| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US09004094B2 |
Powder valve
The present invention concerns a valve (1), a valve closing body (14) and use of a valve (1) and a valve closing body (14) of the type used for injecting dry powder which is mixed with liquid, and where the dry powder is supplied under the liquid surface in a mixing vessel (11) in which a vacuum is typically maintained. The novel feature of a powder valve (1) according to the invention is that a closing body (14) of the valve in the closed position extends through the valve seat (13) of the valve and into the wet environment. It is hereby achieved that when the valve (1) is opened, powder or dust from powder is not deposited on the valve closing body (14). This is in spite of the valve closing body (14) being wet, due to contact with the liquid to which the powder is added. Due to its elongated shape, the valve closing body (14), which in the withdrawn position opens for inflow of powder, has the property that the inflowing powder dries the valve closing body (14) at first and keeps it dry subsequently. |
| US09004092B2 |
Device for draining a tank of a spaceborne system
A device (1) for draining a tank of fluid under pressure pertaining to a space system includes a pyrotechnic actuator that is suitable to perforate a conduit (2) in fluid communication with the tank, the device including a collar (4) that is suitable to enclose the conduit, the collar bearing: a pyrotechnic cartridge (5) for perforation, oriented radially towards the conduit (2), and an anvil (11), diametrically opposed to the cartridge in relation to the conduit, that is suitable to collect debris generated by the perforation. |
| US09004086B2 |
Methods and apparatus for displacing fluids from substrates using supercritical CO2
A processing chamber for post-wet-etch removing of drying fluid (DF) is disclosed. The chamber includes a chamber wall surrounding a processing volume and a plurality of nozzles disposed annularly about the processing volume and arranged into a set of nozzle rows that includes at least one nozzle row. The chamber also includes a plenum and a set of manifolds coupled to the plurality of nozzles to deliver the supercritical CO2 to the plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle has a nozzle outlet directed toward an interior portion of the processing volume and the nozzles are configured to flow the supercritical CO2 toward the substrates in a manner that minimizes recirculation loops and vortices. |
| US09004085B2 |
Dishwashing machine
A dishwashing machine including a dishwasher rack that assumes at least two different height positions; a spraying device to apply washing liquor to items to be washed, wherein the spraying device is assigned to the dishwasher rack; a hydraulic system to supply the spraying device with washing liquor; and a coupling with at least two openings to provide a liquid-conducting connection between the hydraulic system and the spraying device at the at least two different height positions and at at least two tilt positions. The at least two different height positions and the at least two tilt positions are assigned to at least one of the at least two openings to establish the liquid-conducting connection. |
| US09004079B2 |
Substrate processing apparatus
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus capable of drying a substrate to be processed while suppressing the pattern collapse or the occurrence of contamination. A substrate is held in a liquid bath while being immersed in a liquid, and the liquid bath is disposed in a processing space of a processing vessel. A processing of drying the substrate is performed by replacing the liquid in the liquid bath with a supercritical-state fluid. A predetermined mechanism moves liquid bath between a processing location in the processing case and a stand-by location outside the processing case. A heater installed in the processing case changes the fluid to a supercritical state or maintains the supercritical state while cooling mechanisms cool down the liquid bath moved to the stand-by location outside the processing vessel. |
| US09004077B2 |
Pubic patches
A pubic patch is provided to apply to the pubic area of a woman, particularly the mons pubis (Pubic Mound) area of the pelvic region. The pubic patch includes an adhesive base with a front side and a back side with decorative material attached to the front side, and the back side attached to human body. The pubic patch may further comprise fragrances and/or illuminating devices. The decorative material may be hairs attached to supporting sheet or LED material. Further, a products kit is provided which contains a plurality of pubic patches. The product kit may include an instruction booklet. A method of using the pubic patch is also provided comprises the steps of selecting a pubic patch and applying the pubic patch to the human surface in the pubic area. |
| US09004075B2 |
Wiper for a cosmetic container
The present invention generally relates to a wiper which can be easily inserted into neck of a cosmetic container. The wiper is fabricated from elastomeric material and comprises a plurality of collapsible members configured to collapse horizontally on an exterior surface of the wiper when under stress. The plurality of collapsible members also serves as locking features by which it can be retained in the container neck. The wiper of the present invention can be particularly advantageous for use in the field of cosmetics, especially fluid cosmetic products. |
| US09004072B2 |
Cannula support assembly
A cannula support assembly capable of supporting a nasal cannula that delivers oxygen or other gas or gas mixtures to a user is disclosed. The assembly has a plurality of retention clips into which cannula tubes are inserted and retained in a manner so as not to interfere or cause discomfort to a user. The front support assembly housing has a left and a right depression that lowers housing elements well below the line-of-sight of the user so that his or her vision is not impaired when using the assembly. The depressions also allow for the user to wear eyeglasses in conjunction with using the assembly. |
| US09004071B2 |
Nasal guide and method of use thereof
One embodiment provides a nasal guide. The nasal guide includes a pair of supports adapted to be positioned adjacent nostrils of a nose of a patient. The nasal guide includes a bridge connecting the pair of supports. The bridge is usable to adjust positioning of the pair of supports. Each of the pair of supports forms one or more lumens configured to receive one or more medical instruments. The one or more lumens are shaped for insertion into a nasal cavity of the nose. |
| US09004069B2 |
Method of detecting endotracheal tube misplacement
A method of intubating a subject is disclosed. The method comprises inserting an endotracheal tube into the tracheal airway of the subject; inflating a cuff associated with the endotracheal tube within the airway below the vocal cords; measuring a level of at least one measure being indicative of leakage of secretion past the cuff to the lungs; comparing the level of the measure with an optimal level of the measure; and adjusting inflation of the cuff based on the comparison so as to generally minimize leakage of secretion from above the cuff to the lungs, while minimizing pressure associated damages to the airway. The measure(s) can be carbon dioxide concentration, a proxy measure from which such concentration can be inferred, or the level of one or more additives delivered to a subject during intubation. |
| US09004068B2 |
High pressure air cylinders for use with self-contained breathing apparatus
A self-contained breathing apparatus includes an air cylinder pressurized to about 5500 psi, wherein the air cylinder is compatible with infrastructure used in conjunction with the air cylinder. The self-contained breathing apparatus also includes a first regulator valve for reducing air pressure from the air cylinder to a predetermined level. A second regulator valve is also provided for reducing the air pressure from the predetermined level to a level suitable for use by an operator, wherein air is supplied from the second regulator valve to the operator via a mask. The self-contained breathing apparatus further includes a frame for supporting the air cylinder on the back of the operator. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US09004066B2 |
Respiratory system for inducing therapeutic hypothermia
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a patient's body temperature and in particular for inducing therapeutic hypothermia. Various embodiments of the system are described. The system includes: a source of breathing gas, which may be in the form of a compressed breathing gas mixture; a heat exchanger or other heating and/or cooling device; and a breathing interface, such as a breathing mask or tracheal tube. Optionally, the system may include additional features, such as a mechanical respirator, a nebulizer for introducing medication into the breathing gas, a body temperature probe and a feedback controller. The system can use air or a specialized breathing gas mixture, such as He/O2 or SF/O2 to increase the heat transfer rate. In addition, the system may include an ice particle generator for introducing fine ice particles into the flow of breathing gas to further increase the heat transfer rate. |
| US09004063B1 |
Portable oxygen inhaler device
An inhaler device having an air canister with a nozzle aperture and a nozzle shaft, the nozzle shaft has a first and second end, the first end is external to the canister and the second end protrudes into the canister, wherein a lip is at the second end, a gasket sandwiched between the nozzle aperture and shaft, a gasket extension extending downwardly, a spray orifice in the shaft at the first end, an external ventilation hole in the shaft external to the canister, an internal ventilation hole in the shaft, and an air channel in the nozzle shaft fluidly connected to each spray orifice, external and internal ventilation hole, wherein the nozzle shaft can move between an open and closed position, the nozzle shaft is biased in the closed position. |
| US09004061B2 |
Preservative-free single dose inhaler systems
An aerosolization system includes a container that is configured to deliver a unit dosage of a liquid when squeezed a single time. The system also includes an aerosolizer that is constructed of a housing defining a mouthpiece, and an aerosol generator disposed in the housing. The aerosol generator includes a vibratable membrane having a front face and a rear face, and a vibratable element used to vibrate the membrane. Further, the housing includes an opening that is adapted to receive a unit dosage of the liquid from the container. The opening provides a liquid path to the rear face of the vibratable membrane. |
| US09004056B2 |
Electronically adjusted bowsight
A sight and range finder for a projectile launching device are disclosed. The range finder calculates a range between a target and a projectile launching device, and transmits a signal indicative of the range. The sight visually aligns the target with the projectile launching device. A drive assembly moves an alignment member of the sight, and at least one processor receives the signal and actuates the drive assembly to move the alignment portion a selected distance based on the range. |
| US09004055B2 |
Target delivery device
The present invention relates to a device for delivering targets (2) comprising at least one column (4) for storing targets (2) capable of receiving a first target (11) at the lowest point of the column (4) and at least a second target (12) stacked on the first target (11), means for delivering the first target (11), and retention means for retaining the second target (12) in the column (4), characterized in that the retention means for retaining comprise a ramp (21) configured to exert a bearing force on the lower face of the second target (12) during the delivery of the first target (11).This invention also relates to a machine for launching targets (2) equipped with a device and a method for distributing the targets (2). |
| US09004054B2 |
Auto arrow rest
An arrow rest for supporting an arrow on an archery bow. In various embodiments, the arrow rest includes an over-center spring that is operatively coupled to a body of the arrow rest and a rotatable cam received in the arrow rest body. The rotatable cam is rotationally fixed to an arrow launcher. The over-center spring biases the arrow launcher into a first loading position when the spring is in a first position on one side of a central axis about which the cam rotates, and into a second launching position when the spring moves to an opposite side of the cam central axis. A release mechanism is configured to move the arrow launcher from the second, launching position to the first, loading position when an arrow is fired from the bow, but will not move the arrow launcher to the first, loading position if the bow is let down. |
| US09004053B1 |
String release for a crossbow
A crossbow 100 includes a rifle-style stock 22, barrel 23, bowstring 1, and a string release housing 21 with a novel string release assembly. The string release assembly in string release housing 21 includes a string latch 12 for retaining fully-drawn and cocked bowstring 1 against a string horn 19, a trigger 6 for releasing or shooting the arrow 2, a safety button 25 for the movement of the safety plate 7 from the safe position to the fire position, and a load lever 4 for loading the arrow 2. There is a safety button 25 on each side of the release housing 21 so that the safety of crossbow 100 may be operated by a right-handed or left-handed shooter. Bowstring 1 rests against the inclined surface 29 of the string horn 19 and is retained in the fully-drawn and cocked position between the string latch tangs 30 and 31 and the inclined surface 29 of the string horn 19. The load of the fully-drawn bowstring 1 is distributed between and born by the inclined the string latch tangs 30 and 31 and the inclined surface 29 of string horn 19. |
| US09004052B1 |
Launch apparatus for toy discs with disc flip mechanism
A toy pump action rifle for launching discs having an outer housing, a stock, a grip, a trigger, a handle for cocking the rifle and a revolving drum for storing multiple discs. Within the housing is a mechanism for removing discs, one at a time, from the drum where the discs are arranged in a first position, rotating each disc 90° to a second position, and transporting each disc to a discharge chamber. The mechanism includes a transfer arm to remove each disc from the drum, a disc pocket for receiving the removed disc, the pocket being rotatable to reorient the disc, and disc pocket also being slidable to carry the disc to the discharge chamber. Activation of the trigger releases a cocked launch arm that snaps forward and strikes the disc to cause discharge. |
| US09004051B2 |
Folding take-down flat archery bow
An archery bow is comprised of at least a riser and two limbs that can be folded into a position forming its own case to protect the limbs, or taken down and reassembled with limbs of various draw weights. When taken down it may also be reconfigured to enable use by an archer with opposite handedness. In its folded state it is highly compact and transportable. |
| US09004050B2 |
Gaseous fuel rail sensor diagnostics
Embodiments for indicating fuel rail temperature sensor degradation are provided. In one embodiment, an engine method comprises delivering gaseous fuel to a cylinder based on feedback from a fuel rail temperature sensor, and during select conditions, indicating fuel rail temperature sensor degradation based on a difference between measured fuel rail temperature and an expected temperature. In this way, measured fuel rail temperature may be correlated with other engine temperatures to detect sensor degradation. |
| US09004046B2 |
System and method to identify ambient conditions
Methods and systems are provided for estimating an ambient humidity value used to determine condensate formation in a charge air cooler. The ambient humidity value is determined from charge air cooler efficiency and windshield wiper speed thresholds. The humidity value is used to calculate an amount of condensate in a charge air cooler and control engine systems to reduce condensate formation and engine misfire. |
| US09004041B2 |
High-load thrust bearing
A thrust bearing for use in an engine is disclosed. The thrust bearing may have a ring member with a generally planar front face and a generally planar back face. The thrust bearing may also have a plurality of radially-oriented wedge-shaped channels formed in the front face, and a plurality of recesses formed within the back face. Each of the plurality of recesses may be located in general annular alignment with an associated one of the plurality of radially-oriented wedge-shaped channels. |
| US09004039B2 |
Cylinder lubrication system
A cylinder lubrication system comprises a cylinder liner defining a cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in the cylinder for axial travel along a cylinder axis and having a piston skirt that moves in close proximity with the cylinder, an oil supply passage extending substantially circumferentially about an outer surface of the cylinder liner, an oil supply line fluidly connecting the oil supply passage to an oil supply, a series of small holes extending radially through the cylinder liner, from the cylinder to the oil supply passage, and operable as oil passages for lubricating oil from the oil supply to flow to the upper portion of the cylinder. |
| US09004038B2 |
Methods and systems for managing a clearance gap in a piston engine
A piston engine may include a heat pipe capable of transferring heat away from a portion of the piston engine such as a combustion section. The heat pipe may be included as part of a piston assembly, a cylinder, or both. The heat pipe may be filled with a suitable heat pipe fluid that may undergo a phase change such as, for example, water, ethanol, ammonia, sodium, other fluids or combinations thereof. Boiling and condensing of the fluid within the heat pipe may utilize the latent heat of the fluid during heat transfer. Multiple heat pipes may be used in some instances. |
| US09004035B2 |
Starter motor
A starter motor for an internal combustion engine has an electric motor, a shaft driven by the motor, and a pinion assembly arranged to engage a flywheel of the engine. The pinion assembly has a drive collar mounted to a helical spline of the shaft, an output gear and an elastic member disposed between the drive collar and the output gear. A connection shell prevents axial separation between the drive collar and the output gear. The elastic member prevents direct contact between the connection shell and at least one and possibly both of the drive collar and the output gear. |
| US09004034B2 |
Reducing gear and starter device of an internal combustion engine
The invention relates to a reducing gear (3), in particular for a starter device (1) of an internal combustion engine, for speed-reducing coupling of a drive shaft and a driven shaft (5, 7), said coupling accomplished by way of at least two toothed gears (11) that engage with one another. The toothed gears (11) comprise straight cogs, and the cogging (30) is extra deep cogging (31). The invention further relates to a starter device (1) of an internal combustion engine. |
| US09004032B2 |
Seal for switch valves
A switch valve for a hydraulic unit, in particular a quick-acting valve for a hydraulic unit of a hydraulically variable valve gear of a reciprocating internal combustion engine, having a valve body, which is guided in an axially movable manner in a housing part and which is sealed with respect to the housing part by a seal, wherein the seal is designed as a flat seal element, which encloses the valve body in a sealing manner and which is operatively connected to an axial surface of the housing part in a sealing manner. |
| US09004031B1 |
Connecting structure of multiple variable valve lift apparatus
A variable valve lift apparatus that has a simplified configuration is provided. The apparatus includes a camshaft and first and second cam forming portions inserted with the cam shaft to rotate together with the camshaft and be movable in a shaft direction of the camshaft, and includes an upper cam and a lower cam. A valve opening/closing device is actuated by the upper cam or the lower cam. First and second moving units are inserted with the camshaft and are movable together with the cam forming portions. First and second actuating units selectively move the moving units in the shaft direction of the camshaft and are mounted on a mounting portion. A positioning unit is connected with the moving units, and has first and second grooves. A stopper unit is mounted on the mounting portion, and is selectively inserted into the grooves to align the cam forming portions. |
| US09004030B2 |
Variable valve actuating apparatus for internal combustion engine
A variable valve actuating apparatus includes: a first lock recessed portion; a first lock member; a second lock recessed portion formed in the second rotary member's side; a second lock member; a first lock passage arranged to supply the hydraulic fluid, and thereby to move the first lock member out of the first lock recessed portion; and a second lock passage arranged to supply the hydraulic fluid, and thereby to move the second lock member out of the second lock recessed portion, at least a part of the first lock recessed portion and at least a part of the second lock recessed portion being disposed at a position to be projected in an axial direction when the first lock member and the second lock member are in the lock state. |
| US09004028B2 |
Valve timing control apparatus
Even when sliding occurs between a radially extending face of a spring member and at least one of a driving-side rotary member and a driven-side rotary member, wear of the at least one of the driving-side rotary member and the driven-side rotary member is prevented. Along the axial direction of the camshaft, a torsion spring is provided between the driven-side rotary member and a housing side face portion for urging the relative rotational phase to the angle advancing direction or the angle retarding direction, and a spring washer is disposed between the driven-side rotary member and the torsion spring. |
| US09004019B2 |
Water heater
A water heater includes a water pipe form by bending a pipe. The entire water pipe leans related to a vertical plane to expose all the section to a burner thereunder. All the sections of the water pipe lean downwards related to a horizontal plane. It will make the water in the water in the water pipe flows backwards when no water is supplied to the water heater. Therefore, there will never be water remaining in the water pipe to get rid of the jam problem. |
| US09004014B2 |
Tethering stakes
Tethering stakes of the nature intended to be pounded flush with or below ground level. Certain of the tethering stakes include a cap on the pounding end which is adapted for ease of placement and release of a tethering line. Accordingly, the tethering line can be removed from the stake when it is to be pounded into the ground and then engaged with the stake only when tethering is desired. Certain of the embodiments include caps having uniquely shaped apertures for securing the tethering line. Another includes an aperture in communication with an aperture in the stake such that a lead cable or the like may be moved out of the way when the stake is pounded into the ground and may be fully received within the stake when tethering is not desired. Another embodiment employs a coupler passing through an aperture directly beneath the pounding surface to facilitate ease of attachment and removal of the tethering line. |
| US09004005B2 |
Apparatus for aligning dispenser using alignment plate and dispenser alignment system
An apparatus for aligning a dispenser includes a table having a first alignment mark, an alignment plate provided along at least one side of the table, at least one syringe supplying a dispensing material to the alignment plate through a nozzle provided at one end portion thereof to form a second alignment mark, a first image camera provided along a side of the syringe and detecting an image of the second alignment mark, a second image camera detecting an image of the first alignment mark, and an alignment control unit aligning the image of the second alignment mark and a first reference position, and aligning an image of the first alignment mark and a second reference position. |
| US09004004B2 |
Optical sensing methods and apparatus for detecting a color of a marking substance
Marking devices for dispensing a marking substance on the ground and marking methods are provided. The marking devices and marking methods use one or more detection mechanisms to detect one or more characteristics of the marking substance. In some embodiments, the detection mechanism may be, but is not limited to, an optical sensor, an olfactory sensor, a weight sensor, a switch device, and any combination thereof. The one or more detection mechanisms may provide, for example, the capability to: (1) determine the type of marking substance that is installed in the marking device; (2) determine in advance of or during a marking operation the amount of marking substance within the marking dispenser; and (3) determine when the marking dispenser is becoming empty. |
| US09004003B2 |
Apparatus for applying an acoustic dampening coating to the interior of a xerographic drum
This is a photoconductor and dispenser assembly and system. The photoconductor is in a tubular form so as to accept a tubular formed dispenser within its hollow portion. The dispenser will coat within this hollow portion a uniform coating of an acoustical dampening material. This material will dull any sound produced by the photoconductive marking system. The assembly is the tube having in its hollow portion this dispenser. The dispenser fits tightly but movably within the hollow portion. |
| US09003999B2 |
Liquid consumption counters
Liquid consumption counter devices are described herein. One liquid consumption counter device can comprise a body having a number of indicator points, and a counter coupled to the body, wherein the counter rotates around the body to each of the number of indicator points and wherein rotation of the counter to each of the consecutive indicator points indicates consumption of a volume of liquid. |
| US09003990B2 |
Waterborne craft and fin incorporating air conduits for drag reduction
The invention comprises a waterborne craft having a hull, board or base, and a fin, keel, centerboard or the like. One or more air conduits exit the hull, board or base at or adjacent at least one side of the fin, keel or centerboard, or exit the fin, keel, or centerboard, excluding the leading edge of the fin, keel or centerboard in use, in a position such that the conduit in use provides or the conduits in use provide air to a position at or adjacent at least one side of the fin, keel or centerboard. |
| US09003983B2 |
Apparatus and method for no-till inter-row simultaneous application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop
A no-till apparatus for application of herbicide and fertilizer, soil preparation, and seeding of a cover crop in a standing crop has inter-row assemblies configured to pass along inter-row areas between adjacent row lines of standing crop plants. Each assembly includes a fertilizer applicator, a no-till soil preparation element, a cover crop seed applicator, and a post-seeding element. |
| US09003979B2 |
Workstation
The present invention provides a workstation that may be used while performing various tasks, such as working at a computer. The workstation includes a table (2), a waist rest (3), a foot rest (4); a left arm rest and a right arm rest (7). The workstation allows the user to redistribute his body weight from the legs and feet the waist rest, foot rest; and arm rests while in a standing position. |
| US09003978B1 |
Carrier for electronic devices
The present invention relates to a carrier that is configured to hold an electronic device and that comprises a malleable container disposed on a bottom portion of the container for elevating the electronic device in an upright position for better viewing of the electronic device by a user. |
| US09003974B2 |
Hollow-channel projectile nose and shaping of a projectile body in the nose region
The invention relates to a projectile having a cylindrical hole (15) arranged at the nose as seen in the firing direction, said hole (15) extending coaxially with the longitudinal axis (12) of the projectile and a projectile nose (1) being inserted into this hole, wherein the longitudinal axis (12) of the projectile at the same time also forms the longitudinal axis of the projectile nose (1). In order that accelerated expansion of the projectile occurs when the projectile strikes a soft medium, it is proposed according to the invention that an open hollow channel (5) is introduced in the projectile nose (1) coaxially with the longitudinal axis (12), said hollow channel (5) extending from the front end (22) to the rear end (23) of the projectile nose (1), as seen in the firing direction, and a membrane (6) is arranged in the hollow channel (5), said membrane dividing the hollow channel (5) into two hollow-channel portions (5a, 5b). |
| US09003973B1 |
Narrowing high strength polymer-based cartridge casing for blank and subsonic ammunition
A high strength polymer-based cartridge casing includes an upper component of polymer, a bullet of a standard weight, a lower component of polymer, and an insert. The upper component has a shoulder portion and an upper component inner wall has a first diameter extending from the shoulder. The lower component has a lower component inner wall having a second diameter. The upper and lower component inner walls form a propellant chamber; and the first and second diameters reduce a volume of the propellant chamber. The reduced volume of the propellant chamber permits only enough propellant to propel a bullet engaged in the cartridge casing at subsonic speeds. |
| US09003972B2 |
Reflection densitometer
A method for determining optical density is disclosed. A first measurement is taken on a white area of a substrate (402). A second measurement is taken on an area of the substrate printed with ink (404). A relative optical density of the ink is determined using the first and second measurements (406). |
| US09003970B2 |
Solvent assisted method of microcontact printing
A method of microcontact printing comprises (a) providing an elastomeric stamp comprising a printing surface inked with an ink comprising surface-functionalizing molecules, (b) treating the inked printing surface of the stamp with solvent, and (c) contacting the treated inked printing surface of the stamp to a surface of a substrate. The printing surface of the stamp comprises a first relief pattern, or the surface of the substrate comprises a second relief pattern, or both of the surfaces comprise the relief patterns, and a pattern of surface-functionalizing molecules is transferred to the substrate according to one or both of the relief patterns. |
| US09003967B2 |
Liquid extraction for trash compactor
Embodiments of the present relate generally to devices and methods for separating and removing liquid waste from mixed waste. One embodiment relates to a trash compactor having a suction line for removing collected liquid. A further embodiment relates to a trash compactor having a sloped platen for allowing liquid to collect for subsequent removal or drainage. |
| US09003961B2 |
Self adjusting rotisserie device
A self adjusting rotisserie device utilizing multiple positions to achieve leveling on uneven surfaces and automatic alignment on each end of a spit through the use of rotational standards and rotational attachment of a hanging motor housing and a hanging bearing housing, each fixedly attached to rods and removably attached to two standards, and each removably attached to a base; a method of cooking food utilizing a self adjusting rotisserie. |
| US09003960B2 |
Frying apparatus and method
A frying apparatus includes a basin for holding a volume of oil, the basin including a plurality of catches on opposed internal sidewalls of the basin, and a basket dimensioned to be received in the basin and including a pair of handles and at least one catch member. The catch member is movable between a safety position in which the catch member is biased away from the basket and towards the sidewalls, and a clearance position in which the catch member is urged inwards towards the basket. When the catch member is in the safety position, the catch member is configured to engage one of the catches on the internal sidewalls of the basin. |
| US09003952B2 |
Swash plate type liquid-pressure rotating device
To improve productivity and increase seizing resistance and abrasion resistance of a sliding surface of a tilt adjustment cylinder, a plurality of pistons are arranged cirumferentially in a cylinder block configured to rotate with a rotating shaft. Tip end portions of the pistons slide along the swash plate, and the pistons reciprocate. The swash plate is supported to tilt with respect to the rotating shaft. Further, a tilt adjustment driving portion is included. The tilt adjustment driving portion includes tilt adjustment large- and small-diameter cylinder chambers and tilt adjustment large- and small-diameter pistons configured to slide in the cylinder chambers to change the tilt angle of the swash plate. A sliding surface of the inner peripheral surface of each of the cylinder chambers includes a quenched portion formed by quenching using laser light, the sliding surface being a surface on which the tilt adjustment piston slides. |
| US09003946B2 |
Advancement to the effectiveness of body armor
An improvement to prior art of hard armor inserts that comprise a ceramic strike face and a debris collection layer that adds a diffuser layer that is attached to the debris collection layer through a plurality of flat faced pedestals to provide the useful a utility of protection from bullets. |
| US09003944B2 |
Pyrotechnic countermeasure dispensing system
The present invention regards a pyrotechnic countermeasure (15, 25) dispensing system (1) comprising a set of contacting members (27, 27′) of a launching electronic circuitry (19). A first magazine (A) is mountable in said housing (23) in such way that a contacting body (41) of each pyrotechnic countermeasure (25) being in electrical communication with a dedicated contacting member (27) of the launching electronic circuitry (19), when the system (1) is ready to use. A central electronic unit (3) is associated with the launching electronic circuitry (19) for actuating of the pyrotechnic countermeasure (25) accommodated in the first magazine (A) in dependence upon a detected threat (29). A second magazine (B) designed for accommodation of at least one intelligent pyrotechnic countermeasure (15) is mountable in contact with the launching electronic circuitry (19) so that a contacting body (41) of said intelligent pyrotechnic countermeasure (15) will be set in electrical communication with a dedicated contacting member (27) of the launching electronic circuitry (19) via an adapter device (33, 33′, 34). |
| US09003940B2 |
Dual functional electric saw
A dual functional electric saw, comprising a saw base, a saw body and a connection mechanism whereby the saw base and the saw body are jointed together, wherein said connection mechanism comprises a connection beam being a fastener of said saw base, a load-bearing column connected with said connection beam, sliding kits installed on the load-bearing column for leading the horizontal motion of said saw body, and an angle regulation fitting being capable of adjusting the cutting angle between work piece and saw disc, with the sliding kits being an axis, one end of the angle regulation fitting is connected to the sliding kits while the other end is connected to the saw body; said saw base comprises a dismountable cover kit and a stand set having a chamber being capable of accommodating the saw body. |
| US09003939B2 |
Rotary cutting apparatus with vibration attenuation means
Rotary cutting apparatus has a frame, a first rotary device and a second rotary device. Each of the first and second rotary devices has a shaft concentrically arranged about a rotational axis and a drum and are arranged in the frame in such a way that said first and second axes are substantially horizontal and substantially in the same vertical plane. A pair of bearing housings is arranged on either side of each of the drums. A first pair of bearing housings is movable relative to the frame in a transverse direction to the first rotational axis by means of a force means. Means is provided for passive vibration attenuation of at least the first shaft that includes a mass damper having a housing and a damping body movably arranged inside the housing, wherein the mass damper is associated with the first pair of bearing housings. |
| US09003938B2 |
Divider fin assembly for die-cut blanks
A fin assembly for attachment to a die cutting machine to guide and align at least two blanks cut from a sheet in the machine as the blanks are fed through the machine. The fin assembly includes at least one thin plate-like fin having length and height dimensions and a narrow thickness. The fin is mounted in the machine so that the length dimension is in substantial alignment with a respective cut separating two blanks cut in the machine, so that the blanks fall on opposite sides of the fin as they are fed through the machine, whereby the fin keeps the blanks separate and aligns them as they are fed through the machine. At least one back stop is associated with the fin to prevent blanks from moving in a reverse direction and falling out of the machine when they fall past the fin. |
| US09003931B2 |
Replaceable jaw members for pliers
A pair of pliers having replaceable jaws is provided. The first plier member has a handle and a jaw assembly. The first plier member jaw assembly includes a body defining an elongated slot and having at least one guide surface. The second plier member has a handle assembly and a jaw assembly. The second plier member jaw assembly is selectively disposed in one of two configurations, a first configuration, wherein the second plier member jaw assembly is separated from the first plier member, and a second configuration, wherein the second plier member jaw assembly is slidably coupled to the first plier member with the second plier member jaw assembly guide member at least one guide surface slidably engaging the first plier member jaw assembly body at least one guide surface. |
| US09003929B2 |
Oil filter cap removal and drain tool
An oil filter removal tool and system for the removal and drainage of an oil filter comprising: an oil drain connector, where said connector connects to an oil filter cap of the oil filter; a turn bolt at a distal end of the tool, where said bolt is used to turn the removal tool; a second turn bolt, where the second turn bolt turns counter clockwise to secure the connector to the filter cap; a drain tube provided at the distal end of the tool that inserts onto a drain plug; a body portion, where the body portion secures around the oil filter and surrounds the oil drain connector; and notches, where said notches are provided around a perimeter edge of the body portion of the removal tool. |
| US09003927B2 |
Tire repair tool
A tire repair tool including a combined reamer and plugger wherein a single combined bit is fitted into a handle, the bit including a reamer element and a plugger element. |
| US09003922B2 |
Quick release coupling for the crank of a bicycle drive train
A quick release coupling is incorporated into the drive train of the bicycle to couple the crank to the drive shaft. It includes an axle with a flat keyway facilitating installation. A crank arm has an opening matching the circumference of the shaft other than at the flat area. The opening includes a protrusion engaging the keyway to transmit torque. A land is near an end of the shaft. Each coupling has an opening similar to the opening through each crank arm. The orientation of the coupling is with the flat region aligned with the keyway. In this orientation, the coupling is slid over the end of the shaft until the flat area is aligned over the land. The coupling may be rotated until the flat area is misaligned with the keyway and within the land. In this position, the crank arm is locked. |
| US09003921B2 |
Removable pedal platform
The invention relates to a bicycle pedal which comprises a body, a platform, and a pin, where the pin comprises a traction spike, a thread, a shoulder and a head. The platform is removable, and the platform is constrained in relation to the body by the pin, where the shoulder and head are used to locate the platform away from the body during tightening. |
| US09003918B2 |
Robot arm with an adjustment device
The invention relates to a robot arm of an industrial robot. The robot arm includes a flange provided to secure an end effector and several sequentially-positioned members connected by means of links, of which one of the members is mounted immediately before the flange, and the flange is mounted to rotate with respect to an axis relative to this member. To adjust the flange with respect to the member mounted immediately before the flange, the robot arm comprises an adjustment device that includes a base carrier is detachably attachable to the flange particularly by means of screws, with an adjustment means disposed on the base carrier that interacts with a counter-adjustment means disposed on the member mounted immediately before the flange. |
| US09003913B2 |
Operation input device
An operation input device includes: an operation body having a handle portion, the operation body tilting when the user tilts the operation axis line of the handle portion, and the operation body turning when the user turns the handle portion around the rotation axis line; a stopping portion that abuts on and stops the operation body so as to limit a tilting range of the operation body; a first concavo-convex portion disposed on the operation body; and a second concavo-convex portion. The second concavo-convex portion is disposed at a position corresponding to the first concavo-convex portion of the operation body when the stopping portion stops a tilting motion of the operation body. The first concavo-convex portion and the second concavo-convex portion are engaged with each other so as to restrict a turning motion of the operation body. |
| US09003912B2 |
Disengaging gear unit
Reduction gear units are provided comprising a gearbox, a cam assembly, a bearing assembly, a first gear and a second gear. The first and second gears may engage one another and translate rotating movement from one axis to an axis perpendicular thereto. The second gear is disengagable from the first gear by action of the cam assembly, which is adapted to disengage the second gear from the first gear through eccentric rotation of the cam assembly. In one embodiment, a bearing assembly carried by the cam assembly is preloaded. The cam assembly is disposed so that the preloaded can be maintained during manufacture of the gearbox. In another embodiment, the gearbox case and cam assembly are disposed so as to minimize internal leakage from the case and enhance sealing of the gearbox. |
| US09003900B2 |
Chain force measuring device for mounting on a bicycle
A chain force measuring device for measuring a chain force of a bicycle includes a dropout body unit having frame and axle connecting portions which are respectively connected to a frame fork and a wheel axle to define an accommodation space therebetween, and a hall sensing unit having a sensor extending from the frame connecting portion to spacedly confront a magnetic element which is disposed on a slidable carrier. By shifting of the magnetic element with the carrier due to the chain force exerted on the wheel axle, a magnetic field generated thereby is changed so as to give off a signal indicative of the magnitude of the chain force. |
| US09003899B2 |
Force sensor
A force sensor may include a sensing die with a sense diaphragm. An actuation assembly may include a button member and a pin and/or other features, where a first end of the pin may engage the sense diaphragm and a second end of the pin may engage the button to facilitate transferring a force applied to the button to the sense diaphragm. In some cases, the interface between the button member and the pin may allow the button member to swivel or pivot, at least to some degree, relative to the pin, which may facilitate transferring a force from the button member to the diaphragm with minimal mechanical loss. In some cases, the second end of the pin may be at least partially tapered, with the taper engaging the edge of an indentation in the button. |
| US09003894B2 |
Ultrasonic flow measurement system
An ultrasonic flow measurement system having a first ultrasonic sensor with a first ultrasonic buffer and a second ultrasonic sensor with a second ultrasonic buffer is disclosed. The first and second ultrasonic buffers have different cross sections in order to reduce distortion of the ultrasonic signals. |
| US09003881B2 |
Micromechanical system
A yaw-rate sensor for determining a Coriolis force includes a semiconductor substrate, a mass body mounted so it is movable over the semiconductor substrate, a drive unit for setting the mass body into an oscillating movement, and a detection unit for determining a deflection of the mass body which is caused by the Coriolis force. The detection unit includes a piezoresistive element, whose electrical resistance is a function of the deformation of the piezoresistive element. |
| US09003880B2 |
Reference speed measurement for a non-destructive testing system
A system includes a non-destructive testing (NDT) system having an NDT probe and a processor. The NDT probe includes a testing sensor and a motion sensor. The testing sensor is configured to capture sensor data from an inspection area, and the motion sensor is configured to detect a measurement speed at which the NDT probe moves relative to the inspection area. The processor is configured to determine a speed comparison between the measurement speed and a reference speed range. |
| US09003872B2 |
Brake pedal simulator for vehicle
A brake pedal simulator apparatus for a vehicle for implementing a change in a foot effort applied to a brake pedal for each stroke, may include a pedal arm including one end hinge-connected to one side of a frame and the other end in which a pad may be mounted, a link unit including a plurality of links mutually connected between the frame and the pedal arm, and an elastic member elastically supporting the link unit and configured to form reaction force by elastic force in the pedal arm according to the each stroke by the foot effort applied to the pedal arm. |
| US09003870B2 |
System, components, and methods for detecting moisture
To address this and/or other needs, the present inventor devised, among other things, a passive moisture detection probe that can be installed and left in place to continuously indicate whether the moisture-content in the wall-cavity of a building is below or above a desirable level. One exemplary moisture detection assembly includes a moisture-absorbent sensor element and an indicator. The sensor element, which can be placed in contact with the inner surface of a home's exterior sheathing, expands and contracts in response to the moisture content of the sheathing. The indicator, for example a rod, moves in responsive to the expansion and contraction of the sensor element, with its relative position corresponding to the moisture in the exterior sheathing and thus providing an on-going and observable sign of moisture intrusion. |
| US09003867B2 |
Gas sensor, contact member of gas sensor and sensor element retaining member for contact member of gas sensor
To provide a gas sensor which can stably carry out a retention of a sensor element by a contact member and a reservation of an electric continuity between them. A contact member has an insertion port in which the sensor element is inserted and retained to obtain an electric connection with the sensor element. The contact member is provided with a plurality of sensor element retaining members which respectively have a plurality of abutting parts abutting on the sensor element, at least a part of a plurality of abutting parts is a first abutting part which has a leading end part formed as a linear shape or a point-like shape, and the leading end part of the first abutting part is a free end part which applies an elastic force to the sensor element while having point contact or line contact with the sensor element. |
| US09003866B2 |
Gas sensor
A gas sensor including a detecting element; and a protector having a tube portion surrounding the detecting portion, and a bottom portion the protector having a first opening disposed at the tube portion and a second opening at the bottom portion. The bottom portion includes first and second bottom wall portions, the second bottom wall portion protrudes toward the leading end side, and at least a part of the inner face thereof is located at the leading end side with respect to the outer face of the first bottom wall portion. The second opening is provided on a side opposite the inner space of the tube portion in a communication passage formed by the inner face of the second bottom wall portion, and an opening area of the second opening is larger than an area of the largest imaginary circle that can be placed inside the first opening. |
| US09003862B2 |
Downhole instrument calibration during formation survey
A downhole sensor calibration apparatus includes a rotational or gimbaling mechanism for guiding a sensing axis of an orientation responsive sensor through a three-dimensional orbit about three orthogonal axes. A method includes using measurements taken over the three-dimensional orbit to calibrate the sensor and determine other characteristics of the sensor or tool. |
| US09003857B2 |
Press-forming method and press-formed part
A current density changing portion is formed in a heating process on an upper base side with respect to a center portion of a flat metal plate in a direction of current flow, by passing current from a lower base side to the upper base side of the flat metal plate which is rectangular when viewed from above. As a result, a quenchable portion is formed on the upper base side with respect to the center portion of the flat metal plate in the direction of current flow, and a non-quenchable portion is formed on the lower base side with respect to the center portion of the flat metal plate in the direction of current flow. The flat metal plate is press-formed after the heating process, so a complex die cooling structure is not necessary during press-forming, which enables the die cost to be reduced. |
| US09003848B2 |
Device and method for bending a workpiece
The invention relates to a bending die (3), particularly a V-shaped die (13), comprising a tool base body (7) with a contact surface (10) for contacting the workpiece (2) to be bent by a bending punch (5), a groove-shaped bending recess (11) in the contact surface (10) and at least one beam exit opening (17) in the bending recess (11) and extending along thereof, which is configured to discharge high-energy radiation (18) onto a workpiece (2) bearing against the contact surface (10) in order to heat the deformation zone of the workpiece (2). An arrangement of diode laser bars (20) is fixed in the interior of the tool base body (7) for producing the radiation (18). Said diode laser bars (20) are arranged at least approximately uniformly along the longitudinal direction (27) of the bending recess (11) behind the beam exit opening (17) in the tool base body (7). |
| US09003847B2 |
Device and method for bending a workpiece
The invention relates to a method for bending a flat workpiece (2), comprising the discharge of high-energy radiation (19) in the form of at least one planar fanned beam (24) from a bending recess (12) of a die arrangement (3) having a bending die (7) onto a workpiece (2) bearing against a contact surface (11) of the bending die (7) for the local heating thereof before and/or during a bending process. The one or more planar fanned beams (24; 24a. 24b, . . . ) are produced by a number of optionally activatable radiation sources (22a, 22b, . . . ) which are arranged within the die arrangement (3) along the bending recess (12) or are caused by the distribution of a concentrated radiation beam (40) that is introduced from a radiation source (39) outside the bending dies (7a, 7b, . . . ) via a number of beam affecting arrangements (23a, 23b, . . . ) within the bending dies (7a, 7b, . . . ) and the exiting radiation (19) is thereby adjusted to the bending length (21) of the workpiece to be bent (2) via the number of planar fanned beams (24, 24a, 24b, . . . ). |
| US09003845B2 |
Lock apparatus and method
Lock assembly and method of coding and recoding locks. Some embodiments of a lock include a housing, a lock cylinder, a plurality of tumblers, a plurality of codebars, and a sidebar. Some embodiments of a lock include a housing, a lock cylinder, a plurality of tumblers, a plurality of code blocks, a sidebar, and a codebar. |
| US09003842B2 |
Latches for gates and doors
A latch has a displaceable latching element in a housing for engagement with a separate striker arm to be latched behind an engagement shoulder of the latching element. The housing mounts a cylinder lock to receive a key from the front. A rotor is mounted on the rear of cylinder lock and rotation of the key causes rotation of the rotor to drive a locking element to engage and lock the latching element. The rotor may also be axial displaceable against spring biasing responsive to a rear unit pushing element whereby unlocking from a rear cylinder lock may rotate the rotor to unlock and pushing causes the latching element to be displaced against its biasing to release the striker arm. |
| US09003841B2 |
Lever type handle and lock assembly for the same
A lock assembly for a lever type handle is disclosed. In the lock assembly for the lever type handle according to an aspect to the invention, the lever type handle is for opening and closing a door by a rotation of a handle portion. The lock assembly includes a key module rotated by a key member, wherein the key module being positioned in the handle portion, a rotary shaft rotated by a rotation of the key module and locking or unlocking the door through a dead lock member, and a rotation transmitter for transmitting the rotation of the key module to the rotary shaft. |
| US09003840B2 |
Porthole window for laundry washing and/or drying appliance
A door (125, 125′, 125″) for a laundry washing and/or drying appliance (100) includes a door inner frame (205, 205′, 205″), a door outer frame (210, 210′, 210″), and a transparent porthole window (150) having a border portion (225) fitted between the inner frame and the outer frame. In the solution according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the border portion of the porthole window has at least one receiving region (230) having, at least on one side thereof facing the inner frame or the outer frame, a seat (235); at least the inner frame or the outer frame has, in a portion (240, 250) corresponding to the receiving region (230) of the porthole window, at least one rib (245, 255) fitting into the seat (235) of the receiving region (230). |
| US09003836B1 |
Method of knitting a gusseted tongue for a knitted component
A knitted component including a knit element and a gusseted tongue is incorporated into an upper of an article of footwear. The knit element defines a portion of an exterior surface of the upper and an opposite interior surface of the upper, with the interior surface defining a void for receiving a foot. The knit element and the gusseted tongue are formed together as a knitted component during a knitting process as a one-piece element. The gusseted tongue is formed of unitary knit construction with the knit element and is joined with the knit element in an instep area of the upper. The knitting process includes steps of forming portions of the knitted component, transferring portions of the knitted component to opposite needle beds, shifting needle beds along a lateral direction to cause portions to overlap, and joining the overlapped portions by knitting to form the gusseted tongue. |
| US09003833B2 |
Porous glass, method of manufacturing the same and optical element
This invention provides a porous glass with a varied porous structure that shows an excellent optical performance. A method of manufacturing a porous glass comprising: a first step of forming a surface layer containing a boron compound and an alkali metal compound as main ingredients on a matrix glass containing a silicon oxide, a boron oxide and an alkali metal oxide; a second step of heat treatment the matrix glass and the surface layer for phase separation to form a phase-separated glass; and a third step of acid treatment the phase-separated glass to form the porous glass having pores. |
| US09003829B2 |
Nitrogen removal from natural gas
The invention relates to a method for the separation of a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-containing feed fraction (1, 101), preferably natural gas, wherein the feed fraction (1, 101) is at least in part liquefied (E1, E2) and divided by rectification (T1) into a nitrogen-enriched fraction (14, 110) and a hydrocarbon-rich, nitrogen-depleted fraction (11, 111) and wherein, in the upper region of the rectification (T1), a nitrogen-enriched stream (14) is taken off, cooled (E3) and applied (20) at least in part to the rectification (T1) as reflux and/or the nitrogen-enriched fraction (110) is cooled and partially condensed (E3), applied at least in part to the rectification (T1) as reflux (115) and the remaining stream (116) of the nitrogen-enriched fraction (110) is subjected to a double-column process (T3). According to the invention, in the middle region of the rectification (T1), a carbon-dioxide-poor stream (13, 113) which serves for cooling (E3) the nitrogen-enriched substream (14) and/or cooling (E3) the nitrogen-enriched fraction (110) is taken off and the feed fraction is rectified (T1) in a separation column (T1) having a dividing wall (W), wherein the dividing wall (W) is arranged at least in the region of the separation column (T1) in which the feed fraction (2, 4, 5, 102, 104, 105) is fed to the separation column (T1) and the carbon-dioxide-poor stream (13, 113) is taken off. |
| US09003824B2 |
Positive air pressure ice making and dispensing system
An aseptic ice making system includes an ice making system to receive water from a water supply. The ice making system includes an ice producing subsystem to produce ice and a positive air pressure subsystem to maintain a positive air pressure environment within the ice making system. |
| US09003818B2 |
Heat pump type hot water supply apparatus
A heat pump-type hot water supply apparatus may be provided that includes: a refrigeration cycle circuit (including a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, expansion devices, and an indoor heat exchanger); a hot water supply heat exchanger connected to the refrigeration cycle circuit to use the first refrigerant discharged from the compressor for a hot water supply; a cascade heat exchanger connected to the refrigeration cycle circuit to allow the first refrigerant passing through the hot water supply heat exchanger to evaporate a second refrigerant and thereafter, to be condensed, expanded, and evaporated in the refrigeration cycle circuit; a heat storage compressor compressing the second refrigerant evaporated in the cascade heat exchanger, a heat storage tank to heat water using the second refrigerant compressed by the heat storage compressor, and a heat storage expansion device to expand the second refrigerant condensed in the heat storage tank. |
| US09003816B2 |
HVAC controller with user-friendly installation features facilitating both do-it-yourself and professional installation scenarios
A thermostat includes a processing system configured to control an HVAC system. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system may be further configured to identify, based on the subset of HVAC connectors, whether (i) only a single possible HVAC system configuration is indicated thereby, or (ii) multiple possible HVAC system configurations are indicated thereby, resolve a particular one of the multiple possible HVAC system configurations that is applicable, and operate the HVAC system according to the HVAC system configuration. |
| US09003814B2 |
Turbo air compressor with pressure recovery
A method for operating an air-conditioning system for an aircraft includes compressing ambient air with a compressor driven by a shaft in communication with a motor and a turbine. The method includes forwarding the compressed air to an aircraft cabin for circulation and removing circulated compressed air from the aircraft cabin. The method also includes forwarding the circulated compressed air to the turbine, depressurizing the circulated compressed air in the turbine and capturing energy created by depressurizing the circulated compressed air. |
| US09003811B2 |
Support for electric machine in a turbine engine
Devices and methods for supporting an accessory (32) in a gas turbine engine (10) are disclosed. The accessory (32) may have an interface (36) for coupling to a shaft (24) of the gas turbine engine (10). The device may comprise a first support (38) configured to support a first portion (34) of the accessory (32) proximal the interface (36) and a second support (40) configured to support a second portion (35) of the accessory (32) distal from the interface (36). The second support (40) may be configured to provide a lower resistance to relative displacement between the accessory (32) and structure (42) of the engine (10) than does the first support (34). |
| US09003809B2 |
Power generation system and methods for monitoring operation of same
A method of monitoring a power generation system that includes a steam turbine that is coupled to a gas turbine engine. The method includes calculating, by a control system, a gas turbine engine power output that is based at least in part on a predefined power generation system power output and a predefined steam turbine power output. The power generation system is operated to generate a power output that is approximately equal to the predefined power generation system power output. A signal indicative of a sensed operating power output of the gas turbine engine is transmitted from a sensor to the control system. A condition of the steam turbine is determined based at least in part on the sensed operating gas turbine engine power output and the calculated gas turbine engine power output. |
| US09003806B2 |
Method of operating a combustor from a liquid fuel to a gas fuel operation
A method of operating a combustor having a central nozzle and a plurality of outer nozzles surrounding the central nozzle is provided. The method includes providing a liquid fuel to only the plurality of outer nozzles at a specified total energy input. The method includes decreasing the liquid fuel to the plurality of outer nozzles while simultaneously increasing a gas fuel to the central nozzle and the plurality of outer nozzles to substantially maintain the specified total energy input. The method includes supplying a fuel-air ratio of the gas fuel to the central nozzle that exceeds a threshold value such that a central nozzle flame is anchored. An air-fuel ratio of the gas fuel to the plurality of outer nozzles is less than the threshold value such that a plurality of outer nozzle flames are lifted until a purge flow is supplied to the outer nozzles. |
| US09003805B2 |
Turbine engine with diffuser
A turbomachine including an annular combustion chamber; a centrifugal compressor; an annular diffuser with a radially oriented upstream portion presenting diffusion passages connected to the outlet of the compressor; a curved intermediate portion; and a downstream portion having a series of circularly spaced-apart deflector vanes. The turbomachine also includes an outer casing externally surrounding the combustion chamber and the downstream portion. The zone of the outer casing that is situated facing the deflector vanes is covered in a coating of abradable material, and the flow passage through the downstream portion is defined on the outside by the outer casing and by the coating. |
| US09003804B2 |
Multipoint injectors with auxiliary stage
A multipoint combustion system for a gas turbine engine includes a housing defining a pressure vessel. A master injector is mounted to the housing for injecting fuel along a central axis. A plurality of slave injectors are each disposed outward of the master injector for injecting fuel and air in an ignition plume radially outward of fuel injected through the master injector. The master injector and slave injectors are configured and adapted so the injection plume of the master injector intersects with the ignition plumes of the slave injectors. A primary manifold is included within the pressure vessel for distributing fuel to the slave injectors. An auxiliary manifold is in fluid communication with the auxiliary nozzles of the slave injectors for issuing an auxiliary flow of fuel from the auxiliary nozzles that is separate from the fuel flow of the primary manifold. |
| US09003803B2 |
Combustor cap assembly
A support structure for a burner tube in a combustor cap assembly for a gas turbine combustor includes an outer annular ring; an inner annular hub; and a plurality of struts extending radially between said outer annular ring and the inner hub. The inner hub is provided with a piston ring groove and a piston ring adapted to receive and seal an inner end of the burner tube. |
| US09003799B2 |
Thermodynamic cycle optimization for a steam turbine cycle
Heat flow from a steam seal header could be used in a stage, such as a low pressure stage, of a steam turbine. However, the dump steam temperature from the steam seal header can be too high requiring removal of excess heat, typically through attemperation, before the dump steam is provided to the low pressure stage. Attemperation poses reliability and life issues and lowers efficiency. To address such short comings, one or more heat pumps are used to transfer heat from the dump steam to the fluid entering a boiler. This allows the dump steam temperature to be within acceptable limits, and at the same time, increase the temperature of the fluid so that the steam cycle performance is enhanced. Preferably, solid-state heat pumps are used as they are reliable, silent and can be precisely controlled. |
| US09003796B2 |
Heat recovery using organic rankine cycle
A system includes a heat exchanger and an organic Rankine cycle system. The heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between extraction air from a power block and nitrogen from an air separation unit. The organic Rankine cycle system is coupled to the heat exchanger. In addition, the organic Rankine cycle system is configured to convert heat from the extraction air into work. |
| US09003795B2 |
Method and apparatus for operating a solar steam system
The disclosed subject matter relates to methods and systems for operating a solar steam system in response to a detected or predicted reduced insolation condition (for example, sunset or a cloud condition). In some embodiments, for a period of time, enthalpy stored within a solid material of a conduit via which steam travels en route to a steam turbine is used to heat the steam to drive the turbine. In some embodiments, a net migration of heliostats away from the steam superheater is carried out in response to the detected or predicted reduced insolation condition. |
| US09003790B2 |
Turbocharger with improved casing and diffuser areas
A turbocharger includes a compressor, a turbine, a shaft coupling the compressor to the turbine, and a turbo casing configured to improve pressure recovery and reduce energy loss from exhaust flow. In one embodiment, the turbo casing may include a geometry configured to improve exhaust flow towards an exhaust outlet. The turbo casing may include a torus shaped chamber having a cross-sectional area that progressively increases in an annular direction of the flow towards the exhaust outlet. |
| US09003789B2 |
Energy harvesting system
An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction. |
| US09003787B2 |
Control apparatus and control method for stirling engine
An ECU is used for a Stirling engine that is provided with a starter that drives an output shaft of the Stirling engine. The ECU includes a control portion that commences an engine-starting drive of the starter within a phase interval, during which the torque of the Stirling engine that varies according to phase of the output shaft is relatively small. The phase interval is an interval during which the torque of the Stirling engine is less than or equal to the torque obtained when the compression begins. The phase at which the driving of the starter is commenced is set to the phase at which the torque of the Stirling engine becomes smaller than the torque obtained when the compression begins. |
| US09003784B2 |
Electrical conductor, thermoelectric generator and motor vehicle
A module for a thermoelectric generator includes first and second ends, at least one inner tube and one outer tube disposed around the outside of the inner tube and at least one thermoelectric element disposed between the inner and outer tubes. The inner and outer tubes are each electrically insulated from the at least one thermoelectric element. At least one electrically conductive first contact is provided on each of the first and second ends, for electrically conductively connecting the at least one thermoelectric element to an electrical conductor. The module can conduct a fluid or coolant flow through the module from the first end to the second end. An electrical conductor, a thermoelectric generator, a motor vehicle and a method for producing a module, are also provided. |
| US09003780B2 |
Exhaust gas purification device
An exhaust gas purification device capable of enhancing handling operability such as maintenance of an engine includes two gas purification bodies which purify exhaust gas discharged from the engine, inner cases in which the gas purification bodies are incorporated, and outer cases in which the inner cases are incorporated. The outer cases are arranged side by side in a moving direction of exhaust gas and connected to each other. One of the adjoining inner cases is inserted into the other inner case to form a double-layer structure. A loosely-fitting gap is formed between an inner side surface of the one inner case and an outer side surface of the other inner case. |
| US09003778B2 |
Exhaust fluid dosing control system and method
A dosing control system for an exhaust system includes: a reductant fluid tank operable to contain a reductant solution comprising urea; an injector disposed in operable communication between a reductant tank and an SCR apparatus, the injector being operable to inject the reductant solution from the reductant tank into a flow of exhaust upstream of the SCR apparatus; a urea quality sensor (UQS) configured and disposed to sense a concentration of the urea in the reductant solution; and, a control module disposed in signal communication with the UQS and in operable communication with the injector, the control module being operable to adjust a dosing of the reductant solution injected by the injector based on a concentration of the urea in the reductant solution. |
| US09003771B2 |
Static mixer for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine-driven vehicle, in particular motor vehicle
The invention relates to a static mixer for an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine-driven vehicle, with a plurality of flow guide elements which influence the flow of an exhaust gas stream and which are inclined at a given angle relative to the mixer plane and are held in the exhaust gas channel by means of at least one retaining strip. According to the invention the at least one retaining strip is made resilient at least in partial regions and/or is elastically supported in the plane of the mixer. |
| US09003770B2 |
Nacelle rear assembly for turbojet engine
The invention relates to a nacelle rear assembly for a turbojet engine, that comprises: a hood, an inner structure in the shape of a sheath in which at least the rear portion (15) is of the O-duct type and is capable of axial sliding between an operational position in which it covers the gas generator (3) of said turbojet engine and defines an annular cold-air jet with said hood, and a maintenance position downstream from said operational position. The downstream portion (15) is conformed so as to be capable of sliding without blocking relative to said gas generator (3), and the inner structure includes an upstream portion (13) that can be separated from the downstream portion (15) and that includes at least two doors (13a, 13b) capable of opening towards the outside. |
| US09003767B2 |
Electric thruster, a method of stopping an electric engine included in such a thruster, and a satellite including such a thruster
An electric thruster includes at least one electric engine, a feed system for the engine including a high-pressure tank of ionizable gas, a low-pressure buffer tank connected to the high-pressure tank by a valve, and a system of pipes for conveying the gas from the low-pressure buffer tank to an anode and to a cathode of the engine. The low-pressure buffer tank is in open connection with the engine. The thruster detects that a magnitude of the discharge current between the anode and the cathode is less than a threshold value and switches off the discharge voltage as a result of the detection. The thruster can be for use in a satellite. |
| US09003766B2 |
Gas cooler and method for cooling gas
There is disclosed a gas cooler 20 for providing high-pressure sealing gas to a bearing chamber. The cooler comprises a turbine 22; a turbine inlet 24 arranged to receive gas to drive the turbine and a turbine outlet 26 arranged to deliver gas output from the turbine; a compressor 28 arranged to be driven by the turbine 22; a compressor inlet 30 arranged to receive gas to be compressed by the compressor and a compressor outlet 32 arranged to deliver gas output from the compressor 28; and a cooler outlet 36 in fluid communication with the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32 so as to deliver high-pressure sealing gas comprising gas merged from the turbine outlet 26 and the compressor outlet 32. |
| US09003761B2 |
System and method for exhaust gas use in gas turbine engines
In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a first gas turbine engine. The first gas turbine engine has a first compressor configured to intake air and to produce a first compressed air and a first combustor configured to combust a first mixture to produce a first combustion gas. The first mixture has a first fuel, at least a first portion of the first compressed air, and a second combustion gas from a second gas turbine engine. The first gas turbine engine also includes a first turbine configured to extract work from the first combustion gas. |
| US09003760B2 |
Acoustic processing panel, more particularly adapted for an air intake in an aircraft nacelle
An acoustic treatment panel that is connected to an air intake of an aircraft nacelle, includes at least one acoustically resistive structure (30) and a reflective layer (32), between which are located—in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the nacelle—bands (34) of alveolar cells spaced in such a way as to allow the passage of hot air provided for a frost treatment, characterized in that it includes pipes (36) for hot air that are each delimited by at least one partition that extends from the acoustically resistive layer (30) up to the reflective layer (32) in such a way as to insulate the bands (34) of cells in the longitudinal direction. |
| US09003757B2 |
Rope systems and methods for use as a round sling
A rope assembly that is adapted to extend between first and second attachment points comprises a line arranged to define a plurality of loops and at least one pair of organizers. The at least one pair of organizers is configured to engage the line such that line segments of the line between the at least one pair of organizers are maintained in a desired relationship with each other and such that the desired relationship facilitates transfer of loads through the rope assembly between the first and second attachment points. |
| US09003751B2 |
Mower cutting deck having a height of cut adjustment system with deck suspension linkages that each have an easily acessible threaded adjuster for deck truing or rake angle setting purposes
A mower carrying a rotary cutting deck has a height of cut system for adjusting the vertical position of the deck relative to the mower frame for changing or adjusting the height of cut. The height of cut system comprises a pair of parallel cross shafts that carry a plurality of pivotal suspension linkages that connect to the deck, the cross shafts and linkages pivoting jointly with one another and with a pivotal control lever. One of the cross shafts carries a torsion spring to counterbalance the weight of the deck. The control lever is maintained in a plurality of adjusted pivotal positions by a height selection bracket fixed to the frame with the height selection bracket being capable of having its position changed or adjusted relative to the frame by a single adjustment bolt. Each suspension linkage has its effective length adjusted by turning a threaded adjuster carried at the upper end of a connecting rod that is part of each linkage to allow the deck to be leveled relative to a reference plane. The adjustment of the height selection bracket is accomplished without affecting the length adjustments previously made to any of the suspension linkages. |
| US09003748B2 |
Coin processing unit
A wrapping unit for wrapping and forming a predetermined number of stacked coins into a coin-roll is arranged in a lower region of a machine body. A coin storing and feeding unit and sending unit are arranged side by side in a width direction of the machine body above the wrapping unit. Thus, the machine body is downsized in its width direction.In a state where a dispensing box attached to a dispensing box attachment unit is locked, coins are fed from the coin storing and feeding units, and the fed coins are recognized by a dispensing recognition unit, and sent to the dispensing box. If coins for dispensing sent to the dispensing box are normal coins, the dispensing box is unlocked. If an abnormal coin is recognized, a bottom plate of the dispensing box is opened. Coins dropping from the dispensing box are collected in a collection unit. |
| US09003745B2 |
Working station with a cutting tool for quickly cutting a width of film
A working station for a packaging machine for sealing a package and quickly cutting a top film and a method for operating such a working station. The working station may include a sealing tool upper part, a sealing tool lower part, a sealing frame, a movable cutting tool having a blade for cutting a top film, and at least one energy storage device in operable engagement with the cutting tool and the sealing frame. The at least one energy storage device may be configured for accumulating potential energy upon a relative movement of the sealing frame with respect to the cutting tool. The working station may further include a holding mechanism that is operable to hold the cutting tool to a portion of the working station that is stationary with respect to the cutting tool and the sealing frame. |
| US09003740B2 |
High performance, reinforced insulated precast concrete and tilt-up concrete structures and methods of making same
The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a foam insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the foam insulating panel defines at least one recessed channel in the first primary surface, the at least one recessed channel being sized and shaped to provide a mold for a structural reinforcing member. The product also comprises a concrete panel formed on the first primary surface and filling the at least one recessed channel so as to provide a structural reinforcing member for the concrete panel. The product further comprises an elongate anchor member in the foam insulating panel and extending from the first primary surface of the foam insulating panel into the concrete panel. A method of making a composite reinforced insulated concrete structure is also disclosed. |
| US09003739B2 |
Solar panel wind deflector
The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind deflector for use with pitched panels or structures mounted on horizontal, flat surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a wind deflector, including a contoured surface, for deflecting aerodynamic forces away from a pitched structure, such as a solar panel, mounted to a horizontal, flat surface, such as a roof top, wherein the structure is subjected to such aerodynamic forces. The wind deflector may further include a customized fin or fins as part of the design. |
| US09003737B2 |
Demountable wall system
The present invention relates generally to modular demountable wall systems and more particularly, to a flexible and versatile demountable wall system for where control of air pressure and contaminants may be required. |
| US09003735B2 |
Floor panel assembly
A floor panel assembly includes adjacent floor panels connected together along edges thereof with a locking element extending between the edges. The locking element has a first locking surface; a locking portion at one end; a control portion near another end; and a connecting portion connecting the locking portion to the control portion. The connecting portion is slidably accommodated in a channel of one of the panels and pushed towards a first end of the channel when the locking element is moved or deformed from a first position to a second position by the control portion, the front position being when the panels are disconnected and movable relative to each other and the second position being when the panels are fixedly connected to each other. |
| US09003733B1 |
Standing seam strengthening apparatus
A standing seam roof assembly is formed by overlapping adjacent panels, the female sidelap portion of one panel forming a male insertion cavity to receive a male sidelap portion of a second panel to form a standing seam, a clip configured to connect the standing seam to an underlying support structural. A strengthening beam is incorporated in the standing seam at a selected point along the standing seam to increase load bearing capacity. In one preferred embodiment, the strengthening beam is incorporated into the connecting clip. |
| US09003731B2 |
Modular wall nesting system
Implementations of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for incorporating face- and center-mounted panels into a single wall module to form nested wall modules. For instance, face-mounted panels can nest within the center-mounted panels. Additionally or alternatively, center-mounted panels can nest within the face-mounted panels to form windows. |
| US09003729B2 |
Photovoltaic array mounting apparatus, systems, and methods
A photovoltaic array, including: (a) supports laid out on a surface in rows and columns; (b) photovoltaic modules positioned on top of the supports; and (c) fasteners connecting the photovoltaic modules to the supports, wherein the supports have an upper pedestal surface and a lower pedestal surface such that the photovoltaic modules are positioned at a non-horizontal angle when edges of the photovoltaic modules are positioned on top of the upper and lower pedestal surfaces, and wherein a portion of the fasteners rotate to lock the photovoltaic modules onto the supports. |
| US09003728B2 |
Modular, self supporting exterior enclosure system with insulating, evacuated tubes having solar collector rods
A tubular building enclosure system with thermally-broken modules having evacuated air spaces assembled in rows and/or columns to form a structurally self-supporting, thermally insulating, and solar energy collecting facade. |
| US09003726B2 |
System and method for establishing a self-aligning mounting system for mounting photovoltaic modules
Provided are a system and method for a self-aligning system for mounting at least one photovoltaic module to a surface. The system includes a plurality of rails, each rail having a plurality of slideably attached friction locking retainers, and a plurality of anchors with fasteners extending opposite from friction locking retainers. A collapsible separator is coupled between the rails and structured and arranged to align the rails to each other at a pre-defined separation distance. Each friction locking retainer structured and arranged to laterally slide along a portion of each rail and remain as positioned by a user. Each friction locking retainer further structured and arranged to grip and permit adjustment of at least one photovoltaic module during mounting. An associated method of use is also provided. |
| US09003725B2 |
Weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks
Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first seal to be engaged by a vehicle as the vehicle moves between a departed position and a parked position relative to the first seal. The first seal has a penetration portion movable between a relaxed condition when the vehicle releases the first seal and an activated condition when the vehicle engages the first seal. A second seal is coupled adjacent the first seal. The second seal has an opening to be positioned adjacent the penetration portion of the first seal such that at least a portion of the penetration portion extends across at least a portion of the opening when the first seal is in the relaxed condition, and the opening of the second seal receives at least the penetration portion of the first seal when the first seal is in the activated condition. |
| US09003724B2 |
Weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks
Example weather barrier apparatuses for sealing or sheltering vehicles at loading docks are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a side support member attachable to a wall proximate a doorway. A side seal member extends from the side support member and a rear edge seal is supported by the side seal member. The rear edge seal engages a first rear edge of a vehicle. The rear edge seal has a seal core and a seal cover, where the core has a gap defined by a first portion and a second portion. |
| US09003722B2 |
Anchor post
Provided herein are methods, devices and systems comprising an anchor post that has a shaft, at least one stabilizing element attached to the anchor post configured to resist movement of the anchor post, and at least one alignment element. |
| US09003721B1 |
Leveling arrangement for a tower
Provided is a leveling arrangement for a tower, which leveling arrangement comprises a leveling ring realized for placement between a tower foundation and the tower; and a leveling apparatus, which leveling apparatus comprises a connection means for detachably connecting the leveling apparatus to the leveling ring during a leveling procedure; and a number of adjustment legs, wherein an adjustment leg is realized to effect a displacement of the leveling ring relative to the tower foundation during the leveling procedure; along with a method of providing a level mounting interface for a tower; and a method of erecting a wind turbine tower; and a wind turbine tower assembly. |
| US09003717B2 |
Tropical ventilation well
The invention relates to a ventilation well with hurricane-resistant function for a building comprising an inclined roof (11), intended to be adapted to said building in such a way as to extend over its entire height, communicating towards the exterior of the building at the peak of the roof, and having at least one lateral opening (3, 4) communicating with the inside volume of the building, characterized in that it further comprises a cap (5) which may be adjustable in height and/or removable at the top of the well. |
| US09003713B2 |
Modular rail system for suspending sliding doors and sliding door system with user accessible braking/stopping element
A modular rail system for suspending sliding doors, including at least one rail profile having a top side arranged for being fixed against a horizontal wall part, a bottom side having a rail portion for carrying suspension wheels of a sliding door, a first lateral side arranged for being fixed against a vertical wall part, and an open second lateral side. On both opposite lateral sides the rail profile includes recesses having substantially the same shape for engaging complementary spacer elements. A sliding door system including a rail system, at least one sliding door with suspension wheels and at least one repositionable braking/stopping element having a stop for defining an extreme position of the sliding door and a releasable fixing element for fixing the braking/stopping element in the rail system. The fixing element is spaced a predetermined distance from the stop, chosen for maintaining user accessibility to the fixing element while the stop is located in a user inaccessible position. |
| US09003712B2 |
Method of making a bulb seal
A method of producing a seal comprising forming an elongated strip of a thermoplastic material having laterally spaced, interlockable portions; bending such strip along a longitudinal line disposed between the spaced interlockable portions to position the interlockable portions in opposed relation; and interlocking the interlockable portions together when such portions are disposed in opposed relation to provide a bulb segment and a mount segment. |
| US09003709B2 |
Retention clip for outer belt weatherstrip
A retention clip for attaching an outer belt weatherstrip to a flange includes a backing plate and an anti-rotation feature attached thereto. The anti-rotation feature biases against the flange to draw the backing plate against the flange to remove lash from between the flange and the backing plate in a lateral direction relative to a first primary axis of the retention clip. An axial biasing member biases against the top edge of the flange to remove lash from between a lower edge of the flange and a latch of the retention clip in an axial direction along the first primary axis. A spacing element engages an interior surface of the outer belt weatherstrip in abutting engagement to resist movement of the outer belt weatherstrip relative to the retention clip along the first primary axis. A release mechanism allows the retention clip to disengage from the flange. |
| US09003705B1 |
Automatic pet door for large pets
An automatic pet door for large pets is installed in a hinged door and is actuated by a magnet worn by a pet. Unintended openings of the automatic pet door caused by the Earth's ambient magnetic field when the hinged door is moved are prevented by a system that includes a microelectromechanical systems gyro. A counterweight system allows the use of a relatively small and inexpensive electric motor to actuate the automatic pet door. |
| US09003699B2 |
Covers for plant-growing media
A cover for a plant-growing medium comprises a main cover portion, a peripheral base spaced from the main cover portion and defining an outer perimeter of the cover, and a peripheral wall extending from a first side of the main cover portion between the main cover portion and the peripheral base. One or more plant growth channels are defined by one or more tubes extending from the first side of the main cover portion. Each tube has a proximal end adjacent the main cover portion and a distal end relative to the proximal end, with a first aperture defined in the main cover portion at the proximal end of the tube and a second aperture defined at the distal end of the tube. The first aperture and the second aperture communicate through the tube to define each plant growth channel. |
| US09003698B2 |
Greenhouse screen
The invention refers to a greenhouse screen comprising strips of film material that are interconnected by a yarn system by means of hosiery, knitting, warp-knitting or weaving process to form a continuous product. At least some of the strips comprise a film material in the form of a multilayer polyester film having a thickness less than 60 μm and comprising at least two layers, wherein at least one layer is white and at least one layer is black, the at least one white layer comprises polyester and a white pigment in an amount between 5 and 50 weight-% based on the total weight of the white layer, and the at least one black layer comprises polyester and a black opacifying agent. |
| US09003693B2 |
Control of zebra mussels in closed service water systems
A method for controlling bivalve growth in a static or semi-static service water system of a plant is disclosed. Upon detecting an increase in the concentration of veligers or settlement stage bivalves, potassium is introduced into the service water to obtain a potassium cation concentration of between 10 mg/l and 150 mg/l for a period of 2 to 30 days. The methods are particularly useful for controlling zebra mussel growth in service water systems for fire prevention. |
| US09003688B2 |
Spin and casting rod with automatic line release
Devices for automatic fishing line release during a cast using the acceleration and deceleration of the rod to automatically release the fishing line. In one embodiment, the device is in an under-the-rod position. In another embodiment, the devices is in an over-the-rod position. In other embodiments, the over or under the rod function is determined by manufacturer or user adjustments or changes. |
| US09003687B2 |
Firearm magazine loader
A firearm magazine loader. The magazine loader includes an ammunition holder adapted for receiving and holding ammunition from a tray in the same arrayed configuration in which the ammunition was held in the tray. The magazine loader includes a holder adapted for holding ammunition in an array including multiple columns and rows. The magazine loader includes a carrier and a biasing member biasing the carrier for movement. The magazine loader includes a movable carrier and a stop. The stop engages ammunition held in the carrier for indexing movement of the carrier. The magazine loader includes a plunger oriented for plunging ammunition from the carrier in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the carrier. The magazine loader includes a slot sized and shaped for receiving a round of ammunition and configured for permitting the round of ammunition to slide along a length of the slot. |
| US09003686B2 |
Hand guard mounting mechanism
A firearm comprising a receiver including a threaded end with the receiver extending along an axis and a hand guard having an exterior surface and defining a hand guard bore along the axis with the exterior surface terminating at a mating surface disposed about the threaded end. The firearm additionally includes a barrel disposed within the hand guard bore and abutting the threaded end and a nut abutting the barrel and engaging the threaded end of the receiver to secure the barrel to the receiver. The firearm further including a securing device with the exterior surface of the hand guard defining an engagement area providing access into the hand guard bore and the securing device interfacing with the engagement area and extending into the hand guard bore to abut the nut and securely mount the mating surface of the hand guard to the receiver. |
| US09003682B2 |
Adjustable sign holder device
A sign holder device for the support and display of signage. The device includes a base, sign holder and a stem, the stem having a first end appended to the base and a second end supporting the sign holder. The stem has a length defined by the distance between its first and second ends, the length being adjustable to vary the distance between the base and sign holder. |
| US09003681B2 |
Bucket teeth having a metallurgically bonded coating and methods of making bucket teeth
Bucket teeth having a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and methods for forming the coated bucket teeth are disclosed. The bodies of the bucket teeth have a hard metal alloy slurry disposed on a surface and then are fused to form a metallurgical bond with the iron-based alloy. The wear-resistant coating can be formed of a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. The portion of the outer surface of the bucket teeth having the wear-resistant coating corresponds to a wear surface of the bucket teeth during operation. |
| US09003677B2 |
System and method for toning footwear
Systems and methods for toning footwear include a combination of a support ring, an insole with a cushioning material configured to contact a user's foot, and an outsole with one or more convex regions to create instability in the footwear. The support ring or stiffener band can be coupled to the outsole between the insole on one side and the forefoot and heel toning convexities on the other side. In some embodiments, the stiffener band can be formed of a material different from and stiffer than the material of the outsole. In accordance with various embodiments, when a user wears the toning footwear while walking, an increase in both the toning and strengthening of the calves, hamstrings and/or glutes results. |
| US09003674B2 |
Evaporator, evaporation method and substrate processing apparatus
Disclosed are an evaporator, an evaporation method, and a substrate processing apparatus, which can increase the concentration of generated vapor of an organic solvent and efficiently heat the organic solvent. The evaporator includes a fluid tube, a liquid organic solvent supply device for supplying the organic solvent liquid to one end of the fluid tube, and heating units for heating the fluid tube. The fluid tube has a cross section that increases from the one end to the other end. When the organic solvent liquid supplied to one end of the fluid tube is heated, the organic solvent vapor is discharged from the other end of the fluid tube. The substrate processing apparatus includes the above-described evaporator. |
| US09003673B2 |
Depth testing device
A depth testing device for testing depth of a screw drive includes a supporting assembly which is for supporting the screw, a calibrating assembly, and a testing assembly. The calibrating assembly includes a calibrating element which presses on the top end of the screw. The testing assembly includes a testing device and a testing probe, the testing device includes a testing member and a testing pole stretching relative to the testing member. One end of the testing probe is received in the testing pole. The reading of the testing member is reset to zero first, then the other end of the testing probe is moved and is inserted into the drive of the screw, recording the reading of the testing member. The depth of the drive of the screw is calculated by the test reading subtracted by the thickness of the calibrating element. |
| US09003672B2 |
Retractable solar railing installer and guide
The present invention is directed to a combination roof top solar installation tool, and more particularly, to a tool for measuring, securing, and supporting solar installation equipment to allow for quick, safe, consistent, and efficient installations. The tool may include a first housing, a second housing, and third housing that fit telescopically together and are secured through a clip locking mechanism that extends the housings when released via a clip and roller system. The tool has ruling etched along the top of the housings, a level, and also has a series of ratchet heads for tightening and loosening tools on a roof. The invention may include a series of seam clamp holes along the surface of the housings, which receive a seam clamp. The invention may also have an elongating device secured onto one of the housings, which is used for measuring distances beyond the length of the installation tool. |
| US09003669B2 |
Wear gauge for oilfield tools
A wear gauge confirms the acceptability of an outside diameter of a down hole drilling tool for down hole service. An embodiment of the wear gauge has two arcuate members pivotally connected in overlapping attachment, where each arcuate member has opposing ends and an arc length is defined between the two ends. Each of the opposing ends has an aperture penetrating through the width of the arcuate member. The free ends may be pivoted together into an overlapping configuration into a closed position. When in the closed position, the two arcuate members define a circle. The diameter of the circle is certified to be a specific value within a designated tolerance. |
| US09003664B2 |
Method for producing shaft member for hydrodynamic bearing apparatus
A shaft material integrally having a shaft portion and a flange portion is formed by a forging process. The end face of the shaft portion of the shaft material and the end face of the flange portion on the opposite side of the shaft portion are ground relative to the corrected face, and the outer circumferential surface of the shaft material is ground relative to the end faces. This renders the cylindricity of the radial bearing faces formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion of the produced shaft member to be 3 μm or lower. Moreover, a shaft material integrally having the shaft portion and flange portion is formed, while simultaneously thrust hydrodynamic groove regions are formed on both end faces of the flange portion. After the forging process, radial hydrodynamic groove regions are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion. |
| US09003662B2 |
Insert and method for anchoring in a cored panel
An insert is configured for anchoring within a cored panel and has a wide flange on one end, a sacrificial cover and threaded pin on its opposite end and a nut captured therein. The panel is prepared by forming a countersunk hole therein and filling or coating such opening with an adhesive. The insert is fitted into the hole such that the flange is positioned against one surface of the panel while the sacrificial cover and threaded pin protrude from the opposite surface. A screw fixture is threaded onto the threaded pin to maintain the insert in place while the adhesive cures. Subsequent removal of the screw fixture and sacrificial cover completes the anchoring process and exposes the nut that is captured within the insert for receipt of an appropriate fastener. |
| US09003660B2 |
Device and method for securing a watch element with adjustable angular orientation
Device for securing a first element of a watch 1 having a first threaded portion 11 to a second watch element 2 including a second threaded portion 22, including an intermediate element 3 for the angular orientation of the first element 1 relative to the second element 2. The intermediate element 3 includes a third threaded portion 31, arranged for cooperating with the first threaded portion 11 of the first element 1, and a fourth threaded portion 32, arranged to cooperate with the second threaded portion 22 of the second element 2. The thread pitches of the third threaded portion 31 and fourth threaded portion 32 are different. |
| US09003656B2 |
Securing device for securing a turbomachine rotor set up transversely to a horizontal plane against tipping over and orientation method therefor
A securing device for securing a rotor of a turbomachine against tilting is provided, the rotor being arranged perpendicular in relation to a horizontal plane. The securing device includes a support surface enabling the rotor to be laterally supported in relation to the securing device. The rotor or the tie rod, arranged in an essentially vertical manner, are oriented vertically such that during an alignment, the support surface on which the rotor or the tie rod support, are displaced such that rotor is perpendicular in relation to the horizontal plane. |
| US09003653B2 |
Method for the production of a ceramic multilayer circuit arrangement
A method for producing a ceramic multilayer circuit system, and a corresponding multilayer circuit system are provided. An embodiment of the method includes sequential deposition of a plurality of circuit layers of the multilayer circuit system on a substrate using a powder spray method; pressing of the deposited plurality of circuit layers; and thermal sintering of the pressed plurality of circuit layers. The individual circuit layers have electrically conductive areas made of at least one conductive material and electrically insulating areas made of at least one ceramic material. |
| US09003652B2 |
Method of fabricating a circuit board
The characteristic impedance of a surface pad is manipulated by reticulating the pad and filling the spaces with a dielectric material, providing an inductive element in the coupling of the surface pad to an underlying ground pad of a ground plane, or a combination of these approaches. In appropriate embodiments, acceptable signal trace routing paths will exist in an embedded signal layer under the ground plane and crossing under the surface pad. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US09003649B1 |
Method of making a two-sided fluid cooled assembly
A fluid cooled electrical assembly that includes a metal box, having a bottom wall, side walls and a top wall. A set of straight-edged pins, each smaller than 3 mm across in widest dimension, extend down from the top wall and up from the bottom wall. Also, electrical components are mounted on top of the top wall and on bottom of the bottom wall. |
| US09003647B2 |
Method and apparatus for manufacturing a flat-type wire
A stator structure includes: a stator core (104) having a large number of concave slots (105) and a large number of convex magnetic poles (106) circumferentially alternately arranged; and magnet wires (101) of rectangular cross section in each of which an insulating coating (103) is formed on the outer surface of a metal wire (102), wherein each of the slots (105) is formed so that the distance (W2) between both the side surfaces (109, 109) of the slot (105) gradually decreases from the bottom (107) to a distal opening (108) of the slot (105), each of the magnet wires (101) is wound around the associated magnetic pole (106) and inserted in tiers in the associated slot (105), and the magnet wire (101) is placed in the slot (105) so that the width (W1) thereof continuously or stepwise decreases from the bottom (107) to the distal opening (108) of the slot (105). |
| US09003646B2 |
Roller hemming system for panel of vehicle
Disclosed is a roller hemming system for panels of a vehicle that may include: a marriage jig adapted to load thereon a part having an outer panel and an inner panel joined together; a clamping pad releasably mounted at a front end of an arm of a first handling robot, and adapted to clamp the part loaded on the marriage jig by a plurality of clamping means; a plurality of transfer rails adapted to intersect with each other at a center; a plurality of hemming dies, each being disposed on a predetermined transfer rail, being adapted to reciprocate on the transfer rail between the center and an initial position, and being adapted to receive thereon the part clamped by the clamping pad; and a plurality of hemming robots being disposed corresponding to each hemming die and provided with a hemming roller unit adapted to hem an edge of the part. |
| US09003640B1 |
Method for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer
A method for fabricating a magnetic recording transducer is described. The method includes providing a pinned layer for a magnetic element. The portion of the magnetic transducer including the pinned layer is transferred to a high vacuum annealing apparatus before annealing the magnetic transducer. The portion of the magnetic recording transducer is annealed in the high vacuum annealing apparatus. A tunneling barrier is provided after the step of annealing the part of the magnetic recording transducer. A free layer for the magnetic element is also provided. |
| US09003638B2 |
Method of assembling an electromechanical device in a gas-turbine engine
A method of assembling an electromechanical device in a gas-turbine engine, including mounting a rotor of the device on a rotor support, securing a stator of the device to a stator support, coupling the rotor support to the stator support such that said rotor is rotatable about said stator, securing the device to a bearing support, securing a bearing assembly on the low pressure shaft, coupling the device to the low pressure shaft by installing the bearing support over the bearing assembly, and drivingly engaging the rotor support to the high pressure shaft. |
| US09003636B2 |
Method of manufacturing a control interface for motor vehicle
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a control interface for motor vehicle comprising a touch pad exhibiting a front face, and a housing accommodating said touch pad, said housing exhibiting an aperture delimited by a border for access to the front face of the touch pad by a user, characterized in that: —in the course of a first step (101), the aperture of a housing is disposed around a touch pad provided with a film on the front face, the film covering at least the front face of the touch pad and the edges of the housing, —in the course of a second step (102), a holding force is applied to the housing so as to hold it, and —in the course of a third step (103), a liquid levelling lining material is introduced into a peripheral space partitioned off by the film, the border of the housing and the rim ate touch pad, so as to spread the liquid levelling lining material in said peripheral space. |
| US09003634B2 |
Blind rivet and fastening method thereof
A blind rivet is adapted for fastening two members, each member having a plurality of fastening holes arranged in corresponding positions. The inner diameter of the holes in the second member are greater than the inner diameter of the holes in the first member to compensate for positioning errors that may occur during machining. The blind rivet includes a rivet body having a sleeve, a rivet head, and a through hole; a mandrel having an elongated stem and a head; and a washer. The washer is arranged around the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve in the rivet body and adjacent to the rivet head. The members to be fastened are fastened between the enlarged end of the sleeve and the washer. |
| US09003633B1 |
Concrete anchor bolt fastener and tool and method for installing
A method for attaching an article to a hardened concrete body includes a tool that has a slotted base plate and a downwardly depending slotted guide cylinder having at the lower end thereof a circular end plate which has a central aperture, insertable into a bore hole to support a rotatably driven shaft disposed through the slot, guide cylinder, and central aperture through said end plate and having at its lower end a cutting head, the shaft being pushed downwardly into the bore and rocked back and forth in the slot, causing the cutting head to form an oval enlargement at the base of the bore hole. An anchor bolt fastener according to the invention is then inserted into the bore hole, the fastener including an elongated shank which has a central shaft bore slidably holding a shaft having at its lower end an expander wedge forcible upwards into a slot extending into a lower end face of the shank to thus expand bolt legs on opposite sides of the slot into the oval bore hole enlargement. |
| US09003632B2 |
Thimble mechanism for retention of a shackle in a wire loop termination
A thimble mechanism for retention of a shackle in a wire rope loop termination. In one preferred embodiment, a thimble device is provided for a shackle having a pair of opposed legs with each leg having an end with a width smaller than a depth. The thimble device includes a thimble body having an external arcuate edge with a rope groove for receipt of a wire rope therein. A central opening extends through the thimble body with the central opening larger than the width but smaller than the depth of the shackle ends. A keyway is provided in the thimble body extending from the central opening to the arcuate edge of the thimble body. |
| US09003631B2 |
Power generation assemblies and apparatus
A floating power generation assembly has at least three floating units (3400) provided with power generation means (3402, 3404) and floating in a body of water. At least one of the three floating units (3400) is a tension leg platform. The assembly also comprises first anchors secured to a surface beneath the water, and first cables (3414, 3416) connecting the buoyant body (3400) to the first anchors. Second anchors are secured to the underwater surface and connected by second cables (3412) to the floating units (3400). The floating units (3400) are arranged substantially at the vertices of at least one triangle or quadrilateral. |
| US09003630B2 |
Assembly plate for housing at least one module in a housing body and corresponding method
An assembly plate and a method for arranging at least one module in a housing body, including an assembly side for assembly in the housing body and an opposing module housing side for housing the module. According to the invention, the assembly plate has clip pins by means of which the module can be locked in a position on the assembly side as defined by the clip pins. |
| US09003627B1 |
Micro-coupling active release mechanism
A micro-coupling active release mechanism including a shape memory alloy (SMA) cylindrical ring that is fit into a bushing or other mating attachment creating an interference joint held in place by frictional forces. The interference joint can be released upon actuation in which the SMA cylindrical ring is heated causing it to shrink in size, relieving the frictional forces of the interference joint thereby releasing the SMA cylindrical ring from the bushing or other mating attachment. |
| US09003626B2 |
Method for securing a device in a docking station
A docking station formed of a tray having a clamping portion coupled to a receiver portion for motion along a travel axis therebetween. A lever is coupled for moving the clamping portion between an expanded position spaced away from the receiver portion, and a retracted position adjacent to the receiver portion. The lever includes a preload portion that is adapted for preloading the clamping portion in the retracted position, and a latching portion that is coupled for retaining the clamping portion in the retracted position. The preload portion of the lever is a resiliently bendable member, such as a spring. Optionally, the lever is a second class lever. |
| US09003622B2 |
Complete body assembling apparatus for various vehicle models
The present invention relates to an apparatus for assembling a front panel, a plurality of side panels, a back panel, and a roof panel in a complete body assembly line for various vehicles. The complete body assembling apparatus realizes a new type of a coupling apparatus by which hangers for vehicle models are held in a post buck in a complete body line for a vehicle and the post buck is flexibly movable depending on the changes in various vehicle models. This in turn, allows various vehicle models to be produced in a single process by flexibly coping with various vehicle models and enhancing the efficiency of an entire complete body assembling process. |
| US09003619B2 |
Method for spreading fiber bundles, spread fiber sheet, and method for manufacturing a fiber-reinforced sheet
The present invention has an object to provide a fiber-spreading method which can form a thin spread fiber sheet having a large and uniform spread width by uniformly distributing fibers of a fiber bundle having an increased number of fibers. Since a set of regions Si each including a pair of a fiber-spreading region Ai and an expansion region Bi are arranged in a movable region M set so that the fibers of the fiber bundle can move in the width direction, the fiber-spreading region Ai moving the fibers in the width direction while bending the fibers by letting a fluid pass through the fiber bundle, thereby spreading the fiber bundle to a spread width Wi (i=1, . . . , n), and the expansion region Bi which is set on the upstream side in the feeding direction corresponding to the fiber-spreading region Ai and in which the width of the fiber bundle expands toward the end with movement of the fibers in the width direction in the fiber-spreading region Ai, by performing pre-spreading in which a movement phenomenon in the width direction caused by distribution of the fibers of the fiber bundle occurring in the fiber-spreading region Ai is made to act on the expansion region Bi on the upstream side, the fibers can be uniformly distributed in the fiber-spreading region Ai and the spread width can be expanded to a predetermined width so as to make the thickness uniform. |
| US09003617B2 |
Multi-chamber carabiner
An automatically locking carabiner system including a frame, a gate, a gate biasing system, and a gate locking system. The frame and gate form a continuously enclosed inner region in a closed configuration with respect to the frame. When in an engaged state, the gate locking system is configured to automatically lock the gate in the closed configuration with respect to the frame. The gate locking system may include a trigger coupled to the frame such that the position of the trigger corresponds to the state of the gate locking system. The trigger may be positioned on an opposite side of the frame from the gate with respect to the inner region. The force required to disengage the gate locking system may be substantially opposite that which is required to transition the gate to the open configuration with respect to the frame. |
| US09003616B2 |
Plastic clip
A plastic clip of the present invention includes a clip boss integrally formed in a fixed panel; and a clip main body detachably assembled to the clip boss. The clip boss includes fitting portions provided in two lower side portions of a vertical plate provided with a fitting hole; and locking projections provided in front and back upper ends of the fitting portions. The clip main body includes an inverted triangular input portion provided in a lower end portion; a locking projection provided in an upper end portion of the input portion; a clip-boss input guide hole provided in the center of an upper end; a clip-boss input guide portion provided in the center of an internal upper portion and connected to the clip-boss input guide hole; and an elastic fitting piece provided in a lower end of the clip-boss input guide portion. |
| US09003615B1 |
Silent hook and loop fastener system
A silent fastener system having a hook portion and a loop portion wherein the hook portion has a base with hooks attached thereto. The hooks are biased in a curved configuration and are inserted through a hook guide which guides the hooks into the loop portion by moving the base along the hook guide in a first direction so that tips of the hooks advance into the loop portion. The hooks become curved in the loop portion thereby locking the hooks in the loop portion. The hooks are unlocked by moving the base in a second opposite direction causing the loops to retract into the hook guide without producing sound so that the hook and loop portions separate easily with production of audible sound. Alternate embodiments use linear hooks in place of curved hooks. |
| US09003606B2 |
Synchronous movement device applied to dual-shaft system
A synchronous movement device applied to dual-shaft system includes a first shaft and a second shaft, which are assembled with each other and synchronously rotatable. The synchronous movement device further includes a driver and a driving rail disposed on the first shaft, a reactor and a reacting rail disposed on the second shaft and a link unit connected between the driver and the reactor. When the first shaft drives the driver to rotate, the driver pushes the link unit to move along the first and second shafts to forcedly push the reactor to rotate in a direction reverse to the moving direction of the driver. Accordingly, the first and second shafts are synchronously rotated. |
| US09003604B2 |
Door checker for automobile
In a door checker for automobile which is applicable to vehicles having different full open angles of doors, and which makes no chattering noise by vibration, a free end portion of a check lever plate is provided with a core plate exposed portion where a core plate is exposed from a cover layer, a full open stopper mechanism includes: a stopper pin fitted in the core plate exposed portion, the stopper pin having anti-falling expanded portions; a stopper plate swingably supported on the stopper pin; and a cushion member supported by the stopper plate, and configured to cushion an impact of full opening of the door by receiving a case, and a pressing piece is provide integrally and continuously to the cover layer, the pressing piece configured to press the cushion member toward the stopper pin to thereby keep the stopper plate in contact with the stopper pin. |
| US09003597B2 |
Windscreen wiper device
A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of said longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm, as well as a spoiler, a special feature of which is that the spoiler as a separate constructional element is detachably connected to the wiper blade. |
| US09003593B2 |
Twisted tubular web element and mop head made therefrom
A tubular web element is made from a strip of fabric having opposing longitudinal edges. The strip is longitudinally twisted to define a hollow tube having between approximately 0.01-0.95 turns per inch. At least one helical gap is defined between the opposing longitudinal edges of the hollow tube. The opposing longitudinal edges have self-fused edge regions. The hollow tube has self-fused longitudinally-extending regions between its opposing longitudinal edges. |
| US09003589B2 |
Floor of a dome module as an interface between an air passenger bridge or air passenger stairs and an airplane
The subject matter of the invention is a floor of a dome module as an interface between an air passenger bridge or air passenger stairs and the airplane, wherein the floor comprises a stationary floor section and a floor head part, wherein the floor head part exhibits several floor segments, which are connected to one another by a buffer cross-beam that is flexible over at least a portion of its length, wherein several floor segments are horizontally displaceable relative to one another. |
| US09003588B2 |
Appliances with sudsing-reducing flushable detergent dispensers
Appliances having a detergent dispenser that may be flushed with a water flow for removal of residual treating chemistry while reducing sudsing are disclosed. An example dispenser includes a cup with a bottom wall, a siphon tube projecting upwardly from the bottom wall, a cover for the siphon tube, an opening configured to introduce a liquid stream into the cup from a position above and beyond a periphery of the cover, wherein substantially all of the liquid stream flows downwardly along a trajectory defined by the opening and terminating below and within the periphery of the cover, and wherein the liquid stream directly impinges a portion of at least one of the cup or the siphon tube below the cover. |
| US09003586B2 |
Whacker tool
A whacker tool may include a bar having one end with a wedge head and another end with a spoon head. The wedge head may include a V-shaped notch that bifurcates the wedge head into two legs. The spoon head may include a convex working surface and a concave working surface that face away from each other. A J-hook can be provided on the bar and the base of the spoon head. A pair of stops may be provided at spaced apart locations on the bar and located between the wedge head and the J-hook. A slide hammer can be mounted on the bar for movement between the stops. The slide hammer can be pounded against the stops stop to provide impact drive forces on the wedge head and the spoon head, and impact pulling forces on the J-hook. |
| US09003585B2 |
Pocket knife with separable body portions
A pocket knife including a first body portion including a first engaging member, and a second body portion including a second engaging member arranged to engage the first body portion with the second body portion. The first body portion and the second body portion are separated from each other when not engaged. A tool element is arranged to be housed in the first body portion when in a closed state and displaced outward when in an opened state. A first locking member is arranged to be actuated by the tool element, and cooperates with a second locking member provided on the second body portion, and wherein when the first engaging member is engaged with the second engaging member, and when the first locking member and the second locking member are prevented from moving, the first body portion and the second body portion are prevented from being separated. |
| US09003581B2 |
Support device for persons, for example a hospital bed, provided with a hydraulic system
A support device for persons, such as a bed, treatment or operating table, chair, comprises: a frame; a first and a second movable member, which movable members can be adjusted independently of one another and which are designed to support the person or one or more parts of the person in various positions, and a hydraulic system for adjusting the movable members, the hydraulic system comprising: a reservoir for hydraulic liquid; a first and a second hydraulic actuator associated with the first and second movable member, respectively, which hydraulic actuators can each be moved in two directions; a hydraulic pump; a pump activating member which is operatively connected to the pump in order for an operator to activate the pump; a valve assembly which is provided in the hydraulic circuit between the pump and the respective actuators, and a valve assembly operating member which can be mechanically operated by an operator and is mechanically connected to the valve assembly for selecting and providing a connection between one of the actuators and the pump in order to be able to selectively move a movable member by supplying pressurized hydraulic liquid to the associated actuator upon activation of the pump. |
| US09003575B2 |
Toilets with improved trapways
A toilet has a trapway extending between a bowl opening and a toilet outlet opening. A heel links and provides a bend between a down leg and an out leg of the trapway. The heel has a cross-sectional profile having a major dimension and a minor dimension. The major dimension increases as the down leg transitions into the heel and reduces as the heel transitions into the out leg. This heel configuration in the trapway forms a siphon during a flushing action of the toilet. |
| US09003573B2 |
Toilet seat lifter
A toilet seat lifter for raising a toilet seat when not in use includes a base, a threaded shaft extending downwardly therefrom to secure the base to a mounting surface of a toilet bowl, a cylindrical body supported by the base, a hinge pin extending from an end of the cylindrical body for pivotally supporting the toilet seat, and a torsion spring extending around and supported by the cylindrical body. One end of the torsion spring engages the base, and the other end engages the bottom of the toilet seat to bias the toilet seat upwardly away from the bowl. The base and cylindrical body are preferably integrally formed as a single unit. The base preferably includes an upper plateau for being engaged by one end of the torsion spring. |
| US09003572B2 |
Hanger for a lavatory treatment device
An improved hanger 19 for a lavatory treatment device 10 which comprises: a top plate portion 20 which from an approximate midpoint 21, depends a downwardly extending stalk 22, wherein the top plate portion 20 includes a left arm section 20A section and a right arm section 20B which extends outwardly from the midpoint 21 and in a forward direction with respect to the stalk 22, wherein the left arm section 20A and the right arm section 20B are preferably essentially symmetrical about the midpoint 21 and are angled forwardly with respect to the stalk 22, and at the ends of each of the left arm section 20A section and a right arm section 20B are each a downwardly extending to grip arm, 23A, 23B, which grip arms 23A, 23B are parallel and spaced part from one another, and also each is located forward of the stalk 22. |
| US09003567B2 |
Hand covering with tactility features
This invention relates generally to a hand covering. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand covering with tactility features. The tactility features of the hand covering enable the wearer of the hand covering to have improved dexterity and tactility while wearing the hand covering and performing various tasks. In one embodiment, the hand covering includes a conductive member that can be used with an interface of an electronic device. |
| US09003566B2 |
Adjustable collar stay for a shirt collar
An adjustable collar stay having a base member and an extension member slidably engaged with the base member. The extension member can be adapted to extend from the base member by a predetermined length for matching a length of a collar into which the adjustable collar stay is inserted. The base member includes a plurality of first dimples on a top surface thereof. The extension member includes a plurality of second dimples on a bottom surface thereof. Alternatively the extension member includes a plurality of openings. When the extension member is slidably positioned to adjust the length of the adjustable collar stay to a predetermined length, the second dimples are positioned within spaces between the first dimples or the openings receive the first dimples for retaining the adjustable collar stay at the predetermined length. The extension member can be formed of flexible expandable mesh. |
| US09003564B2 |
Baby clothing apparatus
A clothing apparatus for a baby comprising of a garment containing a plurality of sleeves, a neck aperture, and a closed bottom edge. The garment of the clothing apparatus may be coupled to a Cover by a plurality of securing means and in one preferred embodiment, the Cover is in the form of a blanket which can be positioned over the baby's torso region inside the garment. The clothing apparatus is adjustable and can be configured in a variety of ways to accommodate for changes in temperature. |
| US09003562B2 |
Body armor
A body armor system that includes a fabric carrier configured (i) to be worn by a user and (ii) to hold armor plates. A back armor plate is held by the carrier. A right side plate is held by the carrier and a left side plate is held by the carrier. Straps are configured to wrap horizontally across the user and matingly connect to each other. Straps integral to the carrier are configured to wrap down over the front of the user and matingly connect to the connected horizontal straps. A right thigh plate and a left thigh plate are matingly connected with straps around right and left thighs of the user. |
| US09009856B2 |
Protected application programming interfaces
Mechanisms are provided to allow particular parties and applications access to protected application programming interfaces (APIs) without the use of security domains. Trusted parties and applications may have access to protected APIs while unfrosted parties and applications may be restricted to a more limited set of APIs. Public keys associated with individual applications that are used to enforce licensing policies can be repurposed for use in a verification process to prevent unauthorized access to APIs. A credential storage manager can be used to maintain permission and certificate information. An application authorization manager may access credential storage and maintain trusted application information. |
| US09009854B2 |
Platform-hardened digital rights management key provisioning
Embodiments of an invention for platform-hardened digital rights management key provisioning are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor includes an execution unit to execute one or more instructions to create a secure enclave in which to run an application to receive digital rights management information from a provisioning server in response to authentication of the application by a verification server. |
| US09009852B2 |
Method, SOA registry and SOA repository for granting a user secure access to resources of a process
The present technology relates to a method for granting a user secure access to one or more resources accessed by a process. The process is defined in a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) registry and includes one or more process-steps, where each process-step accesses one or more resources stored in an SOA repository. |
| US09009851B2 |
Virtual machine for processing medical data
The present invention relates to a virtual machine (VM) for processing digital data, in particular medical data, by executing a digital data processing application program, in particular a medical data processing application program (MeDPAP), the virtual machine (VM) being a simulation of a computer, a) the virtual machine (VM) comprising a volatile memory (ViMStor) configured to comprise a storage space for temporary data (TEMP) for temporarily storing the digital data; b) the virtual machine (VM) being configured to be accessed by any virtual machine user activated on a virtual machine user list, wherein any activated maintenance virtual machine user is denied any permission regarding the storage space for temporary data (TEMP), wherein denying any permissions is performed by logging into the virtual machine (VM) as an administrator and setting corresponding options; c) wherein any administrator has been deactivated on the virtual machine user list, wherein deactivating any administrator has been performed by logging into the virtual machine (VM) as an administrator and setting corresponding options for each administrator in the virtual machine user list; d) wherein the virtual machine (VM) is in a state in which the administrator has been logged off after deactivating the administrator on the virtual machine user list. |
| US09009844B1 |
Methods and apparatus for knowledge-based authentication using historically-aware questionnaires
Knowledge-based authentication (KBA) is provided using historically-aware questionnaires. The KBA can obtain a plurality of historically different answers from the user to at least one question; challenge the user with the question for a given period of time; receive a response from the user to the question; and grant access to the restricted resource if the response is accurate for the given period of time based on the historically different answers. Alternatively, the KBA can be based on historically aware answers to a set of inter-related questions. The user is challenged with the inter-related questions for a given period of time. Historically different answers can comprise answers with applicable dates, or correct answers to the question over time. Historically aware answers can comprise an answer that is accurate for an indicated date or period of time. An accurate response demonstrates knowledge of multiple related personal events. |
| US09009840B1 |
Validating machine images
In a resource-on-demand environment, virtual machine images are validated before use. A provider or source of a virtual machine image may generate a manifest, indicating executable components of the machine image. Before use, a created virtual machine may compare its executable components with those specified by the manifest. To ensure authenticity, the manifest may be associated with a signature, and the virtual machine may use the signature to verify the manifest and the source of the machine image. |
| US09009839B2 |
Method and device for protecting the integrity of data transmitted over a network
A method of transmitting data over a network, from a sending application to a receiving application, including: coding the data, by the sending application, by implementing a predefined rule; detecting alteration of at least one item of data transmitted, by the receiving application, by implementing the predefined rule; and in case an alteration of a data item is detected, restoring the altered data item. In the course of the coding, in the course of the alteration detection, and in the course of the restoration, a cyclic redundancy check or an encryption can be implemented. |
| US09009834B1 |
System policy violation detection
In a computer-implemented method, a digital content item to be tested is received. A display of a visual representation of the digital content item is simulated, where the visual representation is selectable and the digital content item is associated with a code snippet that is executed when the visual representation is selected. A simulated user click on the visual representation is received and the code snippet is executed in response. Processing actions of the code snippet are monitored, and it is determined whether the processing actions violate one or more predetermined system policies indicative of a content item unsuitable for service. A score for the code snippet is calculated based on one or more violations of the one or more predetermined system policies. The digital content item is suspended to prevent service of the digital content item if the score exceeds a predetermined threshold score, and validated for service otherwise. |
| US09009829B2 |
Methods, systems, and media for baiting inside attackers
Methods, systems, and media for providing trap-based defenses are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, a method for providing trap-based defenses is provided, the method comprising: generating decoy information based at least in part on actual information in a computing environment, wherein the decoy information is generated to comply with one or more document properties; embedding a beacon into the decoy information; and inserting the decoy information with the embedded beacon into the computing environment, wherein the embedded beacon provides a first indication that the decoy information has been accessed by an attacker and wherein the embedded beacon provides a second indication that differentiates between the decoy information and the actual information. |
| US09009828B1 |
System and method for identification and blocking of unwanted network traffic
Network traffic can be prevented from entering a protected network. An alert can be received that can be triggered by network traffic that matches at least one signature that is associated with undesired network behavior. A source of the network traffic that triggered the alert can be determined, and network traffic that originates from the source can be blocked. Blocking the source can include assigning a determination to the alert. It can then be determined whether network traffic from the source should be blocked based on the determination. The source can then be provided to the protected network such that a network device coupled to the protected network can be configured to block network traffic that originates from the source. |
| US09009826B1 |
Image size communication
A single origin policy of a web browser includes an exception for images, such as markup language image files. Data may be encoded using the height and width dimensions, pixel colors or transparencies, or other parameters defining one or more images. Such images may be sent to device and accepted by the web browser, and decoded to construct the underlying data. A single origin policy may be circumvented during authenticated access sessions so that information from various sources may be received by a requesting device. |
| US09009821B2 |
Injection attack mitigation using context sensitive encoding of injected input
A method for preventing malicious code being embedded within a scripting language of a web application accessed by a web browser (308), the method comprising: monitoring all incoming traffic (310), generated by the web browser, and outgoing traffic (326) generated by a server (318) to form monitored traffic; determining whether a unique element, defined in a configuration file, is matched with an input value of the monitored traffic to form a matched input value; responsive to a determination that the unique element is matched with an input value of the monitored traffic, saving the matched input value, determining whether an output contains the matched input value in an expected location; responsive to a determination that the output contains the matched input value in an expected location, encoding the matched input value using a respective definition from the configuration file; and returning the output (330) to the requester. |
| US09009818B2 |
Malware detection system and method for compressed data on mobile platforms
A system and method for detecting malware in compressed data. The system and method identifies a set of search strings extracted from compressed executables, each of which is infected with malware from a family of malware. The search strings detect the presence of the family of malware in other compressed executables, fragments of compressed executables, or data streams. |
| US09009813B2 |
Policy driven fine grain URL encoding mechanism for SSL VPN clientless access
The present disclosure presents methods, systems and intermediaries which determine an encoding scheme of a uniform resource location (URL) from a plurality of encoding schemes for a clientless secure socket layer virtual private network (SSL VPN) via a proxy. An intermediary may receive a response from a server comprising a URL. The response from the server may be directed to a client via a SSL VPN session and via the intermediary. The intermediary may determine, responsive to an encoding policy, one of a transparent, opaque or encrypted encoding scheme for encoding the URL. The intermediary may rewrite the URL for transmission to the client in accordance with the determined encoding scheme. |
| US09009810B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing reactive authorization
An approach is provided for providing reactive authorization for accessing a semantic network resource. An access application of a resource owner entity detects an authorization proxy entity acting between at least a semantic network resource and a requesting entity that requests access to the semantic network resource. The access application determines to cause, at least in part, actions that result in transmission of a query for whether to accept the requesting entity to an owner entity of the semantic network resource. |
| US09009806B2 |
System and method for mobile single sign-on integration
Improved methods and systems for integrating client-side single sign-on (SSO) authentication security infrastructure with a mobile authorization protocol are disclosed that provide clients with secured SSO mobile access to third-party services. Embodiments of the present invention leverage SSO authentication protocols that are utilized at many client-side systems already and integrate these SSO authentication protocols with a mobile SSO authorization protocol, thereby effectively extending the SSO framework to mobile service requests of web services at third-party service provider systems. Embodiments of the present invention provide a secure and automated solution which may be implemented in any existing client-side SSO frameworks with minimum cost and time, while providing a lightweight and secure solution that provides users using either native applications or mobile web application to access third-party web services. |
| US09009802B2 |
Automatic PIN creation using password
A PIN is automatically generated based on at least one rule when the user enters a password through a user device. In one example, the PIN is a truncated version of the password where each character in the truncated version is mapped onto a number. The mapping can be a truncation at the beginning or end of the password, or the mapping can be with any pattern or sequence of characters in the password. This PIN generation may be transparent to the user, such that the user may not even know the PIN was generated when the password was entered. When the user attempts to access restricted content, the user may enter the PIN instead of the password, where the user may be notified of the rule used to generate the PIN so that the user will know the PIN by knowing the password. |
| US09009801B2 |
Authentication and secure channel setup for communication handoff scenarios
Persistent communication layer credentials generated on a persistent communication layer at one network may be leveraged to perform authentication on another. For example, the persistent communication layer credentials may include application-layer credentials derived on an application layer. The application-layer credentials may be used to establish authentication credentials for authenticating a mobile device for access to services at a network server. The authentication credentials may be derived from the application-layer credentials of another network to enable a seamless handoff from one network to another. The authentication credentials may be derived from the application-layer credentials using reverse bootstrapping or other key derivation functions. The mobile device and/or network entity to which the mobile device is being authenticated may enable communication of authentication information between the communication layers to enable authentication of a device using multiple communication layers. |
| US09009794B2 |
Systems and methods for temporary assignment and exchange of digital access rights
Systems and methods are provided for assignment and exchange of temporary access rights based on proximity of user devices. A first user device may receive a temporary access right that enables a second user device to access a content asset which the first user device is not authorized to access. In response to receiving the temporary access right, the first user device may access the content asset. Access to the content asset may be maintained after the first user device leaves the proximity of the second user device until the content asset is played back in its entirety. The proximity may be based on physical location or virtual connections through online services. The temporary access right may be requested by or assigned to the first user device from the second user device and may limit the number of times that the content asset is accessed on the first user device. |
| US09009791B2 |
Concept of efficiently distributing access authorization information
A device for controlling a service access authorization for a user device with regard to an access-restricted service includes a service access authorization provider, the service access authorization provider being configured to set a period of time in which the service access authorization is valid, responsive to an authorization message provided with a service-dependent user identifier, and the service access authorization provider being configured to disable an authorization allowing the service access authorization to be extended or reactivated using the previous service-dependent user identifier when at least a predetermined duration has passed since an end of a last authorization time interval for which a service access authorization was determined by the device. |
| US09009790B2 |
Association of multiple public user identifiers to disparate applications in an end-user's device
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to managing multiple public user identifiers (PUIDs) in a database by setting customizable access rules and requiring authorization from applications for access. These PUIDs can be virtually any electronic identifier such as a telephone number, email address, FACEBOOK name, etc. The PUID database is on the memory of a mobile communication device. Applications on the mobile communication device or on the network request access to the PUID database. Access logic on the mobile communication device checks another database of PUID Access Policies and Preferences (PAPP) for authorization. The PAPP database may allow the application immediate access, deny access, or query the user for allowance. The PUID database and PAPP database are on a server on a network. |
| US09009788B2 |
VoIP phone authentication
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone authentication. In some examples, the method includes receiving an authentication request from a computing device; authenticating the computing device for access to a network based on the authentication request; determining if a VoIP endpoint device is associated with a network address associated with the authentication request; and authenticating the VoIP endpoint device if the VoIP endpoint device is associated with the network address. |
| US09009787B2 |
System and method of mapping and protecting communication services with OAuth
In accordance with various embodiments, systems and methods which allow mapping and protecting communication services and granular access to subscriber information. Such a system can include a plurality of applications, executing on one or more application servers. The system can also include a services gatekeeper which is operable to intercept requests for access to communication services, obtain scoped authorization from a subscriber for access to specified communication services, and enable access to the specified communication services in accordance with the scope authorized by the subscriber. |
| US09009786B1 |
Systems and methods for providing a persistent state
Systems and methods for providing persistent state are described herein. One or more embodiments include verifying access information provided by a user of a first device in connection with a user initiated transaction session, maintaining a current state of the transaction session in a persistent store, establishing a session key corresponding to the transaction session, providing the session key to the user, and providing the user access to the current state of the transaction session via a second device in response to validation of the session key received from the second device. |
| US09009785B2 |
System and method for implementing adaptive security zones
A system for managing adaptive security zones in complex business operations, comprising a rules engine adapted to receive events from a plurality of event sources and a security manager coupled to the rules engine via a data network, wherein upon receiving an event, the rules engine determines what rules, if any, are triggered by the event and, upon triggering a rule, the rules engine determines if the rule pertains to security and, if so, sends a notification message to the security manager informing it of the triggered event, and wherein the security manager, on receiving a notification message from the rules engine, automatically establishes a new security zone based at least in part on the contents of the notification message, is disclosed. |
| US09009782B2 |
Steering traffic among multiple network services using a centralized dispatcher
A network service dispatcher is provided that transparently navigates network traffic through network service appliances utilizing sub-session connection information generated in accordance with policies pertaining to a client-server session. The network service dispatcher intercepts a first data packet of a new session between two computer systems and generates sub-session connection information that navigates the data packet through one or more network service appliances in a manner transparent to the client or server. In turn, the network service dispatcher utilizes the sub-session connection information to navigate subsequent forward or reverse data packets in the session without performing a policy-based search for each data packet. |
| US09009772B2 |
System and method for providing a data mall
A system and method for providing content providers with network distribution nodes for distributing content to subscribers of a communications service provider may include maintaining multiple network nodes by the communications service provider, where the network nodes may be in communication with the Internet and be configured to enable subscribers of the communications service provider to access and download content over a controlled service provider network without the content having to be communicated over the Internet. Multiple respective content service providers may be enabled to store content at the network nodes for subscribers local to each respective network node to download the content. Multiple customer databases configured to store information associated with subscribers of the communications service provider may be operated. Limited access to the information stored in the customer databases may be provided to prevent the respective content providers from accessing personal information of the subscribers. |
| US09009771B2 |
Video distribution system reducing video data traffic and a method therefor
In a video distribution apparatus, a memory caches segments of video data into which video data received from a communication network is sectioned on a basis of a predetermined unit and stores video identifying information of the segments of video data. A distribution controller derives, upon receipt of a cache distribution request from the network, video identifying information contained in a cache distribution request. A relay controller obtains segments of video data associated with the video identifying information from the memory to transfer the obtained segments of video data to a requester at a transfer rate defined on the segments of video data in the vicinity of a source of the video data. The video can be distributed at a transfer rate close to a transfer rate defined by a content distribution server while the video traffic can be diminished. |
| US09009769B2 |
Automatic detection and remote repair of a television system condition
A server device is configured to store quick code information, where the quick code information includes a particular operation of a group of operations and a particular condition code of a group of condition codes; receive diagnostic information from a video client, of a group of video clients, where the diagnostic information includes a condition code that corresponds to a condition associated with the video client; determine that the condition code matches the particular condition code of particular, stored quick code information; determine, from the particular quick code information, the particular operation corresponding to the particular condition code; perform an automatic remote repair to remedy the condition, on the video client, based on the particular operation; and send, to the video client, a notification that the condition has been remedied based on the automatic remote repair when the automatic remote repair remedies the condition on the video client. |
| US09009762B2 |
Digital video broadcasting—satellite—second generation (DVB-S2) based transmission and reception apparatus and method operable in circumstances of low signal to noise ratio (SNR)
Provided is a digital video broadcasting-satellite-second generation (DVB-S2) based transmission and reception apparatus and method operable in circumstances of a low signal to noise ratio (SNR), the DVB-S2 based transmission and reception apparatus including a DVB-S2 based transmitter, a mapping unit to determine bit mapping based on at least one of a state of a transmission channel and an area to be applied, and a physical layer frame (PLframe) replica processing unit to repeat a PLframe in which a physical layer header (PLheader) corresponding to a spreading factor (SF) is inserted. |
| US09009759B2 |
Terminating enhanced television broadcasts
An enhanced television broadcast system may enable the transmission and reception of a real-time event when a new program is about to begin. The real-time event may control access to enhancements from the program that is ending. In some embodiments, these real-time events may constitute triggers that are included within packets transmitted in an Internet Protocol multicast. As one example, the trigger may include a Uniform Resource Locator in the form of a tv: protocol that automatically causes the television display to go to full screen television. |
| US09009756B2 |
Virtual channel map masking
Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and systems for adding or removing virtual channels from a terminal. A controller may send a virtual channel map to one or more terminals. The controller may also send a bitmask to one or more terminals. Each bit of the bitmask may indicate whether a virtual channel should be ignored. The channels that a terminal is permitted to receive may be altered by updating the bitmask. |
| US09009753B2 |
Measurement and reporting of set top box inserted AD impressions
Methods are disclosed for measuring ad impressions and receiving feedback on local ad assets inserted into a video transport stream at the set top box level. Each set top box stores the number of times an ad asset is inserted into an ad avail, along with a variety of other information relating to the playback of the ad asset. This measurement data is aggregated and sent to the ad decision service. In order to balance bandwidth usage, each set top box may report its measurement data to the ad decision service at a different time interval that is randomly selected. As it is desirable to receive the data in a timely manner, the random intervals may be confined so that all measurement data is reported within a predefined time period, such as for example over a twelve hour period. |
| US09009752B2 |
Social networking and peer to peer for TVs
A peer-to-peer (P2P) application which can be applied to TVs. The P2P application promotes a social networking aspect by allowing devices connecting to either the home mesh network and/or Internet to share contents and create common-interest channels. The P2P application does not require support from network infrastructure (e.g., no central servers), and consequently is extremely cost-effective and easy to deploy. The distributed nature of this system allows users to join or leave the network at will. It takes advantage of the local home mesh network connectivity, or existing Internet connections. A participant that tunes into a broadcast on an Internet channel is not only downloading a video stream, but also uploading it to other participants watching the program. Data mining systems capture user preferences and create personalized Internet channels on the TV using the P2P network. |
| US09009749B2 |
Method and system for detecting non-powered video playback devices
A method and system for identifying tune data from set top boxes associated with televisions, video monitors, or other video playback devices that are likely powered off. In some embodiments, survival curves are constructed that predict a length of time before a video playback device is powered off after a tuning event. The survival curves are used to predict the likelihood that a video playback device is powered off. Viewership estimates made from tune data reported from set top boxes can be adjusted to take account of the video playback devices that are predicted to be powered off. |
| US09009742B1 |
VTL adaptive commit
According to one embodiment, a virtual tape library (VTL) receives a plurality of small computer system interface (SCSI) data objects, and translates the SCSI data objects into a first set of one or more remote procedure call (RPC) data objects having a first size, wherein the first size of the first RPC data set is based on a current limit maintained by the VTL. The VTL writes the first RPC data set and a first RPC commit request to a file system. The VTL receives a first RPC status corresponding to the first RPC commit from the file system, and determines a first latency time between writing the first RPC commit and receiving the first RPC status. The VTL updates the current limit based on the first latency time in order to optimize a second latency time between a second RPC commit request and a corresponding second RPC status. |
| US09009738B2 |
Device identification using device functions
Device identification techniques using identifiable device functions are described. In one or more implementations, data is obtained that describes functions of a device that are identifiable for use in conjunction with a computing device and a device identifier (ID) is computed for the peripheral device based on the identifiable device functions. |
| US09009737B2 |
Apparatus and method of terminal for providing file system function
A method for operating a terminal providing a file system function, and a terminal having configured hardware is provided. In the method, a specific command is received from a first application. The received specific command is transferred to a second application regardless of whether the second application is executed. An execution result of the specific command is received from the second application. |
| US09009736B2 |
Function execution framework wrapper layer
A framework can provide function execution services. The framework can comprise a controller layer, a wrapper layer, and a function layer. The controller layer can be configured to process function definition requests and function execution requests, and return results. The wrapper layer can be configured to query the function layer to determine function definitions and pass function execution requests and results with the function layer. The function layer can comprise functions and/or features. A function execution request can be performed by determining a step execution sequence, executing the step execution sequence, and returning results of the execution of the step execution sequence. The step execution sequence can comprise setup steps, execute steps, and/or finalize steps. |
| US09009735B2 |
Method for processing data, computing node, and system
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for processing data, a computing node, and a system. The method includes: registering, by a BPE, an algorithm with a CEP instance; transferring, by the CEP instance when detecting that an event concerned by the algorithm satisfies a computation-triggering condition, an event required for computation to the BPE; obtaining, by the BPE, a computation result, and if determining that a further computation is required for the computation result, writing the computation result as an intermediate event to the CEP instance; and transferring, by the CEP instance when detecting that an event concerned by another algorithm satisfies a computation-triggering condition thereof and the intermediate event is an event required for computation thereof, the intermediate event to a BPE that registers the another algorithm. The CEP instance performs association of multiple events and multiple algorithms, which simplifies a computation process and improves timeliness. |
| US09009734B2 |
Application level speculative processing
One or more embodiments of the invention is a computer-implemented method for speculatively executing application event responses. The method includes the steps of identifying one or more event responses that could be issued for execution by an application being executed by a master process, for each event response, generating a child process to execute the event response, determining that a first event response included in the one or more event responses has been issued for execution by the application, committing the child process associated with the first event response as a new master process, and aborting the master process and all child processes other than the child process associated with the first event response. |
| US09009733B2 |
On-line media player architecture
Event-based communication in a media player architecture. The architecture can include a series of modules. The technology can define media player events, at least in part by defining event notifications and event handling processes. The various modules can register as one or both of an issuer of at least one media player event notification, and a subscriber to at least one published media player event notification. When an event occurs in a module, the module issues an event notification that is then handled by a handling process. The event handling process(es) publish the event to subscribing modules, and in some cases perform processing on the event notification before publishing. |
| US09009722B2 |
Collaborative negotiation of system resources among virtual servers running in a network computing environment
Virtual machines within a network computing environment negotiate among themselves with regard to the sharing of resources via respective resource managers. The resource agent monitors resource allocation patterns of its virtual machine and responsively updates usage data in a resource availability map and compares the updated usage data to a minimum operational requirements threshold and a surplus amount threshold. If the updated usage fails to meet the minimum operational requirements threshold, the resource agent determines a needed shortfall amount of resources, searches the resource availability map for offers of the shortfall from resource agents, and sends out a request to a resource agent offering the shortfall amount. If the updated usage data meets the minimum operational requirements threshold, the resource agent determines a surplus amount of a resource that exceeds the surplus amount threshold and creates and broadcasts an offer of the surplus amount to the other resource agents. |
| US09009720B2 |
Method and system for communicating between isolation environments
A method and system for aggregating installation scopes within an isolation environment, where the method includes first defining an isolation environment for encompassing an aggregation of installation scopes. Associations are created between a first application and a first installation scope. When the first application requires the presence of a second application within the isolation environment for proper execution, an image of the required second application is mounted onto a second installation scope and an association between the second application and the second installation scope is created. Another association is created between the first installation scope and the second installation scope, an this third association is created within a third installation scope. Each of the first, second, and third installation scopes are stored and the first application is launched into the defined isolation environment. |
| US09009719B2 |
Computer workload capacity estimation using proximity tables
A proximity table is generated for a first of a group of hosts for one or more computer workloads. Workloads are assigned to the host by applying proximity rules to the proximity table. The generating of proximity tables and the assignment of workloads is iterated for other hosts until all workloads have been assigned. Once all workloads have been assigned, an opportunity estimate is calculated. |
| US09009716B2 |
Creating a thread of execution in a computer processor
Creating a thread of execution in a computer processor, including copying, as indicated by a hardware processor opcode having been specified by a user-level process, data from a first set of registers to a second set of registers, wherein the first set of registers is associated with a parent hardware thread, wherein the second set of registers is associated with a child hardware thread, wherein the child hardware thread is in a wait state, and changing, as indicated by the hardware processor opcode, the child hardware thread from the wait state to an ephemeral run state. |
| US09009715B2 |
Object optimal allocation device, method and program
A method, system and computer program product for optimally allocating objects in a virtual machine environment implemented on a NUMA computer system. The method includes: obtaining a node identifier; storing the node identifier in a thread; obtaining an object identifier of a lock-target object from a lock thread; writing a lock node identifier into the lock-target object; traversing an object reference graph where the object reference graph contains an object as a graph node, a reference from the first object to a second object as an edge, and a stack allocated to a thread as the root node; determining whether a move-target object contains the lock node identifier; moving the move-target object to a subarea allocated to a lock node if it contains the lock node identifier, and moving the move-target object to the destination of the current traversal target object if the lock node identifier is not found. |
| US09009713B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing task
Provided is a task processing apparatus and method that may select a task corresponding to predetermined task selection information when a task execution is completed and thus, an idle server occurs in at least one server, may separate the selected task into a first task and a second task, and may control the first task and the second task to be allocated to an existing allocation server of the selected task and an idle server, respectively. |
| US09009710B2 |
Detecting deadlocked file transfer protocol upload connections and performing session self-recovery using information stored in a FIFO resource array
A method and a device for file transfer protocol (FTP) deadlock detection and self recovery are provided by the disclosure in order to solve the sudden deadlock problem in the FTP upload task. The method includes: if a daemon determines that a deadlock occurs in an FTP upload task by a heartbeat detection mechanism, the socket resources used by the FTP upload task is recorded at the storage location in a socket resource cycle queue, and a process of ending the FTP upload task is started; determining whether the socket resource cycle queue is full, if it is not full, the socket resources used by the FTP upload task in the current deadlock is put into the socket resource cycle queue, otherwise, the earliest socket resources in the socket resource cycle queue are released, and the socket resources used by the FTP upload task in the current deadlock is put into the socket resource cycle queue. |
| US09009709B2 |
Asynchronous rollup numbers forecasting methods and systems
Improved methods and systems are provided for asynchronously updating forecast rollup numbers. The asynchronousity is achieved by decoupling the source data change from further manipulations of the source data, for example in calculating and updating forecast rollup numbers by user role hierarchy, layer by layer. An event message queue implementation can be used for asynchronous processing. The process works by dequeuing a batch of event messages and then deduping and sorting them before applying forecast logic. Forecast numbers are updated based on target data and then rolled up the user role levels by aggregating forecast numbers for all subordinate forecast data entries. |
| US09009707B2 |
Sharing reconfigurable computing devices between workloads
One or more physical RCDs (PRCDs) are shared between one or more workloads in one or more virtual computing environments. Example PRCD sharing operations may include: (1) providing a virtual RCD (VRCD) for one of the workloads, the VRCD being programmed with an IC design representing a hardware implementation of a software hotspot in the workload, (2) allocating one of the PRCDs to the workload by scheduling the programmed VRCD on the PRCD, (3) burning the PRCD with the IC design of the programmed VRCD so that the PRCD becomes a programmed PRCD that is capable of implementing the workload's hotspot in hardware, and (4) invoking the programmed VRCD instead of executing the hotspot as software in order to cause the programmed PRCD to implement the hotspot in hardware. |
| US09009700B2 |
Stream-based software application delivery and launching system
In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving, by a first computer system, a data stream transmitted from a second computer system over a network connection between the first computer system and the second computer system, wherein the data stream comprises executable code of a software program; extracting, by the first computer system, the executable code of the software program from the data stream; allocating, by the first computer system, an amount of dynamic memory for the executable code of the software program; loading, by the first computer system, the executable code of the software program directly into the allocated dynamic memory; and executing, by the first computer system, the software program by launching the executable code of the software program loaded in the allocated dynamic memory. |
| US09009698B2 |
System and method for providing computer upgrade information
Systems and methods are disclosed which provide upgrade information for at least one computer. The method includes the steps of executing an upgrade program stored in a computer-readable medium on the at least one computer, detecting a current hardware configuration of the at least one computer, cross-referencing at least some of the information gathered during the detecting step with product specifications contained in a database, identifying an upgrade package for upgrading the at least one computer, wherein the identification of the upgrade package is based at least partially upon the information gathered during the detecting step and cross-referenced with the product specification database, and recommending use of the upgrade package for upgrading the at least one computer. The system and method may be used to provide upgrade information on a plurality of networked computers. |
| US09009697B2 |
Hybrid cloud integrator
A hybrid cloud integrator provides a capability for integrating data processing resources provided as services across a hybrid cloud. The hybrid cloud integrator includes a software framework that provides for installing, configuring, activating, and controlling operation of a number of plug-in software components. The plug-in software components are configured to provide for using data processing resources provided as a service to process a consumer workload. |
| US09009696B2 |
Generating encoded identifications of selected subsets of installed software packages on a client machine
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for generating encoded identifications of selected subsets of installed software packages on a client machine. A physical or virtual client machine can host a set of installed software packages, including operating system, application, and/or other software. A package manager tracks the set of installed packages and updates available for the installed set. The package manager can be configured to capture an inventory of the installed packages, and generate an encoded identification of one or more selected subsets of the set of hosted or installed packages based on size, timestamp, and/or other attributes of the subsets and/or constituent files. An administrator or other user can for instance select only that subset or subsets related to a certain project, application, user group, or other selection criteria, and generate encoded identifications of those subsets for package updating, network management, and/or other purposes. |
| US09009693B2 |
Out-of-band framework libraries within applications
An enhanced binder provides flexibility and certainty when selecting a version of a software library to load, and an enhanced loader prevents a library version vulnerable to a security flaw from being loaded. The binder can perform unification, implicit override, and/or redirection. Implicit override searches assembly-specific locations for an implicit_version, and override the previously chosen unification or other version with the implicit_version when the implicit_version is greater. The implicit_version gets updated with the individual assembly, whereas the unification_version gets updated with the framework. Redirection may override the implicit_version. Unlike redirection, an implicit_version does not recite an explicit range and is found outside application configuration files. The implicit_version is specified implicitly by the assembly without an XML declaration. Vulnerable libraries are not loaded, based on out-of-band metadata placed in response to a list of known out-of-band assemblies, an out-of-band-servicing attribute, or a custom servicing library. |
| US09009691B1 |
Using an inline stack to improve performance of an applications binary
A system and method for using inline stacks to improve the performance of application binaries is included. While executing a first application binary, profile data may be collected about the application that includes which callee functions are called from the application's callsites and the number of times each inline stack is executed. A context summary map may be created from the collected profile data which shows a summary of the total execution count of all instructions in the callee function for each callsite inlined in the application's normal binary. Using the context summary map, each function callsite's execution count may be compared with a predetermined threshold to determine if the function should be inlined. Then the application's profile may be annotated and a second application binary, an optimized binary, may be generated using the annotated profile. |
| US09009690B1 |
Code generation
In one embodiment, input code is received having a plurality of functional elements that process data elements. At least one criterion for generated code is also received. A first intermediate representation of the input code is built that has a plurality of nodes that represent the functional elements. Block sizes are assigned to two or more nodes of a first intermediate representation. The first intermediate representation is modified to create a second intermediate representation that satisfies the at least one criterion, and organizes at least some of the nodes of the first intermediate representation based on the block sizes. |
| US09009687B2 |
De-serialization of objects based on difference in information content
A mechanism is provided for de-serializing a representation of a source object of a source software component written in a source language into a target software component written in a target language. A representation of the source object is received and a determination is made of a set of candidate types among a plurality of available types that are in the target language for the target software component, each candidate type being compatible with the representation of the source type. A set of match metrics is calculated, each one for a corresponding candidate type, where the match metric being indicative of a difference in information content between the candidate type and the representation of the source object. One of the candidate types is selected according to the match metrics and a mapping of the representation of the source object onto a target object of the selected candidate type is created. |
| US09009686B2 |
Algorithm for 64-bit address mode optimization
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for extracting a memory address offset from a 64-bit type-conversion expression included in high-level source code of a computer program. The technique involves receiving the 64-bit type-conversion expression, where the 64-bit type-conversion expression includes one or more 32-bit expressions, determining a range for each of the one or more 32-bit expressions, calculating a total range by summing the ranges of the 32-bit expressions, determining that the total range is a subset of a range for a 32-bit unsigned integer, calculating the memory address offset based on the ranges for the one or more 32-bit expressions, and generating at least one assembly-level instruction that references the memory address offset. |
| US09009685B2 |
Method and system for program building
An improved method for program building uses predefined source files and predefined build scripts comprising a sequence of build commands; wherein each build command comprises an origin command line interpretable by an operating system and addressed to at least one compiling tool. |
| US09009682B2 |
Enhanced unit test framework
Implementations of the present disclosure provide methods including analyzing a plurality of units of a software application to determine a dependency graph defining that at least a first unit depends on a second unit. Each unit includes executable instructions. An execution order is determined for the units based on the dependency graph, wherein the execution order specifies execution of the second unit before the first unit. Unit tests are executed for the units according to the execution order, including executing a unit test of the second unit before the first unit. Executing a unit test for a unit comprises executing the executable instructions of the unit and comparing a resulting value to an expected value. |
| US09009681B2 |
Obtaining profile data for use in optimizing computer programming code
Program execution profile data is collected by direct measurement of some code paths, and by inferring data for unmeasured paths. The data collection process may cause errors, which are propagated by the inferencing process. The profile data thus constructed is further enhanced by detecting certain data mismatches, and adjusting inferred data to reduce the scope of errors propagated during the inferencing process. Preferably, a control flow graph of the program being measured is constructed. Mismatches in the total weights of input arcs versus output arcs are detected. For certain specific types of mismatches, it can be known or guessed which count is incorrect, and this count is accordingly corrected. Correction of arc counts proceeds recursively until it is no longer possible to correct mismatches. Additionally, certain other conditions are adjusted as presumed inaccuracies. |
| US09009680B2 |
Selecting instrumentation points for an application
Instrumentation points are selected for an application by running the application with comprehensive instrumentation of its components in a development mode. The application can be run by a human operator and/or load simulator which provides requests to the application. The instrumented components are monitored as the application runs. A subset of the components is selected based on criteria such as an order in which the instrumented components are invoked, whether resource utilization, such as consumption of processor cycles, exceeds a threshold, or a frequency with which components are called or call other components, and only that subset is instrumented in a production mode of the application. In one approach, the subset includes components which are invoked when traffic to/from the application matches a pattern provided by an interaction model. As a result, relevant instrumentation points can be identified. |
| US09009679B2 |
Determining snapshot placement
Embodiments of the invention include a method for setting snapshots in code. The method may occur during the debug of code and may include determining whether to place a snapshot instruction immediately before a machine instruction within a module. The determination may include analyzing parameters associated with the machine instruction. |
| US09009678B2 |
Software debugging with execution match determinations
Software debugging with execution match determinations, including: inserting, by a compiler while compiling source code into a debuggable program, a phantom breakpoint at every line of source code; including in the debuggable program, by the compiler, a breakpoint handling module and an exit handler; executing the debuggable program including encountering one or more of the phantom breakpoints and removing, by the breakpoint handling module, each encountered phantom breakpoint; creating, by the exit handler, upon exiting execution of the debuggable program, a copy of the debuggable program that includes only phantom breakpoints not encountered during execution; and providing the copy of the debuggable program to a debugger. |
| US09009676B2 |
Common recording and replaying performance test tool for a client-server environment
A method, system and computer program product for recording and replaying a program execution in a client-server environment capable of supporting different client-server communication protocols. A common recorder of the exemplary embodiments identifies respective class files and libraries used by a client application to process client actions and data passed in client requests and server responses. The recorder stores class files and data in a replay file and later re-creates server loads and client actions based on the class files, data and client action results in the replay file during a replay of the execution. |
| US09009675B2 |
Verification of complex workflows through internal assessment or community based assessment
A method of implementing verification of a complex workflow includes partitioning the workflow into modules, wherein the modules have inputs, processing steps and outputs; selecting, from the workflow, one of the partitioned modules for independent verification by challenge thereof; running, with a computing device, a challenge of the selected module, the challenge comprising comparing reference outputs to outputs of the selected module, wherein reference inputs are received by the selected module and the reference outputs are generated using the reference inputs and one of an ideal performing module or a well-established module; determining whether outputs of the selected module meet verification criteria with respect to the reference outputs, and based on the determining, implementing one of: declaring the selected module verified; subdividing the selected module into smaller modules and repeating the challenge on the smaller modules; or declaring the selected module not verified. |
| US09009670B2 |
Automated testing of application program interfaces using genetic algorithms
Various embodiments enable automated testing of Application Program Interfaces (APIs) by abstracting API call signatures and processing the abstracted API call signatures utilizing one or more genetic algorithms. Utilizing the inventive approach, test cases are built and then analyzed using a genetic algorithm. This can be done to both identify problems, such as bugs, associated with the APIs, and/or to identify quality improvements. |
| US09009662B2 |
Platform sensitive application characteristics
Systems and methods which provide platform sensitive application characteristics with respect to multi-platform applications are shown. As application aspects are developed in the application, embodiments include platform sensitivity characteristics for the application aspects in the application to provide for adaptation of application characteristics for multiple platforms. Embodiments provide an application runtime environment which, although independently defining its own user interface rendering attributes, operates to adjust application characteristics in accordance with a host platform. As application aspects of a multi-platform application are to be executed, if there are relevant cross platform differences, application aspect characteristics are adjusted so as to be appropriate to the host platform. The appropriately adjusted aspects are executed to thereby provide platform sensitive application characteristics with respect to the multi-platform application. |
| US09009660B1 |
Programming in a multiprocessor environment
Programming in a multiprocessor environment includes accepting a program specification that defines a plurality of processing modules and one or more channels for sending data between ports of the modules, mapping each of the processing modules to run on a set of one or more processing engines of a network of interconnected processing engines, and for at least some of the channels, assigning one or more elements of one or more processing engines in the network to the channel for sending data between respective processing modules. |
| US09009653B2 |
Identifying quality requirements of a software product
A method(s) and system(s) of identifying quality requirements for a software product to be developed is disclosed. The method includes receiving input data from a user. The input data is indicative of objectives to be met by the software product being developed. The method further includes mapping the input data with a pre-defined product quality requirement model (PQRM). The PQRM is retrieved from a database and includes a taxonomy tree configured to define a plurality of quality characteristics (QCs), a plurality of sub-QCs, a plurality of quality objectives (QOs), and a plurality of quality requirements (QRs) for the software product. Further, the method includes identifying at least one OR from the plurality of QRs applicable for the software product. The identification is based on the input data. The method also includes generating a product requirement report (PRR) for the software product based on the identification. |
| US09009646B1 |
Finding I/O placement with a router
A method for routing a design may comprise receiving a design for implementing in a target device, wherein the design includes an input/output (I/O) signal of a functional block, and wherein the functional block is assigned to a physical component of the target device; based on the design and on a routing resource graph representing the target device, calculating a route including the physical component and a physical pin of the target device; and assigning the physical pin of the target device to the I/O signal based on the calculated route. |
| US09009644B1 |
Automatic generation of via definitions based on manufacturability
A layout system automatically generates via definitions for a routing tool based on manufacturability of vias based on the via definitions. A physical verification tool of the system applies a set of preliminary via definitions to an integrated circuit test design at each of a plurality of offsets from a plurality of via locations to generate a set of candidate via definitions. Candidate via definitions that violate one or more design rules are discarded. A hierarchy constructor tool ranks the resulting candidate via definitions based on a combination of their manufacturability and frequency of applicability in the test design, and a predefined number of the candidate via definitions are selected based on their ranking. These selected via definitions can be used by a routing tool to generate a layout for another (non-test) integrated circuit device. |
| US09009641B2 |
Circuits with linear finfet structures
A first transistor has source and drain regions within a first diffusion fin. The first diffusion fin projects from a surface of a substrate. The first diffusion fin extends lengthwise in a first direction from a first end to a second end of the first diffusion fin. A second transistor has source and drain regions within a second diffusion fin. The second diffusion fin projects from the surface of the substrate. The second diffusion fin extends lengthwise in the first direction from a first end to a second end of the second diffusion fin. The second diffusion fin is positioned next to and spaced apart from the first diffusion fin. Either the first end or the second end of the second diffusion fin is positioned in the first direction between the first end and the second end of the first diffusion fin. |
| US09009636B2 |
Analog circuit simulator and analog circuit verification method
An analog circuit simulator includes a processor that is configured to search design data for analog circuits and an analog node connecting the analog circuits; collect variable information that concerns voltage and current variables and is related to input to and output from the analog node; convert the variable information into time functions; and compute the time functions upon each occurrence of a given event and execute simulation of the analog node. |
| US09009632B2 |
High performance design rule checking technique
Roughly described, a design rule data set is developed offline from the design rules of a target fabrication process. A design rule checking method involves traversing the corners of shapes in a layout region, and for each corner, populating a layout topology database with values that depend on respective corner locations. After the layout topology database is populated, the values are compared to values in the design rule data set to detect any design rule violations. Violations can be reported in real time, while the user is manually editing the layout. Preferably corner traversal is performed using scan lines oriented perpendicularly to edge orientations, and scanning in the direction of the edge orientations. Scans stop only at corner positions and populate the layout topology database with what information can be gleaned based on the current scan line. The different scans need not reach each corner simultaneously. |
| US09009622B2 |
Media content instance search methods and systems
An exemplary method includes maintaining data representative of a plurality of media content instances, displaying within a graphical user interface a plurality of graphical objects positioned along a viewing axis, each of the graphical objects representing a metadata value within a metadata category associated with the media content instances, shifting a graphical object included within the plurality of graphical objects into a center focus portion of the viewing axis in response to a user input command, and transforming the graphical object from a book end depiction into a cover art depiction when the graphical object enters the center focus portion. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US09009620B2 |
Interactive scrollbars for unknown data size
Scrollbar control is utilized for manually scanning for displayed/available information while controlling the amount of information that is actually materialized. In response to a drag and hold of the “thumb” to a beginning or end location of the scrollbar, additional records may be retrieved depending on a display order of data on the user interface. If the location corresponds to an end of records (whether at the beginning or at the end of the order), that may be indicated. Upon release, the thumb may be moved automatically to a predefined location to indicate additional available records at the source if that is the case. |
| US09009619B2 |
Progress bar for branched videos
A system for navigating and visualizing the progression of selectably presentable video content includes a progress indicator module for dynamically displaying the progression status of video content paths made up of selectably presentable video content segments. The system further includes an interactive control module for facilitating navigation along the video content paths. The progression status may be graphically represented in the form of a tree structure having linked video content segments forming the content paths. The control module may be used to navigation the video within this tree structure. |
| US09009613B2 |
System to overlay application help on a mobile device
A method, system, and computer program product for displaying help information on a mobile device is provided. The method can include receiving from a mobile device an image of a GUI for a computing application displayed in a separate computer. The method additionally can include determining from the image a subject portion of the computing application and retrieving help information from the computing application corresponding to the subject portion of the computing application. Finally, the method can include returning the help information to the mobile device for display in the mobile device. |
| US09009611B1 |
Batch graphical user interface generator
A system and method for generating a batch of one or more GUIs is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a definitions module, builder module, behavior module, style module and display module. The definitions module receives a definition input and generates a layout definition based on the definitions input. The builder module generates graphical data based on the layout definition. The behavior module generates a behavior definition from a behavior input and modifies the graphical data based on the behavior definition. The style module defines a style sheet based on a style input and modifies the graphical data based on the style sheet. In one embodiment, the behavior module and style module modify the graphical data by modifying the layout definition. The display module determines graphical data for generating one or more GUIs based on the layout definition, the behavior definition and the style sheet. |
| US09009602B2 |
Assisted browser navigation
Assisting navigation of a first browser executing on a first data processing system is provided by navigating, responsive to a second browser executing on a second data processing system, to identify information to be displayed using the first browser on the first data processing system. An identifier is request to associate with the identified information and the identifier is dynamically generated responsive to the request for an identifier. The identifier is associated with the identified information to be displayed using the first browser such that the identified information may be retrieved using the identifier. |
| US09009599B2 |
Technique for handling URLs for different mobile devices that use different user interface platforms
The examples provided teach techniques and devices used to route a request received from a mobile station via a URL link that is independent from the user interface platform used on the mobile device. This request is received at a web server which routes the request to an application server based on the URL link. The application identifies the user interface platform used by the mobile station and determines whether the application is supported by that user interface platform. If the application is not supported by the user interface platform, the application server reroutes the request to another application server having the application that is supported by the user interface platform and the application at the other server carries out the request and sends the response to the mobile station. |
| US09009597B2 |
Method for displaying device connected media signal sink and media signal sink thereof
A method for displaying a menu corresponding to one or more devices included in the one or more media signal sources connected to the media signal sink. The method includes checking connection states of the one or more signal sources to the signal sink, displaying menu items of the one or more devices included in one or more signal sources connected to the signal sink in a graphic user interface (GUI) screen, based on a result of the connection state check; selecting a specific one of the menu items displayed in the GUI screen, determining whether a device corresponding to the selected menu item, among the one or more devices included in the one or more signal sources, is in its on or off state, generating a signal for turning-on the corresponding device when it is determined that the corresponding device is in its off state and transmitting the generated turning-on signal to the corresponding device. |
| US09009596B2 |
Methods and systems for presenting media content generated by attendees of a live event
An exemplary method includes a media content presentation system receiving a plurality of timestamped and geotagged media content instances generated during a live event by a plurality of attendees of the live event, detecting input provided by a user specifying a time period associated with the live event and input provided by the user specifying a viewing area within a venue associated with the live event, identifying one or more media content instances that have a timestamp included within the specified time period and a geotagged location within the specified viewing area, and presenting the identified one or more media content instances to the user within a graphical user interface in a manner that is temporally synchronized with an event timeline associated with the live event. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. |
| US09009594B2 |
Content gestures
Content gestures are described. In implementations, one or more controls are output to control output of content and for display in a user interface by a computing device. An input is recognized, by the computing device, which was detected using a camera as a gesture to interact with a particular one of the controls to control the output of the content. |
| US09009592B2 |
Population of lists and tasks from captured voice and audio content
Automatic capture and population of task and list items in an electronic task or list surface via voice or audio input through an audio recording-capable mobile computing device is provided. A voice or audio task or list item may be captured for entry into a task application interface or into a list authoring surface interface for subsequent use as task items, reminders, “to do” items, list items, agenda items, work organization outlines, and the like. Captured voice or audio content may be transcribed locally or remotely, and transcribed content may be populated into a task or list authoring surface user interface that may be displayed on the capturing device (e.g., mobile telephone), or that may be stored remotely and subsequently displayed in association with a number of applications on a number of different computing devices. |
| US09009588B2 |
Customization of GUI layout based on history of use
A hand-held electronic device, method of operation and computer readable medium are disclosed. The device may include a case having one or more major surfaces. A visual display and a touch interface are disposed on at least one of the major surfaces. A processor is operably coupled to the visual display and touch screen. Instructions executable by the processor may be configured to a) present an image on the visual display containing one or more active elements; b) correlate one or more active portions of the touch interface to one or more corresponding active elements in the image on the visual display; and c) adjust a layout of content shown on the display according to a probability of one or more actions that may be taken with the one or more active elements. |
| US09009585B1 |
Software wizard interface
A method of creating a software wizard. The method involves receiving, by a computer, an instruction to create a wizard, displaying by the computer one or more forms, created before receiving the instruction to create the wizard, receiving by the computer one or more customization instructions of at least one of the displayed one or more forms and storing a file defining a wizard including the displayed one or more forms as customized by the one or more customization instructions. |
| US09009583B2 |
Creating cross-tabular reports
Cross-tabular reports may be automatically created by a computer from received source data. After receiving the source data, the computer may determine different information types associated with fields contained in the source data. The computer may then score each field based on the information types. A score describes a suitable placement of each field as a cross-tabular report row, a cross-tabular report column or a cross-tabular report value field. The computer may then select the fields having the highest score for placement as cross-tabular report rows, cross-tabular report columns or cross-tabular report value fields in a cross-tabular report. Finally, the computer may build the cross-tabular report with the selected fields. |
| US09009580B2 |
System and method for selective error checking
A method of selectively enabling error checking in an information handling system, including receiving information indicating that data associated with a first memory portion in a system memory should be subject to error checking during transmission between the memory controller and the system memory and indicating that data associated with a second memory portion in the system memory should be free of error checking during transmission between the memory controller and the system memory, receiving a memory access request directed to one of the first and second memory portions, transmitting data between the memory controller and the system memory in response to the memory access request, and selectively performing an error checking technique on the transmitted data based on the information. |
| US09009578B1 |
Methodology for improved bit-flipping decoder in 1-read and 2-read scenarios
Systems and methods are provided for decoding data. A decoder includes a syndrome memory, a state memory, and decoding circuitry communicatively coupled to the syndrome memory and the state memory. The decoding circuitry retrieves data related to a symbol from the syndrome memory. The decoding circuitry also retrieves data related to the symbol from the state memory. The decoding circuitry processes the data retrieved from the syndrome memory and the data retrieved from the state memory to determine whether to toggle a value of the symbol. The determination is based at least in part on whether the symbol of the data being decoded was previously toggled from an original state. |
| US09009576B1 |
Adaptive LLR based on syndrome weight
Systems, methods and/or devices that enhance the reliability with which data can be stored in and read from a memory utilize an error indicator to adaptively determine the soft information values used for decoding. For example, in some implementations, the method includes selecting a first set of one or more soft information values and receiving a read data command. The method further includes responding to the read data command by initiating performance of a data access operation to access data in a storage medium, the data access operation producing a syndrome weight; determining a first indicator based at least in part on the syndrome weight; based on the first indicator, selecting a second set of one or more soft information values; and decoding data obtained from the data access operation using the second set of one or more soft information values to produce a result. |
| US09009566B2 |
Outputting information of ECC corrected bits
The present invention provides a method of operating a memory device storing error correcting codes ECCs for corresponding data and including ECC logic to correct errors using the ECCs. The method includes correcting data using ECCs for the data on the memory device, and producing information on the memory device about the use of the ECCs. The method provides the ECC information on an output port of the device in response to a command received on an input port from a process external to the memory device. The present invention also provides a method of controlling a memory device. The method includes sending a command to the memory device requesting ECC information corresponding to data in the memory device, and receiving the ECC information from the memory device in response to the command. The method includes performing a memory management function using the ECC information. |
| US09009561B2 |
System and method for detecting errors in audio data
An application programming interface (API) executed by a first processing unit combines audio data samples with error code values generated for those samples. The API then causes a data stream to be opened having sufficient bandwidth to accommodate combined samples made up of audio data samples and corresponding error code values. The combined samples are then transmitted to a decoder and validation unit within a second processing unit that receives the combined data, strips the error code values and validates the audio data based on the error code values. When the error code values indicate that the audio data has been compromised, the second processing unit terminates the output of sound derived from the audio data. |
| US09009559B2 |
Method and apparatus for wireless data transmission subject to periodic signal blockages
A system and method for data transmissions in a wireless communications system, which accommodates for a periodic blockage of the transmission signal, is provided. A data stream is segmented into packets of a predetermined fixed-size for a burst-mode transmission over a channel of the communications system, wherein the transmission is subject to a periodic blockage. A forward error correction outer code is then applied to the packets of the data stream for recovery of packets subjected to the periodic blockage, and a unique word is added to each packet for acquisition of frequency, carrier phase and symbol timing of the respective packet. The packets of the data stream are interleaved based on an interleaver of a depth based at least in part on a ratio of a blockage free duration between two consecutive blockages of the periodic blockage to a duration of each blockage of the periodic blockage. |
| US09009547B2 |
Advanced programming verification schemes for analog memory cells
A method for data storage includes receiving in a memory device data for storage in a group of analog memory cells. The data is stored in the group by performing a Program and Verify (P&V) process, which applies to the memory cells in the group a sequence of programming pulses and compares respective analog values of the memory cells in the group to respective verification thresholds. Immediately following successful completion of the P&V process, a mismatch between the stored data and the received data is detected in the memory device. An error in storage of the data is reported responsively to the mismatch. |
| US09009545B2 |
Pulsed-latch based razor with 1-cycle error recovery scheme
Systems and methods for error recovery include determining an error in at least one stage of a plurality of stages during a first cycle on a hardware circuit, each of the plurality of stages having a main latch and a shadow latch. A first signal is transmitted to an output stage of the at least one stage to stall the main latch and the shadow latch of the output stage during a second cycle. A second signal is transmitted to an input stage of the at least one stage to stall the main latch of the input stage during the second cycle and to stall the main latch and the shadow latch of the input stage during a third cycle. Data is restored from the shadow latch to the main latch for the at least one stage and the input stage to recover from the error. |
| US09009539B1 |
Identifying and grouping program run time errors
A stack trace associated with an application program is received and at least one recognizable term is searched for in the stack trace. A digital signature is generated from at least a portion of the stack trace that includes the at least one recognizable term. If the digital signature matches a known digital signature among a plurality of known digital signatures, the stack trace is grouped with other stack traces associated with the known digital signature. Method call graphs in grouped stack traces may be analyzed to determine common pathways leading to an error. |
| US09009538B2 |
Analysis of tests of software programs based on classification of failed test cases
A solution is proposed for analyzing a test of a software program comprising a plurality of software components, the test comprising a plurality of test cases each one for exercising a set of corresponding exercised software components. A corresponding method comprises the steps of receiving an indication of each failed test case whose current execution has failed, retrieving a suspicion attribute of each failed test case indicative of a change to the corresponding exercised software components since a previous execution of the failed test case, retrieving a change attribute of each failed test case indicative of a change to the failed test case since the previous execution thereof, retrieving a regression attribute of each failed test case indicative of a regression of the failed test case since the previous execution thereof, and classifying each failed test case into a plurality of disjoint classes according to the corresponding suspicion attribute, change attribute and regression attribute. |
| US09009536B2 |
Test case production utilizing problem reports
Accessing a problem report data store including customer problem reports. Each customer problem report includes configuration and platform data. Calculating a number of instances each platform is stored, and identifying platforms that satisfy a platform threshold. Calculating a number of instances each configuration is stored, and identifying configurations that satisfy a configuration threshold. Calculating a number of instances each platform is associated with each configuration, and generating a data structure with a plurality of nodes and edges. Each of the nodes identifies one of the platforms and configurations. The weight of the edge connecting a platform to a configuration indicates a number of instances that the platform is associated with the configuration in the data store. Identifying a weighted edge that satisfies a weight threshold, where the weighted edge connects a first platform to a first configuration and, in response, generating a test case for development of a software product. |
| US09009530B1 |
Interactive, constraint-network prognostics and diagnostics to control errors and conflicts (IPDN)
Methods for interactively preventing and detecting conflicts and errors (CEs) through prognostics and diagnostics. Centralized and Decentralized Conflict and Error Prevention and Detection (CEPD) Logic is developed for prognostics and diagnostics over three types of real-world constraint networks: random networks (RN), scale-free networks (SFN), and Bose-Einstein condensation networks (BECN). A method is provided for selecting an appropriate CEPD algorithm from a plurality of algorithms having either centralized or decentralized CEPD logic, based on analysis of the characteristics of the CEPD algorithms and the characteristics of the constraint network. |
| US09009518B2 |
Method and apparatus for conveying and reproducing multiple independent timebases using a shared reference clock, clock snapshots and a packet network
Disclosed are methods and systems of conveying and reproducing independent timebases in a network. The methods include distributing a common measurement clock and a common measurement clock counter to a plurality of cards in a master chassis in the network. Distributed master clock counters are locked to an external input signal in each of the plurality of cards. Periodic snapshots of a count value generated by the master clock counter are taken. A counter speed of the master clock counter is analyzed to create a future snapshot of the count value. The future snapshot of the count value is transmitted from the master chassis to at least one receiving chassis in the network. The association between master counters and slave counters is programmable by various means including modifying the routing of the snapshot packets. |
| US09009515B2 |
Electronic device, image processing apparatus, and device control method
According to an embodiment, provided is an electronic device that includes: an energy generation unit that generates electrical power; an accumulating unit that accumulates therein the electrical power generated by the energy generation unit; and a network control unit that includes: a first function unit that performs network response processing; a second function unit that performs network response processing with a relatively smaller processing load than the network response processing performed by the first function unit; and a third function unit that controls the electrical power supply to the function units. The third function unit stops the electrical power supply to the first function unit in a predetermined standby operation mode that is standby for a network response request, and supplies the electrical power to the second function unit directly from the energy generation unit bypassing the accumulating unit. |
| US09009514B2 |
System and method for switching in an energy efficient network
A system and method for switching in an energy efficient network. Rapid switching between multiple operating modes can generate a voltage spike or voltage lag on an on-board inductor. Suppression of the voltage spike or voltage lag can be enabled through the activation of by a physical layer device of an inductor bypass path at a time proximate to the switching between multiple operating modes. |
| US09009512B2 |
Power state synchronization in a multi-core processor
A multi-core processor includes microcode distributed in each core enabling each core to participate in a de-centralized inter-core state discovery process. In a related microcode-implemented method, states of a multi-core processor are discovered by at least two cores participating in a de-centralized inter-core state discovery process. The inter-core state discovery process is carried out through a combination of microcode executing on each participating core and signals exchanged between the cores through sideband non-system-bus communication wires. The discovery process is unmediated by any centralized non-core logic. Applicable discoverable states include target and composite power states, whether and how many cores are enabled, the availability and distribution of various resources, and hierarchical structures and coordination systems for the cores. The inter-core state discovery process may be carried out in accordance with various hierarchical coordination systems involving chained inter-core communications. |
| US09009510B2 |
Method for power saving during standby mode in the physical layer block for the serial data communication interface
A semiconductor device includes a detector that receives an input signal whose characteristics fluctuate depend on the standby mode state, compares the input signal amplitude with a specific threshold amplitude, and outputs a detector output signal that shows whether or not the amplitude of the applicable input signal is above the specified threshold amplitude; and an intermittent operation control circuit that along with receiving the detector output, also receives a first signal showing which mode among the multiple standby mode states is in, and sets the detector to the continuously on (enable) mode state when the input signal is above the specified threshold amplitude, and in all other cases intermittently operates the detector depend on the characteristics of the input signal in the mode shown by the first signal. |
| US09009509B2 |
Virtual computer system, device sharing control method, computer-readable recording medium, and integrated circuit
A total power saving controller AA06 judges whether two or more predetermined number of virtual computers AA01 are in a power saving state, referring to a virtual computer information table BB01, in the case where the total power saving controller AA06 receives, from one of the virtual computers AA01, a shift request requesting shifting the virtual computer AA01 from the power saving state thereof. A device control changer AA07 decides, out of all devices AA08 corresponding to the virtual computers AA01 in the power saving state, one of the devices to be operated as an operating device, and the rest of the devices as a degraded device, for causing the operating device to perform a degraded control of the degraded device, in the case where the total power saving controller AA06 judges that all the virtual computers AA01 are in the power saving state. |
| US09009508B2 |
Mechanism for reducing interrupt latency and power consumption using heterogeneous cores
A technique for operating a processor includes detecting an interrupt having a first core of the processor as a destination core. The technique includes handling the interrupt by a second core of the processor in response to the first core being in a low-power state. The first core may be capable of executing a greater number of instructions-per-cycle than the second core and the second core may consume less power than the first core. The first core may be coupled to a first voltage plane and the second core may be coupled to a second voltage plane having lower power than the first voltage plane. |
| US09009504B2 |
Electronic device and power supply system of electronic device
An electronic device and a power supplying system of the electronic device are provided. A power supplying method for an electronic device may include: obtaining information regarding power transmission efficiency between a source electronic device and a target electronic device; obtaining power for decoding and playback of multimedia data in the target electronic device; generating resonance power based on the power transmission efficiency and the obtained power; and transmitting the generated resonance power and multimedia data to the target electronic device. |
| US09009503B2 |
Branch circuit determination without external synchronization
A method, system, and computer program product for relating a data processing system with a power branch circuit are provided in the illustrative embodiments. Each signal in a set of signals is combined with a power signal to form a set of combination signals, the power signal including a first power usage by the data processing system and a second power usage by a modulating signal. An amplitude of a corresponding signal in each combined signal in the set of combined signals is determined over a period. Using a discriminating logic, a determination is made whether the modulating signal is present in the power signal. Responsive to the discriminating logic producing an affirmative result, the data processing system is related with the power branch circuit. |
| US09009502B2 |
System and method for managing battery usage of a mobile device
A system and method for managing battery usage of a mobile device. The power level of the battery is obtains and compared to a threshold level. When the power level is equal to or less than the threshold level, user applications that are operating on the mobile device are identified. Operating user applications that are members of a set of user applications are identified. The execution of the selected user application is suspended or terminated. |
| US09009500B1 |
Method of correlating power in a data center by fitting a function to a plurality of pairs of actual power draw values and estimated power draw values determined from monitored CPU utilization of a statistical sample of computers in the data center
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes supplying power to a portion of a data center through a power distribution line. Utilization of a statistically significant sample of the computers is monitored, and an estimated individual power draw for each of the computers based on the utilization is calculated. An estimated total power draw is calculated for different times from the estimated individual power draws to generate a collection of estimated total power draw values for the different times. Actual power draw is monitored at the power distribution line and a collection of actual power draw values is generated. A function is fitted to pairs of actual power draw values and estimated power draw values, each pair comprising an actual draw value and an estimated draw value for the same time, and the function is then stored. |
| US09009492B2 |
Prevention of playback attacks using OTP memory
A method for data security includes receiving, in a processor having a one-time programmable (OTP) memory, which includes multiple bits and has a current state defined by the bits of the OTP that have been programmed, new information to be written to a data memory. Based on the new information and the current state, at least one further bit of the OTP memory is selected to be programmed, thereby defining a new state of the OTP memory. A new digital signature is computed over the new information and the new state. The new information and the new digital signature are saved in the data memory. After saving the new information and the new digital signature in the data memory, the at least one further bit of the OTP memory is programmed, whereby the new state becomes the current state. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed. |
| US09009488B2 |
Key based secure operating system with secure dongle and method, and cryptographic method
A security interface system creates plausible deniability, and consists of a security interface device having a port for a releasable connection to a PC and to a memory key containing an encrypted operating system, the interface device containing logic to decrypt the memory key and a plaintext bootloader, and a further port for a memory card containing a key. The key is entirely encrypted and appears as random data when inspected. The interface device may have a port(s) for a keyboard and mouse. An encryption and decryption method is described, for decrypting a ciphertext into one of two plaintexts by choice of a key, the choice of which plaintext depending on whether the secret is to be revealed or remain confidential. |
| US09009486B2 |
Biometric authentication apparatus, biometric authentication method, and computer readable storage medium
An authentication processing device receives biometric data to be checked from a biometric measuring device; transforms the biometric data that is input from the biometric measuring device by using a checking transformation parameter that is different from a registration transformation parameter; and creates checking biometric data. Then, the authentication processing device performs a differential transformation process on the created checking biometric data by using a differential parameter by which a transformation state transformed by the checking transformation parameter and a transformation state transformed by the registration transformation parameter have the same state. Thereafter, the authentication processing device checks the transformed checking biometric data against the registration biometric data stored in a transformation registration data DB and performs authentication. |
| US09009485B2 |
Electronic apparatus and communication control method
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus comprises a communication module and a connection control module. The communication module is configured to execute close proximity wireless transfer. The connection control module is configured to start an operation of establishing a connection between the communication module and an external device which is in close proximity to the communication module if an identifier of the external device wirelessly transmitted from the external device is included in a connection permission list. The connection control module is configured to display a password entry screen if the identifier is not included in the connection permission list, and to add, if a password entered on the password entry screen matches with a registered password, the identifier to the connection permission list and start the operation of establishing the connection between the communication module and the external device. |
| US09009477B2 |
Archiving electronic content having digital signatures
In various embodiments, a computerized method includes receiving electronic content to be archived. The electronic content comprises a digital signature. The method may include archiving the digital signature, by determining a validity status of the digital signature and storing the validity status in the electronic content. The method may also include archiving the electronic content after the validity status has been stored in the electronic content. |
| US09009476B2 |
Multi-application smart card, and system and method for multi-application management of smart card
A multi-application smart card and a multi-application management system and method for the smart card are provided. The multi-application smart card comprises a management device for the application security domain, and the management device is use to manage and maintain the application security domains in the multi-application smart card, and the application security domains comprise a plurality of issuer application security domains which share the control right of the multi-application smart card. Optionally, the application security domains also comprise at least one cardholder application security domain which is subordinate to the issuer application security domain that creates the cardholder application security domain, and wherein the at least one cardholder application security domain is used to manage and maintain the applications created by the cardholder. |
| US09009475B2 |
Apparatus and methods for storing electronic access clients
Apparatus and methods for storing and controlling access control clients. In one embodiment, transmitting and receiving devices ensure that only one copy of an eSIM is active at any time. Specifically, each transferred eSIM is encrypted for the destination device; the eSIM from the source device is deleted, deactivated, or otherwise rendered unusable. Various aspects of network infrastructure are also described, including electronic Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) appliances, and mobile devices. Various scenarios for transfer of eSIMs are also disclosed. |
| US09009471B2 |
System and method for multi-layered sensitive data protection in a virtual computing environment
Systems and methods for providing sensitive data protection in a virtual computing environment. The systems and methods utilize a sensitive data control monitor on a virtual appliance machine administering guest virtual machines in a virtual computing environment, wherein each of the guest virtual machines may include a local sensitive data control agent. The sensitive data control monitor generates encryption keys for each guest virtual machine which are sent to the local sensitive data control agents and used to encrypt data locally on a protected guest virtual machine. In this manner the data itself on the virtual (or physical) disc associated with the guest virtual machine is encrypted while access attempts are gated by a combination of the local agent and the environment-based monitor, providing for secure yet administrable sensitive data protection. |
| US09009469B2 |
Systems and methods for securing data in a cloud computing environment using in-memory techniques and secret key encryption
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises determining, by a controller, whether a first data store is in an initialization mode. The first data store stores client data. A second data store stores credential data of the first user and credential data of a second user. An application server includes a first secret key store. An in-memory database server includes a second secret key store. The method further comprises, if the first data store is in the initialization mode, receiving, by the controller, from the second user a secret key for encrypting the client data stored in the first data store; and storing, in the first key store, the secret key. The method further comprises, in an operational mode, authenticating the first user based on the credential data of the first user; if the first user is authenticated, processing, in the application server, a user request from the first user. |
| US09009467B2 |
Power-line communications with communication channel to and/or from endpoint circuits with authentication methodology
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for authenticating a communications source. In one aspect, a method includes decrypting a symbol that was received over a particular communications channel. The symbol is decrypted using a decryption key that is assigned to a particular endpoint that is assigned the particular communications channel. A measure of error is computed for the decrypted symbol. In turn, a determination is made whether the measure of error exceeds a threshold error measure. If the measure of error does not exceed the threshold error measure the decrypted symbol is identified as a valid symbol transmitted by the particular endpoint, and logged as such. If the measure of error exceeds the threshold error measure, the decrypted symbol is identified as a symbol from a different endpoint. |
| US09009466B2 |
Terminal device capable of link layer encryption and decryption and data processing method thereof
There are a terminal device capable of link layer encryption and decryption and a data process method thereof, and the terminal device includes a link layer processing module including a control module, a data frame encryption module, a data frame decryption module, a key management module, an algorithm module, a transmission port and a reception port; and the control module is connected with the transmission port through the data frame encryption module, the reception port is connected with the control module through the data frame decryption module, the control module is connected with the key management module, the data frame encryption module is connected with the data frame decryption module through the key management module, and the data frame encryption module is connected with the data frame decryption module through the algorithm module. |
| US09009464B2 |
Anonymous register system and method thereof
A uniform certificate revocation list managing apparatus is provided for managing canceled register information of all believable groups in a believable anonymous register system. Canceled register information includes canceled member information of each believable group, list information of unbelievable groups, and list information of unbelievable register service institutions. The uniform certificate revocation list managing apparatus interacts with each believable group and each register system, so as to update a certificate revocation list of each believable group in real time. |
| US09009463B2 |
Secure delivery of trust credentials
A system is configured to receive, by one or more servers, a request for a certificate from a user device. The request may include a first parameter, a second parameter, and a third parameter. The system is further configured to identify a key based on the first parameter, generate a fourth parameter based on the key and the third parameter, authenticate the user device based on the fourth parameter and the second parameter, generate the certificate based on authenticating the user device, store information associated with the certificate, and send the certificate to the user device. The user device may use the certificate to establish a session to interact with an application server. |
| US09009462B2 |
Differential client-side encryption of information originating from a client
A method may include allocating a number of public keys, where each respective public key is allocated to a respective entity of a number of entities; storing a number of private keys, where each respective private corresponds to a respective public key; storing one or more decryption algorithms, where each respective decryption algorithm is configured to decrypt data previously encrypted using at least one encryption algorithm of the encryption algorithms. Each respective encryption algorithm may be configured to encrypt data using at least one public key. Each respective decryption algorithm may be configured to decrypt data using at least one private key. The method may include receiving encrypted data, where the encrypted data is encrypted using a first public key and a first encryption algorithm, and the encrypted data is provided over a network. |
| US09009458B2 |
Systems, methods, and media for managing an entertainment system
Systems, methods, and media for managing an entertainment system are provided. In some implementations, systems for managing an entertainment system are provided, the systems comprising: at least one hardware processor configured to: detect a first instruction; select a component of the entertainment system; determine a first state of the component; store an indication of the first state; detect a second instruction; retrieve the indication of the first state; generate a third instruction based on the indication of the first state; and transmit the third instruction to the component of the entertainment system. |
| US09009457B2 |
Integrated circuit boot code and fuse storage implemented on interposer-mounted non-volatile memory
A method and apparatus for replacing a boot ROM and programmable fuses using a non-volatile memory and an interposer is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC) implementing one or more processor cores. The apparatus further includes a non-volatile memory configured to store configuration settings and boot code for the IC. The apparatus further includes an interposer. Both of the IC and the non-volatile memory are mounted on a substrate of the interposer. The IC and the non-volatile memory are electrically coupled to one another through the substrate. During a system boot, the IC may access boot code and configuration settings from the non-volatile memory via electrical connections in the substrate that are externally inaccessible. |
| US09009456B2 |
Automatic update of persistent boot parameter storage
A method for automatically updating persistent boot parameter storage in a computer system includes storing updated boot parameters for an operating system in the computer system in a hardware boot parameter storage area in a memory of the computer system; performing a reboot of the operating system with the updated boot parameters; determining whether the reboot of the operating system is successful; and, in the event the reboot of the operating system is successful, automatically propagating the updated boot parameters from the hardware boot parameter storage area to a persistent boot parameter storage area. |
| US09009454B2 |
Secure operating system loader
In one embodiment a computing device comprises a processor, a memory module coupled to the process and comprising logic instructions stored in a computer readable medium which, when executed, configure the processor to initiate boot operations in a computing device, present an authentication challenge when authentication is required to boot the computing device, continue boot operations in response to a successful response to the authentication challenge, and invoke an error routine in response to an unsuccessful response to the authentication challenge. |
| US09009453B2 |
Network storage target boot and network connectivity through a common network device
The present disclosure includes systems and techniques relating to booting to a network storage target. In general, in one implementation, a bus-to-network device driver is loaded during a machine boot, where the bus-to-network device driver is capable of sending machine bus commands over a network, providing access to the network for a network device driver, and distinguishing between received responses to the machine bus commands and other network traffic corresponding to the network device driver. Loading of the bus-to-network device driver can occur in response to an operating system load of bus drivers. For example, the bus-to-network device driver can be an iSCSI driver, and the operating system load of bus drivers can be the operating system load of SCSI drivers. |
| US09009451B2 |
Instruction type issue throttling upon reaching threshold by adjusting counter increment amount for issued cycle and decrement amount for not issued cycle
A system and method for reducing power consumption through issue throttling of selected problematic instructions. A power throttle unit within a processor maintains instruction issue counts for associated instruction types. The instruction types may be a subset of supported instruction types executed by an execution core within the processor. The instruction types may be chosen based on high power consumption estimates for processing instructions of these types. The power throttle unit may determine a given instruction issue count exceeds a given threshold. In response, the power throttle unit may select given instruction types to limit a respective issue rate. The power throttle unit may choose an issue rate for each one of the selected given instruction types and limit an associated issue rate to a chosen issue rate. The selection of given instruction types and associated issue rate limits is programmable. |
| US09009448B2 |
Multithreaded DFA architecture for finding rules match by concurrently performing at varying input stream positions and sorting result tokens
Disclosed is an architecture, system and method for performing multi-thread DFA descents on a single input stream. An executer performs DFA transitions from a plurality of threads each starting at a different point in an input stream. A plurality of executers may operate in parallel to each other and a plurality of thread contexts operate concurrently within each executer to maintain the context of each thread which is state transitioning. A scheduler in each executer arbitrates instructions for the thread into an at least one pipeline where the instructions are executed. Tokens may be output from each of the plurality of executers to a token processor which sorts and filters the tokens into dispatch order. |
| US09009441B2 |
Memory channel selection in a multi-channel memory
In general, this disclosure describes techniques for selecting a memory channel in a multi-channel memory system for storing data, so that usage of the memory channels is well-balanced. A request to write data to a logical memory address of a memory system may be received. The logical memory address may include a logical page number and a page offset, where the logical page number maps to a physical page number and the logical memory address maps to a physical memory address. A memory unit out of a plurality of memory units in the memory system may be determined by performing a logical operation on one or more bits of the page offset and one or more bits of the physical page number. The data may be written to a physical memory address in the determined memory unit in the memory system. |
| US09009440B2 |
Adjustment of data storage capacity provided by a storage system
A storage system stores data in at least one partition of a physical storage media in accordance with file system information specifying a plurality of logical blocks having logical block addresses within the partition. The logical blocks include excess logical blocks that are not mapped to space in the physical storage media by the mapping employed by the storage system. Unusable block data marks those excess logical blocks as unusable. This makes it easy to adjust the data storage capacity of the storage system by changing the mapping to map more or less logical block addresses to space in the physical storage media and thereby destroy or create excess logical blocks, and by changing the unusable block data to correspondingly change the excess logical blocks marked as unusable. |
| US09009439B2 |
On-disk operations on fragments to support huge data sizes
Data records of a data set can be stored in a plurality of main part fragments retained in on-disk storage. A size of the data set can be compared to an available size of main system memory. All of the plurality of main part fragments can be fully loaded into the main system memory when the available size of the main system memory is larger than the size of the data set. Alternatively, one or more of the of main part fragments can be paged into the main system memory on demand in response to a data access request when the available size of the main system memory is smaller than the size of the data set and the data access request can be satisfied by providing access to a subset of the main part fragments, or access can be provided directly to the on-disk main part fragments when the data access request involves random access for projection in the data set and the available size of the main system memory is smaller than the size of the data set. |
| US09009435B2 |
Methods and systems for data cleanup using physical image of files on storage devices
Systems and computer program products are provided for optimizing selection of files for deletion from one or more data storage devices to free up a predetermined amount of space in the one or more data storage devices. A method includes analyzing an effective space occupied by each file of a plurality of files in the one or more data storage devices, identifying, from the plurality of files, one or more data blocks making up a file to free up the predetermined amount of space based on the analysis of the effective space of each file of the plurality of files, selecting one or more of the plurality of files as one or more candidate files for deletion, based on the identified one or more data blocks, and deleting the one or more candidate files for deletion from the one or more data storage devices. |
| US09009433B2 |
Method and apparatus for relocating data
Disclosed are an apparatus and method for recycling areas of a data storage device by relocating data. In one embodiment, a method may comprise selecting a first storage area based on a quantity of obsolete data in the first storage area, moving valid data from the first storage area to a second storage area, and setting memory spaces corresponding to the first storage area as available memory for storing other data. Another embodiment may further comprise selecting a physical address-based move operation or a logical address-based move operation based on a number of sets of contiguous valid memory spaces in the first storage area, wherein the physical address-based move comprises moving data based on physical data addresses, and logical address-based moved comprises moving data based on logical block addresses. |
| US09009432B2 |
Storage system effectively managing a capacity for remote copy
In one of the storage control apparatuses in the remote copy system which performs asynchronous remote copy between the storage control apparatuses, virtual logical volumes complying with Thin Provisioning are adopted as journal volumes to which journals are written. The controller in the one of the storage control apparatuses assigns a smaller actual area based on the storage apparatus than in case of assignment to the entire area of the journal volume, and adds a journal to the assigned actual area. If a new journal cannot be added, the controller performs wraparound, that is, overwrites the oldest journal in the assigned actual area by the new journal. |
| US09009431B2 |
Virtual snapshot system and method
The present disclosure relates generally to a method and system for creating, replicating, and providing access to virtual snapshots of a disk storage block of a disk storage system or subsystem. In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a virtual snapshot accessible to local users of a local data storage device. The virtual snapshot may direct local users to a snapshot stored on computer-readable storage medium at a remote data storage site, but give the appearance as if data of the corresponding snapshot is stored locally. The virtual snapshot is replaced by replication of the snapshot from the remote data storage site to the local data storage device. Each snapshot may relate to data of a logical data volume, the logical data volume being an abstraction of data blocks from one or more physical storage devices. |
| US09009428B2 |
Data store page recovery
In one implementation, a data store page recovery process includes selecting a page reference and an update record reference at a page recovery mapping based on a page identifier, accessing a backup page via the page reference, accessing an update record via the update record reference, and modifying the backup page according to the update record. The page reference is associated with the update record reference at the page recovery mapping. |
| US09009411B2 |
Flexible control mechanism for store gathering in a write buffer
A store gathering policy is enabled or disabled at a data processing device. A store gathering policy to be implemented by a store buffer can be selected from a plurality of store gathering polices. For example, the plurality of store gathering policies can be constrained or unconstrained. A store gathering policy can be enabled by a user programmable storage location. A specific store gathering policy can be specified by a user programmable storage location. A store gathering policy can be determined based upon an attribute of a store request, such as based upon a destination address. |
| US09009407B2 |
System and method for performing system memory save in tiered/cached storage
In accordance with the present disclosure, a system and method for performing a system memory save in tiered or cached storage during transition to a decreased power state is disclosed. As disclosed herein, the system incorporating aspects of the present invention may include a flash or other nonvolatile memory such as a solid-state drive, volatile memory, and at least one alternate storage media. Upon transition to a decreased power state, at least some of the data in the solid-state drive, for example, may be transferred to the at least one alternate storage media. After the SSD data is transferred, data stored in volatile system memory, such as a system context, may be transferred to the SSD memory. With the system context saved in SSD memory, power to the volatile system memory may be turned off. |
| US09009406B2 |
Determining server write activity levels to use to adjust write cache size
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for determining server write activity levels to use to adjust write cache size. Information on server write activity to the cache is gathered. The gathered information on write activity is processed to determine a server write activity level comprising one of multiple write activity levels indicating a level of write activity. The determined server write activity level is transmitted to a storage server having a write cache, wherein the storage server uses the determined server write activity level to determine whether to adjust a size of the storage server write cache. |
| US09009405B2 |
Methods and systems for instantaneous online capacity expansion
The disclosure provides instantaneous, vertical online capacity expansion (OCE) for redundant (e.g., RAID-5, RAID-6) and non-redundant (e.g., RAID-0) arrays. The new OCE technique implements vertical expansion instead of the horizontal expansion techniques implemented in current OCE techniques. The vertical expansion treats any new addition of storage as an extension of the capacity of the preexisting physical drives in order to avoid having to rewrite the data blocks of the original, preexisting storage devices. Vertical RAID expansion is implemented by installing one or more new physical storage devices in a device or partition configuration that corresponds to the physical configuration of the preexisting volume and loading new metadata received through the user interface into the firmware of the RAID controller to define the configuration of the expanded volume. |
| US09009403B2 |
Multi-updatable least recently used mechanism
A control unit of a least recently used (LRU) mechanism for a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) stores counts indicating a time sequence with resources in entries of the TCAM. The control unit receives an access request with a mask defining related resources. The TCAM is searched to find partial matches based on the mask. The control unit increases the counts for entries corresponding to partial matches, preserving an order of the counts. If the control unit also finds an exact match, its count is updated to be greater than the other increased counts. After each access request, the control unit searches the TCAM to find the entry having the lowest count, and writes the resource of that entry to an LRU register. In this manner, the system software can instantly identify the LRU entry by reading the value in the LRU register. |
| US09009399B2 |
Flash memory storage system and controller and data writing method thereof
A flash memory storage system having a flash memory controller and a flash memory chip is provided. The flash memory controller configures a second physical unit of the flash memory chip as a midway cache physical unit corresponding to a first physical unit and temporarily stores first data corresponding to a first host write command and second data corresponding to a second host write command in the midway cache physical unit, wherein the first and second data corresponding to slow physical addresses of the first physical unit. Then, the flash memory controller synchronously copies the first and second data from the midway cache physical unit into the first physical unit, thereby shortening time for writing data into the flash memory chip. |
| US09009394B2 |
Serial flash memory with a configurable number of dummy clock cycles
Apparatus and methods configure a serial flash memory device. A value in a configuration register configures the number of dummy clock cycles to provide prior providing data in response to a read command. The value in the configuration register is read, and the number of dummy clock cycles to provide based at least partly on the dummy clock cycle value. |
| US09009393B1 |
Hybrid solid-state disk (SSD)/hard disk drive (HDD) architectures
A system including a packaging substrate and first and second integrated circuits arranged on the packaging substrate. The first integrated circuit includes a dynamic random access memory. The second integrated circuit includes a system-on-chip, which includes a hard disk controller to control a hard disk drive, a solid-state disk controller to control flash memory arranged external to the packaging substrate, and a dynamic random access memory controller to communicate with the dynamic random access memory. The hard disk controller and the solid-state disk controller access the dynamic random access memory via the dynamic random access memory controller. The dynamic random access memory controller is connected to the dynamic random access memory via the packaging substrate. |
| US09009392B2 |
Leveraging a hybrid infrastructure for dynamic memory allocation and persistent file storage
Dynamic allocation of memory in a hybrid system is provided. In particular, a method and system is provided to leverage a hybrid infrastructure for dynamic memory allocation and persistent file storage. The method includes dynamically allocating a file or its part or to cache a file or its part between different storage technologies and respective memory technologies in a hybrid infrastructure. |
| US09009391B2 |
Solid state drive architecture
Embodiments of apparatuses, methods and systems of solid state drive are disclosed. One embodiment of a solid state drive includes a non-blocking fabric, wherein the non-blocking fabric comprises a plurality of ports, wherein a subset of the plurality of ports are each connected to a flash controller that is connected to at least one array of flash memory. Further, this embodiment includes a flash scheduler for scheduling data traffic through the non-blocking fabric, wherein the data traffic comprises a plurality of data packets, wherein the flash scheduler extracts flash fabric header information from each of the data packets and schedules the data traffic through the non-blocking fabric based on the extracted flash fabric header information. The scheduled data traffic provides transfer of data packets through the non-blocking fabric from at least one array of flash memory to at least one other array of flash memory. |
| US09009381B2 |
USB connector for wireless communication device
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) apparatus for USB communication is provided. The USB apparatus includes a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) including a circuit for communicating data with an external device according to a USB communication standard, a connector for connecting to a USB terminal of the external device, and a noise reduction circuit connected between an output terminal of the PCB and the connector for reducing noise of a data signal. The noise reduction circuit includes a common-mode filter for removing harmonic components generated between a ‘+’ data signal and a ‘−’ data signal and passing the ‘+’ data signal and the ‘−’ data signal, which operate in a differential mode. |
| US09009379B1 |
Communicating with MIPI-compliant devices using non-MIPI interfaces
Using relatively inexpensive, external resistor networks, an electronic device, such as an FPGA, can be configured to use non-MIPI interfaces to communicate with one or more MIPI-compliant devices, such as video sources (e.g., cameras) and sinks (e.g., displays). High-speed (HS) and low-power (LP) MIPI signaling for each MIPI clock/data lane is supported by a set of one or more non-MIPI interfaces, such as LVDS and/or LVCMOS receivers, transmitters, and/or transceivers, and an appropriate, corresponding, external resistor network. For configurations in which the resistor-configured electronic device can handle high-speed MIPI data from a MIPI-compliant device, the electronic device can detect transitions in the MIPI mode of the MIPI-compliant device. In some configurations, the resistor-configured electronic device can provide high-speed MIPI data to a MIPI-compliant device. In either case, the electronic device configures the non-MIPI interfaces to support the current MIPI HS/LP mode. |
| US09009376B2 |
Electronic device and electronic device system
A BIOS storage unit of an electronic device is connected to a USB 3.0 extension unit of a USB 3.0 host connector. A microcomputer of a USB compatible device is connected to a USB 3.0 extension unit of a USB 3.0 device connector. The microcomputer of the USB compatible device can write and read the BIOS data to/from the BIOS storage unit of the electronic device through the USB 3.0 extension units. Moreover, the microcomputer of the USB compatible device compares the BIOS data read from the BIOS storage unit of the electronic device with the BIOS data stored in its own storage unit, and notifies a result of the comparison. |
| US09009373B2 |
Method for implementing audio transmission and mobile terminal
The disclosure discloses a method for implementing audio transmission and a mobile terminal, wherein the method includes: setting an interface descriptor for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) audio device in a USB composite device, wherein the interface descriptor is used for describing information needed by the USB audio device for transmitting audio data; sending the interface descriptor of the USB audio device to a USB host by the USB audio device to enable the USB host to complete enumeration and identification of the USB audio device according to the interface descriptor of the USB audio device; and performing audio data transmission by the USB audio device with the USB host. By means of the disclosure, a high-quality audio transmission effect can be ensured. |
| US09009369B2 |
Lookahead scheme for prioritized reads
A circular queue implementing a scheme for prioritized reads is disclosed. In one embodiment, a circular queue (or buffer) includes a number of storage locations each configured to store a data value. A multiplexer tree is coupled between the storage locations and a read port. A priority circuit is configured to generate and provide selection signals to each multiplexer of the multiplexer tree, based on a priority scheme. Based on the states of the selection signals, one of the storage locations is coupled to the read port via the multiplexers of the multiplexer tree. |
| US09009367B2 |
Adaptive interrupt moderation
Generally, this disclosure relates to adaptive interrupt moderation. A method may include determining, by a host device, a number of connections between the host device and one or more link partners based, at least in part, on a connection identifier associated with each connection; determining, by the host device, a new interrupt rate based at least in part on a number of connections; updating, by the host device, an interrupt moderation timer with a value related to the new interrupt rate; and configuring the interrupt moderation timer to allow interrupts to occur at the new interrupt rate. |
| US09009362B2 |
Variable-width command/address bus
Embodiments of the invention relate to a variable-width command/address bus (CA bus). In one embodiment, a memory controller includes first logic to determine whether a memory device is in a first mode or a second mode. The memory controller includes second logic to transmit a command to the memory device with a command/address bus having a first width over a first number of clock edges when the memory device is in the first mode, and with the command/address bus having a second width over a second number of clock edges when the memory device is in the second mode. |
| US09009361B2 |
Video processing system, video output apparatus, video display apparatus and video processing method
According to one embodiment, a video output device includes a first resolution converter and a first determination module. The first determination module is configured to determine whether a first level indicating the performance of resolution conversion processing of the first resolution converter is higher than a second level. The first resolution converter is configured to convert video data with a first resolution into one with a second resolution when the first level is higher than the second level. |
| US09009357B2 |
Method and apparatus for field firmware updates in data storage systems
Data storage devices and methods for updating firmware are disclosed. For example, one such data storage device includes a device firmware and a controller, where the controller operates in accordance with the device firmware. The controller determines whether or not the device firmware can be updated with new firmware at least partially based on whether or not the new firmware meets a criterion related to a configuration profile of the device firmware. |
| US09009353B1 |
Split network address translation
Network address translation of messages transported over an autonomous system between multiple network elements is contemplated. The network address translation may be performed by instructing one network element to translate upstream messages for a particular messaging paths and a different network element to translate downstream messages for the same messaging path, thereby providing split network address translation. |
| US09009349B2 |
System and method for dataplane extensibility in a flow-based switching device
A network switching device includes a macroflow sub-plane that performs packet-based routing, a microflow routing module that performs flow-based routing, and a software defined network (SDN) agent. The microflow routing module includes a packet processing module and a virtual port, and is operable to determine that the packet processing module is to be utilized to process a flow, direct the flow to the packet processing module via the virtual port in response to determine that the packet processing module is to be utilized to process the flow, process the flow using the packet processing module, and direct the flow to a destination associated with the flow. The SDN agent sends a port status message to a SDN controller indicating that the microflow routing module includes the virtual port and that the virtual port is associated with the packet processing module. |
| US09009345B1 |
Asynchronous data protocol
A method of asynchronously transferring a plurality of files between client and host devices is provided. The method includes transmitting to a client device a plurality of identifiers for files and transferring between the host and client devices a data frame that includes an identifier and at least a portion of the corresponding file. Each identifier corresponds to a different one of the files to be transferred. The method also includes repeating the data frame transfers until the plurality of files has been transferred. |
| US09009344B2 |
Method of sending data and associated device
A method of sending a data stream of video images between a server and at least one client device in a communication network, employing a rate setting for the sending of data over the communication network, the method comprising the following steps: obtaining (910) an item of information Pc representing a speed of variation over time for a rate setting, said item of information depending on at least one characteristic of the state of the traffic over the communication network, comparing (920) said item of information Pc so obtained with a scheduled time Ev for a set of video image data to send, adapting (930) the rate setting delivered by the server on the basis of at least the result of the comparing step, compressing said set of video image data to send using a compression mode which depends on the adapted rate setting, sending said set of video image data so compressed. |
| US09009343B2 |
Managing unused media streams
A content processing device is configured to selectively receive a media signal via a network. The content processing device is further configured to receive a bandwidth check request. The content processing device is further configured to receive a first status indicator, and determine if the streaming media signal is likely to be in use based on the first status indicator. |
| US09009341B2 |
Video bandwidth management system and method
A video conference is set up by a video conference system between three or more video terminals. Each video terminal in the video conference sends its video stream to the video conference system. The video conference system in turn sends out the video streams to video terminals to set up a video conference in the traditional manner. A video controller receives an indication of a change in how at least one of the other video terminals is displaying a video stream from one of the video terminals. Based on the indication of change, a change to the bit rate of the video stream is made. This results in the video conference system be able to send reduced bandwidth based on who is viewing the video conference. |
| US09009340B2 |
Dynamic QoS in a network distributing streamed content
In a home network a number of receiving devices are connected to receive streamed audio visual content from one or more sources by way of a network hub. One source is a set top box, having a hard disc drive, which provides a real time broadcast stream, stream 1, as well as a recorded output stream, stream 2. Another source is local storage which is capable of outputting its stored content, stream 3, at ×32 normal speed, that is, fast forward. If there are bandwidth limitations on the network then the receiver (receiving the fast forward stream 3 will experience errors. When errors are detected, the receiver sends a message back to the source which then takes action to reduce the bit rate of its output stream. |
| US09009338B2 |
Space shifting over return satellite communication channels
A method for providing content from a first node to a second node using a satellite communications system includes receiving side information at a gateway in the satellite communications system. The side information may be transmitted from a subscriber terminal to the gateway via a first communication path that includes a satellite link. The method also includes determining at the gateway that the side information is associated with first content available at the first node, and determining at the gateway that second content is available from a source other than the first node. The method also includes generating output content using the second content and the side information. The output content may be substantially the same as the first content. The method also includes providing the output content to the second node via a second communication path that does not include the satellite link. |
| US09009337B2 |
On-device multiplexing of streaming media content
Techniques are disclosed for multiplexing a dynamic bit-rate video stream with an audio stream received by a client device in a manner that allows the resulting multiplexed stream to be played back without disruption, despite dynamic changes in the bit rate of the video stream that may occur. A content server may stream both a video stream and an audio stream to a client device for playback. The client device may multiplex the video and audio streams prior to them being presented to a playback engine for decoding and playback to a user. |
| US09009335B2 |
Interface circuit for transmitting and receiving digital signals between devices
A video signal and an audio signal are TMDS transmitted from a source device to a sink device. Through a reserved line and a HPD line provided separately from a TMDS transmission line, an Ethernet™ signal is bidirectionally transmitted, and also, a SPDIF signal is transmitted from the sink device to the source device. The Ethernet™ signal bidirectionally transmitted between Ethernet™ transmitter/receiver circuits is differentially transmitted by an amplifier and is received by the amplifier. The SPDIF signal from a SPDIF transmitter circuit is common-mode transmitted from an adder and is received by the adder to be supplied to the SPDIF receiver circuit. |
| US09009332B1 |
Protection against network-based malicious activity utilizing transparent proxy services
Transparent proxy services are provided reliably. A TCP/IP input stream is received that includes data and control packets directed to a destination address that is different from a network address of the proxy. Incoming TCP data packets and control packets are intercepted. Intercepted data packets are processed asynchronously with respect to reception of other TCP data packets. At the start of the processing, an indicator is set to represent an active state of the processing; at the conclusion of the processing an output of the processing is sent to a determined destination for the first TCP data packet, and the indicator is set to represent a non-active state of the processing. In response to the state of the indicator representing the active state of the processing, control packets are delayed by the proxy. |
| US09009331B2 |
Communication device, control method thereof and storage medium
A communication device configured to receive content from a server via a network, comprises a storage unit configured to store content received from the server in a cache, a display unit configured to display the content stored in the storage unit, a control unit configured to switch connection to the network to one of a plurality of communication lines having different communication rates, and a setting unit configured to set the size of the content received from the server and the number of histories stored in the cache, in accordance with the communication line to which connection has been switched by the control unit. |
| US09009330B2 |
Internet-based proxy service to limit internet visitor connection speed
A proxy server for limiting Internet connection speed of visitors that pose a threat. The proxy server receives from a client device a request to perform an action on an identified resource that is hosted at an origin server for a domain. The proxy server receives the request as a result of a DNS request for the domain resolving to the proxy server. The origin server is one of multiple origin servers that belong to different domains that resolve to the proxy server and are owned by different entities. The proxy server analyzes the request to determine whether a visitor belonging to the request poses a threat. If the proxy server determines that the visitor poses a threat, the proxy server reduces the speed at which the proxy server processes the request while keeping a connection to the client device open. |
| US09009327B2 |
Systems and methods for providing IIP address stickiness in an SSL VPN session failover environment
The SSL VPN session failover solution of the appliance and/or client agent described herein provides an environment for handling IP address assignment and end point re-authorization upon failover. The appliances may be deployed to provide a session failover environment in which a second appliance is a backup to a first appliance when a failover condition is detected, such as failure in operation of the first appliance. The backup appliance takes over responsibility for SSL VPN sessions provided by the first appliance. In the failover environment, the first appliance propagates SSL VPN session information including user IP address assignment and end point authorization information to the backup appliance. The backup appliance maintains this information. Upon detection of failover of the first appliance, the backup appliance activates the transferred SSL VPN session and maintains the user assigned IP addresses. The backup appliance may also re-authorize the client for the transferred SSL VPN session. |
| US09009325B2 |
Contents delivery system, a contents delivery method, and a program for contents delivery
[Issues] Without using a load balancer or a media director, and without inquiring a load status from a user terminal to a delivery server, to strive for balancing and smoothing of a load of a delivery server, and to prevent degradation of viewing quality.[Solution method] A contents delivery server comprising: a load information exchanging and memorizing unit which receives and memorizes load information (other server information) from other contents delivery servers in a network, and memorizes load information (own server information) of own contents delivery server; a determination unit which determines presence of free resources of own contents delivery server based on the own server information; a selection unit which, in case the determination unit determined that there exit no free resources, selects one or more other contents delivery servers with a lower load than own contents delivery server from among other contents delivery servers based on the own server information and the other server information; and a redirection unit which requests to the selected other contents delivery servers delivery of contents which are targets of a contents delivery request to a user terminal which transmitted the contents delivery request. |
| US09009322B1 |
Method and apparatus for load balancing between WAN optimization devices
Systems and techniques are described for load balancing between WAN optimization devices. During operation, a mapping is determined based solely or partially on capacities of a set of remote WAN optimization devices and capacities of a set of local WAN optimization devices, wherein the mapping maps each remote WAN optimization device to a local WAN optimization device. Next, connection requests are directed to WAN optimization devices based on the mapping. |
| US09009319B2 |
Optimizing allocation of on-demand resources using performance
In one embodiment, the present invention can be used to efficiently allocate on-demand resources to a customer of a data center such as a multi-tenant data center having resources dedicated to given customers, as well as on-demand resources that can be flexibly provisioned to customers using a performance zone concept realized via logical switches to present a single logical network to the customer. |
| US09009316B2 |
On-demand integrated capacity and reliability service level agreement licensing
A system and method for providing on-demand Integrated capacity and reliability Service Level Agreement (SLA) Software License (ISL). The disclosed approach allows customized purchase of capacity together with the desired reliability SLA at fine granularity of both quantities. The ISL licensing approach can be applied in the distributed Processing Entities (PEs) systems and also in the Virtual Machines (VMs) based cloud computing model. The on-demand ISL licensing approach makes use of an ISL dimensioning methodology (implemented using an ISL Manager) and an ISL Controller (ISLC) that keeps track of the capacity usage at the system level together with the periodic monitoring of health status of PEs or VMs. The ISLC dynamically controls the capacity usage as well as the reliability SLA based on the aggregated workload utilization conditions from all the PEs or VMs, hence allowing the delivery of the user-purchased level of guaranteed reliability SLA in an economical manner. |
| US09009314B1 |
Concurrent web based multitasking support for computing system
Supporting of multiple concurrent tasks to be submitted via a single web-browser is important because it improves efficiency for user to utilize the web browser for daily works. The supporting of web based multitasking is also an important step towards creating a web based computer user work environment. |
| US09009313B2 |
Simultaneous maintenance of multiple versions of a web-based business information system
A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods for phased rollout of an upgraded version of a web-based business information system are described. URLs associated with client requests remain the same even where the target subscriber accounts have been upgraded. Client requests for both upgraded and non-upgraded accounts are received by a common set of web servers. Client requests representing external entry points are trapped, and the receiving web server accesses a login router database to determine whether the target subscriber account is upgraded or non-upgraded, and then transfers the request to an appropriately-versioned application server. Application server sets are mapped to database sets according to system version, allowing the upgraded system database schema to be substantially different than the non-upgraded database schema. An early adopter program business method leveraging the abilities of such web-based business information system is also described. Applications to environments other than phased rollout are described, such as URL-agnostic differentiation and routing of client requests according to class-of-service of the target subscribing account. |
| US09009311B2 |
Initiator zoning in progress command
An initiator zoning in progress command is provided. In one aspect the zoning in progress command includes target devices. Upon completion of the zoning operation, a zoning complete command is provided. In another aspect, receipt of a zoning in progress command causes broadcast change commands to be ignored until the zoning complete command is received. |
| US09009305B1 |
Network host inference system
A system and methods for monitoring and determining agent and network health, having a network monitoring and failure detection system that collects data reports and accumulates a set of data defined in terms of a time window. The network monitoring and failure detection system makes a determination of the agent health during the time window. The network monitoring and failure detection system then processes the collected data based on the determined health. The processing of the collected data can include disregarding the data, weighing the data, filtering the data, using the data in a feedback loop, or processing the data using another method or algorithm. |
| US09009303B2 |
Correlating event streams from independent processes in a complex business system using metadata associated with the transport interconnections
A method for correlating business events in a complex business system. A flow diagram containing a collection of nodes (representing processes) and links (representing the transport connections) between these nodes is generated. An instance of an event stream from a node that is to be connected to an instance of an event stream from a neighboring node is identified when a node transports a transaction across a link. The metadata associated with the utilized link that was used to transport the transaction between the nodes is obtained. The instances of the event streams are then correlated using the obtained metadata. Further, each instance of the event streams is assigned an identification. In this manner, business events are correlated without the requirement of users providing a common key as well as without the requirement of monitoring each user of the system throughout the entire transaction. |
| US09009296B1 |
System and method of determining latency
A web server monitors and receives measurements as to how long a client device takes to load or display individual items after a user first requests a web page containing the items. The measurements may be based on a duration that begins at a time between a user's navigation request and network browser's transmission of a request for a new web page. The recorded measurements received by the web server may include measurements relating to the latency experienced by the user in loading a particular item of content for a web page, such as an image, or may include the latency experienced by the user in loading an entire web page. One or more components used by the network browser, such as a network browser plug-in and or scripting language embedded in a web page, may provide one or more routines for measuring and reporting the latencies experienced by the user. |
| US09009295B2 |
System for indicating to network user the cost of service provided to each device on network
Managing printer and copier server units connected to a network by enabling the user of a personal computer connected to the network to know print costs depending on the environmental load. Server units provide document print and copy services to each network connected client unit, typically personal computers. The server units can operate in any of several operational states, including for example, a standby state, a sleep state and a run state. Upon receiving a service request from the client unit, a management unit estimates the change in operational state for each connected server unit, assigns a priority to the various server units based on the estimated operational state changes, and provides the information for selection by the user requesting the print or copy service. |
| US09009292B2 |
Context-based data pre-fetching and notification for mobile applications
Methods, systems, and computer program products for context-based data pre-fetching and notification for applications are described herein. In an embodiment, the method operates by creating a context model that includes context variables and events. The method populates context variables based upon the context of an application and instantiates a context based upon the context model. The method determines whether the context is active or inactive and infers a likely set of data needed by the application. The method executes a data selection function to generate a dataset for the application. In an embodiment, the system includes a module to create and maintain a context model. The system includes modules to: populate context variables within the context model; calculate a dataset for the application; maintain an inference engine; subscribe to changes in the context variables; and generate notifications including a dataset with associated metadata that assists with display of the dataset. |
| US09009286B2 |
Locality based content distribution
A system and method for content distribution are provided. A content provider generates a network topology having one or more subnetworks made up of content sources. The content provider segments content, such as applications, into segments for distribution. The content provider then distributes the content such that for each identified subnetwork, each content segment is distributed to a content source. Subsequent, client computing device requests for content can be serviced by selecting a content source in a particular subnetwork selected for delivering the requested content to the client computing device to minimize traffic flow of the requested content through the nodes of the distribution network. |
| US09009283B2 |
Using push notifications to reduce open browser connections
A browser request is received at a computing device. A determination is made as to whether to replace the browser request with a push notification based upon characteristics of the browser request. The browser request is replaced with the push notification in response to determining, based upon the characteristics of the browser request, to replace the browser request with the push notification. |
| US09009282B2 |
Method for synchronizing a client clock frequency with a server clock frequency
A method for synchronizing the frequency of a client clock with a server clock frequency, such synchronization being performed through timing packets transmitted by the server towards the client through a telecommunication network wherein the method includes the transmission, by the server, of groups of timing packets such that an emission timing packet period (τ1), measured between successive timing packets of a same group, is smaller than an emission group period (τ3), measured between first timing packets of successive groups. Emission timing packet period (τ1) is such that transmission delays of timing packets within a same group are practically correlated, and emission group period (τ3) is such that transmission delays of timing packets from different groups are practically uncorrelated. |
| US09009280B2 |
Equipment management device, equipment management system, equipment management method, and recording medium
An equipment management device manages one or more pieces of equipment which are connected to the equipment management device via a network. The equipment management device includes a determining unit which determines whether a non-authenticated software item exists in each of the one or more pieces of equipment, and a license management unit which performs license management of one or more software items installed in each of the one or more pieces of equipment, based on a result of the determination by the determining unit. |
| US09009279B2 |
Computer network system including a proxy for interconnecting network management tools with network segments
Discloses is a computer network system comprising a plurality of network management tools, a network segment comprising a plurality of hardware devices, and a proxy for interconnecting network management tools with the network segment. Each of the network management tools is assigned at least one functionality for monitoring and controlling at least one hardware device which is polled by the network management tools. The functionalities from different network management tools are separate from each other, and the proxy is set up to consolidate requests from the different network management tools and to focus the requests on one single request to the device to be controlled by the different network management tools. |
| US09009278B2 |
Device management server, device management client, and method for locating a target operation object
In the field of communications, to solve the problem in the prior art that a device management (DM) server needs to communicate with user terminals for multiple times to obtain Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) of various user terminal DM nodes, a DM server, a DM client, and a method for locating a target operation object are provided. The location method includes: obtaining a management command sent by a DM server; and operating a target operation object according to the management command, in which the management command comprises Management Object (MO) location information, MO instance feature node information, and target operation object information. The present disclosure has the following beneficial effects. A target operation object of a DM client may be located by communicating once, and thus increasing the efficiency of communications between the DM server and user terminals. |
| US09009264B2 |
Instant messaging device/server protocol
A generic IM device/server protocol permits a single implementation of a IM application on client devices for communicating with different enterprise IM servers types. The protocol defines a server maintained tag to identify the currency of a contact list it is managing for a client device. The client device receives and persists the tag and provides it at login. The server automatically sends a contact list update only if the tag indicates the client devices contact list instance is not current. Presence updates may also be sent automatically at login and the client device need not separately request contact list or presence updates at login. The client device may be pre-provisioned with respective graphics, text and server capabilities for multiple server types. A specific IM configuration may be selected in response to service information. |
| US09009263B2 |
Method and apparatus for command synchronization
Method and apparatus for command synchronization is described. In some embodiments, a remote system may set up a user interactive session with a local device according to a user interaction protocol. The remote system may insert a predetermined execution time into a first command and send the first command to a local device according to the user interaction protocol. The first command, when executed on the local device, causes a second command compliant with the user interaction protocol to execute on the local device at the predetermined execution time. |
| US09009260B2 |
Method, system and apparatus for transferring data via more than one communications interface
A method system and apparatus for transferring data via more than one communications interface are provided. A data file is transferred, at a processor of a device, and via at least one communications network, on a first communications interface of the device and a second communications interface of the device, the second communications interface different from the first communications interface. |
| US09009258B2 |
Providing content to a user across multiple devices
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, and including a method for providing content. The method comprises receiving a first login request from a first device used by a user, the request being associated with a first anonymous identifier associated with the first device, and determining a user tag for the user, that does not include any personally identifiable information associated with the user. The method further comprises receiving a second login request from a second different device used by the user, the request being associated with a second different anonymous identifier associated with the second different device, and storing an association between the user tag, the first anonymous identifier and the second different anonymous identifier. The method further comprises receiving a request for content from either the first or second different device and providing content in response to the request using the association. |
| US09009257B2 |
Direct return to source (DRS) routing of customer information control systems (CICS) transactions
A method, system, and computer programming product for returning a response directly to a transaction request originator in a customer information control system (CICS) is provided. The method can include receiving a transaction request in a CICS and allocating resources in the CICS in response to receiving the transaction request. The method additionally can include determining whether the CICS is an intended endpoint of the transaction request. Finally, the method can include extracting an address of an originator of the transaction request from the transaction request and sending a response to the originator at the extracted address upon determining that the CICS is the intended endpoint of the transaction request, but otherwise routing the transaction request to a different CICS along with the address within the transaction request. |
| US09009255B2 |
Apparatus and method for extending UPnP network area
An apparatus and method for extending a UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) network are provided. The method includes, registering, by a transmission-side remote access agent, a plurality of transmission channels for transmitting data; storing, by the transmission-side remote access agent, when an event request message is received from at least one UPnP apparatus located in a transmission-side network, access information regarding at least one UPnP apparatus included in the event request message; and converting, by the transmission-side remote access agent, the event request message to an event request message, which can be used in the registered transmission channels, and transmitting the converted event request message to a reception-side network. |
| US09009253B2 |
Optimizing server resources using multiple retry for high traffic websites
A method for optimizing resources on a web server is provided. A web page may include areas for displaying content that is time consuming to retrieve. The content may be geographically far away or the content server itself may be slow. A caching proxy between the web server and the content server responds to requests for data immediately, with or without the data requested from the cache. On a cache miss, the caching proxy asynchronously retrieves data so that the next time the same content is requested, the data should be available in the cache. Asynchronous retrieval means that no valuable resources are tied up on the web server while waiting for the content to be provided from the content server. The initial web page sent from the web server to the web browser includes retry logic. The data may be retrieved from the cache during one of the retries. |
| US09009249B2 |
Systems and methods for delivering content to a mobile device based on geo-location
Described herein are a system and method for delivering content to a mobile computing device, where the content is selected for presentation to a member of a social network service based on the current geo-location of the member (device) and one or more associations and/or relationships between entities represented in a social graph of the social network service. A particular embodiment includes providing, by use of a data processor, a user interface to notify a member of a social network service of his or her proximity to another entity that is represented in the social graph of the social network service. In some embodiments, in response to determining that a member is in geographical proximity of a company that has a presence in the social graph of the social network service, a job recommendation/matching engine may cause information to be presented relating to a job listing posted to a job listing service by an authorized representative of the company. |
| US09009248B2 |
Apparatus and method of performing discovery based on priority level in distributed network, and method of determining discovery back-off time
Provided are a network node and a method of performing discovery, which may stably perform discovery without delay or crash of a network at the time of initial discovery in a large-scale network. The network node operated in a distributed network includes a discovery performing unit that determines a discovery back-off time that is a transmission wait time of a discovery message based on levels of priority of the network node, and a communication unit that transmits the discovery message using the discovery back-off time. |
| US09009245B2 |
Messenger client and method for updating messages in messenger client
Updating messages in a messenger client includes a messenger client judging whether it is necessary to pull a new message or a new message notification from a messenger server according to a state of the messenger client; performing an action of pulling a new message notification from the messenger server in response to a determination that it is necessary to pull a new message notification; and performing an action of pulling new messages from the messenger server in response to a determination that it is necessary to pull a new message. The messenger client includes a state judging module and a pulling module. A new message notification is pulled when it is determined it is only necessary to pull a new message notification. |
| US09009244B2 |
Image forming apparatus, and control method thereof
An image forming apparatus and method includes receiving a plurality of addresses for transmitting mail including URL of a web page provided by the image forming apparatus, transmitting the mail including the URL of the web page to the plurality of addresses, and delivering, in response to a download request from an external apparatus via the web page indicated by the URL, to the external apparatus a setup file of a device driver for the image forming apparatus registered in a storage region of the image forming apparatus. |
| US09009241B2 |
Determining crowd topics from communications in a focus area
An embodiment of the invention provides a system and method for managing computing resources, wherein a data analyzer analyzes communications from electronic devices to identify a common topic among the communications in a predetermined area. In at least one embodiment, only communications that have been created within a predetermined time period are analyzed. A processor connected to said data analyzer generates a title based on the common topic. A communications module connected to the processor sends an electronic message to a user, wherein the electronic message includes the title and the predetermined area. In at least one embodiment, the title and the predetermined area are displayed on a graphical user interface. |
| US09009239B1 |
System, method, and computer program for providing access to a plurality of services through a unified application
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for providing access to a plurality of services through a unified application. In use, a plurality of services is associated with a unified application of an entity. Additionally, the unified application is installed within a landing page of the entity. Further, access to the plurality of services is provided to a plurality of users through the unified application of the landing page. |
| US09009238B2 |
Mirroring messaging status
A messaging status associated with a first user is determined. A messaging status associated with a second user is set based upon, at least in part, the determined messaging status associated with the first user. |
| US09009236B2 |
Information delivery system, delivery destination control method and delivery destination control program
It is an object to efficiently deliver a message to a user who subscribes to a plurality of telecommunications carriers. An information delivery system includes an ID federation information storage unit that stores ID federation information being information associating a user identifier for identifying a user in a service provider and a user identifier for identifying the user in a telecommunications carrier which the user subscribes to, a delivery demand receiving unit that receives, from a service providing system administered by a service provider, contents of a message and a user identifier in the service provider as information indicating a user to serve as a delivery target of the message, a delivery demand processing unit that determines which telecommunications carriers the user designated as a delivery target of the message subscribes to based on ID federation information stored in the ID federation information storage unit, and determines a telecommunications carrier to serve as a delivery request destination of the message to the user from the telecommunications carriers determined that the user subscribes to according to a predetermined condition, and a delivery demand transmitting unit that transmits the contents of the message received by the delivery demand receiving unit and a user identifier in the telecommunications carrier of the user for which delivery request destination is the telecommunications carrier as information indicating a user to serve as a delivery target of the message to a delivery system of the telecommunications carrier determined as a delivery request destination by the delivery demand processing unit. |
| US09009235B2 |
Ordered message processing
Messages are processed to guarantee proper work scheduling and allow for cyclic and conditional processing. A processing node requiring ordered processing of messages is configured to operate within a plurality of successive processing nodes not requiring ordering processing of messages. Nodes upstream of the ordered node (i) monitor skew between the messages being processed and messages that are ordered after the messages still being processed and that have been forwarded downstream of the node and (ii) pause processing upon reaching skew limits. The nodes upstream of the ordered node limit output of messages to be within a delta of other messages as defined by message IDs. In addition, messages removed from a flow path are replaced by Null messages for ordered processing. Child messages are encoded to incorporate parent IDs preserving ordering systems. |
| US09009234B2 |
Complex event processing system having multiple redundant event processing engines
A system and method for replicating a distributed computer system state among a plurality of deterministic event processing engines are disclosed. A sender module receives a plurality of input events or input event streams and generates a serialized message sequence describing an order in which input events are processed. The serialized message sequence is then transmitted to a plurality of deterministic event processing engines for processing. As the event processing engines are deterministic, each event processing engine produces the same ordered sequence responsive to the received serialized message sequence. The ordered sequences from each deterministic event processing engine are transmitted to a merger module which generates an output from the plurality of ordered sequences. The merger module removes one or more redundant ordered sequences and associates the resulting output with a client device. |
| US09009224B2 |
Apparatus and method for synchronizing E-book content with video content and system thereof
A method of synchronizing a first device capable of displaying video content and including the video content, and a second device capable of displaying E-book content associated with the video content and including the E-book content. The first device is connected to the second device according to a specific protocol. In response to a specific event for the video content or the E-book content occurring in one of the first and second devices, the device in which the specific event occurs generates event information about the specific event and transmits it to the other of the first and second devices, and performs the specific event according to the event information. Upon receiving the event information, the other of the first and second devices performs the specific event according to the received event information in synchronization with the device in which the specific event occurred, using synchronization information between the video content and the E-book content. |
| US09009223B2 |
Method and apparatus for processing received network packets on a network interface for a computer
An intelligent network interface card (INIC) or communication processing device (CPD) works with a host computer for data communication. The device provides a fast-path that avoids protocol processing for most messages, greatly accelerating data transfer and offloading time-intensive processing tasks from the host CPU. The host retains a fallback processing capability for messages that do not fit fast-path criteria, with the device providing assistance such as validation even for slow-path messages, and messages being selected for either fast-path or slow-path processing. A context for a connection is defined that allows the device to move data, free of headers, directly to or from a destination or source in the host. The context can be passed back to the host for message processing by the host. The device contains specialized hardware circuits that are much faster at their specific tasks than a general purpose CPU. A preferred embodiment includes a trio of pipelined processors devoted to transmit, receive and utility processing, providing full duplex communication for four Fast Ethernet nodes. |
| US09009222B2 |
Verifying the transfer of a data file
Techniques for verifying the transfer from a content provider of a selected data file selected by a client device using a proxy server is disclosed. By creating a local set of characteristics of the selected data file, network traffic sent between the client device and the content provider can be monitored. A local record of a transfer session is then created, and a download request from the client device is received and forwarded, thus initiating the transfer of the selected data file to the content provider. A data file is then received from the content provider and forwarded to the client device. The characteristics of the received data file are evaluated, thus allowing verification that the characteristics of the received data file match the local set of characteristics of the selected data file to take place. Finally, the received data file is forwarded to the client device. |
| US09009220B2 |
Analyzing stored electronic communications
Among other things, a method includes a data storage system associated with a provider entity and storing data on behalf of a client entity, the data being accessible from the data storage system by the client entity, a data interface enabling access by the provider entity to the data of the data storage system, and an analysis engine maintained by the provider entity to, at times determined by the analysis engine, access the data using the data interface, analyze the data, and generate results of the analysis for use by the client entity. |
| US09009219B2 |
Native viewer use for service results from a remote desktop
In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a session to a remote desktop determined for a user of a client device. The session allows the client device to remotely access the remote desktop to have one or more services performed for the user of the client device using resources of the remote desktop. The client device sends a request for a service in the one or more services to be performed on the remote desktop in the session and receives a result set determined from the service being performed by the remote desktop. A native viewer for the client device is determined based on a type of the result set. The native viewer is then invoked to display the result set. |
| US09009212B2 |
Optimized transfer of applications between computing environments
Techniques for optimally transferring applications between computing environments are provided. Using a process in a first computing environment, an application running in the first computing environment is monitored. Based on the monitoring, a need is determined to transfer the application from the first computing environment to a second computing environment. The application is transferred from the first computing environment to the second computing environment, and operations of the application are resumed in the second computing environment. |
| US09009208B2 |
Floating-point adder
Floating point adder circuitry 16, 18, 20 is provided with far-path circuitry 18 and near-path circuitry 20. The far-path circuitry utilises a count of trailing zeros TZ and a difference in the input operand exponents to form respective suffix values which are concatenated with the mantissas of the input addends and serve when summed to generate a carry out taking the place of a conventionally calculated sticky bit. Within the near-path, minimum value circuitry 46 is used to calculate the lower of a leading zeros count of the intermediate mantissa produced in a subtraction and the larger of the input operand exponent values such that a left shift applied to the intermediate mantissa value is not able to produce a invalid floating point result due to applying a left shift to remove leading zeros that is too larger and accordingly corresponds to an exponent which cannot be validly represented. |
| US09009203B2 |
Lock-free, scalable read access to shared data structures using garbage collection
At least one read operation of at least one object of a data container is initiated. The data container includes an anchor object, a first internal data object and a first garbage collection object, the anchor object comprising a pointer to a versioned structure tree. Thereafter, in response to the at least one incompatible write operation, a second internal data object and a second garbage collection object are created for the data container. The second garbage collection object has a reference to the second internal data object. Subsequently, the second internal data object is installed in the anchor object and the first garbage collection object is passed to a garbage collection process so that space used by the first garbage collection object in a database can be reused. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described. |
| US09009201B2 |
Extended database search
Methods, program products, and systems implementing integrated repository of structured and unstructured data are disclosed. An integrated environment is provided for accessing structured data (e.g., data of a relational database) and unstructured data (e.g., data stored in a text or binary file), including creating, managing, modifying, and searching the structured data and unstructured data. The integrated environment can include an integrated user interface, a set of commands and application programming interface (API), and storage for a relational database and a document repository. The integrated environment can include a database abstraction layer that allows database operations on both the structured data and the unstructured data. |
| US09009194B2 |
Real time and dynamic voting
Embodiments of the present invention facilitate the solicitation of user input while allowing for dynamic changes to that input while concurrently ranking the same. Ranking occurs in real-time and allows for a user to alter their contribution or vote until the close of a contribution period allowing real-time influences to be taken into account. Contributions may be provided in response to or as a part of a template driven nomination process. Solicitations of input may occur in the context of a pre-defined slate of options for voting, nominating certain options for a subsequent or concurrent voting process, or choosing/suggest more than one option such as the best of a slate of options or the individual ranking of a slate of options. Embodiments of the present invention capture all user nominations or suggestions while simultaneously providing the real-time ranking and dynamic re-ranking of those nominations or suggestions. |
| US09009193B2 |
Techniques providing a software fitting assessment
Techniques are presented for providing a software fitting assessment. The techniques may be performed by methods, apparatus, and/or computer program products. The techniques include automatically matching on a computer system one or more specified requirements for a project with one or more software functions stored in a repository. The automatically matching includes mining the repository in order to match requirements. The repository includes software functions, requirements accumulated from previous projects, and results of stored matches between the software functions and the requirements accumulated from previous projects. The techniques include outputting by the computer system one or more results of the matching. |
| US09009192B1 |
Identifying central entities
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for identifying central entities. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining candidate entities for a first resource; filtering a first entity graph whose nodes represent different entities found in a plurality of resources to remove nodes that do not correspond to a candidate entity, wherein pairs of nodes in the filtered first entity graph that are connected by an edge correspond to pairs of candidate entities that are associated with the same resource; generating a second entity graph for the first resource from the filtered first entity graph, wherein the second entity graph does not include nodes from the filtered first entity graph that are not connected to other nodes in the filtered first graph; and identifying candidate entities that are represented by nodes in the second entity graph as being central entities for the first resource. |
| US09009186B2 |
Generation and provision of directed sales incentives at locations remote from the point of sale
This invention is directed to a system and method for improving customer loyalty through direct sales incentive dissemination based on the customers past purchase history and items the store is offering at a reduced price. The additional services include providing the customer with a list of their preferred items, which are also on sale, without the customer needing to search for related coupons and the like. |
| US09009178B2 |
Method and apparatus for regulatory database protocol discovery
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products herein enable a mobile terminal with a cognitive radio to determine at least one white space spectrum database to access based on a current location and once the at least one white space spectrum database is accessed to determine the relevant communication protocols. One example method may include accessing one or more white space database identifiers. In some example embodiments, the white space database identifiers correspond to a white space database assigned to a region. The method may further include determining whether the one or more database identifiers match a database identifier associated with a schema In some example embodiments, the schema defines one or more parameters for exchanging information with a white space spectrum database. The method may further include selecting the schema that is associated with the matched database identifier. |
| US09009175B2 |
System and method for database migration and validation
A system and method for database migration and validation is provided. In an embodiment, the database migration and validation system may include a migration framework which analyzes a relational database and its associated access coding and preprocessing/post-processing coding, and based on these analyzes generates an in-memory database, access coding, and database coding in a computer system. The database migration and validation system may also include a validation framework which presents validation queries to the relational database and the in-memory database, compares the results of the queries, and reports the outcome of the comparison. |
| US09009174B1 |
Consumer action mining
A methodology infers latent or unobserved structure in relational datasets, and is used to analyze user behaviors and patterns. The data for user behaviors and patterns can be gathered from off-line activity or interactions, such as, but not limited to, retail statistics, statistical research, scientific analysis, off-line interaction between, for example, customers or users. And the analysis can be applied to, but not limited to, the analysis of credit card data, club card data, telephone data, research data, financial market data, insurance data, warehouse data, travel data, traffic data, health care system data, public administration and authorities data, logistics data, education based data, as well as behavioral pattern data. |
| US09009167B2 |
Method and system of planning and/or managing a travel plan
A method of planning a trip which comprises receiving a plurality of profile characteristics from a user, automatically selecting a group from a plurality of travel objects according to a match with the profile characteristics where each travel object having a plurality of scheduling characteristics. The method further includes computing an arrangement of members of the group in a schedule according to the plurality of profile characteristics and receiving an update to one or more of members, the schedule, the arrangement and/or the profile characteristics. Now, the arrangement is automatically updated so that one or more of the travel objects are rescheduled according to a relationship between its scheduling characteristics and respective scheduling characteristics of other travel objects in light of the profile characteristics. |
| US09009163B2 |
Lazy evaluation of semantic indexing
A method for searching a database of digital media assets that has been indexed according to a set of general indexers. The method includes receiving a search query and defining specialized search conditions by identifying one or more elements of the search query corresponding to one or more specialized indexers. General search conditions are defined by identifying elements of the search query corresponding to the general indexers. A subset of the digital media assets are identified by applying the general search conditions, and the subset of the digital media assets is indexed using the identified specialized indexers. The subset of the digital media assets are ranked by applying the specialized search conditions. |
| US09009160B2 |
Information classification system
An information classification system 100 includes: a classified information storing part 101 for storing classified information having already been classified into a certain group and group specification information for specifying the group, in association with each other; and a confidence calculating part 102 for calculating confidence having a value depending on a probability that a group which is specified based on unclassified information as a target to be classified and classified information selected as reference information from among the stored classified information and into which the unclassified information should be classified is a true group. |
| US09009158B2 |
Computer capable of retrieving ambiguous information
The present invention is to support the retrieval of an ambiguous file stored on a computer. Desktop space images are generated at predetermined time intervals, and metadata for each desktop space image is created from internally used data and externally input data existing at the time. The metadata consists of multiple pieces of tag data, and part of tag data is a target file to be searched for. Upon searching for the target file, a user selects a desktop space image that evokes the target file from among the multiple desktop space images initially displayed. The selected desktop space image is displayed and the target file is selected from the metadata associated with the desktop space image displayed. The desktop space image can refresh a user's recollection about the target file, and hence allows the user to narrow down the scope of search. |
| US09009157B2 |
Apparatus and method for processing a data stream
An apparatus and method for processing a data stream using a cluster query, are provided. Collected queries are clustered into a predetermined vector space based on a feature vector of the collected queries. In response to a query received from a user, the received query is classified to a cluster and may be replaced with a centroid query of the cluster to which the received query belongs. The data stream processing apparatus processes the centroid query and provides an approximate result to the user. |
| US09009155B2 |
Parallel set aggregation
A system, method and medium may provide determination of a first plurality of a plurality of data records assigned to a first processing unit, identification of a first record of the first plurality of data records, the first record associated with a first key value, generation of a first dictionary entry of a first dictionary for the first key value, storage of a first identifier of the first record as a tail identifier and as a head identifier in the first dictionary entry, storage an end flag in a first shared memory location, the first shared memory location associated with the first record, identification of a second record of the first plurality of data records, the second record associated with the first key value, replacement of the tail identifier in the first dictionary entry with a second identifier of the second record, and storage of the first identifier in a second shared memory location, the second shared memory location associated with the second record. |
| US09009154B2 |
Evaluating presentation of advertisments with regard to ranking order
First content configured for generating a media item is identified; a portion of the first content as being configured to obtain second content for presentation on the page is identified; and at least one parameter associated with the identified portion is identified, including determining whether the presentation of the plurality of advertisements in the media item reflects the ranking order. |
| US09009152B2 |
Smart widgets
According to some example embodiments, a method includes based, at least in part, on one or more signals representative of user-defined content, assessing the user-defined content and storing one or more signals representative of a result of the assessment of the user-defined content. The method further includes selecting one or more widgets for presentation in combination with other content associated with the user-defined content, the selecting being based at least in part on the assessment of the user-defined content. |
| US09009150B2 |
Associative search engine
This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlates the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user. |
| US09009147B2 |
Finding a top-K diversified ranking list on graphs
A method, system and computer program product for finding a diversified ranking list for a given query. In one embodiment, a multitude of date items responsive to the query are identified, a marginal score is established for each data item; and a set, or ranking list, of the data items is formed based on these scores. This ranking list is formed by forming an initial set, and one or more data items are added to the ranking list based on the marginal scores of the data items. In one embodiment, each of the data items has a measured relevance and a measured diversity value, and the marginal scores for the data items are based on the measured relevance and the measured diversity values of the data items. |
| US09009142B2 |
Index entries configured to support both conversation and message based searching
A conversation server system having one or more processors and memory stores a plurality of index components in an index, a respective index entry corresponding to a respective term and having a plurality of index components, a respective index component of the respective index entry identifying a message that is associated with the respective term. The server receives a first message, associates the first message with a conversation having at least one other message and stores, in the index, a plurality of first-message index components that each include an identifier of the first message. The first-message index components include one or more index components indicative of a plurality of message terms in the first message and one or more index components indicative of one or more conversation terms in the conversation, the one or more conversation terms comprising one or more terms that are not in the first message. |
| US09009140B2 |
Optimization of database query
Described herein is a technology for facilitating optimization of database queries is described herein. In some implementations, a first query is received. At least one scenario for optimization is automatically recognized by detecting specific syntax in the query. A second query is then automatically generated by re-writing the first query using a pre-defined operation corresponding to the recognized scenario. |
| US09009138B2 |
Transparent analytical query accelerator
A method and apparatus for transparent analytical query acceleration identifies within a database management system (DBMS) if a query is an analytical type. The query is processed with an analytical query processor if the query is the analytical type. In addition, the query is processed within the DBMS if the query is not the analytical type. |
| US09009133B2 |
Methods and systems for formulating and executing concept-structured queries of unorganized data
Methods and systems for formulating and executing concept-structured queries of unorganized data are described. One described method for searching an unstructured data set includes receiving at least one user specified category whose definition is unconstrained, receiving at least one user specified token associated with the at least one category, generating a boolean query associated with the at least one token and the at least one category, executing the boolean query against an unstructured data set to identify at least one article identifier associated with an article, and creating a result set comprising the at least one article identifier. |
| US09009124B2 |
Compression aware physical database design
A plurality of indicators representing a plurality of respective candidate database configurations may be obtained, each of the candidate database configurations including a plurality of database queries and a plurality of candidate database indexes associated with a database table. A portion of the candidate database indexes included in the plurality of database indexes may be selected based on skyline selection. An enumeration of the portion of the plurality of the candidate database indexes may be determined based on a greedy algorithm. |
| US09009123B2 |
Method of combining image files and other files
A method and system for combining, communicating, storing and/or separating image data and non-image data. The method involves a computer programmed to identify an end-of-file (EOF) marker of an image file, and being programmed to add the non-image data to the image file after the EOF marker. |
| US09009118B2 |
Temporal metadata track
A description of types of metadata can provide, in one embodiment, an index to the types of metadata in a time based metadata track that can be associated with a time based media track having audio or video or both. The description can be non-time based and be separate from the metadata track, and the description can be examined to determine whether a particular type of metadata exists in the time based metadata track without having to search through the track to determine whether the particular type of metadata exists. |
| US09009116B2 |
Systems and methods for synchronizing data in a cache and database
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide for managing a database. A data store is provided that is distributed over at least two sub data processing systems. A first information in the data store is associated with a first consistency level and a second information in the data store is associated with a second consistency level. At least one of the first consistency level and the second consistency level is selected according to an algorithm. |
| US09009113B1 |
System and method for generating artist-specified dynamic albums
A system and method is provided that facilitate artist-specified dynamic albums that include music that may be changed with or without intervention by a user at a user device at which a dynamic album has been stored, according to an implementation of the invention. A dynamic album may include a set of songs provided through an artist specific application installed at a user device. The system may modify the dynamic album based on one or more album parameters that specify a change to be made to the set of songs. For example, the one or more album parameters specify the removal of one or more songs from the dynamic album, the addition of one or more new songs, the replacement of one or more songs, a rearrangement of (e.g., shuffling) the order of one or more songs, and/or other change to the set of songs. |
| US09009112B2 |
Reorganization of data under continuous workload
Architecture that provides the capability to automatically (e.g., dynamically) reorganize (repartition) an existing partition by dividing (splitting) or recombining (merging) logical databases. This reorganization can be performed to logical databases belonging to the same customer, and based on the partitioning of the tables in these databases. This can include not only splitting secondary replicas of a partition or merging secondary replicas of the partition, but also splitting off secondary replicas of the partition to create a new partition and merging two partitions into one partition. Moreover, these operations can occur while the logical databases are accepting workload (online). |
| US09009101B2 |
Reducing contention of transaction logging in a database management system
System, method, computer program product embodiments and combinations and sub-combinations thereof for reducing contention of transaction logging in a database management system (DBMS) are provided. An embodiment includes creating a dependency relationship among private log caches (PLCs) having individual associations with tasks in a DBMS. The dependency relationship is utilized to control buffer pinning and unpinning among the PLCs without involving a flushing of the PLCs during transactions of the tasks. |
| US09009098B1 |
Methods and apparatus for creating a centralized data store
A system extracts data from at least one database. The data is extracted into a data set. The system performs a transformation function on the data extracted into the data set. The transformation function is performed for the purpose of determining a preferred version of data from at least one database. The database is capable of being updated with the preferred version of data such that the database is capable of being synchronized with the centralized data store. The system loads the preferred version of data into the centralized data store. |
| US09009097B2 |
Identification of substances by ion mobility spectrometry
The invention relates to identifying substances in a sample by similarity comparisons between series of ion mobility spectra of the sample and series of ion mobility spectra of reference samples. The collection of series of spectra of reference samples, termed reference library, are divided into classes, with the class assignment of a series of spectra being calculated from the measured values themselves, and limiting the similarity comparisons to series of spectra with the same class assignment. First and second moments of the spectra have proven to be particularly favorable characteristics for the class assignment. |
| US09009096B2 |
Recommendations in a computing advice facility
According to various embodiments, a ratings matrix including matrix values is generated, each row of the ratings matrix identifying one of a plurality of users, each column of the ratings matrix identifying one of a plurality of items, and each of the matrix values corresponding to a known affinity rating describing a degree of affinity associated with one of the users and one of the items. The ratings matrix may include a missing entry representing an unknown affinity rating. According to various embodiments, a revised ratings matrix is generated by factoring the ratings matrix into a user matrix and an item matrix, the revised ratings matrix being the product of the user matrix and the item matrix and including at least one entry representing a predicted affinity rating in place of the missing entry. |
| US09009095B1 |
Method and system for utilizing Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations
Systems and methods for determining a probability of changing from one state to another in a stochastic entity, comprising: determining the compact component matrix utilizing characteristic information of the stochastic entity; determining the compact composite component matrix by taking a Kroneker product of the compact component matrix and an identity matrix; determining and placing all current states for the stochastic entity into a state space matrix; determining a Q matrix and/or a transition rate matrix using the compact composite component matrix and basic conditions or variables of the problem domain and/or a compact transition rate matrix; and performing Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulation using information from the state space matrix and information from the transition rate matrix to determine the probability of changing from one state to another state in the stochastic entity. |
| US09009094B2 |
Knowledge based method and system for local commerce
A system and method that utilizes knowledge representation system to express relationships among consumers, between consumers and businesses, within a specific business, and across businesses. The system and method supports defining which businesses consumers patronize, which locations they prefer, and what products and services they intend to secure from what businesses. The system can supports defining how businesses are structured, what businesses are similar, and how businesses relate both to consumers and to other businesses. By combining this consumer knowledge and business knowledge the system enables a number of mutually compatible applications across a matrix of consumer and business interactions (consumer-to-consumer, consumer-to-business, and business-to-business). |
| US09009093B1 |
Deal scheduling based on user location predictions
Techniques for scheduling deals based on predicted user locations are described herein. In particular implementations, a service provider may aggregate location information for multiple users. In one example, the location information comprises check-in information shared by a user through a location-based service. The service provider may utilize the aggregated location information to predict future user traffic for a geographical region associated with a deal or a merchant of the deal. In some instance, the deal comprises an offer of an item for acquisition at a discounted value for a period of time, such as a period of hours, days, or weeks. The predicted user traffic may be used by the service provider, merchant, or others to identify the time period and discounted value at which to offer the deal for acquisition. |
| US09009085B2 |
Integrated automatic user support and assistance
A method of integrated automatic support and assistance includes identifying a user and retrieving models representing the user's device, apparatus, service, or system, receiving a query from the user, as necessary refining the query, determining if the received query is a machine translatable query, restructuring machine translatable terms of the received query into semantic components based upon the retrieved models, determining a set of candidate knowledge bases both related to the semantic components, submitting the machine translatable query to each knowledge base of the set of candidate knowledge bases, receiving a set of responses from each knowledge base of the set of knowledge bases in response to the submitting, formatting the set of responses, submitting the formatted set of responses to the user, determining if a response of the submitted formatted set of responses is accepted by the user, applying updated weights within the formatted set of responses, and storing the updated weights for future queries. |
| US09009078B2 |
Optical character recognition technique for protected viewing of digital files
Unlocking digital content embodied in digital readable form on a digital media carrier includes receiving a scanned image of a page from scanning a physical copy of content, evaluating the scanned image; and if the scanned image corresponds to a selected page of the digital content, unlocking the digital content. |
| US09009077B2 |
Over-the-air delivery of metering certificates and data
Metering is enabled through an arrangement in which a metering certificate is communicated to a mobile device using an over-the-air protocol. A metering trigger provides the metering certificate that includes a location to which metering data is posted by the mobile device and a public key of a public-private key pair, or alternatively provides a link to such metering certificate. A metering helper passes the metering certificate to a DRM system on the mobile device which collects metering data associated with the metering ID and uses the public key to encrypt the metering data into a metering challenge. The metering helper posts the metering challenge to the location. The metering service extracts the metering data from the metering challenge using a private key and generates a metering response that is received by the metering helper which prompts the DRM system to reset at least a portion of a data store in which the metering data is stored. |
| US09009076B2 |
Systems and methods for dynamic digital asset resource management
A system and method for providing a flexible licensing system for digital content is described. In some cases, the system utilizes tokens or other valuations to facilitate the purchase or exchange of content. |
| US09009074B2 |
Systems and methods for generating electronic spare parts catalogs for complex systems and machines
Systems and methods are provided for generating and publishing electronic spare parts catalogs that support electronic business processes for managing and selling spare parts for complex machines and systems, such as gas turbines. Automated systems and methods for generating electronic catalogs of spare parts employ an extensible, template-based framework to extract and integrate catalog content (static and/or real-time spare parts data) from various backend business information systems and data sources. |
| US09009072B2 |
Filling an order at an inventory pier
A system includes an inventory pier, a mobile drive unit, and a management module. The inventory pier includes a defined area arranged to station an inventory holder. The inventory holder stores an inventory item. The mobile drive unit is operable to transport an order holder. The management module is operable to calculate a metric associated with demand for the inventory item. Based at least in part upon the metric, the management module is operable to select, from a plurality of inventory holders, the inventory holder storing the inventory item to be stationed at the defined area of the inventory pier. The management module is further operable to receive an order for the inventory item and instruct the mobile drive unit to transport the order holder to the inventory pier. The order holder is operable to receive the inventory item from the inventory holder proximate to the defined area. |
| US09009066B2 |
Advertisement management for live internet multimedia content
Managing advertisements for multimedia content delivered over the Internet for a live event. In one embodiment, the method receives the multimedia content over a network connection for playback on a media player, and receives a first advertisement marker that indicates a first start time and a first scheduled duration of a first advertisement break. The method adjust the first scheduled duration to a first adjusted portion, and selects one or more advertisements for playback on the media player to fill the first adjusted duration of the first advertisement break, instead of the first scheduled duration. |
| US09009065B2 |
Promoting content from an activity stream
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing a method that includes receiving an indication from a user to promote an item that is included in an activity stream associated with the user, the activity stream being presented in a social context by a social application; receiving a request for an advertisement; determining the item is responsive to the request; determining one or more advertisements responsive to the request; ranking the item and the one or more advertisements; and providing the item in response to the request rather than the one or more advertisements and based at least in part on the rankings. |
| US09009059B2 |
Method and system for providing real time communications services by a service provider in collaboration with a communications service provider
The present invention provides a method and a system for providing at least one communications service to one or more service providers by a communications service provider. Communications capabilities of the communications service provider are sliced into a plurality of virtual slices and each of the plurality of virtual slices is configured for a different service provider from among the one or more service providers. At least one communications service is provided to each of the one or more service providers through a respective configured virtual slice by the communications service provider. Each of the one or more service providers further provides the communications service to a user through the respective configured virtual slice in collaboration with the communications service provider. |
| US09009058B2 |
Aiding creation of service offers associated with a service delivery framework
A method of aiding creation of a service offer associated with a Service Delivery Framework (SDF) includes providing a plurality of reusable Application Objects (AOs) that may be associated with an Interactive Development Environment (IDE). The AOs are prototype customer facing service offers that include standardized functions supporting ordering, billing, management and monitoring. The AOs also include standardized event formats and configurable attributes that affect the behavior and pricing of service offers derived from the AOs. A Services Marketplace facilitates reuse of AOs and supports relationships between customers, application creators, service providers and OSS/BSS providers. A computer-readable medium includes instructions that when executed by a computing device aids in creation of a service offer associated with a SDF by providing a plurality of reusable Application Objects (AOs) in the context of a services marketplace. |
| US09009053B2 |
Multisensory speech detection
A computer-implemented method of multisensory speech detection is disclosed. The method comprises determining an orientation of a mobile device and determining an operating mode of the mobile device based on the orientation of the mobile device. The method further includes identifying speech detection parameters that specify when speech detection begins or ends based on the determined operating mode and detecting speech from a user of the mobile device based on the speech detection parameters. |
| US09009046B1 |
System and method for disambiguating multiple intents in a natural language dialog system
The present invention addresses the deficiencies in the prior art by providing an improved dialog for disambiguating a user utterance containing more than one intent. The invention comprises methods, computer-readable media, and systems for engaging in a dialog. The method embodiment of the invention relates to a method of disambiguating a user utterance containing at least two user intents. The method comprises establishing a confidence threshold for spoken language understanding to encourage that multiple intents are returned, determining whether a received utterance comprises a first intent and a second intent and, if the received utterance contains the first intent and the second intent, disambiguating the first intent and the second intent by presenting a disambiguation sub-dialog wherein the user is offered a choice of which intent to process first, wherein the user is first presented with the intent of the first or second intents having the lowest confidence score. |
| US09009045B1 |
Model-driven candidate sorting
Methods and systems for model-driven candidate sorting for evaluating digital interviews are described. In one embodiment, a model-driven candidate-sorting tool selects a data set of digital interview data for sorting. The data set includes candidate for interviewing candidates (also referred to herein as interviewees). The model-driven candidate-sorting tool analyzes the candidate data for the respective interviewing candidate to identify digital interviewing cues and applies the digital interview cues to a prediction model to predict an achievement index for the respective interviewing candidate. This is performed without reviewer input at the model-driven candidate-sorting tool. The list of interview candidates is sorted according the predicted achievement indices and the sorted list is presented to the reviewer in a user interface. |
| US09009036B2 |
Methods and systems for bit allocation and partitioning in gain-shape vector quantization for audio coding
Embodiments are generally directed to systems and methods for bit allocation and band partitioning for gain-shape vector quantization in an audio codec. An audio codec implements a method that uses an implicit, dynamic scheme to allow an encoder and decoder to recreate a series of bit allocation decisions for gain and shape without transmitting additional side information for each decision, based on the number of bits that are left remaining and available in a given packet. For implementation in practical codecs, the band comprising the allocation of bits for the shape is recursively split into equal partitions until the number of bits allocated to each partition is less than the maximum codebook size. |
| US09009031B2 |
Analyzing a category of a candidate phrase to update from a server if a phrase category is not in a phrase database
The embodiments of the present invention provide an output method and electronic apparatus for a candidate phrase and an electronic apparatus. The method includes: analyzing, according to phrase categories in a phrase database, category of a phrase selected from a candidate input list that appeared after a user inputs a syllable, so as to judge whether the category of the phrase is contained in the phrase database; increasing the candidate priority of the category containing the phrase in a candidate input list, if the category of the phrase is contained in the phrase database; and transmitting the phase to a text input server, if the category of the phrase is not contained in the phrase database, so as to update the phrase categories in the phrase database according to an instruction from the text input server. |
| US09009028B2 |
Custom dictionaries for E-books
A custom dictionary is generated for an e-book. A dictionary management system receives a custom dictionary request from a user client operated by a user, the custom dictionary request identifying the e-book and including dictionary management information describing the user. The dictionary management system chooses a group reader profile that has an associated group reading score for the user based on the dictionary management information and candidate words are identified in the identified e-book for inclusion in the custom dictionary. The dictionary management system selects words for inclusion in the custom dictionary from among the candidate words responsive to the associated group reading score for the chosen group reading profile. The dictionary management system generates the custom dictionary using the selected words, and provides the generated custom dictionary to the user client. |
| US09009026B2 |
Information processing apparatus, non-transitory computer readable medium storing information processing program, and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives character sequences, a sorting unit that sorts the character sequences received by the receiving unit into known words and unknown words, and a detecting unit that detects character sequences sorted as unknown words by the sorting unit as incorrect words and detects a third character sequence between a first character sequence and a second character sequence, which have been sorted as unknown words by the sorting unit, as incorrect words when the third character sequence includes words sorted as known words by the sorting unit and the number of the known words is less than or equal to or less than a predetermined number. |
| US09009025B1 |
Context-based utterance recognition
In some implementations, a digital work provider may provide language model information related to a plurality of different contexts, such as a plurality of different digital works. For example, the language model information may include language model difference information identifying a plurality of sequences of one or more words in a digital work that have probabilities of occurrence that differ from probabilities of occurrence in a base language model by a threshold amount. The language model difference information corresponding to a particular context may be used in conjunction with the base language model to recognize an utterance made by a user of a user device. In some examples, the recognition is performed on the user device. In other examples, the utterance and associated context information are sent over a network to a recognition computing device that performs the recognition. |
| US09009023B2 |
Computer-readable medium having sentence dividing program stored thereon, sentence dividing apparatus, and sentence dividing method
A typical sentence having a specific typical characteristic in the sentence is divided. A division target typical sentence is divided on the basis of a small clause definition. The sentence is divided where positions suitable for dividing the typical sentence based on the structure are expressed by a user. A small clause string including small clauses that serve as independent sentences is created after the division. The small clause string is compared to the structure patterns, and a structure pattern that is determined to match the small clause string is selected as a result of the typical sentence division. |
| US09009022B2 |
E-book reader language mapping system and method
A system and method operable for providing contextually triggered vocabulary information on at least one display screen of an E-book reader are disclosed. A character group comprising a target language character group is displayed on the at least one display screen. A local or a remote electronic pre-translated primary language resource is provided in response to a user selecting a word or sentence in the target language character group. The electronic pre-translated primary language electronic resource is searched to obtain a pre-translated primary language character group corresponding to the target language character group. A synchronized pre-translated primary language character group is obtained by synchronizing the pre-translated primary language words or sentences to words or sentences in the target language. The synchronized pre-translated primary language character group is displayed on the at least one display screen. |
| US09009020B1 |
Automatic identification of interesting interleavings in a multithreaded program
A facility that for a multithreaded program executing on a root machine causes the threads of the program to be executed in a relative scheduling that produces an interesting result. The facility suspends execution of the program. The facility then tests a plurality of relative thread schedulings on one or more virtual machines and observes the result. Based upon the observed result the facility selects one of the tested relative thread schedulings. The facility then resumes execution of the program using the selected relative thread scheduling. |
| US09009019B2 |
Electrical optimization and component selection in an electrical grid
Techniques for optimizing a distribution circuit (e.g., electric power grid) are described. Primary wiring of a distribution circuit may comprise a plurality of unique primary paths, from a source to an end (a transformer). Each primary path may include a plurality of primary segments, and each primary segment may be in one or more primary paths. A maximum voltage drop on any primary segment may be selected as a smallest of maximum allowed voltage drops across that segment in each of the primary paths. Because the voltage drop across each primary path must be less than a prescribed maximum, the sum of the voltage drops across each primary segment in that primary path is less than the prescribed maximum. The prescribed maximum may be adhered to if each primary segment is constructed of a conductor gauge chosen not to exceed the maximum voltage drop for that segment. |
| US09009018B2 |
Enabling reuse of unit-specific simulation irritation in multiple environments
In the verification of an electronic design such as a microprocessor, a set of generic transaction types is applied to a unit in a unit simulation environment and then the same set of generic transaction types is applied to the unit in a larger (e.g., element) simulation environment using an abstraction layer which can interface with both a unit translation layer of the unit simulation environment and an element translation layer of the element simulation environment. The abstraction layer may comprise a generic driver interface which issues generic commands having command parameters including a command type, an address, and operand data. The invention can be extended to multiple units which make up the element, or to multiple elements in the element environment. The invention can further be extended in a hierarchical fashion to other levels of simulation environments, e.g., unit-element-system. |
| US09009016B2 |
NMR measurement of contrast medium concentrations
A method for measuring the cerebral perfusion of a living organism (1) by means of magnetic resonance (=“MR”) imaging proposes acquisition of further MR signals in a slice (5) that is pervaded by an artery that supplies the blood to the brain in order to determine the temporal progression of the concentration of the contrast medium during the bolus passage in the artery. During acquisition of the further MR signals, a magnetic field gradient is applied in such a way that projection images of the slice are generated. In each time interval between the excitations of the further MR signals, at least one radio-frequency (=“RF”) pulse is irradiated that causes saturation of the nuclear spin magnetization in the slice. This enables simultaneous measurement of the contrast medium flow in the vessels supplying the brain and the brain tissue within the same sequence with an adapted dynamic range. |
| US09009015B2 |
Free energy difference estimation method and simulation apparatus
In a free energy difference estimation method, the partial free energy difference indicates a bound state between a target compound and a first candidate compound bindable to the target compound, and is stored in a storage part for each value of a binding constant. A change region, in which a partial free energy difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined change value, is specified in a region of the binding constant. The partial free energy difference of a second candidate compound in the change region is interpolated based on the partial free energy difference acquired in each of a previous region and a following region by using an approximation function. |
| US09009009B2 |
Method for predicting optimized crystal structures
Disclosed is a method and system for prediction of an optimized crystal structure using an evolutionary algorithm that includes inputting characterization information of a chemical structure and input parameters, generating a first generation of crystal structures from the characterization information using symmetrical initialization, optimizing the chemical structure of the first generation of crystal structures according to the input parameters, inputting the optimized first generation of crystal structures into a niching algorithm, producing a child group of crystal structures from the parent group of crystal structures using a variation operator, and adding the child group of crystal structures to an optimal group of crystal structures to form a next generation, with the niching algorithm selecting an optimal group of crystal structures and a parent group of crystal structures from the first generation of crystal structures. |
| US09009007B2 |
Simulating stream computing systems
A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for generating a synthetic workload for stream computing. The method includes generating an undirected graph that meets a node degree distribution parameter, obtaining a user-defined parameter for at least one feature for at least one stream computing application, and manipulating the undirected graph to generate a synthetic workload for stream computing in compliance with the user-defined parameter for the at least one feature for the at least one stream computing application. |
| US09009006B2 |
Generating active links between model objects
Embodiments relate to generating active links between model objects. A modeling client can host modeling logic and an application programming interface (API) to create, access, manipulate, and import/export modeling objects used in modeling applications, such as engineering, medical, financial, and other modeling platforms. The source data accepted into the modeling client can include consumer or business-level applications, whose spreadsheet, database or other content can be extracted and encapsulated in object-oriented format, such as extensible markup language (XML) format. Links can be inserted in the resulting model object to link to external resources, such as additional model objects, services, local or remote modeling tools, or other resources. The model object can share, exchange, or combine data from other model object(s), as well as instantiate functions hosted in other model object(s). Multiple links can be inserted to multiple model objects in linked list, node, or other configurations. |
| US09009004B2 |
Generating interconnect fabric requirements
A technique for generating interconnect fabric requirements. The technique programmatically generates an interconnect design problem based on criteria specified by a user. In one aspect, a computer implemented method is provided for generating an interconnect fabric design problem. The problem includes requirements for a plurality of flows among a set of network nodes. A source node and a terminal node are selected, from among the set of network nodes, for a flow to be added to the requirements. A maximum capacity available at the selected source node and the selected terminal node is determined. The flow is generated having a capacity less than or equal to the lower of the maximum capacity of the source node and the terminal node. Depending upon the input criteria, the invention may generate problems with greater flexibility than prior techniques. |
| US09009001B2 |
Monitoring for invalid data from field instruments
Processing systems and methods used to identify faults in the operation of one or more field instruments are described and shown. In one embodiment, a sensing system includes one or more field instruments and a processing component configured to process data from the field instruments. This processing may include identifying invalid samples of data using an algorithm; correlating invalid samples of data to specific field instruments; and determining a likelihood of a fault occurring on the specific field instruments. The processing may occur in real-time using an online processing technique, or with an offline processing technique on data maintained in a data store. |
| US09009000B2 |
Method for evaluating mounting stability of articulated arm coordinate measurement machine using inclinometers
A portable articulated arm coordinate measurement machine can include a base, a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, an electronic circuit that receives the position signals from the transducers, a first inclinometer coupled to the base, wherein the inclinometer is configured to produce a first electrical signal responsive to an angle of tilt of the base and an electrical system configured to record a first reading of the first inclinometer and a second reading of the first inclinometer, wherein the first reading is in response to at least one of a first force applied to the base and a third force applied to the mounting structure, wherein the second reading is in response to at least one of a second force applied to the base and a fourth force applied to the mounting structure. |
| US09008995B2 |
Activity detection in MEMS accelerometers
A method of detecting activity with a MEMS accelerometer stores a value of acceleration, then measures acceleration at a later time, calculates a change in acceleration using the measured acceleration and the stored acceleration, and compares the change in acceleration to an activity threshold to detect activity. A method of detecting inactivity uses a similar technique along with a timer. The method of detecting inactivity with a MEMS accelerometer stores an acceleration value, then measures acceleration at a later time, calculates a change in acceleration using the measured acceleration and the stored acceleration, and compares the change in acceleration to an inactivity threshold. If the change in acceleration is less than the inactivity threshold and, if a predetermined period of time has elapsed, then inactivity is detected. |
| US09008987B2 |
Compact electronic device with built-in inclination sensor and correction method
An electronic device is provided with an inclination sensor for computing inclination, a control unit which conducts predetermined control based on a value computed by the inclination sensor, a case which has the inclination sensor and the control unit therein, and a suspension portion for suspending the case, and the control unit controls correction of the reference value of the inclination sensor based on a state where the case is suspended by the suspension portion and still. |
| US09008985B2 |
Automatic test method for an inspection device
The invention relates to a test method for examining an inspection device, which is associated with a functional unit of a master unit, comprising at least the following steps: producing a specified number of faulty and/or correct containers or test containers by means of the functional unit itself in that a control signal for producing a distinctive element is fed to the functional unit; leading the faulty containers or test containers past the inspection device, which detects the faulty containers or test containers and produces a signal to discharge the faulty containers or test containers, or indicates a value regarding the expected and the measured faulty and/or correct containers. The test method is automatically started or performed and is suitable, for example, for examining a label position checking device, the filling amount checking unit, and the closure seating checking unit in order to be able to determine the fault-free functioning thereof or optionally the faulty functioning thereof. The test method is characterized in that operation is not required. The test method is characterized in that the test method allows clear and documented rules for the procedure and the test results, which ensure quality control in terms of product liability. |
| US09008984B2 |
Device for predicting gloss of low gloss coating by wet color measurement
The present invention is directed to a device for process for predicting gloss of a coating resulting from a wet layer of a low gloss coating composition, such as automotive OEM or refinish paint. The device includes measuring reflectance of the layer of the coating composition applied over a test substrate and then allowing the layer to dry and/or cure into a coating. Thereafter, its gloss is measured with a gloss meter. The device is repeated with varying amounts of one or flatting agents added to the composition and the reflectance vs. gloss is plotted on a graph and by using a curve fitting equation a gloss prediction curve is obtained. By measuring the reflectance of a wet layer of a target low gloss coating composition the gloss of a coating that would result from such a layer is then predicted by using the gloss prediction curve. The device is most useful during the manufacture of coating compositions, such as automotive OEM and refinishes paints. |
| US09008977B2 |
Determining fluid density
The density of a fluid is determined using a vibratory resonant densitometer in an environment. The densitometer includes a tubular sample cavity and other densitometer parts. The method includes measuring a plurality of parameters characterizing the environment. The method further includes adjusting a model of the sample cavity using the measured parameters. The method further includes receiving a sample fluid into the sample cavity. The method further includes vibrating the sample cavity to obtain a vibration signal. The method further includes calculating the density of the sample fluid using the model and the vibration signal. |
| US09008974B2 |
Taxonomic classification system
In an implementation, a query signature corresponding to a query sequence based on a set of closest cluster centroids is generated. Based on the query signature, one or more target reference signatures from a plurality of reference signatures are identified. Further based on the one or more target reference signatures, a probable taxonomic group is identified and assigned to the query sequence. |
| US09008971B2 |
Measurement of hydraulic head profile in geologic media
A system for measuring a profile of a hydraulic head. A flexible liner is everted down the borehole. The profile of the transmissivity of the geologic media is obtained during (and indirectly from) the eversion of the flexible liner as it proceeds down the borehole. The liner is then retrieved by inversion from the borehole, while the pressure head in the borehole fluid below the liner is monitored and measured. From the previously obtained transmissivity profile, and the measured head within the borehole, the hydraulic head in the geologic media surrounding the borehole is determined for borehole intervals. A complete hydraulic head profile may be obtained from the collected data. |
| US09008970B2 |
Compensated crosswell tomography methods and systems
A method and system to compensate for inaccuracies in crosswell tomography is presented. The method includes obtaining data from at least two receivers in response to transmissions from at least two transmitters. Next, at least one compensated value is derived based on the responses of the receivers to the transmitters. Finally, an inversion is performed based at least in part on the compensated value derived. This method eliminates inaccuracies that can be caused by sensor gain and phase variations in the inversion process. Inversion results with gain and phase compensation produce better imaging results that can better help determine the shape and boundaries of the reservoir. |
| US09008967B2 |
Computer-aided route selection
In some aspects, a processor may receive a starting point and an ending point from a runner. The processor may receive calorie information from the runner. The processor may receive pace information from the runner. The processor may receive a mile marker input from the runner. The processor may display a he route based on the starting point and the ending point. The processor may display the number of calories burned based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a pace of running the route based on the route and the calorie information. The processor may display a mile marker on the route in response to the first mile marker input. |
| US09008966B2 |
Route-based modifications to a map
Systems and methods for applying one or more route-based modifications to a map are provided. In some aspects, a system includes a pathfinder module configured to determine a primary route from a beginning point to a destination point on the map. The pathfinder module is further configured to generate one or more primary modifications to the map based on the primary route. The system also includes a restyling module configured to apply the primary route and the one or more primary modifications to the map. The one or more primary modifications include at least one of a) adding a first object to the map that would otherwise be excluded from the map if the primary route is not applied to the map and b) excluding a second object from the map that would otherwise be added to the map if the primary route is not applied to the map. |
| US09008962B2 |
System and method for locating, tracking, and/or monitoring the status of personnel and/or assets both indoors and outdoors
A system and method for locating, tracking, and/or monitoring the status of personnel and/or assets (collectively “trackees”), both indoors and outdoors, is provided. Tracking data obtained from any number of sources utilizing any number of tracking methods may be provided as input to a mapping application. The mapping application generates position estimates for trackees using a suite of mapping tools to make corrections to the tracking data. The mapping application further uses information from building data, when available, to enhance position estimates. Indoor tracking methods including sensor fusion methods, map matching methods, and map building methods may be implemented compute a more accurate tracking estimate for trackees. Outdoor tracking methods may be implemented to enhance outdoor tracking data by combining tracking estimates such as inertial tracks with magnetic and/or compass data if and when available, and with GPS, if and when available. |
| US09008956B2 |
Promotional correlation with selective vehicle modes
Exemplary methods, systems and components enable selective control of an operational mode for a vehicle that is subject to an administrative standard. In some instances a qualified person or entity may attain a possible consequential result related to a user-selected vehicle operation mode that may involve a vehicle operation paradigm and/or a vehicle travel route and/or a vehicle travel destination. In some embodiments, implementation of the selected vehicle operation mode may modify a conformity status of the vehicle relative to the administrative standard. Various accessible records may be maintained regarding administrative compliance states and their respective benefits, as well as regarding certification of preferable consequential results available to qualified recipients based on a correlated vehicle operational mode. |
| US09008953B2 |
Navigation system with turn restriction mechanism and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a travel trace for identifying a traffic direction flowing through an intersection; generating a trace count based on aggregating the plurality of the travel trace; calculating an expected turn count based on the trace count for estimating an out-edge traffic flowing from an in-edge traffic; and determining a turn restriction based on the expected turn count for identifying the turn restriction at the intersection for displaying on a device. |
| US09008951B2 |
Fuel admission control unit to control a diesel engine
A fuel admission control unit controls a diesel engine and ensures compatibility between exhaust gas performance and engine speed response performance by considering residual oxygen in EGR gas. The control unit includes an estimation excess air ratio λs computing unit that is an arithmetic section to compute an estimation excess air ratio λs, from the quantity of the fuel injected by a fuel injection valve into a cylinder, the intake air flow rate, and the flow rate of the residual oxygen in the EGR gas that returns back into the intake air system. The control unit also includes a fuel admission control unit that controls the fuel flow rate under hard acceleration, based on the estimation excess air ratio λs that is computed by the estimation excess air ratio λs computing unit. |
| US09008946B2 |
Detecting device and detecting method
A detecting device (1) detects a combustion state of an internal combustion engine (2) that transmits power via a crankshaft (11). The detecting device (1) includes a calculation unit (1b) that calculates a mass burn fraction by detecting a crank angle, on the basis of a frequency component showing a state change amount of a state change of a detection target according to a change in a cylinder pressure depending on a combustion cycle of the engine (2), and including a harmonic wave component of a fundamental wave of the frequency component. |
| US09008943B2 |
System and method for controlling a single-spool turboshaft engine
One of a controllable load and a fuel flow to a single-spool turboshaft engine is controlled so that a rotational speed of a single-spool turboshaft engine is substantially regulated to a level corresponding to a corrected rotational speed command, and the other of the fuel flow and the controllable load is controlled so that a torque transmitted from the single-spool turboshaft engine to the controllable load is substantially regulated to a level corresponding to a corrected torque command. Under at least one operating condition, the corrected rotational speed command is determined so as to minimize or nearly minimize a measure of fuel consumption by the single-spool turboshaft engine when operated so that the torque transmitted to the controllable load corresponds to the corrected torque command. |
| US09008933B2 |
Off-board scheduling system and method for adjusting a movement plan of a transportation network
A system includes a monitoring module, a congestion module, a modification module, and a communication module. The monitoring module monitors vehicles in a transportation network. The congestion module calculates a throughput parameter that is representative of a statistical measure of adherence to a movement plan by the vehicles. The modification module determines a confidence parameter representative of a probability that changing the original meet event does not reduce the throughput parameter. The modification module modifies the original meet event to an updated meet event when the confidence parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold. The communication module transmits the updated meet event to the yielding vehicle and/or the passing vehicle, for the yielding vehicle and/or the passing vehicle to receive the updated meet event from the communication module and change a speed of the yielding vehicle or the passing rail vehicle to arrive at the updated meet event. |
| US09008932B2 |
Vehicle with cruise control device
A vehicle includes a cruise control section arranged and programmed to perform control to maintain the vehicle speed at a prescribed vehicle speed while a clutch is engaged. A clutch actuator control section performs control to disengage the clutch when the value of a parameter becomes equal to or lower than a first threshold value, in the case where the cruise control section is determined to not be performing the control to maintain the vehicle speed at a prescribed vehicle speed; and performs the control to disengage the clutch when the value of the parameter becomes equal to or lower than a second threshold value, which is lower than the first threshold value, in the case where the cruise control section is determined to be performing the control to maintain the vehicle speed at a prescribed vehicle speed. |
| US09008930B2 |
Control apparatus for vehicular automatic transmission
A control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission configured to selectively establish a plurality of shift positions by respective combinations of frictional coupling devices of a plurality of frictional coupling devices in an engaged state thereof, with output hydraulic pressures of respective ones of a plurality of solenoid valves provided in a hydraulic control circuit, includes a fail-safe control portion configured to perform a predetermined fail-safe function when shifting direction values requiring a shifting control of said vehicular automatic transmission and shifting output values respectively generated according to said shifting direction values are not coincident with each other, said shifting output values being represented by respective electric signals for driving said plurality of solenoid valves. |
| US09008929B1 |
Method for controlling a powertrain and a transmission system
A method for controlling a powertrain includes the following steps: (a) determining whether a vehicle is coasting to a stop based on an accelerator pedal position; (b) determining whether an automatic transmission is in first gear; (c) shifting an input clutch from an engaged state to a disengaged state in order to operatively disconnect the automatic transmission from an internal combustion engine if the vehicle is coasting to a stop and the automatic transmission is not in first gear; and (d) shifting the automatic transmission to the first gear in order to allow the internal combustion engine to be shut down while the vehicle is coasting to a stop. |
| US09008926B2 |
Control of engine torque during upshift and downshift torque phase for a hybrid powertrain system
A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine adapted to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member through selective application of a plurality of clutches. A method for controlling the powertrain includes commanding a shift from a fixed gear operating range state to a second operating range state, commanding decreased reactive torque through an off-going clutch during a torque phase of said commanded shift, and decreasing said reactive torque through said off-going clutch through control of engine input torque. |
| US09008920B1 |
Baler automatic stopping sequence
A system is provided that automatically stops a tractor as a function of a status of a round baler. This may include a controller such as a baler controller directly or indirectly detecting initial movement of an actuator that moves a wrapper assembly. Based on this detection, conditions for starting a wrap procedure may be determined either by actuator position or by a time period required for moving the wrapper assembly from a home position to a wrap start position. A time period required to bring the tractor to stop may be determined and compared with the time period required for the wrapper assembly to move from the home position to the wrap start position. The baler controller may send a tractor halt command signal for stopping the tractor to coordinate and synchronize bringing the tractor to a complete stop at the same time that the wrapping material is inserted and applied onto the bale at the beginning of a wrapping procedure. |
| US09008918B2 |
Method and device for predictive control of agricultural vehicle systems
A method for controlling an agricultural vehicle system when moving along a course of travel over a field providing a field model correlating a field characteristic, e.g. a farmland condition such as farmland slope, or a crop condition such as crop density or moisture, to a specific location in the field, from the field model and at least one previously obtained value for the field characteristic, predicting a value for the field characteristic in front of the agricultural vehicle system thus obtaining an anticipated field characteristic, and; controlling the agricultural vehicle system at least partly in response to the anticipated field characteristic. |
| US09008917B2 |
Method and system for detecting proximity of an end device to a vehicle based on signal strength information received over a bluetooth low energy (BLE) advertising channel
A passive entry passive start (PEPS) system is provided for performing at least one PEPS function with respect to a vehicle as an end device (e.g., smart phone or key fob, etc.) approaches the vehicle and comes within range for authorization. The vehicle includes a plurality of sensors and a central module. The central module is communicatively coupled to the end device and to the sensors via short-range wireless connections. The central module can determine, based on signal strength information provided from the sensors or the end device, whether the end device is within range for authorization. When the end device is determined to be within range for authorization, the central module can control performance of at least one PEPS function at the vehicle. |
| US09008914B2 |
Driving support system for a vehicle
In the present invention, when a solid object is recognized in the direction of movement of an own vehicle, in a system which carries out driving support of a vehicle, turning control of the vehicle is carried out in order to avoid a collision with the solid object. However, the execution of the turning control is permitted, in cases where a distance between the position of the own vehicle under turning control and the position of the solid object in an entire range of a turning control zone continuous between a predetermined control starting point at which the turning control of the own vehicle is started and a predetermined control ending point at which the turning control ends becomes equal to or less than a predetermined avoidance distance at which it is determined to avoid the collision with the solid object. |
| US09008902B2 |
Battery system for vehicle, on-vehicle battery module, and cell controller
A battery system for vehicle comprises a battery unit that is constituted with a plurality of serially connected cell groups each include a plurality of serially connected battery cells, integrated circuits that are each disposed in correspondence to one of the cell groups of the battery unit and each measure terminal voltages at the battery cells in the corresponding cell group, and a signal transmission path through which one of the integrated circuits is connected to another one of the integrated circuits or to a circuit other than that of the integrated circuits. |
| US09008900B2 |
Method and device for determining a height of lift of a working machine
In a method for determining a height of lift of a working machine, a measurement of height is carried out between a position along an approximately vertical axis of motion of a lifting element of the working machine and a reference point. In order to implement a correct determination of the height of lift even in response to inhomogeneous ground conditions, the ground on which the working machine is located is used as the reference point, and for the height measurement a plurality of measuring signals are ascertained, which are supplied to a mean value formation, the mean value being drawn upon for determining the height of lift. |
| US09008892B2 |
System, method, and apparatus for scheduling aircraft maintenance events
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for scheduling aircraft maintenance events. One system includes a user interface and at least one processor. The system is configured to receive an indication that an unscheduled maintenance event for an aircraft is to be scheduled, and to determine, using the at least one processor, a maintenance schedule for completing the unscheduled maintenance event on the aircraft, a modified flight schedule for the aircraft, and a modified aircraft schedule for the aircraft based on the unscheduled maintenance event, an initial flight schedule, an initial aircraft schedule, and at least one selectable parameter indicative of user preferences to reduce a total cost of operating the at least one aircraft. The system is configured to provide at least one of the maintenance schedule, the modified flight schedule, and the modified aircraft schedule to the user interface. |
| US09008890B1 |
Augmented trajectories for autonomous vehicles
An autonomous vehicle may include a stuck condition detection component and a communications component. The stuck-detection component may be configured to detect a condition in which the autonomous vehicle is impeded from navigating according to a first trajectory. The communications component may send an assistance signal to an assistance center and receive a response to the assistance signal. The assistance signal may include sensor information from the autonomous vehicle. The assistance center may include a communications component and a trajectory specification component. The communications component may receive the assistance signal and send a corresponding response. The trajectory specification component may specify a second trajectory for the autonomous vehicle and generate the corresponding response that includes a representation of the second trajectory. The second trajectory may be based on the first trajectory and may ignore an object that obstructs the first trajectory. |
| US09008887B2 |
Driving assist device
A driving assist device includes a first control portion that controls a vehicle to carry out automated driving, and a second control portion that controls the vehicle to make a shift to manual driving, in which the vehicle travels on a basis of an driving operation by a driver, when canceling the automated driving, and changes a manner of canceling the automated driving in accordance with an elapsed time from a start of the automated driving. |
| US09008886B2 |
Method of modifying a worksite
A method is disclosed of modifying a worksite for calibrating a vehicle model used to autonomously control a first machine on the worksite. The method may include receiving a signal from the first machine indicative of an aspect of the vehicle model in need of calibration. The method may also include determining, in response to receipt of the signal, that the worksite includes a calibration site having a characteristic corresponding to the aspect of the vehicle model, and that calibrating the aspect of the vehicle model requires modifying the characteristic of the calibration site. The method may further include autonomously modifying the characteristic of the calibration site with a second machine at the worksite, and directing the first machine to the modified calibration site for autonomous calibration of the aspect of the vehicle model. |
| US09008879B2 |
System and method for operating a hybrid vehicle system
System including a switch control module that is configured to control operation of a first contactor and a second contactor in a vehicle system. The first and second contactors are configured to selectively connect front-end and direct-current (DC) buses, respectively, to an energy storage system of the vehicle system. The front-end bus is configured to receive electrical power from an external power source and provide the electrical power to a converter device. The converter device is configured to supply DC power to the DC bus. The switch control module is configured to close the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably coupled to the external power source so that the energy storage system is charged by the DC power. The switch control module is configured to close one of the first contactor or the second contactor when the vehicle system is operably decoupled to the external power source. |
| US09008878B2 |
Control device for hybrid vehicle including exhaust-gas driven generator and method of controlling hybrid vehicle including exhaust-gas driven generator
The control device for a hybrid vehicle including an exhaust-gas driven generator includes: a turbine (10); an exhaust-gas driven generator (11); a motor generator (16); a battery (14); and a control unit (12) for performing overall control based on a result of reading of a status signal. When the control unit determines based on the result of the reading of the status signal that an output of the internal combustion engine is required to be assisted by the motor generator, the control unit further determines whether a power generation by the exhaust-gas driven generator is in an inhibited state or an allowed state. When the control unit determines that the power generation by the exhaust-gas driven generator is in the inhibited state, the control unit stops the power generation by the exhaust-gas driven generator to drive the motor generator by the power from the battery. |