to the object. The storage device comprises an object-based storage interface that couples between the data channel and the storage media. The object-based storage interface schedules the object for storage in a selected zone of the multiple media zones based on the attributes and requested attributes.
US09002789B2 Backup system and method in a mobile telecommunication network
The backup method is performed in a mobile telecommunication network for transferring data from one mobile station to another. The mobile stations have a terminal part and a subscription part. The method includes the steps of creating a backup file of data from a first mobile station, reading data from a second mobile station to which the data is to be transferred, converting the backup file into a format of the second mobile station, and downloading the resulting backup file of the foregoing step to the second mobile station.
US09002786B2 System and method for providing data and application continuity in a computer system
A system and method for providing or maintaining data and application continuity in a computer system. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a communication interface for a client system, a network layer for receiving data from the client system, a hardware infrastructure for creating instances of the client system for replicating data, and an applications module for executing one or more applications on the replicated data. According to a further aspect, the system includes a portal and user interface configured for providing a remote user with control, audit and other functions associated with the user's system configuration. According to another aspect, the portal and user interface provides access and control based on user privileges for a multi-tenant, multi-instant architecture or configuration.
US09002784B2 Merging apparatus and merging method
A merging apparatus includes a first database in which a plurality of attributes including a key attribute that is set in advance as a key for merging is set and a second database in which one or a plurality of attributes excluding the key attribute is set. Furthermore, the merging apparatus checks an attribute that is set in the first database against an attribute that is set in the second database and extracts a common attribute that is set in common in both the first database and the second database. Then, the merging apparatus merges the first database with the second database by determining whether attribute values classified under the extracted common attribute match.
US09002776B2 Apparatus for determining association variables
An apparatus, and related method, for identifying one or more association variables is described. The apparatus includes at least one processor, at least one memory, and at least one program module stored in the memory configured to be executed by the processor. The program module includes instructions for selecting a subset of temporal onsets in a set of temporal onsets, instructions for determining a statistical relationship between the subset and a pattern of occurrence of a variable, and instructions for identifying the variable as an association variable in accordance with the statistical relationship. The subset includes one or more first temporal onsets corresponding to one or more instances of an event, and the set of temporal onsets includes the subset of temporal onsets and one or more second temporal onsets corresponding to one or more instances of a reoccurrence event.
US09002775B1 Systems and methods for estimating a remaining useful life of an item
Systems and methods are disclosed for more accurately estimating a remaining useful life (RUL) of an item. The RUL of the item is estimated by determining probability values throughout a time period. Each probability value quantifies a probability that a failure event of the item will occur by a time in a time segment of the time period. Based on the probability values, the particular time segment in which the failure event is most likely to occur is determined. Once the particular time segment is determined, the presentation of a visual representation of at least a portion of the time period can be effected. The visual representation indicates that the failure event of the item is most likely to occur during the particular time segment.
US09002774B2 Systems and methods for generating a forecasting model and forecasting future values
Systems and methods are provided for generating a forecasting model based on a set of measured values. Consistent with certain embodiments, the forecasting model may include a seasonal function and a trend function. Further, consistent with other embodiments, the computer-implemented systems and methods may include computing the forecasting model by minimizing an error function representing the error between the forecasting model and the measured values. In addition, consistent with yet other embodiments, the computer-implemented systems and methods may include a process for outlier detection and removal based on a computation of residuals. Still further, consistent with some embodiments, systems and methods may be provided to filter the seasonality and/or the trend components to eliminate sudden variations in the model predictions resulting from sudden, large variations in the measurement values.
US09002771B2 System, method, and computer program product for applying a rule to associated events
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for applying a rule to associated events. In use, a plurality of events is associated based on at least one identifier. Additionally, at least one rule is applied to the associated events. Further, a reaction is performed based on the application of the at least one rule.
US09002759B2 Data mining technique with maintenance of fitness history
Roughly described, a data mining system includes a candidate gene database in which each candidate individual has a respective fitness estimate. A gene pool processor tests individuals from the candidate gene pool on training data and updates the fitness estimate of the individuals. A gene harvesting module deploys selected individuals from the gene pool. The gene pool processor includes a competition module which selects individuals for discarding in dependence upon their updated fitness estimate. The system maintains a fitness training history for each of the candidate individuals, identifying the data samples on which the individual has been tested. The historical information can be used to assist in any one or more of the following: competition among the individuals, avoiding re-testing of an individual on the same data sample, removing duplicate test data before merging fitness evaluations, improving gene pool diversity, and selecting individuals for deployment.
US09002756B2 Data compression method for a classifier in a telecommunication environment utilizing aggregation of data over time periods of increasing length
A method of classifying a sample of values related to the use of a server, including: recording, by the server, use events in a log; configuring a classifier tool with a behavioral model formed of a weighted list of parameters, establishing a sample of values from the log, and supplying it to a classifier tool, which calculates a score representative of the adequacy of the sample to a target category, reading recent use events saved in the log and aggregating them over basic time intervals, storing the aggregation result obtained for each basic interval in a distinct record of a first group; aggregating, when the number of records of the first group reaches a threshold, the contents of the records of the first group in a distinct record of a second group, and establishing the sample from the contents of records of the database.
US09002746B2 License management for digital content
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to managing licenses for playback of digital content. A license management device may create licenses that determine the number of playback devices that can be authorized by the license. Each license may be included in a corresponding digital content. In addition, each license may be distributed to a set of playback devices. Thereafter, a playback device may playback digital content that includes a license when the playback device stores a matching license. A single license can be used to provide authorization to play digital content from multiple sources and/or multiple types of content. Playback devices can store multiple licenses, which allows playback devices to belong to multiple sets of playback devices authorized to playback various digital content. In one embodiment digital content files can contain multiple licenses to allow the content files to be shared by multiple sets of playback devices.
US09002741B2 System for market hedging and related method
A system includes a data collection module that collects data for a plurality of fuels. A selection module selects fuels from the plurality of fuels based on the properties of the fuels to generate sets of fuels. A benchmark generating module that generates fuel commodity benchmarks indicating aggregate qualities of the sets of fuels. A fuel commodity benchmark for a set of fuels is generated based on weighted averages of the properties of the fuels in the set of fuels. A communication module communicates the fuel commodity benchmarks to traders and that receives orders for derivatives contracts from the traders based on the fuel commodity benchmarks. An order processing module processes an order for derivatives contracts based on differences between actual properties of the fuel to be physically delivered under the terms of an operative derivatives contract and the aggregate qualities indicated by an operative fuel commodity benchmark.
US09002739B2 Method and system for signature capture
Advanced internet-connected devices, such as smart TVs, can be used for conducting online transactions. Online transactions often lack an effective mechanism to prevent repudiation of the transaction. Signature data, representative of a consumer's signature motion, may be captured by a signature capture device. The signature capture device can be the smart TV or a device associated with the smart TV (e.g., a remote controller). The signature device can also be a security token. The signature data may be processed, stored, and/or transmitted for later use. The representation of the consumer's signature provides a non-repudiation mechanism similar in function to that of a consumer's actual handwritten signature on a credit card or debit card receipt.
US09002734B2 Method and system for procuring telecommunications services on-line
A method and system for procuring and servicing telecommunications offerings, including a customer browser loaded on a customer client computer, a back office browser loaded on a back office client computer, and a server program loaded on a server computer. The customer browser is configured to submit a procurement inquiry, the procurement inquiry specifying a selected telecommunications offering from among voice, Internet and mobile telecommunications offerings. The back office browser is configured to submit a service inquiry, the service inquiry specifying a search criteria with respect to an order for a telecommunications offering, a customer agent assigned for servicing a telecommunications offering order, and a move, change or disconnection (MCD) of a telecommunications offering order. The server program is configured to receive the procurement and service inquiries, generate procurement data pertaining the to the selected telecommunications offering and service data pertaining to the search criteria, and transmit the procurement and service data.
US09002733B2 Checkout station
A checkout station includes a scale fixedly attached to a framework of the checkout station and a track, surrounding the scale, through which a display moves between a first position and a second position.
US09002726B2 Advertising based on widgets
Electronic advertisements and other types of electronic information are distributed based on user profiles and in particular, collections of widgets. User profiles may be generated based on a combination of user entered information and information inferred or derived from user behavior and interaction patterns. The use and collection of various widgets may also be recorded by a user profile to determine a user's preferences and interests. An advertisement may be distributed by segmenting a user population according to user profile information and one or more attributes of the advertisement. Users may further interact with the widgets in a variety of ways including requesting additional information about the advertised product or service and/or requesting communications with an advertiser without compromising their privacy.
US09002723B2 Method and apparatus for automatic location-specific configuration management of a removable meter unit
A meter apparatus and method of operating a removable meter apparatus are described. The meter apparatus includes a tag associated with unique tag identification information and configured to be permanently affixed to a location housing at a unique physical location, and includes a removable meter unit configured to mate with the location housing and receive the tag identification from the tag and report the tag identification to a data manager configured to associate an identifier of the removable meter unit with the tag identification and unique physical location, and associate configuration information for the physical location with the removable meter unit and the tag identification. The unique physical location can comprise a single-space parking location.
US09002721B2 System and method for project management and completion
In general, in one aspect, a system for planning and executing projects, facilitates creating a project model comprising tasks and dependencies, determining the complexity of the tasks, and modifying the tasks to maintain complexity within predetermined bounds. The system can facilitate designating one or more tasks to be redundant tasks, and undertaking the redundant tasks with redundant resources. In some embodiments, the system includes a module for evaluating task criticality and designating redundant tasks based on the task complexity and criticality.
US09002718B2 Medication managing apparatus
When the present time of a clock circuit is a medication time recorded in advance in a SD card, a notice that the medication time has come is given by a voice output portion or the like. Presence/absence of a medicine package in each block of a medicine package case is sensed by a medicine package sensor. The time point and the presence/absence of the medicine package are recorded in the SD card. A notice corresponding to the presence/absence is output. At a time except for the medication time, taking-out of the case, opening/closing of the cover, taking-out and return of the medicine package are recorded in the SD card based on detection signals from the medicine package sensor, medicine package case sensor, and case cover opening/closing sensor. A notice corresponding to the sensed situation is output.
US09002715B2 Information processor
Information processor 1 includes display unit 30 for displaying an interface screen having function execution key unit 23 indicating a prescribed function for each function type, and interface screen change key unit 22 for switching each function type; interface screen control unit 20 for controlling display switching of the screen on the display unit 30 in response to an input operation signal; interface screen operation history recording unit 110 for recording, as continuous operation information, operation time and operation contents of the function execution key unit 23 or interface screen change key unit 22 in response to the input operation signal; likelihood value providing unit 120 for calculating and adding, to each function the function execution key unit 23 indicates, a likelihood value indicating a degree of a user desire from the continuous operation information recorded; priority recognition word setting unit 130 for outputting word information corresponding to the function whose likelihood value is not less than a prescribed value; voice recognition unit 60 for recognizing input voice by referring to the word information; and function executing unit 70 for executing the function of the function execution key unit 23 operated via interface screen operating unit 40 or the function corresponding to the word passing through the voice recognition by the voice recognition unit 60.
US09002709B2 Voice recognition system and voice recognition method
Provided is a voice recognition system capable of, while suppressing negative influences from sound not to be recognized, correctly estimating utterance sections that are to be recognized. A voice segmenting means calculates voice feature values, and segments voice sections or non-voice sections by comparing the voice feature values with a threshold value. Then, the voice segmenting means determines, to be first voice sections, those segmented sections or sections obtained by adding a margin to the front and rear of each of those segmented sections. On the basis of voice and non-voice likelihoods, a search means determines, to be second voice sections, sections to which voice recognition is to be applied. A parameter updating means updates the threshold value and the margin. The voice segmenting means determines the first voice sections by using the one of the threshold value and the margin which has been updated by the parameter updating means.
US09002706B2 Cut and paste spoofing detection using dynamic time warping
The invention refers to a method for comparing voice utterances, the method comprising the steps: extracting a plurality of features (201) from a first voice utterance of a given text sample and extracting a plurality of features (201) from a second voice utterance of said given text sample, wherein each feature is extracted as a function of time, and wherein each feature of the second voice utterance corresponds to a feature of the first voice utterance; applying dynamic time warping (202) to one or more time dependent characteristics of the first and/or second voice utterance e.g. by minimizing one or more distance measures, wherein a distance measure is a measure for the difference of a time dependent characteristic of the first voice utterance and a corresponding time dependent characteristic of the second voice utterance, and wherein a time dependent characteristic of a voice utterance is a time dependent characteristic of either a single feature or a combination of two or more features; calculating a total distance measure (203), wherein the total distance measure is a measure for the difference between the first voice utterance of the given text sample and the second voice utterance of said given text sample, wherein the total distance measure is calculated based on one or more pairs of said time dependent characteristic, and wherein a pair of time dependent characteristic is calculate total composed of a time dependent characteristic of the first or second voice utterance and of a dynamically time warped (202) time dependent characteristic of the respectively second or first voice utterance, or wherein a pair of time dependent characteristic is composed of a dynamically time warped (202) time dependent characteristic of the first voice utterance and of a dynamically time warped (202) time dependent characteristic of the second voice utterance.
US09002701B2 Method, system, and computer readable medium for graphically displaying related text in an electronic document
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for navigating electronic texts. According to an aspect, a method may include receiving search criteria for searching an electronic text. Further, the method may include determining text subgroups within the electronic text. The method may also include determining, for each text subgroup, a similarity relationship between the search criteria and the text subgroup. Further, the method may include presenting, for each text subgroup, a graphic representing the similarity relationship between the text subgroup and the search criteria.
US09002699B2 Adaptive input language switching
Techniques and solutions are provided for adaptive input language switching. Automatic switching of a current input language can be performed by receiving an indication of a first language of displayed content (where the current input language is set to a second language different from the first language), receiving a selection of a text input area, and based on the selection, automatically switching the current input language from the second language to the first language. Switching of the current input language can also be performed by providing convenient user interface elements for selection by a user to automatically switch the current input language.
US09002696B2 Data security system for natural language translation
A method, computer system, and computer program product for translating information. The computer system receives the information for a translation. The computer system identifies portions of the information based on a set of rules for security for the information in response to receiving the information. The computer system sends the portions of the information to a plurality of translation systems. In response to receiving translation results from the plurality of translation systems for respective portions of the information, the computer system combines the translation results for the respective portions to form a consolidated translation of the information.
US09002694B2 Verification of design derived from power intent
An approach is provided in which a power design verification system retrieves a power intent data corresponding to a power design, which identifies the power design's power modes and power mode transition conditions. The power design verification system selects one of the power mode transition conditions, which identifies input signals that invoke a transition from a first power mode to a second power mode. In turn, the power design verification system generates simulation stimuli based upon the identified input signals and simulates the power design utilizing the generated simulation stimuli accordingly.
US09002692B2 Electronic circuit simulation method with adaptive iteration
In accordance with an exemplary simulation technique, an improved selective application of Newton-Raphson iterations can improve accuracy while ensuring good performance. In this method, selectively applying Newton-Raphson iteration in a simulation of a unit of the integrated circuit design can include determining second order effects to define a linearity value. Newton-Raphson iteration is performed when the linearity value is less than a linearity threshold and convergence of the simulation is not achieved.
US09002688B2 System and method for simulating measuring process of workpiece
In a method for simulating a measuring process of a workpiece, one or more virtual probes of a workpiece measuring machine are created. A vector of each of the virtual probes is calculated, and an appropriate vector for each of measuring points of a workpiece is acquired for a computerized drawing of the workpiece. The angle between the vector of each of the measuring points and the vector of each of the virtual probes is calculated. A virtual probe is determined for each measuring point according to the calculated angles. The measuring points are sorted according to the virtual probe of each measuring point, and the measuring programs of the sorted measuring points that relate to the same virtual probe are combined. The combined measuring programs are executed to determine whether the actual probe would collide with the workpiece.
US09002687B2 Device for predicting deformation behavior of rubber material and method for predicting deformation behavior of rubber material
The present invention relates to a method for predicting a deformation behavior of a rubber material capable of accurately analyzing a deformation behavior of a rubber material even in a micro level, and more specifically, to a method for predicting a deformation behavior of a rubber material, including: generating a three-dimensional model of the rubber material formed by adding a filler to a rubber; applying a configuration condition specifying a relationship between a stress and a strain on the basis of thickness information and temperature information obtained on the basis of a molecular dynamics approach to a rubber layer portion constituting the three-dimensional model; and, analyzing the deformation behavior of the rubber material. Further, in the method for predicting a deformation behavior of a rubber material, it is preferable that the deformation behavior of the rubber material is analyzed by applying a finite element method to the three-dimensional model to which the configuration condition is applied.
US09002686B2 System and method for simulating operation of substructures of a chemical processing plant
A method includes obtaining information defining a superstructure associated with a chemical processing facility. The superstructure includes simulated processing elements representing chemical processing elements within the chemical processing facility. The superstructure also includes flow streams representing flows of material between the chemical processing elements. The method also includes identifying a substructure within the superstructure, where the substructure is associated with active simulated processing elements and active flow streams within the superstructure. The method further includes generating a graphical display identifying the superstructure for presentation on a display. Active and inactive simulated processing elements have different indicia in the graphical display, and active and inactive flow streams have different indicia in the graphical display.
US09002682B2 Data analysis and predictive systems and related methodologies
A method, computer system, and computer memory medium optimizing a transductive model Mx suitable for use in data analysis and for determining a prognostic outcome specific to a particular subject are disclosed. The particular subject may be represented by an input vector, which includes a number of variable features in relation to a scenario of interest. Samples from a global dataset D also having the same features relating to the scenario and for which the outcome is known are determined. In an embodiment, a subset of the variable features within a neighborhood formed by the samples are ranked in order of importance to an outcome. The prognostic transductive model is then created based, at least in part, on the subset, the ranking, and the neighborhood. The subset and the neighborhood are then optimized until the accuracy of the transductive model is maximized.
US09002680B2 Foot gestures for computer input and interface control
Non-video game computer user interfaces utilize human foot action to generate input for controlling the interface (e.g., a graphical user interface). Computer systems that use such input may include: (a) at least one input system including one or more sensing devices for sensing action by one or more feet; (b) a data transmission system for transmitting the sensed foot action to (c) a processing system that utilizes the foot action input to provide control data input for a user interface; and (d) an output device for producing a non-video game computer output based, at least in part, on data provided by the processing system. The control data relating to the foot action is used, at least in part, for controlling a user interface associated with the computer output.
US09002677B1 System and method of semiconductor characterization
A method for characterizing a semiconductor sample, said method comprising: shining light on one or more points in said semiconductor sample; measuring one or more voltage decay curves corresponding to said shining of light on said one or more points in said semiconductor sample; extracting one or more intermediate voltage decay curves corresponding to one or more measured voltage decay curves; obtaining one or more normalized decay curves corresponding to one or more intermediate voltage decay curves, each of the said one or more normalized decay curves corresponding to one or more discrete estimates of survival functions; and analyzing said obtained one or more normalized decay curves, said analyzing comprising obtaining one or more discrete estimates of the probability of recombination corresponding to the one or more normalized decay curves, and computing one or more summary statistics corresponding to each of said obtained one or more discrete estimates.
US09002675B2 Magneto-inductive positioning using a rotating magnetic field
A method and system for locating the position of a source that emits a rotating magnetic field. Three or more receivers are deployed or positioned in known position relative to each other, which may be along a common axis in some cases. Phase differences between the magnetic fields measured by the receivers are detected. The phase shifts are used to determine the location of the source. With three receivers, a range and bearing angle relative to a middle receiver may be determined. With five or more receivers, a range and two bearing angles may be determined, thereby providing a three-dimensional position.
US09002669B2 Electricity consumption measurement apparatus, electricity consumption measurement method, and non-transitory tangible machine-readable medium thereof
An electricity consumption measurement apparatus, an electricity consumption measurement method, and a non-transitory tangible machine-readable medium thereof are provided. The electricity consumption measurement apparatus comprises a detector and a processor electrically connected to the detector. The detector is configured to detect an electricity consumption value and a voltage value. The processor is configured to calculate a variation rate according to the voltage value and a base voltage value. The processor adjusts the electricity consumption value according to the variation rate. The electricity consumption measurement method is able to perform the same operations as those performed by the electricity consumption measurement apparatus.
US09002667B2 Multi-path power meter with amplifier
A power meter comprises at least two measurement paths and distribution device. A first measurement path contains at least one pre-amplifier and a first detector. A second measurement path contains at least one direct connection and a second detector. An additional third path alternative to or optional to the second path contains at least one attenuation element and a second or respectively third detector. The distribution device distributes a test signal to the measurement paths.
US09002666B2 Defective-portion detector for fuel injection system
A defective-portion detector has a detecting portion which detects a variation in fuel pressure as a fuel pressure waveform based on a detection value of a fuel pressure sensor and a computing portion which computes, based on the fuel pressure waveform, a plurality of injection-rate parameters required for identifying an injection-rate waveform corresponding to the fuel pressure waveform. Further, the detector has a determining portion which determines whether each learning value of the injection-rate parameters is an abnormal value and an identifying portion which identifies a defective portion in the fuel injection system based on a combination of abnormal learning values which the determining portion has determined.
US09002665B2 Multi-channel flow sensing
A multi-channel flow sensing system typically includes first and second flow-sensing transducers arranged in each channel. A data acquisition system is coupled to the first and second transducers of each of the channels. The data acquisition system is arranged to transmit and/or receive a sensing signal from at least one of the first and second transducers of each of the channels. The received sensing signals are sequentially converted and accumulated as data for billing in accordance with the measured flow within each channel. Using common components within the data acquisition system for measuring the various channels reduces costs and increases affordability in cost-sensitive areas.
US09002659B2 Precious metal testing apparatus with calibration system
A digital precious metal testing apparatus utilizes a probe that generates a galvanic voltage when an electrical circuit is completed with the object being tested being placed between the probe and the meter test pad formed of a copper pour with a gold coating. A microprocessor signals the percentage of precious metal through an indicator bar of LEDs. A calibration system is provided to enhance the accuracy of the testing apparatus by comparing a test reading from a known test specimen with a corresponding theoretical reading for that specimen. The calibration procedure establishes a recalibration curve from the test reading against which all subsequent readings will be compared to determine the content of precious metal. Calibration of the testing apparatus is initiated with the depression of a calibration switch and is undertaken with each power-up of the meter, with each probe replacement and with any substantial change in environmental conditions.
US09002658B2 Identifying components of a network having high importance for network integrity
A computer system (2) is provided which is arranged to receive network data (1) identifying nodes and links between nodes. The computer system (2) processes the input network data (1) to utilise the network topology to identify nodes and links having high importance for network integrity. A report (4) identify the critical components can then be output.
US09002657B2 Automated blood analyzer
A computer-based method for automatically determining total body albumin of a living being based on the calculated intravascular albumin, the calculated observed ratio of amount of albumin in the intravascular system to amount of albumin in the extravascular system at the first time, and the baseline of expected ratio of amount of albumin in the intravascular system to amount of albumin in the extravascular system at the first time.
US09002651B2 RTM seismic imaging without scratch data storage system and method
A system, method and computer program product for seismic imaging implements a seismic imaging algorithm utilizing Reverse Time Migration technique requiring large communication bandwidth and low latency to convert a parallel problem into one solved using massive domain partitioning. Several aspects of the imaging problem, including very regular and local communication patterns, balanced compute and communication requirements, scratch data handling and multiple-pass approaches. The partitioning of the velocity model into processing blocks allows each sub-problem to fit in a local cache, increasing locality and bandwidth and reducing latency.
US09002650B2 Multiphase flow meter for subsea applications using hydrate inhibitor measurement
Methods and apparatus for determining phase fractions (relative concentrations) within a multiphase fluid mixture, in the presence of an injected hydrate inhibitor. Combining this phase fraction information with a hydrate inhibitor injection rate (HIIR) enables resolving oil and water flow rates for the phase fractions. The liquid flow rates and a total combined flow rate of the fluid mixture—determined based on a differential pressure of the fluid mixture through a given area—enable resolving a gas flow rate.
US09002647B1 Generating turn-by-turn direction previews
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to generating turn-by-turn direction previews. In one aspect, one or more computing devices, may receive a request for a turn-by-turn direction preview. The one or more computing devices may generate a set of turn-by-turn directions based on a series of road segments connecting a first geographic location and a second geographic location. Each direction in the set of turn-by-turn directions may be associated with a corresponding waypoint. The one or more computing devices then identify a set of images corresponding the series of road segments between two adjacent waypoints of the set of turn-by-turn directions, and determine a subset of the set of images to include in the turn-by-turn direction preview. Subsequently, the one or more computing devices may generate the turn-by-turn direction preview based on at least in part on the determined subset of the set of images.
US09002646B1 Navigation system with connection simplification mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a junction node having a junction decision point; identifying an internal segment within the junction node, the internal segment connected to the junction decision point; identifying an external segment outside of the junction node, the external segment connected to the internal segment at the junction decision point; generating a traffic path through the junction node based on eliminating the junction decision point for merging the internal segment and the external segment; updating the junction node based on eliminating the traffic path in violation of a turn restriction; and generating a preferred path with a control unit through the junction node updated for displaying on a device.
US09002645B2 Concepts for defining travel paths in parking areas
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for defining travel paths in parking areas. In one embodiment, travel paths in parking areas can be defined by connecting street networking connection points within the parking areas. In another embodiment, such defined travel paths can be merged with actual paths traveled by vehicles in the parking areas.
US09002643B2 Position information sharing method and positioning device and system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a position information sharing method and a positioning device and system. The position information sharing method includes sending a position query request to a first positioning device or a positioning server. The position query request carries a first positioning device identifier. Position information of the first positioning device is received. The position information is sent by the first positioning device or the positioning server according to the position query request. The position information of the first positioning device can be displayed.
US09002640B2 Apparatus and associated methods
An apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: provide at least one marker to indicate the required current position in a planned journey to reach a destination of the planned journey according to a predetermined time criterion.
US09002638B2 Method and apparatus for geometric search and display for a digital map
A geometric search and display method for a digital map includes a preferably animated graphic element projected on a map display, association of a search criterion with the graphic element, application of the search criterion to depicted or undepicted mapped or mappable items that geometrically intersect with the graphic element, and graphical representation of said application and/or outcome of said application by means of temporary modification of visual appearance of intersecting items and/or temporary modification of the visual appearance of the intersecting portion of the map.
US09002635B2 Navigation apparatus used-in vehicle
A technique is disclosed for enabling collection and/or refinement of digital map information for aiding navigation route planning for vehicles larger than ordinary cars, such as goods-vehicles, buses, and car+caravan combinations. In at least one embodiment, a profile of a vehicle's characteristics, and one or more routes followed, are logged by a navigation device, and fed-back to a server that supports the navigation device with map data updates. At the server, or an alternative processing centre, the fed-back data from plural navigation devices is analysed to observe statistically the patterns of roads used by these vehicles, and to categorise these by the type of vehicle.
US09002634B1 Navigation service in support of mobile communication sessions
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium having instructions to receive, by a network device, a request from a mobile device that includes data indicating a signal quality pertaining to a connection between the mobile device and a wireless network, data indicating a location of the mobile device, and data indicating a destination of a user of the mobile device; determine a route that yields a probability that a communication session between the mobile device and another device avoids communication dropout; and transmit a response that indicates the determined route.
US09002632B1 Fuel cost optimized routing
In some embodiments, techniques for routing a trip include determining a route that includes a starting location and a destination location, receiving information relating to an expected possible range of travel from a first point in the route, determining at least one refueling station accessible from the route within the expected possible range, determining at least one fuel price associated with the at least one refueling stations within the expected possible range, selecting a first refueling station, based at least in part on a first fuel price associated with the first refueling station, wherein the first fuel price is less than a second fuel price associated with a second refueling station, and updating the route to include the first refueling station.
US09002629B2 Aircraft fuel optimization for multi-stop routes
Computer-implemented systems, methods, and computer-readable media for reducing operational costs relating to fuel burn of aircraft include receiving trip data including a plurality of airports, receiving operational data including a fuel price corresponding to each airport in the plurality of airports, and determining an amount of fuel to upload at each of the airports in the plurality of airports based at least in part on the operational data.
US09002628B2 Aeronautical holding pattern calculation for solving high wind and protected airspace issues
An apparatus comprising a memory and a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to receive holding instructions for an aircraft, wherein the holding instructions comprise a holding fix, a holding direction, and an inbound leg course, obtain an airspeed for the aircraft, obtain a wind speed and a wind direction affecting the aircraft, calculate a holding pattern for the aircraft using the holding instructions, the wind speed, the wind direction, an inbound leg duration, and the airspeed, obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) protected airspace limits associated with the holding fix, and present the holding pattern and the FAA protected airspace limits to a flight crew member on the aircraft.
US09002627B2 Method and system for improving engine starting
An engine system and method for improving engine starting are disclosed. In one example, engine port throttles are adjusted differently during automatic and operator initiated engine starts. The system and method may improve engine torque control during an engine start.
US09002625B2 Control device for internal combustion engine equipped with supercharger
Provided is a control device for an internal combustion engine equipped with a supercharger, including: operation state detection means for detecting an operation state of the internal combustion engine; overlap read means for reading a valve overlap period; collector pressure detection means for detecting a collector pressure; exhaust gas pressure estimation means for estimating an exhaust gas pressure on an upstream side of the supercharger; and scavenging amount estimation means for estimating a scavenging amount based on the operation state, the valve overlap period, the collector pressure, and the exhaust gas pressure.
US09002623B2 Fully flexible exhaust valve actuator control systems and methods
A system for a vehicle includes a mode control module and a valve control module. The mode control module selectively sets a desired ignition mode for an engine to one of a spark ignition (SI) mode and a homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode. Using a fully flexible valve actuator, the valve actuator module selectively adjusts closing timing of an exhaust valve in response to: the desired ignition mode transitioning from the HCCI mode to the SI mode; and the desired ignition mode transitioning from the SI mode to the HCCI mode.
US09002620B2 Intake air control apparatus for vehicular internal combustion engine
An apparatus is provided for controlling an intake valve of a vehicular internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a variable valve operating mechanism configured to vary a valve lift and a valve phase angle of the intake valve, and a controller. The controller calculates a desired first target value at a current engine operating condition, a reacceleration estimated value based on an engine rotational speed and estimated operating load upon reacceleration, and a second target value at which engine torque is equivalent to engine torque at the first target value. The controller sets the first target value as a control target value, and then switches the control target value to the second target value when a minimum clearance between the intake valve and a piston is determined to become less than a permissible value during variation of the intake valve from the first target value toward the reacceleration estimated value.
US09002619B2 Apparatus for controlling a vehicle
It is possible to suppress fluctuations of an air intake amount when the open degree of an air intake control valve is unknown. An engine includes an impulse valve common to all the cylinders arranged in the engine. The impulse valve is arranged in a communicating tube provided at the downstream side of a serge tank. An ECU executes impulse valve drive control. In the control, the ECU judges whether a rotation angle sensor which detects the open degree of the impulse valve has failed. If it is judged that the rotation angle sensor has failed, the ECU controls a drive motor and a drive circuit for driving a valve body so that a valve body of the impulse valve rotates inside the communicating tube. Here, the rotor of the drive motor which defines the rotation speed of the valve body has an rpm which is set in accordance with the mechanical rpm NE of the engine.
US09002615B2 Methods and systems for managing power of an engine
A method and system for online power management of a turbine engine is provided. The method includes operating an engine control system on a first bandwidth, filtering at least one data input from the engine control system to a second bandwidth, and receiving, by a power management system operating on the second bandwidth, the at least one filtered data input. The method also includes predicting an engine operating condition using the at least one filtered data input using a closed-loop engine model, determining an optimal engine power management based on the prediction, solving a constrained optimization for a desired optimization objective, and outputting the optimal engine power management to the engine control system.
US09002608B2 Electro-hydraulic brake-by-wire system and method
An electro-hydraulic brake-by-wire system includes a brake pedal, an electronic booster coupled to the brake pedal, a master cylinder coupled to the electronic booster, at least one front hydraulic brake disposed in fluid communication with the master cylinder, at least one electronic control unit connected to the brake pedal and at least one rear electronic brake connected to the at least one electronic control unit.
US09002607B2 Lock-up clutch control device
In a lock-up clutch control device, base hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates base hydraulic pressure Pb for engaging a lock-up clutch based on input torque from an engine, correction factor calculation device calculates correction factor α, which is greater than 0 but less than 1, for correcting the base hydraulic pressure Pb based on an input rotational speed Ni of a transmission and a cylinder cut-off state of the engine. Commanded hydraulic pressure calculation device calculates a commanded hydraulic pressure Pc from the base hydraulic pressure Pb and the correction factor α by means of: current value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc←previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc+(base hydraulic pressure Pb−previous value of commanded hydraulic pressure Pc)×α, and the commanded hydraulic pressure Pc is made to converge to the base hydraulic pressure Pb by repeating this a predetermined number of times.
US09002606B1 System and method for controlling a dry dual clutch transmission of a vehicle
A system and method can control the dry dual clutch transmission (dDCT) of a vehicle. The method includes modifying a recorded torque-to-position (TTP) table based on a calculated clutch torque difference between a calculated clutch torque and a commanded clutch torque. The commanded clutch torque is provided by a transmission control module and is defined as a clutch torque sufficient to move the vehicle without applying the accelerator applier after the brake applier has been released. The calculated clutch torque is a function of the actual engine torque value, the engine inertia, and the engine acceleration.
US09002603B2 Method for the operation of a transmission device in a vehicle drive train when a request is made to change gears
A method of operating a transmission of a vehicle drive-train when a gearshift from a current gear toward a target gear has been requested. The transmission having frictional shifting elements and at least one interlocking shifting element. If an actuating electrical current, equivalent to a closed operating condition of the frictional shifting element to be engaged, and an actuating electrical current, equivalent to an open operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged, are determined while, at the same time, a closed operating condition of the interlocking shifting element to be disengaged is detected by a sensor, a fault is recognized. If the fault is recognized during a predefined test period, one or more selected shifting elements are disengaged and a force flow in the transmission is interrupted. Alternatively, by disengaging the frictional shifting element to be engaged, the current gear is engaged in the transmission.
US09002602B2 Method of determining a current operating range of a transfer case
A method of determining a current operating range of a transfer case includes continuously calculating current Combined Drive Ratio (CDR), and categorizing the current CDR into one of a pre-determined number of expected CDRs. Counters are used to track when the current CDR is identified as an expected CDR. The different counters are then analyzed using simple mathematical operations to identify which gear ratio the transfer case is currently operating in.
US09002597B2 Automobile paddle shifters with secondary paddles
A system for controlling gear changes in a vehicle. The system may include at least one primary paddle shifter coupled to the steering wheel and/or the steering column. The system also includes at least one auxiliary paddle shifter coupled to the steering wheel, the steering column and/or the at least one primary paddle shifter. The primary paddle shifter may engage a primary function, such as one sequential gear shift up or down and the auxiliary paddle shifter may engage a secondary function, such as an optimal gear shift up or down.
US09002593B2 System and method for re-directing a ripping path
A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.
US09002592B2 Machine with ground working elements providing improved stability
A grass cutting machine with two cutting units mounted on opposite sides of the chassis has an inclinometer monitoring the left/right inclination of the chassis. If the inclination value exceeds a defined threshold, the higher of the two cutting units is lifted to improve stability.
US09002589B2 Optical measuring device for a vehicle and corresponding vehicle
An optical measuring device for a vehicle includes an optical transmitter that generates transmitter radiation and radiates it into a monitoring region, and a receiver that receives resulting receiver radiation from the region. An evaluation and control unit evaluates the receiver radiation for object recognition. A first transmitter generates a first light field on a surface in the region by emitting directed first transmitter radiation and a second transmitter generates a second light field in the adjacent surroundings of the first field by emitting directed second transmitter radiation. The unit receives and evaluates first receiver radiation reflected by the first field and second receiver radiation reflected by the second field via the receiver, wherein the unit generates an output signal when it detects change in the reflected second receiver radiation caused by a trigger object detected in the region and reflected first receiver radiation unchanged by the object.