US07655709B2

A self-adhesive coating for electrical steel and its uses is described. The coating includes 81-99.9 weight parts of aqueous epoxy resin emulsion, 0.07-17 weight parts of curing agent, and optionally 0.3 weight parts of accelerant. The coating optionally contains additives selected from diluent, filler, toughener, colorant, fire retardant, antirusting agent, antisettling agent, thixotropic agent or antifoamer, thickener, pigment dispersant, preservative, and the like. The coating can be used as electrical steel coating. The coating is capable of making electrical steel with a self-adhesive coating by naked-flame heat, and also there are no poisonous organic solvents to volatilize during the entire process. The coating can avoid use of an apparatus for burning organic solvents, which reduced cost.
US07655703B2

A method and apparatus for converting organic waste feed streams into usable liquid fuels by adjusting the ratio of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen in the effluent gas of a high temperature waste treatment system. A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit is used to remove carbon dioxide from the effluent gas of a high temperature waste treatment system, while leaving carbon monoxide and hydrogen, thereby producing a gas stream amenable to the production of methanol and other liquid fuels using commercially available catalytic reactors.
US07655700B2

The present invention describes a transgenic mouse susceptible to neuromuscular disease. The present invention also includes methods for treatment of neuromuscular diseases by interfering with activity between androgen and androgen receptors exclusively in the muscle fibers.
US07655695B2

Acylfulvene analogs, which inhibit tumor growth, especially solid tumor growth, and which have an adequate therapeutic index to be effective for in vivo treatment are provided herein. The compounds described herein are useful as anti-neoplastic agents, i.e., to inhibit tumor cell growth in vitro or in vivo, in mammalian hosts, such as humans or animals, e.g., domestic animals, and are effective against solid tumors, hematologic malignancies and multi-drug resistant cancers/tumors. The present compounds can be used alone or they can be used in combination with one or more anti-cancer or anti-tumor agents.
US07655693B2

The invention provides a compound of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treatment using the same.
US07655686B2

The present invention relates to novel 2-(6-oxo-1,7-diaza-spiro[4.4]non-7-yl)-propionamides of the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m and p are as defined in the specification, to their preparation, to their use as pharmaceuticals and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US07655678B2

The present invention relates to the effect of naturally occurring compounds on tumor development. As an example of proof, we used low; non-toxic doses of three compound e.g. Calcium D-glucarate, a naturally occurring Ca++ salt of D-glucaric acid; Nicotinamide (NA), a naturally occurring vitamin and butyric acid (BA), a naturally occurring saturated short chain fatty acid. 7,12 dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), which is a very potent skin carcinogen and is an environmental pollutant, was used for skin tumor development. Experiment was performed up to 30 weeks. All the above-mentioned compounds were used either alone or concomitantly any two or all the three. In the positive control group 100% tumorigenesis was attained in 28 weeks, use of single compound led to the inhibition of DMBA induced tumorigenesis between 33 to 47%, use of two compounds resulted in the 73 to 80% reduction in tumorigenesis but the concomitant use of three compounds resulted into 100% inhibition of tumor development at the end of 30 weeks. This led us to conclude that the concomitant use of Cag, NA and BA in combination of two is useful for preventing skin tumor development for a sort or long period of time. But the concomitant use of all the three compounds, as described, exhibited the perfect synergistic effect in preventing the tumor development completely. This strategy should be equally effective in the management of benign and possibly malignant tumor in any organ caused by any mean.
US07655675B2

Compounds of formula I: inhibit the processing of APP by gamma-secretase and hence find use in treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
US07655673B2

The present invention relates to medical uses of 39-desmethoxyrapamycin.
US07655670B2

The present invention is directed to novel 3-spirocyclic indolyl derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the ORL-1 receptor.
US07655668B1

Provided is a composition that includes 5-FU and salicylic acid. This composition is useful as a treatment for warts. As opposed to conventional compositions and methods, this composition need only be applied once a day. Also provided are methods for the preparation and use of the composition for treatment of warts.
US07655666B2

The present invention relates to 1H-Quinazoline-2,4-diones of formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are as defined in the specification, their preparation, their use as pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. Further, intermediates for the manufacture of compounds of formula (I) are and combinations comprising compounds of formula (I) are disclosed.
US07655665B2

The present invention discloses nitromethylene derivatives and the uses thereof. These derivatives are obtained by adding ring structure onto the known nitromethylene compounds, by which both their stability for light and their liposolubility are increased. Furthermore, by using the substituents linked to ether bond, the steric orientation of the nitro group and the liposolubility of the compounds are controlled. The insecticidal activity tests show that the compounds and their derivatives of the invention display high efficiency on killing various destructive insects with piercing-sucking type or scratching type mouthparts, such as aphid, leafhopper, plant hopper, thrips and white fly.
US07655664B2

The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, A, A1 and B are as defined in the specification; processes for their preparation; pharmaceutical compositions containing them; a process for preparing the pharmaceutical compositions; and their use in therapy. The compounds are useful as MMP inhibitors.
US07655660B2

Prodrugs of analogs of the anti-tumor antibiotic CC-1065 having a cleavable protective group such as a piperazino carbamate, a 4-piperidino-piperidino carbamate or a phosphate, in which the protecting group confers enhanced water solubility and stability upon the prodrug, and in which the prodrug also has a moiety, such as a disulfide, that can conjugate to a cell binding reagent such as an antibody. The therapeutic use of such prodrug conjugates is also described; such prodrugs of cytotoxic agents have therapeutic use because they can deliver cytotoxic prodrugs to a specific cell population for enzymatic conversion to cytoxic drugs in a targeted fashion.
US07655654B2

This invention comprises the novel compounds of formula (I) wherein r, s, t, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 have defined meanings, having farnesyl transferase inhibiting activity; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use as a medicine.
US07655653B2

A compound having the formula I wherein the O—(CH2)n—N(R1,R2) substituent on the phenyl ring can be in meta or para position; n is 2-4 Re and ′Re are OH, optionally independently etherified or esterified; R1 and R2 are independently (1C-4C)alkyl, (2C-4C)alkenyl, hydroxy(2C-4C)alkyl, (1C-3C)alkoxy(2C-4C)alkyl, aryl or aryl(1C-2C)alkyl; or R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen form an aromatic or non-aromatic heterocyclic ring structure, optionally mono- or poly-substituted with (1C-4C)alkyl, (2C-4C)alkenyl, hydroxy(1C-2C)alkyl, (1C-2C)alkoxy(1C-3C)alkyl or aryl. These compounds can be used for estrogen receptor β selective medical treatments.
US07655641B2

The present invention is directed to a compound of Formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates or stereoisomers thereof, which are useful in treating or preventing disorders mediated by a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) such as syndrome X, type II diabetes, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, coagaulopathy, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and other disorders related to syndrome X and cardiovascular diseases.
US07655640B2

A method of inhibiting topoisomerase I mediated DNA cleavage including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound having the following formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 are independently the same or different and are hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aminoalkyl group, an alkylaminoalkyl group, a haloalkyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an alkoxyl group, an aryloxy group, a carbamoyloxy group, a halogen, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an azido group, a formyl group, a hydrazino group, —C(O)Rf, an amino group, an alkylamino group, a dialkylamino group, —SRc, or R1 and R2 together form a group of the formula —O(CH2)nO— wherein n represents the integer 1 or 2; R3 is H, F, a halogen atom, a nitro group, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, or a cyano group; or R2 and R3 together form —O(CH2)nO— (n=1 or 2); R4 is H, F, a C1-3 alkyl group, a C2-3 alkenyl group, a C2-3 alkynyl group, or a C1-3 alkoxyl group; R5 is a C1-10 alkyl group, or a propargyl group.
US07655638B2

Disclosed are novel compounds that are partial and full A1 adenosine receptor agonists, useful for treating various disease states, in particular tachycardia and atrial flutter, angina, and myocardial infarction.
US07655631B2

The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and method for inhibiting growth of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition includes human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes a mixture of human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof and an anticancer drug which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from, for example of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, benign prostate hyperplasia, or (BPH) gastrointestinal cancer. The anticancer drug of the latter mixture may be one selected from the group of drugs including mitomycin, idarubicin, cisplatin, 5-fluoro-uracil, methotrexate, adriamycin, daunomycin, taxol, taxol derivative, and mixtures thereof.
US07655624B2

The invention relates to compounds of formula (1) B-Q-X1, wherein B is bioactive cell adhesive mediating molecule. Q is absent or is an inorganic spacer molecule and X1 is an anchor molecule, selected from the group Lys-(CO—CH2—(CH2)n—PO3H2)2(I), -Lys-[-Lys-(CO—CH2—(CH2)a—PO3H2)2]2(ii) or -Lys-(Lys[-Lys-(CO—CH2—(CH2)n—PO3H2]2 (iii), and n independently represents 0, 1, 2 or 3, wherein a free amino group of group B is linked in peptide form to a free carboxyl group of the spacer molecule Q or of the anchor molecule X1, or a free amino group of the radical Q is linked in peptide form to a free carboxyl group of the radical X1. The invention also relates to the salts thereof. The inventive compounds can be used as integrin inhibitors for the treatment of illnesses, deficiencies, inflammations caused by implants and osteolytic illnesses such as osteoporosis, thrombosis, cardiac infarction and arteriosclerosis, in addition to the acceleration and strengthening of the integration process of implants or the biocompatible surface in tissue.
US07655619B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods for ameliorating neurological, attention, or memory disorders and improving learning and cognition through the delivery of insulin A-chain and analogs thereof to a subject. Insulin A-chain, peptides comprising the 21 amino acid sequence GIVEQ CCASV CSLYQ LENYC N (SEQ ID NO:1), and functional analogs thereof are disclosed to modulate neurological activity when administered to a subject. The methods of the invention can be used to prevent or treat neurological disorders as well as improve memory retention and acquisition. The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of insulin A-chain peptide or a functional analogs thereof.
US07655615B2

The aim of the invention is to produce a bone material which is enriched with bone growth factors and whose bone growth factors are released in a delayed manner after surgically applied in the body. To this end, the invention provides a method according to which the bone material is loaded with a bone growth factor or with a mixture of bone growth factors and is then coated with a reabsorbable substance.
US07655612B2

A laundry additive for removing or reducing wrinkles in fabrics, which contains a wrinkle removing or reducing component, which includes a saccharide or oligosaccharide, a polyhydroxy carboxylic acid compound, and an optional chelating agent; and one or more optional ingredients that do not remove or reduce wrinkles. Also presented is a method for removing or reducing wrinkles from fabrics including the step of contacting the fabrics with an aqueous solution or suspension of an effective amount of the laundry additive.
US07655611B2

A novel composition of matter as well as a straightforward single step process for the preparation or production of said novel composition of matter is disclosed. The composition affords a new type of nonionic carbohydrate based surfactants (NICBS), a type of biodegradable neutral surfactant. The produced surfactant compositions have both neutral, but polar polyhydroxyl heads and nonpolar tails that are linked via at least one amide bond and possibly another ester bond as well.
US07655607B2

The invention provides a method for providing a stable liquid cleanser compositions which can use fatty acyl isethionates mixtures, regardless of free fatty acid contact of isethionates mixture or chain length distribution of isethionates mixture. The key is to insure a specific combination of liquid crystal inducer (of surfactant phase) and of modifier (to ensure large size domain providing stability) so that the isethionates will be stable at low and high temperatures.
US07655601B2

A method for the enhanced melt-textured growth of superconducting crystals is disclosed for a sample having a first material capable of exhibiting superconducting properties. The sample is heated above a peritectic temperature of the first material, cooled below the peritectic temperature, and is subsequently subjected to a plurality of temperature spikes in which the sample is rapidly reheated above the peritectic temperature and recooled below the peritectic temperature to produce a superconducting crystalline structure substantially free of secondary nucleations. The resulting crystal is a superconducting crystalline structure comprising a plurality of bands formed in succession around a seed material. Each band has a non-uniform microstructure from an inner portion to an outer portion of the band.
US07655600B2

The present invention relates to 1-(azolin-2-yl)amino-1,2-diphenylethane compounds of the general formula (I) wherein A is a radical of the formulae A′ or A2: NRA′A2 and wherein m is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, X is sulfur or oxygen, and wherein the variables R1, R2, R3, R4, R5a, R5b, R5c, R5d are as defined in the claims, and to the agriculturally acceptable salts thereof. The invention relates also to a method of combating animal pests, selected from insects, arachnids and nematodes and to a method for protecting crops from attack or infestation by insects, arachnids or nematodes, which comprises contacting a crop with a pesticidally effective amount of a 1-(azolin-2-yl)amino-1,2-diphenylethane compounds of the general formula I and/or at least one salt thereof.
US07655598B2

The present invention relates to an herbicide composition comprising, as active ingredients, a uracil compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein Z represents halogen or cyano; A represents oxygen, sulfur or NH; R1 represents hydroxyl, C1-C7 alkoxy or others, and R2 represents hydrogen or methyl, and 2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzen; and a method for controlling weeds which comprises applying an effective amounts of said herbicide composition to weeds. According to the invention, particularly weeds in orchards, soybean fields and non-crop lands can be effectively controlled.
US07655594B2

Briefly described, compositions, materials including the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and methods of degrading contaminants, are described herein. The composition can include a polyoxometalate/ cationic silica material. In addition, the compositions can be made of a polyoxometalate/cationic silica material, a copper (II) salt having a weakly bound anion, and a nitrate salts. Further, the compositions can be made of a polyoxometalate/cationic silica material, a copper (II) salt having a weakly bound anion, a compound selected from tetraethylammonium (TEA) nitrate, tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA) nitrate, and combinations thereof.
US07655592B2

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a metal-organic compound, comprising at least one phosphinimine ligand, characterized in that the HA adduct of a phosphinimine ligand according to formula (1) is contacted with a metal-organic reagent of formula (2) in the presence of at least 2 equivalents of a base, wherein HA represents an acid, of which H represents its proton and A its conjugate base, with Y═N—H as formula (1), and Mv(L1)k(L2)1(L3)m(L4)nX as formula (2), and wherein Y is a substituted phosphorous atom, and M represents a group 4 or group 5 metal ion, V represents the valency of the metal ion, being 3, 4 or 5 L1, L2, L3, and L4 represent a ligand or a group 17 halogen atom on M and may be equal or different, k, l, m, n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 with k+l+m+n+l=V, and X represents a group 17 halogen atom. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of a polyolefin by making a metal-organic compound according to the process of the invention, wherein the base is an olefin polymerisation compatible base, which metal-organic compound is activated anywhere in, or before a polymerisation reactor.
US07655585B2

Provided is a precision press-molding optical glass that is not easily degraded in quality by the occurrence of an altered layer such as fogging or yellowing on a surface and that comprises B2O3, ZnO, La2O3 and ZrO2 and contains, by mol %, 0 to less than 0.5% of Li2O, 20 to 50% of B2O3, 0 to 20% of SiO2, 22 to 42% of ZnO, 5 to 24% of La2O3, 0 to 20% of Gd2O3, provided that the total content of La2O3 and Gd2O3 is 10 to 24%, 0.5 to 10% of ZrO2, 0 to 15% of Ta2O5, 0 to 20% of WO3, 0 to 15% of Nb2O5, 0 to 20% of TiO2, 0 to 10% of Bi2O3, 0 to 10% of GeO2, 0 to 10% of Ga2O3, 0 to 10% of Al2O3, 0 to 10% of BaO, 0 to 10% of Y2O3 and 0 to 10% of Yb2O3, the optical glass having an Abbe's number (νd) of at least 35 but less than 40.
US07655582B2

The present invention provides polypropylene blends for use in the production of fibers and fabrics. The polypropylene blends according to the current invention comprise from about 85 to about 95 percent by weight of a propylene homopolymer and from about 5 to about 15 percent by weight of an ethylene/propylene random copolymer having an ethylene content of about 7 percent by weight or less. The overall ethylene content of the blends according to the present invention is about 1 percent by weight or less. Polypropylene blends according to the current invention provide lower bonding temperatures and wider bonding windows without the increased smoke generation associated with high solubles homopolymers.
US07655574B2

An insulting film is modified by subjecting the insulting film to a modification treatment comprising a combination of a plasma treatment and a thermal annealing treatment. There is provided a method of enhancing the characteristic of an insulating film by improving deterioration in the characteristic of the insulating film due to carbon, a suboxide, a dangling bond or the like contained in the insulating film.
US07655572B2

Photoresist film is used as a mask, plasma etching of a SiO2 film is selectively performed to a photoresist film, and a hole is formed. An etching gas comprising unsaturated fluorocarbon gas containing oxygen expressed with CxFyO (y/x is 1-1.5 at an integer in x, as for 4 or 5, and y) is used for the plasma etching. C4F4O gas and C4F6O gas are used for the unsaturated fluorocarbon gas containing oxygen, for example.
US07655570B2

A difference in etching rate between the coated silicon based insulating film and any of other kinds of silicon-based insulating films is reduced by using nitrogen gas as a part of the etching gas. Therefore, the underlying film may not be exposed to the etching gas for a long time, so that degradation or deterioration of the underlying film can be prevented.
US07655565B2

A method and apparatus for electroprocessing a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a method for electroprocessing a substrate includes the steps of biasing a first electrode to establish a first electroprocessing zone between the electrode and the substrate, and biasing a second electrode disposed radially outward of substrate with a polarity opposite the bias applied tot he first electrode.
US07655564B2

A method of forming a Ta—Ru metal liner layer for Cu wiring includes: (i) conducting atomic deposition of Ta X times, each atomic deposition of Ta being accomplished by a pulse of hydrogen plasma, wherein X is an integer such that a surface of an underlying layer is not covered with Ta particles; (ii) after step (i), conducting atomic deposition of Ru Y times, each atomic deposition of Ru being accomplished by a pulse of hydrogen plasma, wherein Y is an integer such that the Ta particles are not covered with Ru particles; and (iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii) Z times, thereby forming a Ta—Ru metal liner layer on a Cu wiring substrate.
US07655562B2

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. In the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device, a first insulating layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate. A metal line layer and an etch-stop layer are formed over the first insulating layer. The etch-stop layer and the metal line layer are patterned to form a metal line. A second insulating layer is formed on the first insulating layer and the etch-stop layer. A first etch process for etching part of the second insulating layer is performed by using a first etch gas so that the etch-stop layer is exposed. A second etch process for removing the etch-stop layer is performed by using a second etch gas so that the metal line is exposed.
US07655554B2

Method for eliminating loading effect using a via plug. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of processing an integrated circuit wherein a loading effect is reduced. The method includes a step for providing a substrate, which is characterized by a first thickness. The method also includes a stop for forming an inter metal dielectric layer overlaying the substrate. The inter metal dielectric layer is characterized by a second thickness. The method additionally includes a step for forming a first photoresist layer overlaying the inter metal dielectric layer. The first photoresist layer is associated with a first pattern. Additionally, the method includes a step for forming a first opening positioned at least partially inside the inter metal dielectric layer. The first via opening is characterized by a first depth. The method additionally includes a step for removing the first photoresist layer. The method further includes a step for forming a via plug.
US07655547B2

A method and structure for a single or dual damascene interconnect structure comprises forming wiring lines in a metallization layer over a substrate, shaping a laminated insulator stack above the metallization layer, patterning a hardmask over the laminated insulator stack, forming troughs in the hardmask, patterning the laminated insulator stack, forming vias in the patterned laminated insulator stack, creating sidewall spacers in the bottom portion of the vias, depositing an anti-reflective coating on the sidewall spacers, etching the troughs, removing the anti-reflective coating, depositing a metal layer in the troughs, vias, and sidewall spacers, and applying conductive material in the troughs and the vias. The laminated insulator stack comprises a dielectric layer further comprising oxide and polyarylene.
US07655546B2

A depletion mode (D-mode) field effect transistor (FET) is monolithically integrated with an enhancement mode (E-mode) FET in a multi-layer structure. The multi-layer structure includes a channel layer overlaid by a barrier layer overlaid by an ohmic contact layer. Source and drain contacts of the D-mode and E-mode FETs are coupled to the ohmic contact layer. A gate contact of the D-mode and E-mode FETs is coupled to the barrier layer. An amorphized region is provided beneath the E-mode gate contact within the barrier layer. The amorphized region forms a buried E-mode Schottky contact with the barrier layer. An alternative embodiment couples the gate contact of the D-mode transistor to a first layer that overlies the barrier layer, and provides a similar D-mode amorphized region within the first layer.
US07655542B2

Methods for depositing a microcrystalline silicon film layer with improved deposition rate and film quality are provided in the present invention. Also, photovoltaic (PV) cell having a microcrystalline silicon film is provided. In one embodiment, the method produces a microcrystalline silicon film on a substrate at a deposition rate greater than about 20 nm per minute, wherein the microcrystalline silicon film has a crystallized volume between about 20 percent to about 80 percent.
US07655541B2

In a wafer processing method for penetrating a wafer by use of a laser processing apparatus including a chuck table for holding the wafer, laser beam irradiation means for irradiating the wafer held on the chuck table with a laser beam, and imaging means for imaging the wafer held on the chuck table, the chuck table includes a chuck table main body, a holding member disposed on an upper surface of the chuck table main body and having a holding surface for holding an entire surface of the wafer, the holding member comprising a transparent or translucent member, and a light emitting body disposed laterally of a side of the holding member opposite to the holding surface. The wafer processing method comprises irradiating a predetermined processing region of the wafer held on the chuck table with the laser beam to perform the penetration in a predetermined manner, then lighting the light emitting body, with the wafer being held on the chuck table, imaging the processing region by the imaging means, and determining acceptance or rejection of the penetration based on whether or not light has passed through the processing region.
US07655528B2

SiH3CH3 having the concentration of 1 to 10% is diluted with H2 and a portion of the diluted SiH3CH3, GeH4 and SiH4 (or DCS) are respectively supplied to a chamber of an epitaxial device at predetermined flow rates, and SiGe:C is formed by an epitaxial growth technique. By diluting the SiH3CH3, the concentration of oxygen-based impurity contained in the SiH3CH3 is reduced and hence, the oxygen-based impurity which is supplied to a chamber are reduced whereby the concentration of oxygen-based impurity contained in the SiGe:C formed in a film is reduced.
US07655522B2

A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) includes an isolation layer disposed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. A source region and a drain region are disposed on both sides of the active region such that a first direction is defined from the source region to the drain region. A channel recess is disposed in the active region between the source and drain regions. The channel recess has a convex surface when viewed from a cross-sectional view taken along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A gate electrode fills the channel recess and crosses the active region in the second direction. A gate insulating layer is interposed between the gate electrode and the active region.
US07655520B2

Disclosed is a non-volatile memory having three data states and a method for manufacturing the same. The non-volatile memory includes a silicon substrate having a device separation film; a floating gate formed on the silicon substrate; a tunnel oxide film interposed between the silicon substrate and the floating gate below both ends of the floating gate; a ferroelectric substance interposed between the silicon substrate and the floating gate inside the tunnel oxide film; a diffusion barrier film enclosing the ferroelectric substance; a control gate formed on the substrate including the floating gate; a gate oxide film formed below the control gate; spacers formed on both lateral walls of the laminated floating gate and control gate including the tunnel oxide film and gate oxide film, respectively; and source/drain regions formed within the substrate surfaces on both sides of the control gate including the spacers, respectively.
US07655518B2

An on-chip bypass capacitor and method of manufacturing the same, the on-chip bypass capacitor including at least two capacitor arrays, each capacitor array including a first layer connecting the at least two capacitor arrays in series, each capacitor array including a plurality of capacitors, each of the plurality of capacitors including a second layer connecting the plurality of capacitors in parallel. The on-chip bypass capacitor may be part of a chip which also includes a memory cell array including at least one cell capacitor.
US07655516B2

In an nMOSFET, a gate electrode is formed by a silicide layer comprised of NiSi. In a surface layer of a Ge substrate on both sides of the gate electrode, NiGe layers which are germanide layers comprised of NiGe are formed. On junction interfaces between the NiGe layers and the Ge substrate, first layers are formed which are formed by segregating a predetermined atom with high concentration, and on an interface between the gate electrode and an insulation film, a second layer is formed which is formed by segregating the same atom as that of the first layer with high concentration.
US07655515B2

A high voltage lateral semiconductor device for integrated circuits with improved breakdown voltage. The semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body, an extended drain region formed in the semiconductor body, source and drain pockets, a top gate forming a pn junction with the extended drain region, an insulating layer on a surface of the semiconductor body and a gate formed on the insulating layer. In addition, a higher-doped pocket of semiconductor material is formed within the top gate region that has a higher integrated doping than the rest of the top gate region. This higher-doped pocket of semiconductor material does not totally deplete during device operation. Moreover, the gate controls, by field-effect, a flow of current through a channel formed laterally between the source pocket and a nearest point of the extended drain region.
US07655514B2

A silicon carbide metal semiconductor field-effect transistor includes a bi-layer silicon carbide buffer for improving electron confinement in the channel region and/or a layer disposed over at least the channel region of the transistor for suppressing surface effects caused by dangling bonds and interface states. Also, a sloped MESA fabrication method which utilizes a dielectric etch mask that protects the MESA top surface during MESA processing and enables formation of sloped MESA sidewalls.
US07655508B2

A method of encapsulating an article having first and second surfaces, includes positioning the article on a carrier such that at least a portion of the first surface contacts the carrier. A portion of the carrier carrying the article is then positioned within a mold and a seal is formed between the mold and the carrier. The mold is then filled with an encapsulating material to form a seal between the article and the carrier.
US07655506B2

A leadless type resin-sealed semiconductor package includes a resin enveloper having a mounting face to be applied to a wiring board, and at least one side face associated with the mounting face to produce an angled side edge. A semiconductor chip is encapsulated and sealed in the resin enveloper. An electrode terminal is partially buried in the angled side edge of the resin enveloper so as to be exposed to an outside, with the electrode terminal being electrically connected to the semiconductor chip. The electrode terminal is formed with a depression which is shaped so as to be opened to an outside when the resin enveloper is placed on the wiring board such that the mounting face of the resin enveloper is applied thereto.
US07655504B2

Two semiconductor substrates are first bonded together by means of a metal bump, while respective one-side surfaces on which device patterns are formed are faced each other, and a resin is then filled into a gap between the respective one-side surfaces and thereafter each of the semiconductor substrates is polished and thinned to a prescribed thickness. Furthermore, a via hole and an insulating film are formed; part of a portion in contact with the metal bump, of the insulating film, is opened; the inside of the via hole is filled with a conductor; and an electrode pad is formed on the conductor, to thereby form structures. Finally, a required number of structures are electrically connected with each other through the electrode pad and stacked to thereby obtain a semiconductor device.
US07655502B2

A method of packaging a first device having a first major surface and a second major surface includes forming a first layer over a second major surface of the first device and around sides of the first device and leaving the first major surface of the first device exposed, wherein the first layer is selected from the group consisting of an encapsulant and a polymer; forming a first dielectric layer over the first major surface of the first device, forming a via in the first dielectric layer, forming a seed layer within the via and over a portion of the first dielectric layer, physically coupling a connector to the seed layer, and plating a conductive material over the seed layer to form a first interconnect in the first via and over a portion of the first dielectric layer.
US07655501B2

The present invention provides a structure of package comprising a substrate with a pre-formed die receiving cavity formed and/or terminal contact metal pads formed within an upper surface of the substrate. A die is disposed within the die receiving cavity by adhesion and a dielectric layer formed on the die and the substrate. At least one re-distribution built up layer (RDL) is formed on the dielectric layer and coupled to the die via contact pad. Connecting structure, for example, UBM is formed over the re-distribution built up layer. Terminal Conductive bumps are coupled to the UBM.
US07655499B2

When forming a contact hole by a conventional manufacturing step of a semiconductor device, a resist is required to be formed on almost entire surface of a substrate so as to be applied on a film other than an area in which a contact hole is to be formed, leading to drastically reduced throughput. According to a forming method of a contact hole and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, an EL display device and a liquid crystal display device of the invention, an island shape organic film is selectively formed over a semiconductor layer, a conductive layer or an insulating layer, and an insulating film is formed around the island shape organic film to form a contact hole. Therefore, a conventional patterning using a resist is not required, and high throughput and low cost can be achieved.
US07655491B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a p-type Group III nitride semiconductor which can be used to produce a light-emitting device exhibiting a low operation voltage and a sufficiently high reverse voltage.The inventive method for producing a p-type Group III nitride semiconductor comprises, during lowering temperature after completion of growth of a Group III nitride semiconductor containing a p-type dopant, immediately after completion of the growth, starting, at a temperature at which the growth has been completed, supply of a carrier gas composed of an inert gas and reduction of the flow rate of a nitrogen source; and stopping supply of the nitrogen source at a time in the course of lowering the temperature.
US07655490B2

A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device formed in a device region composed of a plurality of semiconductor layers on a substrate, the method including a trench forming step of forming a trench on the substrate around the device region and a semiconductor growth step of growing the semiconductor layer in the device region.
US07655487B2

A white light emitting diode (LED) and the packing method thereof are described. The white LED includes a supporting frame, a LED chip, glue for mixing phosphor powder, and phosphor powder, wherein the glue for mixing phosphor powder comprises a first set of compositions and a second set of compositions, the first set of compositions comprises polydimethyl-siloxane, and the second set of compositions comprises the copolymer having dimethyl-siloxane, methyl hydrogen siloxane and vinyl-siloxane wherein the copolymer has a weight percentage from about 94% to 99%, the dimethyl-siloxane has a weight percentage from about 84% to 90%, the methyl hydrogen siloxane has a weight percentage from about 4% to 9%, and the vinyl-siloxane has a weight percentage from about 2% to 7%.
US07655483B2

An electronic device includes an element group which generates a specific identification number and is composed of a plurality of elements. The specific identification number is set based on irregular deviation in electric characteristic of the elements which is caused due to a random failure in a manufacturing process.
US07655481B2

A method for manufacturing an industrial product encompasses: forming a intermediate product pattern, which implements a part of a intermediate product of the industrial product by a sequence of processes corresponds to a part of a procedure for manufacturing the industrial product; forming an interconnect-changing insulator on the intermediate product pattern; boring sampling contact holes in the interconnect-changing insulator so as to make bare a part of the intermediate product pattern to define sampling sites; delineating evaluation interconnects on the interconnect-changing insulator so that each of the evaluation interconnects can electrically connected to at least one of the sampling sites of intermediate product pattern; and measuring an electrical resistance between subject sampling sites through the evaluation interconnects so as to detect a product defect in the intermediate product pattern.
US07655478B2

In a sensor device and a sensing method capable of simultaneously extracting plural pieces of information including information about the presence/absence, distribution, and so on, of targets, in case of measuring changes in nature of a detecting portion (11) upon coupling with targets (a and b), information about changes in quantities of the targets (a and b) with time is extracted in addition to information about the presence/absence, distribution, and so on, of the targets (a and b) from geometrical structures of the detecting portion (11), such as locations and/or shapes of bonding sites (A and B) for selectively coupling with the targets (a and b), respectively.
US07655477B1

A separation module operates to fractionate or separate an analyte into fractions according to pI, i.e., pI bands, utilizing capillary isoelectric focusing (“CIEF”) within a first microchannel. The fractions are stacked to form plugs, the number of which is determined by a number of parallel second microchannels integrally connected to the first microchannel, into which the fractions are directed according to the buffer characteristics found in each of the individual microchannels. Within the microchannels the plugs are separated into proteins according to a different chemical property, i.e., “m/z,” utilizing capillary electrophoresis (“CE”).
US07655455B2

Provided are a nitrite-type nitrification carrier and a method for producing the same and a method and an apparatus for removing nitrogen using the same, in which the quantity of organic matter to be added can be substantially reduced to reduce running cost. A method for producing a nitrite-type nitrification carrier in which ammonia-oxidizing bacteria for nitrifying ammonium to nitrite is preferentially accumulated comprises the steps of: entrapping and immobilizing any sludge selected from sediment from a lake, a river or the sea, soil from the surface of the earth, or activated sludge from a sewage-treatment plant into a monomer or a prepolymer for immobilizing microorganisms; and then subjecting the entrapped and immobilized sludge to heat treatment at 30 to 80° C.
US07655454B1

A chemically defined media supplemented with organic acids is used for supporting in vitro growth of Campylobacter and Arcobacter species.
US07655451B2

Alanine 2,3-aminomutase sequences are disclosed, as are cells having alanine 2,3-aminomutase activity and methods of selecting for such cells. Methods for producing beta-alanine, pantothenate, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, as well as other organic compounds, are disclosed.
US07655440B2

The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaracides.
US07655432B2

Novel kinase polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length kinase proteins, the invention further provides isolated kinase fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-kinase antibodies. The invention also provides kinase nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a kinase gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07655426B2

The present invention provides a polypeptide (CCMP-1) of use in the diagnosis, screening, treatment and prophylaxis of carcinoma. Also provided are compositions comprising the protein, vaccines and antibodies that are immunospecific for the protein.
US07655422B2

The invention relates to binding assays using human T1R2 polypeptides containing the extracellular and/or transmembrane regions of endogenous human T1R2 polypeptide. These assays may be used to identify T1R2 modulators, especially taste modulatory compounds.
US07655420B2

The SOST gene gives rise to sclerostin, a protein that leads to apoptosis of bone progenitor cells. The invention provides antagonists to the sclerostin protein, and methods for identifying new sclerostin antagonists. The invention also provides molecules that can depress expression of the SOST gene, as well as methods for identifying such molecules. Such molecules and antagonists are useful for increasing bone mineralization in mammals, for example, in the treatment of osteoporosis.
US07655414B2

The present invention relates to a method of determining whether a biological sample comprising human lung cancer cells is sensitive to a combination of an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor and a chemotherapeutic agent by determining the overexpression of a phosphorylated AKT protein and/or a phosphorylated MAPK protein in the biological sample. The invention is also related to methods for deriving a candidate agent or for selecting a composition for inhibiting the progression of lung cancer in a patient wherein a phosphorylated AKT protein and/or a phosphorylated MAPK protein is used.
US07655413B2

Methods for enhancing expression levels and secretion of heterologous fusion proteins in a host cell are disclosed.
US07655409B2

Cyanine dye compounds having a negatively charged substituent that are nucleic acid stains, particularly for fluorescent staining of DNA, including compounds having the formula wherein W forms one or two fused 5- or 6-membered aromatic rings, α has a value of 0 or 1, n has a value of 0, or 1, X is O, S, or Se, and D is a pyridinium, or quinolinium moiety, provided that the compound has at least one negatively charged substituent.
US07655405B2

The present invention is directed to kits and compositions for generating a signal indicative of the presence of a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, comprising a nucleic acid polymerase lacking 5′ to 3′ exonuclease activity and a thermostable FEN nuclease consisting of a 5′ to 3′ exonuclease and/or endonuclease activity.
US07655401B2

In one aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying genetic mutations that are associated with ataxic neurological disease. The methods comprise identifying a difference between a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a mammalian subject exhibiting ataxia and a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a subject which is not exhibiting ataxia, wherein the difference is a genetic mutation associated with ataxic neurological disease. In another aspect, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding protein kinase C gamma missense mutations are provided. In another aspect, a method of screening a subject to determine if the subject has a genetic predisposition to develop an ataxic neurological disease is provided. In another aspect, the invention provides kits for determining susceptibility or presence of ataxic neurological disease in a mammalian subject.
US07655391B2

A container for shipping items in an aircraft includes a shipping compartment and an expandable chamber for receiving gas from the shipping compartment. At least one conduit connects the expandable chamber to the shipping department so as to permit the flow of gas therebetween. A method for shipping items in an aircraft is also disclosed.
US07655384B2

Methods to at least partially compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration that occurs during mask imaging used for photolithographic processing of semiconductor devices, LCD elements, thin-film magnetic heads, reticles and other substrates including photo-defined structures thereon are disclosed. A photoresist or other photosensitive material may be irradiated with a mask pattern image including a selected nonzero spherical aberration value to compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration.
US07655377B2

An antireflection film wherein, even where exposure light enters obliquely in a liquid immersion lithography technique, a sufficiently reduced reflectance can be achieved at the interface between a resist layer and a silicon substrate. A two-layer antireflection film is used in exposure by an exposure system having a wavelength of 190 to 195 nm and a numerical aperture of 1.0 or less and formed between the resist layer and the silicon substrate. Where complex refractive indices N1 and N2 and film thicknesses of upper and lower layers of the antireflection film are represented by n1-k1i, n2-k2i and d1, d2, respectively, and a predetermined combination of values of [n10, k10, d10, n20, k20, d20] is selected, n1, k1, d1, n2, k2 and d2 satisfy {(n1-n10)/(n1m-n10)}2+{(k1-k10)/(k1m-k10)}2+{(d1-d10)/(d1m-d10)}2+{(n2-n20)/(n2m-n20)}2+{(k2-k20)/(k2m-k20)}2+{(d2-d20)/(d2m-d20)}2≦1.
US07655373B2

A method for forming images including a) depositing an electrostatic latent image on a charge retentive surface of a photoreceptor member having a substrate; a charge transport layer with charge transport materials; and an overcoat layer positioned on the charge transport layer, wherein the overcoat layer includes a crosslinkable alcohol-soluble polyamide; and wherein the overcoat layer further includes additives having titanium dioxide, silica, a crosslinking agent, a deletion control agent, and a charge transport molecule; and b) applying a developer material via a development component to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge-retentive surface, wherein the developer material comprises emulsion aggregation toner, and further wherein at least one of the additives create a texturized surface on the charge retentive surface thereby reducing the contact area between the emulsion aggregation toners and the charge retentive surface enabling increased cleaning of toners.
US07655372B2

The present invention relates to toner compositions comprising a resin and a colorant. Various embodiments of the colorant used in the toner compositions are disclosed, including a modified pigment comprising a pigment having attached at least one organic group having the formula —X—I, wherein X, which is directly attached to the pigment, represents an arylene or heteroarylene group, or an alkylene group, and I represents a non-polymeric group comprising at least one ionic group or at least one ionizable group. Processes for preparing toner compositions are also described.
US07655370B2

Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member in which friction memory does not easily occur, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus which have the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer has a surface layer having a plurality of depressed portions which are independent from one another, where the minor axis diameter of the depressed portions is Rpc and the depth indicating the distance between the innermost part of a depressed portion and the opening surface thereof is Rdv, the depressed portions have a ratio of depth to minor axis diameter (Rdv/Rpc) on a surface of the photosensitive member of 1.0 or less, and the photosensitive layer has a charge transporting material with an ionization potential of 4.5 eV or more and 5.3 eV or less.
US07655368B2

A method for exposing a resist layer on a substrate to an image of a pattern on a mask is disclosed whereby, after starting exposure and before completing exposure, a controlled amount of contrast loss is introduced by a controller in the image at the resist layer by changing during exposure the position of the substrate holder. The contrast loss affects the pitch dependency of the resolution of a lithographic projection apparatus, and its control is used to match pitch dependency of resolution between different lithographic projection apparatus.
US07655354B2

There is provided a battery including a positive electrode that includes an active material layer formed on a positive electrode current collector; a negative electrode that includes active material layers formed on first and second principal planes of a negative electrode current collector and the active material layer on the second principal plane has an alloyed region smaller than an alloyed region the active material layer has on the first principal plane between the second principal plane and the current collector; and an electrolyte.
US07655348B2

In order to enhance versatility, a chip-type battery having a means for readily identifying a first terminal and a second terminal is provided. The chip-type battery includes: a body having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and contains a plurality of power generating elements in a stack, each element including a sintered material; a first terminal having a first polarity; and a second terminal having a second polarity. The first terminal is provided at a first side face of the body. The second terminal is provided at a second side face of the body located on other than the first side face. The first terminal and the second terminal include different metal materials.
US07655346B2

A fuel cell electrode material comprising a cermet which comprises metal particles consisting of cobalt and nickel and electrolyte particles consisting of solid oxides, wherein the metal particles comprise 20 to 90 mol % cobalt and the residue of nickel in terms of CoO and NiO, respectively, and a solid oxide fuel cell battery comprising a fuel cell which comprises a solid electrolyte base, a fuel electrode formed on a fuel compartment side of the base, and an air electrode formed on an air compartment side of the base, wherein the fuel electrode is formed from the electrode material of the present invention.
US07655325B2

A rare-earth magnet includes a magnet body made of an R—Fe—B based rare-earth magnet material (where R is at least one rare-earth element) and a metal film that has been deposited on the surface of the magnet body. The magnet further includes a plurality of reaction layers between the magnet body and the metal film. The reaction layers include: a first reaction layer, which contacts with at least some of R2Fe14B type crystals, included in the magnet body, to have received the rare-earth element that has been included in the R2Fe14B type crystals; and a second reaction layer, which is located between the first reaction layer and the metal film and which has a lower rare-earth element concentration than that of the first reaction layer.
US07655324B2

An electro-magnetic storage device and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device includes a first magnetic material to attract a movable structure (e.g., a ferromagnetic material) when a first voltage is applied between the first magnetic material and the movable structure, and a second magnetic material to release the movable structure when a second voltage is applied between the second magnetic material and the movable structure. The movable arm may create a closed circuit when the second voltage is applied between the second magnetic material and the movable structure. There may be a vacuum-gap between the movable structure and at least one of the first magnetic material and/or the second magnetic material. The memory device may be stackable on other memory devices having similar properties, and/or electrically coupled with other memory devices having similar properties in a memory array.
US07655319B2

An overmolded electronic device includes a pre-mold assembly having a positioning pin that extends upward through a mold material into contact with an inner cavity of a mold. The positioning pin is disposed within a containment area that is defined by sets of ribs configured in and conformed on the pre-mold assembly. The positioning pin thereby is sealed within the containment area that is in turn sealed from the remainder of the electronic device that prevents the intrusion of moisture or other contaminants into undesirable locations of the electronic device.
US07655318B2

A bracket is attached to the mounting board of a taxidermy work piece both to facilitate attachment and detachment of the work piece from an adjustable taxidermy stand by an individual, and also to later support the work piece on a building wall. The bracket includes co-planar attachment flanges with screw holes for attachment to a rear surface of the mounting board, a second flange spaced from the plane and that defines a shaped aperture for engaging a wall hook to hold the mounting board on a building wall for display, and a third flange extending downward from the second flange to form a recess to engage a top edge of the plate on the taxidermy stand. A related method is also illustrated, the method including temporarily supporting the work piece on the taxidermy stand until additional fasteners can be placed.
US07655311B2

This invention employs a polyol derivative of a fatty acid that is reacted into a polyurethane formed also with a urethane prepolymer, a polydiene, and optionally, a curative for cross-linking. The fatty acid moiety becomes a relatively short side chain of the polyurethane formed. In embodiments, the polyol is an ester of the fatty acid. This achieves reduction in hardness of the polyurethane with a homogeneity that provides consistent surface characteristics over an extended period desirable for use for electrophotographic development and the like when the material is used as a developer roller.
US07655300B2

The invention is about the preparation of novel highly transparent zeolite-doped polymer and zeolites monolayers.External coating of the zeolite crystals by covalently linked functionalized alkoxysilane derivatives allows for an efficient dispersion of the nano zeolite particles into an organic liquid monomer; the following co-polymerisation process leads to a hard, insoluble and transparent material containing said zeolites. Optical properties such as colour, refractive index, Abbe number or photochromism can be fine tuned by simply changing zeolite loading, while transparency is maintained.
US07655292B2

An electrically conductive substrate with a high heat conductivity has an aluminum plate having multiple holes. An isolation layer is formed on the aluminum plate and inner walls of the holes. Multiple electrically conductive materials are inserted in the holes. A circuit layer is formed on the aluminum plate, electrically connects to the electrically conductive materials and has a rough surface. A graphite layer is formed on the rough surface of the circuit layer. The electric components are respectively provided on the holes, and the heat generated by the electric components is dissipated effectively by the aluminum plate.
US07655290B2

To provide carpet tiles that can be installed more easily and quickly the inventive carpet tiles (1) comprise: a support plate (2); a carpet material (3) on said support plate 2; a first mechanical locking element (4) extending along a first joint edge (8a) of said carpet tile (1); and a second complementary mechanical locking element (5) extending along a second joint edge (8b) of said carpet tile (1).
US07655286B2

An inkjet recording element comprising a support having thereon in order, from top to bottom, a fusible, porous ink-transporting layer comprising fusible polymeric particles, which particles comprise a thermoplastic polymer with reactive functional groups, the ink-transporting layer further comprising a multifunctional compound having complementary reactive functional groups capable of crosslinking the reactive functional groups on the thermoplastic polymer. The ink-transporting layer is over a fusible dye-trapping layer that preferably comprises a mordant. Optionally, an ink-carrier-liquid receptive layer is present between the dye-trapping layer and the support.
US07655278B2

A composite-forming process includes impregnating a reinforcing structure with a curable composition at a temperature of about 10 to about 40° C. The curable composition includes specific amounts of an epoxy resin, a poly(arylene ether), a solvent, and a curing promoter. The poly(arylene ether) includes, on average, about 1.6 to about 2.4 phenolic hydroxy groups per molecule, and it has a polydispersity index less than or equal to 2.2 and an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.03 to about 0.2 deciliter per gram. These characteristics substantially improve the solubility of the poly(arylene ether) in the curable composition and allow the curable composition to be formed and used at or near room temperature. Composites formed by the process and circuit boards including the composites are also described.
US07655276B2

The present invention provides a colored reinforced article of manufacture having a substantially uniform distribution of color. The colored reinforced article of manufacture comprises a fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin matrix and a non-appertured colored veil in the thermosetting resin matrix.
US07655265B2

A process control scheme for use with an extruding apparatus for cooling and heating aerated or compressible compounds that are edible. Broadly, the process includes providing a mixture to an inlet of the extruding apparatus, monitoring the pressure profile across the extruding apparatus, moving the mixture through the extruding apparatus with at least one auger while subjecting the mixture to a thermo-dynamic process, automatically altering speed of the at least one auger if the pressure profile across the extruding apparatus is outside a predetermined range, and moving the mixture through an outlet of the extruding apparatus. The process may also include monitoring temperature of a thermodynamic liquid, monitoring the load of an auger motor, and automatically altering the temperature of the thermodynamic liquid and the load of the auger motor if one of either the temperature of the thermodynamic liquid and the load of the auger motor is outside a predetermined range.
US07655256B2

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical that includes, in combination, a resinate and an aversive agent. The resinate includes an ion exchange resin and an drug. The drug is a controlled substance. In variants of the invention, both the aversive agent and the controlled substance are loaded onto the ion exchange resin; the aversive agent is loaded onto the ion exchange resin, and the controlled substance is not loaded onto the ion exchange resin; the controlled substance is loaded onto the ion exchange resin, and the aversive agent is not loaded onto the ion exchange resin; or, the controlled substance is loaded onto a first ion exchange resin, and the aversive agent is loaded onto an ion exchange resin different from the first ion exchange resin.
US07655251B2

Novel compounds, derivatives of α-C-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone, a method for production and use thereof for the preparation of medicaments for the prevention of treatment of diseases related to oxidative stress.
US07655247B2

The invention provides isolated placental P. falciparum polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:1-4 and 6-24, and immunogenic derivatives thereof. The invention also provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the placental P. falciparum polypeptides of the invention, compositions comprising one or more placental P. falciparum polypeptides of the invention, methods for inducing an immune response against the placental P. falciparum polypeptides, and methods for treating and diagnosing placental malaria.
US07655245B2

The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B) and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics.
US07655242B2

This application provides, in part, novel polypeptides and nucleic acids that affect induction of defensins, and methods of making and using same.
US07655240B2

This invention is based on the experimental finding that activators of Rho GTPases, namely the cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (CNF1), and DNT bear immunostimulatory properties towards the systemic response to orally administered ovalbumine. This invention concerns a vaccine composition including an immunoadjuvant compound, wherein the immunoadjuvant compound consists of a Rho GTPase activator.
US07655238B2

The present invention includes compositions, methods and kits for enhancing the immunogenicity of an antigen via fusion to a Listerial protein. The present invention further encompasses Listeria vaccine strains for enhancing the immunogenicity of an antigen.
US07655235B2

The invention relates to polynucleotides for DNA vaccination which polynucleotides encode an HIV envelope protein or fragment or immunogenic derivative, which is non-glycosylated when expressed in a mammalian target cell, operably linked to a heterologous promoter. Preferably the HIV envelope molecule, such as gp120 or gp140 or gp160, lacks a functional secretion signal. It may be fused to additional HIV proteins such as Nef, Gag, RT or Tat.
US07655229B2

The present application describes antibodies that selectively bind human FcγRIIB, with little or no binding to other human FcγRs, e.g., human FcγRIIA. The invention also provides isolated bispecific antibodies comprising an antibody that selectively binds FcγRIIB, and a second antibody that specifically binds an activating receptor. Various uses, including therapeutic uses, for those antibodies are also described, including administration with anti-tumor antibodies and methods of inhibiting immune responses and suppressing histamine release.
US07655228B2

The invention relates to a method for controlling the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, such as an antibody, a protein, a peptide or the like, an agent of promoting the activity of an immunologically functional molecule, and an immunologically functional molecule having the promoted activity.
US07655225B2

Ex vivo and in vivo methods of expanding a population of stem and/or progenitor cells, while at the same time reversibly inhibiting differentiation of the stem and/or progenitor cells by providing the stem and/or progenitor cells with an effective amount of at least one copper chelate, so as to maintain a free copper concentration available to said cells substantially unchanged, to thereby expand the population of said stem and/or progenitor cells, while at the same time reversibly inhibit differentiation of said stem and/or progenitor cells.
US07655222B2

The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zcyto20, zcyto21, zcyto22, zycto24, and zcyto25 proteins which are most closely related to interferon-α at the amino acid sequence level. The receptor for this protein family is a class II cytokine receptor. The present invention includes methods of reducing viral infections and increasing monocyte counts. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zcyto20 polypeptides, and methods of producing the polynucleotides and polypeptides.
US07655215B2

An apparatus designed to form syn gas from carbonaceous materials such as coal includes a devolatilization reactor in combination with a reformer reactor which subsequently forms syn gas. The reformer reactor, in turn, is in communication with a particulate separator. The devolatilization reactor is fed with material using a compression feeder which drives air from the feed material, compresses it in a feed zone forming a seal between the feed hopper and the devolatilization reactor. The reformer reactor, as well as the particulate separators, are maintained in a heated furnace so that the temperature of the formed syn gas does not decrease below the reaction temperature until particulate material has been separated.
US07655208B2

The object of the present invention is to obtain a high quality single crystalline diamond that has less distortion and large area suitable for semiconductor device substrates or an optical component material. The present invention is a single crystalline diamond produced by chemical vapor deposition, wherein, when a linear polarized light which is composed of two linear polarized lights perpendicular to each other is introduced into one main face of the single crystalline diamond, a maximum value of a retardation between the two linear polarized lights perpendicular to each other which come out from an opposite main face is not more than 50 μm at maximum per a thickness of 100 μm across an entire of the single crystalline diamond, and also a method for producing the diamond.
US07655207B2

An aluminum complex hydroxide salt having Al oxide octahedral layers and a divalent anion among the octahedral layers, wherein an aluminosilicate anion expressed by the following general formula (1), [NapAlqSirOz]2−  (1) wherein p, q, r and z are positive numbers satisfying, 5≦z≦20, z=(p/2)+(3q/2)+2r+1, 0

US07655201B2

Methods and devices for removing inflammable gases produced by radiolysis in a closed chamber containing radioactive matters comprising organic compounds and possibly water, or radioactive matters in the presence of organic compounds and possibly water. Inside the chamber there may be placed a catalyst of at least one reaction for oxidizing the inflammable gases by oxygen contained in the chamber atmosphere, supported by an inert solid support; a catalyst of at least the reaction for oxidizing CO to CO2; possibly an oxygen source; and possibly a hygroscopic microporous inert solid support. Also, chambers for radioactive matters containing such devices.
US07655198B2

The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components having at least one terminal end each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends of the multiple components remain within the sterile field sphere until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.
US07655197B2

A boule formed by high rate vapor phase growth of Group III-V nitride boules (ingots) on native nitride seeds, from which wafers may be derived for fabrication of microelectronic device structures. The boule is of microelectronic device quality, e.g., having a transverse dimension greater than 1 centimeter, a length greater than 1 millimeter, and a top surface defect density of less than 107 defects cm−2. The Group III-V nitride boule may be formed by growing a Group III-V nitride material on a corresponding native Group III-V nitride seed crystal by vapor phase epitaxy at a growth rate above 20 micrometers per hour.
US07655196B2

A reforming catalyst member having an elongated body whose outer surface has a number of peak and valley regions so as to increase the area of the outer surface to enhance catalyst utilization. The catalyst member is adhered to a fuel cell current collector using an adhesive and dried using infrared radiation.
US07655184B2

A self-contained apparatus using a gravitationally encouraged, interrupted, downward, diffusive and programmed flow of fluid to provide for rapid confirmatory immunological testing (“RCIT”) in, for example, a clinical, point-of-care setting. A fluid specimen such as blood, saliva or urine is deposited into a first chamber carrying a source of conjugate having mobilizable binding members such as immunographic antigens or antibodies specific to the condition being tested conjugated to a detectable label such as colloidal gold. The specimen is premixed with a first measured, reactive mix buffer solution carried within an openable tank. The specimen and solution are temporarily held within an incubation reservoir formed behind a dam made from porous, diffusive material. The delay and flow through the diffusive dam causes mixing of the specimen and solution to form a premixture which exhibits a more uniformly high degree of first affinity binding before flowing out of the first chamber toward one or more chromatographic test strips in a second chamber. In one embodiment, after a waiting period, a bladder containing a stop-wash buffer solution is opened to flow onto the strips. Additional embodiments provide one or more diffusive structures that can be pretreated with mixture enhancing chemicals such as surfactants. It is a rapid confirmatory immunological test apparatus having an analytical panel which can provide profile diagnostic results.
US07655181B2

A reduced iron discharging screw conveyer is provided in a rotary hearth furnace and discharges reduced iron out of the rotary hearth furnace. The rotary hearth furnace produces the reduced iron by charging and heating a pellet including metallic oxide and coal material onto a rotary hearth rotating in a horizontal plane. The reduced iron discharging screw conveyer has a rotary shaft and a screw blade which is spirally formed on an outer surface of the rotary shaft. A lead angle θ of the screw blade 5a satisfies a condition of “0.46 rad ≦θ≦0.79 rad”. A ratio (h/D) between height h of the screw blade and an outer diameter D of the screw conveyer is smaller than 0.2, and a ratio (t/h) between thickness t and height h of the screw blade is larger than or equal to 0.12.
US07655174B2

A fully curable jettable composition having a viscosity less than 30 cps at a temperature within the range of 15-180° C., more preferably at a temperature of 15-100° C., e.g. 60-80° C. the composition comprising: (A) at least one low viscosity reactive resin selected from the group consisting of compounds containing an oxetane ring, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins, tetrahydrofurans, hexahydropyrans and mono-functional (meth)acrylates, said resin having a molecular weight of not greater than 300 Daltons, e.g. 250 Daltons or less, and a viscosity at a temperature in the said range of less than 30 cps, e.g. 5 to 15 cps; (B) at least one higher viscosity resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, compounds containing an oxetane ring and acrylates, which resin acts to thicken the low viscosity resin and strengthen a jetted deposit of the composition, the higher viscosity resin having: a viscosity greater than twice that of the low viscosity resin at the said temperature in the range stated above, and a functionality of greater than or equal to 2; (C) at least one curable toughener, preferably having a functionality of at least 2, such as hydroxy, epoxy, acrylic or other reactive functionalised polymer/oligomer (e.g. derived by functionalising poly(tetrahydrofuran), polycaprolactone, polycarbonate diol, or a dendrimeric polyol; (D) at least one initiator for the polymerisation of the resins, and (E) at least one stabilizer for delaying the curing of the resins of the composition; wherein the low viscosity resin is slower to react than the higher viscosity resin and acts to solvate the higher viscosity resin prior to curing and at least partly during curing and wherein at least 30% of the components A and B are cationically curable resins. The composition can be jetted from piezo electric printing heads under the control of a computer program to form a multi-layered article, e.g. a three dimensional article, in which the adjacent droplets merge and are cured homogeneously together.
US07655171B2

The present invention provides an improved process for mixing castable polyurethanes and polyureas and for prolonging the dispensing time for dispensing them into a golf ball mold for application to a golf ball sub-assembly. A nozzle framework includes support housing heaters and heater adaptors for each dispensing port to delay the onset of drool and improve cut off in the dispensing tubes. The combination of fluorinated dispensing ports, the heating of the polyureas or polyurethanes, and inclusion of a capillary orifice in each dispensing port significantly prolongs the time before the advent of drool is detected.
US07655166B2

An evaporative emissions filter for an engine air induction system. The evaporative emissions filter includes a hydrocarbon vapor-adsorbent member disposed within the air induction system outside the direct air flow path. A mechanism is provided for mounting the evaporative emissions filter within the air induction system. Hydrocarbon vapors present in the air induction system after engine shut-down are substantially retained in the adsorbent member until air flows through the air induction system after the engine starts.
US07655164B2

The invention concerns a method for obtaining fibers and strips from colloidal particles, characterized in that it consists in: 1) dispersing said particles in a solvent optionally using a surfactant; 2) injecting the resulting dispersion solution through at least an orifice emerging into a flow of an external solution, preferably, having a higher viscosity than said dispersion, the viscosity levels being measured in the same temperature and pressure conditions, so as to cause said particles to agglomerate into fibers or strips by destabilizing the particle dispersions and optionally aligning said particles.
US07655160B2

The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
US07655159B2

The invention provides an electrode, electrolyte and/or a separator plate comprising a conductive material-doped ester-cured alkaline phenolic resole resin containing conducting alkaline salts.
US07655156B2

Novel orange phosphors are disclosed having the comprise silicate-based compounds having the formula (Sr,A1)x,(Si,A2)(O,A3)2+x:Eu2+, where A1 is at least one divalent cation (a 2+ ion) including Mg, Ca, Ba, or Zn, or a combination of 1+ and 3+ cations; A2 is a 3+, 4+, or 5+ cation, including at least one of B, Al, Ga, C, Ge, P; A3 is a 1−, 2−, or 3− anion, including F, Cl, and Br; and x is any value between 2.5 and 3.5, inclusive. The formula is written to indicate that the A1 cation replaces Sr; the A2 cation replaces Si, and the A3 anion replaces O. These orange phosphors are configured to emit visible light having a peak emission wavelength greater than about 565 nm. They have applications in white LED illumination systems, plasma display panels, and in orange and other colored LED systems.
US07655155B2

A liquid crystal thermoset (LCT) monomer or oligomer having both ends capped with maleimide having at least one methyl group, represented by Formula 1: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently CH3 or H, and at least one of R1 and R2 is a methyl group, and Ar1 is a divalent organic group containing one or more structural units selected from the group consisting of ester, amide, ester amide, ester imide and ether imide units, and Ar1 has a molecular weight not greater than 5,000.
US07655152B2

An etching method includes applying a first electromagnetic radiation to an area of structure, thereby altering a characteristic of the structure in the area, and applying a second electromagnetic radiation to the structure, the second electromagnetic radiation configured to selectively ablate the structure based on the characteristic.
US07655132B2

A method for improving the lubricating properties of a isomerized distillate base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100 degrees C. between about 2.5 cSt and about 8 cSt, the method comprising blending with said isomerized distillate base oil a sufficient amount of a pour point depressing base oil blending component to reduce the pour point of the resulting base oil blend at least 3 degrees C. below the pour point of the distillate base oil wherein the pour point depressing base oil blending component is an isomerized petroleum derived base oil containing material having a boiling range above about 1050 degrees F.; also lubricating base oil blends prepared according to the process; and the pour point depressing base oil blending component.
US07655128B2

An electrochemical test system comprising an electrochemical test strip capable of initiating an instrument, determining if it is inserted into a correct position of the instrument, a sample is injected into a reaction region of the electrochemical test strip, and the sample covers the reaction region properly. The electrochemical test strip includes an insulating substrate, an electrode system, and an insulating layer. The electrode system includes a resistor, a set of measurement electrodes which includes a reference electrode and a working electrode insulated from each other, and a set of identifying electrodes which includes first and second identifying electrodes connected through the resistor. A method for detecting a sample includes the steps of inserting the electrochemical test strip into a measurement instrument, providing the sample in the reaction region, and applying a voltage between the reference electrode and the working electrode, and measuring a current corresponding to the voltage.
US07655127B2

Method of fabricating electronic devices is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming an anodized layer that has a thickness greater than a desired thickness, and forming an electrically conductive layer on the anodized layer. The method further includes the steps of removing the conductive layer in a selected area to expose the anodized layer, and removing the exposed anodized layer until the anodized layer in the exposed area has the desired thickness.
US07655123B2

A gas sensor comprising a first measuring chamber for introducing a gas to be measured, a second measuring chamber for detection of the gas to be measured, and as pump cells a first pump cell having a pair of pump electrodes, and a second pump cell having a measuring electrode and an auxiliary pump electrode, wherein a porous alumina sintered body having communicating pores of 500-1100 Å in average pore diameter and 6-16% in porosity is formed as an electrode protective layer on the surface of at least the measuring electrode of the second pump cell in such a manner that the alumina sintered body covers the measuring electrode. The gas sensor can be use for long period of time because of the protective layer.
US07655120B2

A biosensor measuring an analyte contained in a sample is provided, including: an insulative lower substrate that has at least one electrode on which an enzyme reaction layer reacting with the analyte is formed; an upper substrate that faces the lower substrate and is made of a conductive material; and an adhesive layer that has a sample feed with a predetermined height on the enzyme reaction layer and attaches the upper and lower substrates to each other, where an end of the upper substrate acts as an electrode in which an electron-transfer mediator contained in the enzyme reaction layer is oxidized or reduced, and the other end acts as an electrical contact part that electrically contacts a measurement unit.
US07655119B2

The present invention is directed to an improved meter that utilizes a method of reducing the effects of interfering compounds in the measurement of analytes and more particularly to a method of reducing the effects of interfering compounds in a system wherein the test strip utilizes two or more working electrodes. In one embodiment of the present invention, a meter is described which applies a first potential to a first working electrode and a second potential, having the same polarity but a greater magnitude than the first potential, is applied to a second working electrode. The meter then measures the generated current and utilizes a predetermined algorithm to correct the measured current to compensate for the presence of interfering compounds in the sample.
US07655115B1

An apparatus and method provide a solute-solvent solution that allows the solute to become photo-protonated by the solvent on absorption of ultraviolet light. The solute is 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octamethylanthracene (OMA). The solvent is 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP). The protonated form of the solute absorbs visible light to change the coloration of the solution from a substantially clear state to a colored state.
US07655100B2

A raw steel is coated with or surrounded by a boron compound (step S1). A coating film of h-BN is formed on the surface of the raw steel. Then, the raw steel is nitrided by a nitriding gas while being heated (step S2). B from the boron compound and N from the nitriding gas are diffused into the raw steel, turning the raw steel into a steel material containing B and N. Most of B and N are present as an Fe (B, N) solid solution or an Fe (C, B, N) solid solution in the structure of the steel material. The raw steel is heated and nitrided under conditions such that B and N are contained ranging from 7 to 30 ppm by weight and ranging from 10 to 70 ppm by weight, respectively.
US07655095B2

Devices and methods of cleaning are described. The methods, and devices formed by the methods have a number of advantages. Embodiments are shown that include cleaning using a supercritical fluid. Advantages include a combination of both chemical and mechanical removal abilities from the supercritical fluid. Mechanical energy for cleaning is transmitted in a homogenous manner throughout a carrier fluid. The mechanical energy provided in methods shown can also be used with delicate surface features.
US07655090B2

Methods of controlling stress in GaN films deposited on silicon and silicon carbide substrates and the films produced therefrom are disclosed. A typical method comprises providing a substrate and depositing a graded gallium nitride layer on the substrate having a varying composition of a substantially continuous grade from an initial composition to a final composition formed from a supply of at least one precursor in a growth chamber without any interruption in the supply. A typical semiconductor film comprises a substrate and a graded gallium nitride layer deposited on the substrate having a varying composition of a substantially continuous grade from an initial composition to a final composition formed from a supply of at least one precursor in a growth chamber without any interruption in the supply.
US07655087B2

Pigment compositions each contain an organic pigment and at least one compound selected from compounds represented by the following formulas (I) or (II), respectively: A-N═N-D, B—N═N-D or C—N═N-D  Formula (I) A-N═N—CH(COCH3)—CONH-E, B—N═N—CH(COCH3)—CONH-E or C—N═N—CH(COCH3)—CONH-E  Formula (II) wherein A represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, B represents a substituted or unsubstituted β-naphthyl group, C represents a substituted or unsubstituted α-anthraquinonyl group, D represents a particular substituted aromatic group, and E represents a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, with a proviso that the compounds each have at least one substituent represented by —COOM or —SO3M in which M represents a hydrogen atom, metal atom, ammonium group, organic amine group or quaternary ammonium group. Colored compositions making use of the pigment compositions and color filters making use of the colored compositions are also disclosed.
US07655085B2

An anthrapyridone composition of the formula: is disclosed, where “A” and “B” are independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted cyclic ketone groups having from about 10 to about 20 ring carbon atoms; “a” is an integer having a value from 0-4, R1-R4 are monovalent substituents; with the proviso that when “a” is 0, R1 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, an alkyl group, a secondary amino group and an aminosulphonyl group; and R2-R4 are substituents selected form the group consisting of a hydroxyl group, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, a halogen atom, a cyano group, a carbonyl containing group, an amino group and a sulphonyl-containing group. The anthrapyridones are useful as thermally stable colorants for producing colored polymer resins and articles that require high temperature polymer processing conditions.
US07655078B2

A bubble separator includes a body with a generally cylindrical shape, an oil induction portion, a gas discharge portion with a generally cylindrical shape, an oil discharge portion, and an upper partition. The oil induction portion is provided on the body, and introduces bubble-containing oil to inside the body. The gas discharge portion is provided extending from a ceiling portion of the body, and discharges separated bubbles to outside the body. The oil discharge portion is provided on the body, and discharges separated oil to outside the body. The upper partition is provided extending from the ceiling portion, and is formed on a periphery of the gas discharge portion. According to the bubble separator of the present invention, the upper partition can prevent bubble-containing oil from directly blowing into the discharge hole of the gas discharge portion and discharging to outside the body together with separated gas.
US07655075B2

A method for producing a filter element involving applying a membrane layer to a carrier substrate, etching a membrane chamber, producing pores in the membrane layer, subjecting the membrane layer to an additional treatment to increase the mechanical strength.
US07655069B2

An air/liquid exchanger comprising an open-cell foam 102 supporting a liquid sorbent. The exchanger may be used for removing trace gaseous components from the air.
US07655067B2

The invention relates to a method for processing aluminum in a furnace consisting in introducing an aluminum-containing material and possibly one or several types of salt into the furnace, melting said material by heating with the aid of at least one burner supplied with a combustive material and fuel in such a way that a molten aluminum possibly covered with a slag containing, in particular alumina and at least one salt is produced and in measuring a carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen concentration in the furnace atmosphere or in a smoke at the exit of the furnace. Oxygen content in the combustive material supplying at least one burner is greater than 10% by volume, preferably greater than 21% by volume. The inventive method also involves a final phase of reduction of the molten aluminum oxydation during which the fuel flow rate is substantially constant while the injected combustive flow rate is controlled at a value ranging from 3 to 15% by volume which is greater than a CO concentration in the furnace and/or in the smoke without control.
US07655053B1

A method of producing sodium carbonate from any solution or carbonate mineral, especially trona, that includes: removing calcium and magnesium compounds from an input solution; passing the input solution to a precipitator, adding methanol of 30% to 70% by volume to the solution in the precipitator so as to precipitate carbonate from the solution, washing the precipitated carbonate with a methanol-containing solution, and drying the washed precipitated crystals at low temperatures. The present invention provides a refined technique for reducing impurities and increasing efficiency of the process whereby sodium carbonate crystals can be formed of various sizes, shapes, densities and distributions by adjusting various parameters of the process. The sodium carbonate crystals produced from the process may originate from an input solution comprised of calcined-sodium carbonate solution, tailing pond water, waste pond water, sesquicarbonate or uncalcined trona solution, or from various mixtures of carbonates and bicarbonates.
US07655029B2

A bone plate for fixation of proximal humerus fractures comprises an elongated shaft portion having a first width and a head portion connected to the shaft portion having a second width greater than the first width. The head portion and the shaft portion define a common longitudinal axis. At least one first screw hole may be located in the head portion, and at least one second screw hole may be located in the shaft portion. At least one of the first and second holes is configured to engage a head of a bone screw to form an angularly stable connection with the bone screw.
US07655027B2

Methods for inserting and expanding fusion implants having an expandable height are disclosed. An implant holder having a passage therethrough that is adapted to receive an expander driver is provided. The implant holder is attached to the implant, and the expander driver is inserted through the passage to engage an expander of the implant. Using the expander driver, the expander is rotated from a first position to a second position to expand the expandable implant from a first collapsed height to a second expanded height.
US07655008B2

Derotation instrument assemblies and systems are provided to facilitate positioning one or more vertebrae of a spinal column into a desired alignment. The instrument assemblies and systems include implant holders engageable to respective implants engaged to vertebrae of the spinal column, transverse bridges to connect implant holders associated with a particular vertebra, and inter-level linking assemblies to connect instrument assemblies associated with different vertebrae. Derotation handles can be provided on the implant holders to facilitate application of the alignment forces, while the assemblies distribute the corrective forces to the connected implants and vertebrae.
US07655001B2

A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may be released in one location while the device is stationary or along a path while it is traveling, self-powered by the shape memory material activator. In addition, the substance may be delivered to an object upon contact with its surface. The self powering abilities allow these devices to be used as substance delivery devices as well as actuators, transporters, and energy conversion systems with modular characteristics and growth potential. The devices may be armed, prior to the beginning of their service life, to be placed in a state of readiness to release their substances once the path is created. Prior to arming they may be maintained at any temperature, incapable of releasing their substances. The devices according to the present invention may be used as temperature sensors or warning devices, drug delivery devices, and the like.
US07655000B2

A urology catheter is provided that includes an elongated body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body defines at least one lumen. A tip has a proximal end that is disposed in abutting relation with the distal end of the body such that the body is fixed with the tip. The tip defines a lateral opening that is defined by a wall including an external radius disposed in transition with an outer surface of the tip and an internal radius disposed in transition with an inner surface of the tip. The external radius has a non-perpendicular profile with the outer surface of the tip. An expandable member has a proximal portion disposed about the body and a distal portion disposed about the tip. A method of manufacturing the urology catheter is provided.
US07654986B2

A needle mounting system and methods for mounting a needle assembly on a needle mount are disclosed. The needle mounting system includes a needle hub having protrusions extending radially inward. A needle mount has a plurality of slots to receive the protrusions. The slots have a first portion that defines a passageway substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the needle mount and a second portion substantially perpendicular to the axis. The needle hub and mount provide a method wherein a needle assembly may be mounted on an injection device without completely rotating the needle hub relative to the needle mount.
US07654982B2

An infusion pump and method are provided which control flow rates with variable fluid pressure and variable series flow resistance.
US07654981B2

A device for removing a needle unit from an injection device, the device for removing including an opening for receiving the needle unit and a locking structure generally associated with the opening, the locking structure formed in at least one rim area along the circumference of the opening, such that the needle unit can be moved in an insertion direction through the opening after it has been inserted into the opening, and when the needle unit is moved counter to the insertion direction, it establishes a locking connection with the locking structure. In one embodiment, the invention includes a container for receiving and containing at least one used needle unit.
US07654978B2

An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes an elongated tube defining an evacuation lumen having proximal and distal ends. A proximal sealing surface is provided on a proximal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a lumen of a guided catheter. A distal sealing surface is provided on a distal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a blood vessel. A method of treatment of a blood vessel using the evacuation sheath assembly includes advancing the evacuation sheath assembly into the blood vessel through a guide catheter. Prior to advancing a device across a stenosis to be treated, normal antegrade blood flow in the blood vessel proximate to the stenosis is stopped. While blood flow is stopped, the stenosis is treated. Retrograde blood flow is induced within the blood vessel to carry embolic material dislodged during treating into the evacuation sheath assembly.
US07654972B2

In one embodiment, a spinal orthosis includes a shoulder unit comprising a left shoulder portion and a right shoulder portion, a retracting device, a first connector connected to the left shoulder portion at a first end of the first connector and connected to the retracting device at a second end of the first connector, a second connector connected to the right shoulder portion at a first end of the second connector and connected to the retracting device at a second end of the second connector, and a lumbosacral belt attached to the retracting device, the lumbosacral belt being able to be secured to a body.
US07654957B2

Utilization of a contact device placed on the eye in order to detect physical and chemical parameters of the body as well as the non-invasive delivery of compounds according to these physical and chemical parameters, with signals being transmitted continuously as electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared and the like. One of the parameters to be detected includes non-invasive blood analysis utilizing chemical changes and chemical products that are found in the conjunctiva and in the tear film. A transensor mounted in the contact device laying on the cornea or the surface of the eye is capable of evaluating and measuring physical and chemical parameters in the eye including non-invasive blood analysis. The system utilizes eye lid motion and/or closure of the eye lid to activate a microminiature radio frequency sensitive transensor mounted in the contact device. The signal can be communicated by wires or radio telemetered to an externally placed receiver. The signal can then be processed, analyzed and stored. Several parameters can be detected including a complete non-invasive analysis of blood components, measurement of systemic and ocular blood flow, measurement of heart rate and respiratory rate, tracking operations, detection of ovulation, detection of radiation and drug effects, diagnosis of ocular and systemic disorders and the like.
US07654956B2

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US07654942B1

A linearly adjustable multi resistance ratio exercise apparatus provides at least two linearly adjustable flexible connector ends which can be pressed or pulled for functional and strength training exercises. The flexible connector ends may be interconnected with resistance wherein the pressing or pulling of one flexible connector end will provide the user a different ratio of resistance than the pressing or pulling of an alternate flexible connector end. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide less resistance and will provide more flexible connector travel for functional training exercises. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide more resistance and will provide less flexible connector travel for strength training exercises. Some flexible connector ends may share the same swivel pulley assembly. One handle assembly may be attached to multiple flexible connector ends to obtain additional ratios of resistance.
US07654935B2

A maximum flow calculating unit calculates a maximum amount of hydraulic fluid that can flow into or out of an input-side hydraulic cylinder when a shift control command signal is set to a reference DUTY value, based on an estimated valve pressure difference calculated by an estimated pressure difference calculating unit, and a post-guard target sheave position setting unit performs a guard process for restricting the amount of change of the sheave position, using a guard value calculated by a guard value calculating unit based on the maximum flow amount, so as to set a post-guard target sheave position. Since the thus set target sheave position does not undergo excessive large changes nor excessively small changes during shifting, a target value for shifting is set so that a feedforward controlled variable determined based on the amount of change of the target sheave position becomes an appropriate value.
US07654920B2

A multi-purpose golf accessory assembly comprises an elongated body member having a number of components mounted thereon. The components include a divot green repair tool, a magnetically secured marker and a golf ball marking instrument. The components are configured in such a way as to provide a golfer with a compact hand-held implement that is easily and conveniently utilized while the golfer engages in a round of golf.
US07654919B2

Golf ball 2 has numerous dimples 8. Provided that mean diameter of all the dimples 8 is Da, ratio (N1/N) of number N1 of adjacent dimple pairs having a pitch of (Da/4) or less to total number N of the dimples is equal to or greater than 2.70. Ratio (N2/N1) of number N2 of the adjacent dimple pairs having a pitch of (Da/20) or less to the number N1 is equal to or greater than 0.50. The northern hemisphere N and the southern hemisphere S of this golf ball 2 have a pole vicinity region 20, an equator vicinity region 22 and a coordination region 24, respectively. The pole vicinity region 20 includes 5 units which are rotationally symmetric each other centered on the pole point P. The equator vicinity region 22 includes 6 units which are rotationally symmetric each other centered on the pole point P. The coordination region 24 does not include any unit.
US07654917B2

The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition.
US07654916B2

The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a dual-layer core and a cover. The core consists of a center having a center hardness of 50 Shore C or greater and formed from a low modulus HNP composition, and an outer core layer having a surface hardness of 75 Shore C or greater and formed from a high modulus HNP composition. Low modulus HNP compositions of the present invention have a modulus of from 1,000 psi to 50,000 psi. High modulus HNP compositions of the present invention have a modulus of from 25,000 psi to 150,000 psi. The modulus of the highly neutralized copolymer of the low modulus HNP is at least 10% less than the modulus of the highly neutralized copolymer of the high modulus HNP composition. The cover consists of an inner cover layer formed from a thermoplastic composition and an outer cover layer formed from a polyurethane or polyurea composition.
US07654915B2

Golf ball compositions including a rosin-modified polymeric composition including a conventional ionomer, acid copolymer, highly neutralized polymer, or other suitable polymer that has been modified with a rosin material to impart stiffness through increasing the flexural modulus of the material.
US07654914B2

A golf club head having an undercut is disclosed. The club head includes a body defining a striking face, a top line, a sole, a back, a heel, and a toe. The back contains a cavity that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the face. A recesses is provided within the cavity, with the recess extending away from the cavity and toward the sole. The recess causes more of the club head mass to be oriented towards the perimeter of the club head, and optionally also toward the back of the club head. This enlarges the club sweet spot and increases the moment of inertia, and facilitates imparting a desired flight path to a struck golf ball, producing a more forgiving club. The recess may have a varying depth and/or a varying draft angle. A rear wall of the recess may be provided with a cutout to further reposition mass toward the club head perimeter. An insert, such as a vibration dampening member, may be provided within the recess. The insert may contain secondary inserts, such as weight members, therein in strategic locations. The insert may completely fill the recess, or may fill only a portion thereof.
US07654913B2

A golf club head is formed with openings respectively on top and bottom sides thereof and a circumferential recessed groove is formed in the club head along a circumference of each opening. Pegs are formed in and spaced along the circumferential grooves. A faceplate and a bottom plate are provided, each having a circumferential edge along which notches are formed in a spaced manner to correspond to the pegs. Thus, when the faceplate and the bottom plate are received in the top and bottom openings respectively to be supported by the circumferential grooves, the notches respectively snugly fit over the pegs to thereby securely and properly hold the faceplate and the bottom plate in position for subsequently welding operation. Thus, the subsequent welding operation can be carried out in a smooth manner without any underside shifting of the faceplate and bottom plate with respect to the club head.
US07654912B1

A golfing stance training apparatus and method includes a spherical housing has a diameter between 5 inches and 9 inches. The housing is comprised of an elastic material and is inflated. The housing is positioned between a person's legs so that the housing is positioned adjacent to knees of the legs and the legs support the housing over a ground surface. A golf swing is made a golf swing by the person while retaining the housing between and supported by the legs.
US07654905B2

A video gaming device includes a games console. The games console includes a disc reader module configured to load a game stored on a disc. A printer module is pivotally mounted relative to the disc reader module and is configured to print game information on print media. A controller module is configured to be engaged, in a releasable manner, with the printer module. The controller module is also configured to communicate wirelessly with the games console to enable control of the games console.
US07654895B2

A slot-type gaming machine using an expandable symbol array to create a series of sequentially larger symbol arrays with the potential for additional or enhanced awards. The generation of the larger arrays can be performed through a variety a different mechanisms, such as the addition of a reel to the base array. The secondary arrays may be generated only under specific sets of circumstances that occur in the base array including, a winning pay line, the occurrence of a bonus triggering symbol, etc. To increase player interest in the game, some embodiments include allowing the player to determine where the additional symbols to create the larger array are placed in the base array.
US07654892B2

A re-threshing system for a combine includes a delivery mechanism for transporting tailings from the cleaning section of the combine to a re-threshing apparatus and a bypass that can be used to bypass the tailings around the re-threshing apparatus. The re-threshing apparatus includes a re-threshing housing that at least partially surrounds a re-threshing rotor. The rotor and housing have cooperating threshing elements that act to re-thresh the tailings delivered into the housing and deliver the re-threshed tailings out of a housing outlet into a discharge passage to be directed to the cleaning section of the combine harvester. The delivery mechanism is configured to throw or fling the tailings into an inlet opening of the housing in a direction substantially tangential to the rotor rotating direction. To bypass the re-threshing apparatus, a deflector can be deployed to block the inlet opening and deflect the tailings into a bypass passage that is open to the discharge passage.
US07654884B2

The object of the invention is to provide a method of polishing the end surfaces of a substrate for a recording medium, which is capable of efficiently polishing the inner peripheral end surface and/or the outer peripheral end surface of the substrate preventing the reliability of performance of the recording medium from being impaired by the adhesion of the residual polishing material. According to the invention, there is provided a method of polishing end surfaces of a substrate for a recording medium wherein an inner peripheral end surface or an outer peripheral end surface of a substrate for a disk-like recording medium having a circular hole at the central portion thereof is brought into contact with a polishing medium obtained by dispersing polishing grains in a viscoelastic resin carrier and the polishing medium flows, thereby to polish the inner peripheral end surface or the outer peripheral end surface.
US07654874B2

An electrical connecting device for inserting a male plug connector of an electronic component, consisting of a strip of electrically conductive material having a central portion with an opening for introducing the male plug connector and, symmetrically on both sides of the central portion, two longitudinal portions each having an intermediate insertion section in which a contact blade is formed which is delimited by a cut-out, and a terminal section for being plugged into a support. The strip of material is folded to form a parallelepiped cage delimited by the central portion and by the two intermediate insertion sections formed so that their contact blades each define a contact area for a male plug connector introduced into the cage, and a section which may be plugged into a support consisting of two terminal sections placed against one another.
US07654871B2

An electrical connector includes an electrical receptacle and an electrical plug for mating with the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle includes a first port, a second port communicating with the first port. The second port can accommodate a standard B-type USB 2.0 plug. The first and the second ports can be combined to receive the electrical plug for high-speed signal transmission.
US07654868B1

A card connector is disclosed that includes an insulating housing and a plurality of contacts. The insulating housing defines a plurality of contact slots. Each of the contact slots extends outwardly and laterally to opposite sides to form two resisting protrusions respectively, wherein each of the resisting protrusions forms a resisting surface extending obliquely and inwardly from one side thereof. The contacts are respectively received in the contact slots of the insulating housing. Each of the contacts has a contact portion protruding upwardly for being pressed by a card and the contact portion is connected with a bearing portion resisting against the resisting surface for preventing the contact portion from flipping upwardly out of the insulating housing.
US07654860B2

A signal transmission wire with audio interface and USB interface, the wire is a four-core connection wire, one end of which is connected to a USB interface, the other end of which is connected to a dual-track audio interface; the four-core signal connection wire is further provided with a winder, the winder is a box, and a bobbin for intertwining the four-core connection wire is pivotally jointed in its cavity; two opening holes are set on the surface of the winder; the double ends of the four-core connection wire pass through the two opening holes respectively; the wire of the four-core connection wire is winded on the bobbin.
US07654855B2

A socket assembly includes a socket body, a connecting line and an electrical connector. The socket body comprises a panel and at least one socket unit. The socket body is provided with a receiving trough. One end of the connecting line extends into the inside of the socket body. The electrical connector is connected to the other end of the connecting line. The connecting line and the electrical connector are stored in the receiving trough or extend beyond the receiving trough selectively. Via the above arrangement, the socket assembly of the present invention can provide a connecting line and an electrical connector to facilitate the user to quickly connect electronic products. Further, when the connecting line and the electrical connector are not in use, they can be stored in the socket body and thus may not cause clutter and disturbance.
US07654854B1

The present invention is to provide a push-cord energy saving lamp holder that is easy for the stripping of power cord, which comprises: a lamp holder body, having push-cord holes and nearby cord-stripped sockets at its top, and first lodging troughs and second lodging troughs in its internal; a set of push-cord stands, each having a plug face from which a power connect face and a conducting face are formed by bending its top and bottom portions, where the edge of the power connect face is further divided into a power connect notch corresponding to the push-cord hole and a cord-stripped trench corresponding to the cord-stripped socket; a set of conducting springy slices, having a plug face lodged in the second lodging trough for a fixing and a conducting face connected to the conducting face of the push-cord stand; and a cover plate, placed on the hollow of the lamp holder body, having a set of positioning grooves on the plate, which accommodate the insertion of the conducting terminals of an energy saving lamp; the cord-stripped socket is designed for accommodating the insertion of a slender cord-stripped tool, where the tool is pushed to bend the cord-stripped trench, which in turn bends the power connect notch, and the effect causes the conducting end portion of the power cord is released easily from the push-cord hole.
US07654853B2

The present invention provides an electronic circuit for detecting, identifying, and/or activating a digital device, including a touch-and-hold connector configured to hold an object of interest, the digital device coupled to the touch-and-hold connector, for example, wherein the digital device has a unique digital registration number, a microcontroller that reads the unique digital registration number of the digital device, a storage receptacle configured to selectively receive the touch-and-hold connector, a light-emitting source coupled to the storage receptacle and associated with the touch-and-hold connector, and an electrical power source. Further including, an apparatus for releasably securing a digital device to a touch-and-hold connector including a digital device having a unique digital registration number with a first end and a second end, at least one prong located on the first end of the digital device, a touch-and-hold connector having a top portion forming a lip and at least one opening located within the lip for receiving the at least one prong of the digital device, wherein the prong of the digital device is received with the at least one opening within the lip, whereby the digital device is rotated into a position so that the prong is in a spaced apart relationship with the at least one opening forming a releasably secure arrangement between the digital device and touch-and-hold connector.
US07654847B2

A probe is provided for testing the electrical characteristics of a device. The probe includes a housing, a plurality of cables, a circuit board located within the housing, and a field-replaceable probe tip. The probe tip includes an array of contacts. Each of the plurality of cables is connected to a corresponding contact. The probe includes a retractable shroud that retracts as the probe is connected to the device. The contacts have bifurcated tips. An alignment assembly for aligning a probe with respect to a device to be tested includes a first alignment block, a second alignment block, and an alignment piece connecting the first alignment block and the second alignment block. The first alignment block and the second alignment block are arranged to be attached to the device to be tested to align the probe with respect to the device to be tested.
US07654844B1

A power supply module configured for removable insertion into a power supply bay of an electronic system. A telescopic power connector disposed within the power supply housing includes a plurality of internal fixed contacts in electrical communication with an electrical socket and a movable member carrying a plurality of elongate sliding contacts in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts. The movable member is movable generally perpendicular to an insertion direction of the power supply housing. A mechanical actuator is configured for moving the movable member of the telescopic power connector into connection with an external power connector, such as on a motherboard, so that ends of the sliding contacts are moved into electrical connection with terminals on the external power connector while remaining in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts.
US07654833B2

A spring contact has a post-release outer upper surface in compression and a post-release outer lower surface in compression. A compressive lower layer of spring material may be formed at a thickness that is three-eighths or less of a tensile upper layer of spring material. A low modulus of elasticity cladding material may also be applied to the outer surface of the spring contact with a lower surface of the cladding material being formed with a compressive stress.
US07654831B1

A cable assembly (1000) includes a housing (1) has a receiving space (10), said receiving space including a hollow portion and a mating port located in front of the hollow portion; a spacer (4) located in the receiving space; a first and second printed circuit boards (31, 32) partially enclosed within the spacer and arranged apart from one another, both the first and second printed circuit boards having mating interfaces extending into the mating port and mounting portions disposed in the hollow portion; a metallic plate (2) assembled to the spacer and disposed between the pair of first and second printed circuit boards; a plurality of cables (7) coupled to the mounting portions of the pair of first and second printed circuit boards, respectively.
US07654830B2

An IC socket includes a socket body defining a first receiving cavity with a bottom wall, a cover attached pivotally on one end of the socket body and a locking member for locking the cover to the socket body. The IC socket further includes four detachable aligning elements mounted on four corners of the bottom wall. The four aligning elements have a plurality of positioning surfaces adapted for corporately defining a second receiving cavity for snugly accommodating an IC package therein. Different aligning elements with different dimensions can be replaced to mount on the socket body for different IC packages, thus a cost of manufacturing is reduced.
US07654824B2

An extension piece (2) for a dental implant (1) has a head part (20) which serves as a basis for a retention element (7). The extension piece (2) can be screwed in the dental implant (1) with a threaded stem (29). The extension piece (2) is provided with a reference surface (24) via which the position of the extension piece (2) in the circumferential direction can be transferred to a transfer aid (4) having a transfer surface (42) shaped to complement the reference surface (24). The position of the extension piece (2) is transferred via the transfer aid (4) into an impression (93). The extension piece (2) is then provided with a manipulation implant (5) and is repositioned in the impression (93). From this, a working model (M) is formed in which the desired shape of the extension piece (2) can be defined. The extension piece (2) which has been machined to the desired shape is then screwed into the implant (1) with the same torque as is used for taking the impression.
US07654820B2

In certain embodiments, a control valve assembly for gas heaters and gas fireplace devices includes a housing. The housing can define an inlet for accepting fuel from a fuel source, a first outlet for delivering fuel to an oxygen depletion sensor, and a second outlet for delivering fuel to a burner. The assembly can include a valve body configured to selectively provide fluid communication between the inlet and one or more of the first outlet and the second outlet, and can include an actuator configured to move the valve body relative to the housing. The actuator can be configured to transition between a resting state and a displaced state. The assembly can include an igniter that includes a sensor, the igniter electrically coupled with an electrode and configured to repeatedly activate the electrode when the sensor senses that the actuator is in the displaced state. The assembly can include a shutoff valve electrically coupled with the oxygen depletion sensor and configured to operate in response to an electrical quantity communicated by the oxygen depletion sensor.
US07654819B2

A tubular flame burner, a combustion method, and combustion controller, are disclosed. Here, the tubular flame burner comprises: a tubular combustion chamber whose h one end is open; fuel-spraying nozzles and oxygen-containing-gas spraying nozzles. The respective nozzle orifices are formed in the inner face of the combustion chamber so that each spraying direction is in a neighborhood of a tangential direction of the inner circumferential wall of the combustion chamber. And an ignition device is disposed at a position r/2 from the tube axis of the combustion chamber (r: the radius of the combustion chamber). The length of the combustion chamber can be adjusted, the tubular flame burner is a multi-stage burner formed of multiple tubular flame burners, and a gap between the inner tube and the outer tube serves as a gas-flow path. A combustion control method for the tubular flame burner is disclosed, wherein on/off of switching valves is controlled so that the spraying speed from each nozzle is maintained in a predetermined range corresponding to the combustion load.
US07654816B2

Systems and methods of aligning a lithographic mask are described. In one aspect, a substrate and a lithographic mask are aligned based at least in part on a motive force between a substrate alignment mark on the substrate and a mask alignment mark on the lithographic mask that induces movement of at least one of the substrate and the lithographic mask into mutual alignment.
US07654811B2

A mold equipped with a core having a plurality of branching columnar distal portions in the extrusion direction and a die having an aperture surrounding the distal portions. A softened flexible resin is injected from one end of a resin flow path formed between the core and the die and extruded in order to form a pipe material having a plurality of circular liquid flow paths which are mutually independent and have the same inner diameter. The distal portions of the core shaped as a row of circular distal portions aligned on the same axis, where the two edge distal portions have a smaller diameter than the distal portions disposed between the edge distal portions, while the portions of the aperture surrounding each of the distal portions have the same diameter.
US07654810B2

While a check ring of a screw of an injection molding machine is in open state, an absolute value (|Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount|) of a variation of a resin pressure per unit variation of the screw reverse rotation becomes greater than a predetermined reference value. However, after the check ring is closed, |Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount| becomes equal to or less than the reference value. From this, detecting if the |Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount| during reverse rotation of the screw, it is possible to determine that the check ring is closed or not. As a result, it is possible to obtain a screw reverse rotation amount which is optimal for reliably closing the check ring.
US07654809B2

If a screw is moved forward after a metering step is completed, the screw moves in a state where a check ring on a tip end of the screw is in open state. Resin flows in a direction opposite to the injection direction. A rotational force is applied to the screw due to the backflow of the resin. If the check ring closes a resin passage, the rotational force acting on the screw is reduced. A peak time of the screw rotational force is detected as closing point in time of the check ring. Physical amounts such as a screw rotational force and a screw position at that timing are detected. Since the closing point in time of the check ring is precisely detected, correction of the injection/hold pressure switching position and the injection speed switching position can be adjusted more precisely. It is possible to precisely determine whether a molded article is non-defective or defective based on the detected physical amount.
US07654807B2

A method for generating foam for gypsum product manufacturing includes injecting water through a conduit and injecting a foaming agent through the conduit to form a first solution comprising the water and the foaming agent. The method includes straining the first solution in the conduit and injecting air through the conduit to form a second solution comprising the water, the foaming agent and the air. The method also includes straining the second solution in the conduit to form foam and communicating the foam to a gypsum product manufacturing device.
US07654805B2

A scroll compressor includes a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll structuring an operation chamber for a fluid with the fixed scroll and compressing the fluid in the operation chamber by orbiting relative to the fixed scroll, a shaft having an eccentric portion connected to the orbiting scroll and receiving a driving force to rotate, a housing accommodating the orbiting scroll, the housing integrally provided with the fixed scroll, a tooth integrally formed at the orbiting scroll and extending in a radial direction of the orbiting scroll and an engaging portion integrally formed in the housing, the engaging portion facing the tooth in the radial direction of the orbiting scroll and engaging with the tooth in a circumferential direction of the orbiting scroll.
US07654797B2

A blade for a turbo machine has a blade section and a shroud element terminating the blade section in the blade section longitudinal direction. The blade section has a suction face and a pressure face. The shroud element extends essentially at right angles to the blade section longitudinal direction and has a first platform section projecting beyond the blade section and a second platform section projecting beyond the blade section. The platform sections are asymmetric with respect to one another. At least the first platform section of the shroud element is arranged at an additional inclination angle with respect to a normal alignment of the first platform section, with the additional inclination angle being in the opposite direction to the bending torque which acts on the first platform section during operation.
US07654789B2

An apparatus for forming stacks with print products includes a platform on which respective stacks are formed. A lift comprised of two lift parts is arranged on the platform to lift up the print products.
US07654787B2

The invention relates to a tool holder for cranes. The tool holder comprises hydraulic cylinder means arranged to detachably be able to lock a tool to the tool holder. Furthermore, hydraulic coupling means is comprised and arranged to be connected with hydraulic coupling means on the tool and hydraulic line means. The object of the invention is, among other things, to reduce the number of requisite lines in the hydraulic line means. According to the invention, the tool holder comprises furthermore valve means provided with switching means arranged to connect the hydraulic line means either to the hydraulic cylinder means or to the hydraulic coupling means of the tool holder. Thereby, the same hydraulic line means may be used for the locking i 5 function and the tool. The invention also relates to a crane provided with such a tool holder as well as use of the tool holder.
US07654784B2

The present invention is a housing for a surface-mountable device such as a security device (a PIR, a microwave motion detector, and the like). The housing has a surface-mountable housing portion with at least one aperture for receiving a surface-mounting member therethrough, the housing portion fabricated substantially from a plastic material. A member-retaining portion is integrally molded with the housing portion and extends substantially perpendicular from said housing portion, said member-retaining portion adapted to receive a surface-mounting member when inserted therethrough and retain said surface-mounting member in place. As a result of this configuration, when a surface-mounting member such as a screw is inserted therethrough, the surface-mounting member is held in place by the member-retaining portion and is insertable through the aperture when pressure is applied thereto. Preferably, the aperture is circular and the member-retaining portion is substantially cylindrical with at least one slot extending along said member-retaining portion. The member-retaining portion is adapted so as to allow a user to push a surface-mounting member therethrough and to hold the surface-mounting member in place. The member-retaining portion is compressible and/or collapsible so that when a surface-mounting member is inserted therethrough so as to force the surface-mountable housing portion against a wall, the member-retaining portion is substantially compressed and/or collapsed between a head portion of the surface-mounting member and the housing portion.
US07654781B2

An anchor (910) for mounting to a hollow wall (W) made of friable material comprises a proximal flanged end (918) adapted to be engaged by a rotatable tool (B) to rotate the anchor (910) about a longitudinal axis (A) thereof and to cause is to gradually engage the wall (W). The anchor (910) also includes a distal end (912) adapted to cut through the wall (W) as the anchor (910) is rotated, and a shank (920) extending between the proximal and distal ends (918, 912). The shank (920) includes at least one expandable leg (924) that is in a collapsed position thereof when the anchor (910) is rotated to mount it to the wall (W) and that is located distally beyond a non visible surface of the wall (W) once the anchor (910) has been mounted to the wall and is in a first position thereof. The wall anchor (910) includes an outer thread (922) that securely engages the wall (W). A threaded fastener (B), e.g. a screw, is adapted to be introduced in the anchor (910) and to threadably engage the same distally of the leg (924) such that sufficient rotation of the threaded fastener (B) retracts the distal end (912) towards the proximal end (918) thereby causing the leg (924) to displace to a laterally expanded position thereof and to engage the non visible surface of the wall (W).
US07654780B1

A load lock adjustment mechanism for use with a load lock for trailers is provided. The load lock has a pad positionable against a trailer wall with a connecting rod extending from the pad and at least one tube sized and shaped for receiving the connecting rod. The load lock adjustment mechanism comprises an insert receivable within the tube with the insert having a threaded aperture extending therethrough and a pad holder having a first end and a second end with the first end of the pad holder having a bore for receiving the connecting rod extending from pad and the second end of the pad holder having a threaded hole formed therethrough to the bore. A threaded stud is receivable within the threaded aperture of the insert and receivable within the threaded hole of the pad holder. A tightening mechanism is secured between the first end and the second end of the stud. A lock collar is movable along the second end of the stud between the insert and the mechanism for securing the final distance between the pad and the tube.
US07654779B2

A power tool includes a tool bit, a tool holder, a bit holding member, a bit mounting hole, a through hole, an outside opening, a bit mounting hole side opening, an engaging member, a cylindrical operating member, a movement preventing portion, a biasing member, a first engaging region, a second engaging region, and a third engaging region. As the first, the second and the third engaging regions respectively cooperate, the tool bit can be automatically secured to the bit holding member by inserting the tool bit into the bit mounting hole of the bit holding member. Mounting and removing of the tool bit can be achieved without a ring spring.
US07654775B2

A soil nail launching device and method are provided wherein the launching device includes an improved configuration for the protective shroud and an improved configuration for a connection between the breach and barrel of the launching device. For the protective shroud, a plurality of removable shroud plates are provided to ease maintenance of the shroud plate, as well as to provide more consistent pressure release after the launcher has been fired. The improved breach and barrel design includes a connection that does not reduce the area of the annular space that is evacuated during firing of the device, thereby optimizing the available volume of air to be transferred to the breach for launching the soil nail through the barrel.
US07654774B1

A method for pulling pipe using a device that is rectangular in shape and is connected at one end thereof to a pulling vehicle so that pulling force from the pulling vehicle is directed along the longitudinal axis of the puller and which has two pipe connecting holes defined therethrough adjacent to the other end thereof.
US07654772B1

A mobile asphalt production machine mixes bituminous concrete at the job site through a mixing auger mechanism mounted in an insulated housing. Propane burners provide heat within the mixing auger mechanism and within the insulated housing to produce a hot-mix bituminous concrete in large or small batches. The components of the asphalt mixture are stored in separate bins that can be re-filled at the job site to provide a continuous supply of asphalt. Hot liquid bitumen is added to heated aggregate within the mixing auger mechanism. Recycled asphalt can be added through a port in the mixing auger for incorporation into the mixture. Controls permit the rate of flow of each individual component to be selectively varied in order to change the recipe for the mixture and to provide calibration of the component, while a master control will maintain the pre-established flow rates through a variable speed of operation.
US07654762B2

A pen and/or pencil having an opening positioned opposite its writing end for retaining or storing a cosmetic preparation which can be applied to a user. Caps may also be included to cover both the writing end and/or the opposite end containing the cosmetic preparation. The cap covering the cosmetic preparation may also include an applicator such as a wand having a flat, round, or brush shaped tip.
US07654746B2

In a spindle rotor, the orientation of the figure axis is accepted and the anchoring of the rotor bearing (SL) is configured such that the orientation of the geometric rotational axis adapts to the physical main axis of inertia. The bearing is configured in the form of an actively controlled bearing, whereby the orientation is measured and is dynamically carried out, but also in the form of bearing comprising passive elements which are associated with the external ring of the bearing and enable a correspondingly dynamic orientation of the bearing. A damper (T) is provided to dampen the vibrations of the bearing (SL).
US07654744B2

A fluid dynamic bearing mechanism for a motor (1) suitable for use in a hard disk drive and having a compact and thin shape, high bearing rigidity, and high rotating accuracy, and which securely keeps the rotor member (6) in place against shocks, and allows the inspection of lubricant supply amount easily. A fluid dynamic bearing mechanism having a capillary seal part (12) on one end of lubricant supply part formed by a minute gap including dynamic pressure grooves (10) formed on a shaft member (5) or a bearing member (4) is provided. An annular member (13) is fitted on the shaft member at the location corresponding to the capillary seal part, another annular member (14) is fitted on the bearing member at the location corresponding to the capillary seal part, a taper or step (13a, 14a) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the annular member on the shaft member side and the inner peripheral surface of the annular member on the bearing member side. These inner and outer peripheral surfaces are arranged to be close to and facing with each other so that the rotor member is prevented from disengaging from the bearing member, and the capillary seal part can be formed at the same time. An axial dynamic pressure bearing unit (1) is formed between the annular member on the shaft member side and one end of the bearing member.
US07654740B2

X-ray tube and method for determination of focal spot properties The invention relates to an x-ray tube (1) comprising at least one cathode (3) which emits electrons accelerated towards a rotating anode (5) such that the focal spot (27) is formed on a surface (9) of the anode (5). A structure (15), in particular slits or pits (13), is disposed on the surface (9) of the anode (5). The x-ray tube (1) comprises a detector (7) for detecting a detection signal which changes, if the structure (15) on the rotating anode (5) passes the focal spot. The x-ray tube (1) further comprises determination means (6) for determining properties of the focal spot from changes of the detection signal. Thus, properties of the focal spot can be determined from changes of the detection signal during operation of the x-ray tube (1).
US07654735B2

An electronic thermometer having ergonomic and efficiency features. The thermometer includes a display and a control panel, defined by at least one button, disposed above the display. The thermometer is easy and comfortable to hold and allows the user to operate the thermometer with one hand. The thermometer holds a probe and a container of probe covers in a convenient and compact configuration. A battery door is particularly constructed to avoid accidental opening. A bottom of the thermometer is formed to hold the housing in an upright position when the bottom is placed one a horizontal surface.
US07654734B2

A method for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component which has been exposed to changing temperature conditions is described. The voltage distribution on a surface of the metal component, or on a metallic layer which lies over the component, is first obtained. The voltage distribution usually results from a compositional change in the metal component. The voltage distribution is then compared to a thermal exposure-voltage model which expresses voltage distribution as a function of exposure time and exposure temperature for a reference standard corresponding to the metal component. In this manner, the thermal exposure of the selected component can be obtained. A related device for evaluating the thermal exposure of a selected metal component is also described.
US07654728B2

A system and method for generating an oxygen enriched aqueous solution for therapeutic application includes a diffuser comprising a first diffusing member having a surface incorporating surface disturbances, and a second diffusing member positioned relative to the first diffusing member to form a channel through which an aqueous solution and oxygen gas may flow. A reservoir containing the aqueous solution is connected to a pump that draws the aqueous solution from the reservoir and inputs the aqueous solution into the diffuser. The aqueous solution is moved through the channel relative to the surface disturbances to create cavitation in the aqueous solution to diffuse the oxygen gas into the aqueous solution to produce an oxygen enriched aqueous solution.
US07654719B2

An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit and a diffusion layer. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of elongated V-shaped protrusions, and a lamp-receiving portion. The bottom surface is opposite to the light output surface. The elongated V-shaped protrusions are formed at the bottom surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. The diffusion layer is formed on the light output surface of the transparent plate unit. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07654717B2

There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
US07654711B2

A lamp assembly includes a light module and a stem. The light module includes a reflector, a first fixing plate, a second fixing plated mounted on the first fixing plate and having a plurality of fixing pieces pivotally connected thereon for fixing the reflector between the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate, and a lamp. By rotating the fixing pieces, the reflector is easy to replace. The stem includes a plurality of connecting tubes and connecting assemblies. Each connecting assembly has a male joint with an L-shape projecting and a female joint with an L-shape slot. The male joint is fitted into the connecting tube, and the female joint is fitted into another connecting tube. By engaging the L-shape projection with the L-shape slot, the two connecting tubes can be connected without twisting a wire inside the stem.
US07654699B2

An LED lamp for lighting purpose includes a lamp base, a heat sink, a plurality of LED modules and a blower. The lamp base encloses an inner space and defines a plurality of vents therein. The vents communicate the inner space with a surrounding atmosphere. The heat sink comprises a cylinder at a center thereof. The cylinder has a through hole therein, which communicates with the inner space and vents of the lamp base and cooperates therewith to form an air passage. The LED modules are attached to a periphery of the heat sink. The blower generates an airflow circulating through the air passage to thereby dissipate heat generated by the LED modules.
US07654698B2

A light source device includes a discharge tube, a reflector for reflecting a light radiated from the discharge tube, and support members for supporting the discharge tube to the reflector. The support member or the discharge tube is formed of a heat insulating structure so as to prevent a temperature drop of a portion of the discharge tube near electrodes thereof. By this arrangement, it is possible to prolong the operational life of the discharge tube.
US07654697B2

A liquid crystal projector device of the present invention includes a lamp unit and a lamp cooling fan, the lamp unit having disposed therein a columnar lamp bulb having a luminous body enclosed therein, the lamp unit having a side wall opposed to the lamp cooling fan and provided with a first and second air introduction openings at opposite sides of a plane including a central axis of the lamp bulb and perpendicular to the side wall, for introducing the air drawn from the lamp cooling fan toward the lamp bulb.
US07654687B2

A light mixer includes a light mixing plate, a plurality of light sources, a plurality of upper reflecting layers, a lower reflecting layer, and a semi-permeable layer. The light mixing plate has an upper surface, a lower surface, a peripheral surface, and a plurality of receiving holes. The light sources are respectively located in the receiving holes. The upper reflecting layers are respectively located right above the light sources. The lower reflecting layer is located on the lower surface of the light mixing plate. The semi-permeable layer wraps the peripheral surface of the light mixing plate. A diffuser is located above the light mixers.
US07654682B2

A glove having a pom pom freely attached to a tip of one or more of the glove fingers. The glove may bear indicia, for example, a team logo. The pom poms are typically multicolored, consisting of strands of the team, school, or organization colors. The gloves provide warmth to the wearer's hands. In addition, the wearer's hands are free to hold other items, for example, beverage containers, cameras, programs, etc. Selective movement of a wearer's fingers and/or thumb causes a respective pom pom to move in response thereto. Patterns of successive finger/thumb movements may be executed to cause a variety of visual effects from the pom pom-bearing glove. Bells and/or light sources may also be attached to the gloves instead of or in addition to the pom poms. A motion sensitive switch and/or a simple sequencer may be used to create predetermined or random light patterns.
US07654674B2

The invention relates to a method for determining the visual acuity of an eye and a respective apparatus. The method comprises the steps of: providing the wavefront information of the eye, generating a point spread function based on the wavefront information of the eye, said point spread function representing a specific intensity distribution for a corresponding pupil size. After comparing the intensities of the point spread function with a selectable intensity level of intensity, those parts of the point spread function having an intensity being larger than the selectable intensity level are determined as a relevant part of the point spread function.
US07654673B2

An apparatus and method for determining an eyesight age, the apparatus including: a storage module to store at least one test image and age-specific response information for the at least one test image; a control module to receive user adjustment information indicating a variation in the at least one test image and to determine an eyesight age of a user based on the user adjustment information and the age-specific response information; and an output module to output the determined eyesight age.
US07654665B2

An ink jet pen that is equipped with a free ink chamber. The ink jet pen has a free ink chamber in fluid communication with a negative pressure producing chamber. The negative pressure producing chamber is in communication with a printhead. The ink jet pen has a power source and a surface detection device. The surface detection device is adapted to move along a surface of the substrate.
US07654664B2

A platen for supporting a reverse surface of a recording medium under a recording head capable of performing image recording with ink droplets on the recording medium, which is conveyed along a specified direction in a main body of an inkjet recording apparatus. The platen comprises an ink receiving portion which receives ink and an ink guiding portion. The ink guiding portion guides the ink received by the ink receiving portion to an ink absorbing member. Specifically, the ink guiding portion guides the ink to an ink guide groove provided in an upper surface of a placement portion, on which the ink absorbing member is placed.
US07654662B2

An ink jet printing method and apparatus are provided which, even when an ink containing a colorant with a coagulating property is applied to a glossy print medium; enable to keep the glossiness of the print medium from being degraded. For this purpose, when forming an image on a glossy print medium, a coagulation inhibiting liquid for inhibiting a coagulation of ink is applied to at least a part of an area on the print medium where the ink is applied. This suppresses the coagulation of ink on the print medium surface and assures a quick spreading and soaking of ink. As a result, the surface of the glossy print medium can be kept smooth, retaining its glossiness.
US07654658B2

An ink cartridge, which is removably set in a printer, has an ink chamber storing ink, an absorbent chamber containing a sponge that absorbs the ink from the ink chamber and holds it, and a fuel chamber storing a liquid fuel to be supplied to a fuel cell of the printer. The fuel chamber is located outside and adjacent to the ink chamber, so that the ink stored in the ink chamber is kept in a constant temperature range. Data on residual amounts of the ink and the fuel in the ink cartridge are detected by a residual ink detector and a residual fuel detector of the printer, and are written in a memory card that is removably attached to the ink cartridge.
US07654657B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head, a carriage carrying the liquid ejecting head, a plurality of subtanks carried on the carriage, a main tank disposed on a body of the apparatus, and a feed pipe. The carriage is moved back and forth in a main scanning direction. Each subtank contains a highly concentrated color ink which corresponds to one of the respective ink colors. The main tank contains a diluent containing no coloring component and/or a colorless ink. The diluent and/or the colorless ink is supplied from the main tank to the carriage through the feed pipe. The liquid ejecting head is supplied with the respective color inks and ejects the inks.
US07654649B2

A liquid delivering device including: a flow passage unit having a plurality of pressure chambers each of which communicating with a liquid ejection port; a piezoelectric actuator for selectively changing the volume of the plurality of pressure chambers, the piezoelectric actuator including a plurality of individual electrodes corresponding to the plurality of pressure chambers, a common electrode opposing the plurality of individual electrodes, and a piezoelectric layer sandwiched between the plurality of individual electrodes and the common electrode; and a rigidity reduction section which reduces the rigidity of the piezoelectric actuator and which is provided in an area where at least the pressure chamber is formed and in a vicinity of the individual electrode, in perspective plan view.
US07654643B2

Provided is a nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle assembly includes a substrate defining a nozzle chamber and an ink inlet channel leading to the chamber. The nozzle assembly also includes a nozzle defined on the substrate and located over the nozzle chamber, the nozzle having a crown portion with a skirt portion depending from the crown portion, the skirt portion forming a first part of a peripheral wall portion of the nozzle chamber, the nozzle surrounded by a raised rim which supports a meniscus of a body of ink in the nozzle chamber. Also included is an actuator with a connecting arm fast with the nozzle to operatively displace the nozzle towards the substrate, wherein the nozzle, actuator and connecting arm are defined according to micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques.
US07654639B2

An ink jet printer having a print head unit on which ink ejecting nozzles are arranged. The ink jet printer includes an ink supplying unit having a solid ink storage unit to store solid ink, and a heating unit to melt the solid ink into liquid ink, an ink reservoir to accommodate and store the liquid ink from the ink supplying unit, which is extended so as to correspond to the length of the print head unit, and a heater to heat the liquid ink, disposed in the lengthwise direction of the ink reservoir.
US07654637B2

Nozzle members, such as for a micro-fluid ejection head, micro-fluid ejection heads, and a method for making the same. One such nozzle member includes a negative photoresist composition derived from a first di-functional epoxy compound, a relatively high molecular weight polyhydroxy ether, a photoacid generator devoid of aryl sulfonium salts, an adhesion enhancer, and an aliphatic ketone solvent. The nozzle member has a thickness ranging from about 10 microns to about 30 microns.
US07654628B2

A signaling method for a printhead with nozzles for ejecting ink, and associated drive circuitry for operating the nozzles that receives drive signals from a print engine controller. The print engine controller generates the drive signals in accordance with print data defining a print job for the printhead. A pre-heating determination unit selectively provides the printhead with a pre-heat signal derived from a combination of signals, at least one of the signals in the combination being the drive signals from the print engine controller. Processing within the controller is more efficient if determining whether pre-heating is necessary is restricted only to those nozzles which are to receive print data.
US07654624B2

A slide rail assembly includes an outer slide rail having a protrusion, an intermediate slide rail having a slot, an inner slide rail having a release portion, a latch member slidably attached to a slot of the intermediate slide rail, and a resilient member connected to the latch member for returning the latch member to an original position. The latch member includes first and second engaging portions located at opposite sides of the intermediate slide rail respectively. The protrusion is capable of engaging with the second engaging portion of the latch member to stop the intermediate slide rail sliding into the outer slide rail together with the inner slide rail. The release portion of the inner slide rail is capable of engaging with the first engaging portion to bias the latch member to slide along the slot to release the intermediate slide rail from the outer engaging portion.
US07654616B2

The present claimed invention intends to provide a chair having a frame structure that is effective for securing a required strength without needless structure to reinforce the strength.The chair has a chair body A comprising a seat frame 12, a back frame 22 and a rib that reinforces between the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22, wherein the rib is formed to extend to a side direction so as to be used as an arm frame 71, and the seat frame 12, the back frame 22 and the arm frame 71 are continuously and integrally formed three-dimensionally, and openings 12a, 22a into which a mesh member 13, 23 to form a seating face is fitted are arranged at the seat frame 12 and the back frame 22 respectively.
US07654608B2

A sliding door for a vehicle has a door bracket. A track is mounted along the vehicle and extends to a remote end. A roller bracket is movable between a first position proximate the opening and a second position at the end of the track. The roller bracket includes an articulating arm retained by the roller bracket by a first pivot and pivotally retained at a second end by the door bracket. The articulating arm has a first orientation for rotationally positioning the sliding door toward the closed position and a second orientation for rotationally positioning the sliding door into the open position. Movement of the roller bearing into the second position results in the articulating arm moving from the first to the second orientation. An over-center spring mechanism may maintain the positioning of the roller bracket relative to the sliding door throughout the travel of the bracket.
US07654605B2

A roof opening/closing apparatus includes a roof moved between first and second positions and structured with first, second and third panels, a first supporting mechanism movably supporting the first and second panels in association with each other, a second supporting mechanism movably supporting the third panel, a first lock mechanism locking the first panel to the vehicle body, a second lock mechanism locking the first supporting mechanism, and a third lock mechanism locking the third panel to the second panel. The roof is moved between the first position and the second position by the first and second supporting mechanisms and retained at the first position by the first to third lock mechanisms. The second and third lock mechanisms are connected to each other by an operational member and operated in association with each other to release locking operations thereof by the operational member.
US07654604B2

A control system controls the movement of a convertible top, decklid, and tonneau cover to minimize the overall cycle time of the system. The top is pivotally coupled to a vehicle body for movement between an extended position covering a passenger compartment and a retracted position disposed in a storage space. The decklid is pivotally coupled to the body for movement between a closed position covering the storage space and an open position to accommodate movement of the top into the storage space. The tonneau cover moves between a use position extending outwardly from an end of the decklid to conceal the convertible top in the retracted position and a stowed position disposed beneath the decklid. The control system is preprogrammed to begin movement of the tonneau cover to the use position when the decklid reaches a predetermined angle as the decklid moves between the closed and open positions.
US07654600B2

A vehicle tailgate movement assist mechanism including a tailgate configured to rotate between opened and closed positions, and a tailgate lever arm fixedly connected to a bottom area of the tailgate. A drive lever may be pivotally connected to the lever arm and to a bell crank at opposite ends thereof. The bell crank may be connected to a shaft of a rotary gear pivotally anchored to a vehicle body. A rotary damper may be anchored to the vehicle body and include a damper gear connected to a shaft thereof. The damper gear may be rotatably meshed with the rotary gear. Rotation of the tailgate from a closed to an opened position simultaneously rotates the lever arm to move the drive lever and the bell crank to thereby rotate the rotary gear which rotates the damper gear to actuate the rotary damper to reduce an opening speed of the tailgate.
US07654599B2

An extender device having a base frame with two ends. There is at least one extendable arm that extends from one of the ends of the base frame that allows the bed extender to move from a retracted to an extended position. The length of the bed extender can be set by a locking mechanism located on the base frame that can be used to lock the extendable arm in position. The bed extender can be used to divide a storage compartment or it can be used to extend the length of the pick-up truck bed by using the extendable arms and a pivot mechanism connected to the extendable arms.
US07654593B2

A safety hook for mounting on the extremity of a spreader bar of a patient lift is secured to a base member that is connected to or integral with the spreader bar. A load-bearing hook member is pivotally suspended from the base member to allow the hook member to move in the plane of the hook member between an open position and a closed position in which the free end of the hook member engages the base member at an engagement point. The hook member is shaped such that it is urged to the closed position when a downward load is applied to it, and that it is urged to the open position when an upward load is applied to it. Under normal circumstances the safety hook closes automatically because of the weight of the load.
US07654592B2

a) A frame having a handle, an upright post extending therefrom having a slide stop on an upper portion, a lower and upper slide on a central portion, a lever having a central portion hinged to the frame having a rearwardly extending end, and a forwardly extending slide lift end, attached and configured through a slide lift to lift the lower slide when the rearwardly extending end is depressed; b) a shovel having a bottom snow carrying portion and an upright back portion; c) a lower shovel arm having one end hinged to a lower portion of the upright back portion of the shovel, and the other opposite end hingably connected to the upper slide; d) an upper shovel portion projecting/dumping linkage, having an upper shovel arm having one end hinged to an upper portion of the upright back portion of the shovel and having the other end hingably connected to an upper end of a pivoting arm, the other end hingably connected to the lower slide and a central portion pivotably pinned to a central portion of the lower shovel arm. When the slides are lifted by the lever the shovel is first lifted up the post, and then when the top slide is prevented from further sliding, the bottom slide continues to move, causing the other ends of the lower arm and the pivoting arm to move together, thereby causing the shovel to extend outwardly and turn from a snow collection to a dumping position.
US07654585B2

A metal ring gasket provides a high-pressure temperature tolerant metal-to-metal seal between subcomponents of a threaded union. The metal ring gasket is received in an annular cavity formed between mating surfaces of the subcomponents of the threaded union. The metal ring gasket is capable of maintaining a fluid seal even at very high temperatures resulting from direct exposure to fire. At high fluid pressures the metal ring gasket is energized because hoop stress induced by the fluid pressure forces the metal ring gasket into tighter contact with the subcomponents of the threaded union.
US07654568B2

An airbag for a front passenger's seat internally includes a communication port defined by an inner joint that joins inner circumferential edges of a pair of inner panels. The airbag includes at a rear side a recess and a pair of raised regions. The airbag further includes a contact portion where outer surfaces of the inner panels are in face-to-face contact proximate the circumference of the communication port at full inflation. The contact portion is created and maintained by an inner pressure of the airbag at full inflation that acts on the panels of the airbag, and is not formed if the inner pressure is less than that at full inflation of the airbag.
US07654564B2

An occupant protection device controller includes a main sensor, a safing sensor, a main control circuit, a sub control circuit, and a trigger signal output circuit. Whereas the main control circuit has a CPU, and the sub control circuit has no CPU. The main control circuit determines whether to output a main control signal based on both an output of the main sensor and an output of the safing sensor. The sub control circuit has a comparator and determines whether to output a sub control signal based on a comparison of the output of the main sensor with a threshold value. The trigger signal output circuit outputs a trigger signal for activating an occupant protection device upon receipt of both the main control signal and the sub control signal.
US07654562B2

A lateral airbag device comprises a gas bag which is mounted in a vehicle seat below the seat covering of the vehicle seat. The gas bag is inflated in the event of an accident. The seat covering comprises at least one break line, which can be torn open when the gas bag unfolds enabling the gas bag to exit the vehicle seat. The lateral airbag device is capable of protecting the occupants of a vehicle in the event of an accident in a reliable manner. The seat covering is configured to bring the unfolding gas bag to a predetermined position or to maintain the unfolded gas bag in the predetermined positioned.
US07654561B2

An inflatable cushion for use in an airbag module is provided. The inflatable cushion generally includes a primary inflatable chamber configured for deployment from the air bag module, the primary inflatable chamber having an inlet opening for receipt of an inflation gas and the primary inflatable chamber defines a first volume. A secondary inflatable chamber secured to the primary inflation chamber, the secondary inflatable chamber defining a second volume, the second volume being less than the first volume and the secondary inflatable chamber being in fluid communication with the primary inflatable chamber such that the inflation gas must travel through the primary inflatable chamber prior to reaching the secondary inflatable chamber.
US07654556B2

A passenger airbag module includes opposite side walls connected by a rear wall. The side walls each include at least one inward projection that traps a semi-cylindrical retainer between the projections and the rear wall. The retainer holds the inflator and airbag within the housing. End walls connect the side walls with interlocking channels thereby preventing the side walls from releasing the retainer, inflator and airbag.
US07654553B2

A safety latch is mounted in the keyhole of a fifth wheel coupling for joining the sections of an articulated vehicle. The safety latch is movable from an inactive position permitting the kingpin to move through the slot and into the aperture to an active position blocking the keyhole slot thereby preventing movement of the kingpin through the keyhole slot when the sections are coupled together.
US07654552B2

A jaw for a fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a jaw body having a stepped bearing surface. A jaw assembly for a fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a jaw body, a control handle and a connecting link where the connecting link is pivotally connected to the control handle on the jaw body. A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a base assembly for mounting to a towing vehicle, a head assembly carried on the base assembly and a jaw assembly carried on the head assembly. That jaw assembly includes a jaw body having a stepped bearing surface for engaging a king pin of a trailer.
US07654546B2

A bicycle wheel securing structure includes an adapter, an axial retaining arrangement and a holding member. The adapter is configured and arranged to be mounted in an axle mounting opening of a bicycle fork and has an axial bore that is at least partially threaded. The axial retaining arrangement is disposed between the adapter and the mounting opening to prevent axial removal of the adapter from the mounting opening. The holding member is attached to the bicycle fork. The holding member and the adapter are configured and arranged such that the holding member prevents rotation of the adapter when the adapter is mounted in the axle mounting opening of the bicycle fork and engaged with the holding member.
US07654545B1

This device is exercise equipment. It is a vehicle that is driven by arm and leg power. The device is a three wheeled vehicle that driven by the movement of the handlebars and the seat. The rider moves the handlebars and the seat back and forth. The handlebars are attached to the wheels by a set of pulleys. When the handlebars are moved back and forth they drive the wheels. The handle bars and the seat are attached to each other so that both the legs and the arm are exercised. Thus, an individual can ride around the town in his vehicle exercising his whole body.
US07654540B2

An electromagnetic transducer including a stator and an armature, the armature defining a first axis and being driven to ride between first and second couplers back and forth relative to the stator along the first axis. The second coupler is configured to permit movement of the armature along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis.
US07654538B2

A high-performance gasket (1) capable of coping with a reduction in size and developing a sealing property without producing a squeeze-out at the time of attachment and using a material having a hardness range of 30 to 80 degrees (JIS durometer type A), wherein the requirement of W1/W0<0.9 is satisfied where the bonding width of a base part (1a) is (W0) and the width thereof at a position half a height from the bonding part of the base part (1a) to the tip end of a main bead part (2) is (W1), the requirement of 1.15=3 is satisfied where the length of the non-bonded portion of the base part (1a) around the cross-section thereof excluding the bonded portion is (L), and the compressibility of the gasket when compressed is 13.5% or higher.
US07654537B2

A gasket for a valve in an internal combustion engine is provided with a support element having a tubular configuration according to an axis and coaxially mounted on the valve. An elastically deformable element is interposed between the support element and the valve. The support element includes a first portion elongated according to the above mentioned axis, and a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction transversal to the axis, at least partially housed in an annular seat of the elastically deformable element and having its radially outermost end connected to the first portion itself. The support element comprises a third portion extending from the radially innermost end of the second portion and folded on the second portion itself so as to generate, in the folding area, a rounded edge cooperating with the annular seat of the elastically deformable element.
US07654534B2

The prize arrangement is limited in many conventional prize-winning game machines, in which the usable area is only the floor. In a crane game machine of the present invention for grasping a prize, an object grasping system (grasping arms) grasping a prize is suspended by a first and a second wire which are respectively controlled in length by a first and a second Z mechanisms. Thus, the object grasping system can be moved in the longitudinal and the vertical direction, and a direction of the grasping arms can be rotated up-and-down by a predetermined angle. As a result, the grasping arms are capable of grasping the prize disposed on a self provided on the back wall face side of the game machine.
US07654530B2

A source of symbols with two primary distinguishable characteristics is provided in a wagering environment. A player has wagering opportunities on a sequence of events, wagering on either of the primary distinguishable characteristics for each event in the sequence of events. Playing cards may be used as the source of symbols, such as a 52-card standard deck with one or two jokers or other non-standard cards. Wagers can be placed on each of the number of events in the sequence and special events that occur in the sequence (all symbols of the same characteristic, a particular card or other predetermined events). Side bets may also be placed on the events. Bets may be placed on the color of a limited number of cards dealt to a community flop, with the joker(s) providing a basis for house retention or profits on wagers.
US07654529B2

A system and method for implementing a secondary lottery game with a first instant lottery game in an instant lottery game ticket is disclosed. The player purchases an instant lottery game, where chances for winning instant prizes are provided to the player. The player may also be provided a chance to win entry with predetermined entry indicia into a secondary lottery game if the instant lottery ticket indicates that the player has won a ticket to the secondary lottery game.
US07654521B2

A document processing device that processes a plurality of articles and is capable of detecting a multifeed or a condition that may represent a multifeed may be configured to determine criteria of the multifeed or condition. This is particularly useful for configuring the document processing device to ignore multifeeds or conditions that are considered acceptable. For instance, a user may set predefined overlap criteria. If a detected multifeed criteria or condition criteria meets the predefined overlap criteria, a detection of the multifeed or condition may be ignored. However, if it does not meet the predefined overlap criteria, the detection of the multifeed or condition may cause the document processing device to take predetermined post-processing actions, for example to set an alarm message or halt operation entirely. Alternatively, if a condition is expected, predetermined post-processing actions can be taken if the condition is not detected or does not meet the specified criteria.
US07654513B2

A media feedpath having a feed assist roller, comprises a media feedpath having a C-shaped portion, a media input and a feed roll nip, an input roller feeding media from the media input, a feed assist roller downstream of the C-shaped portion of the media feedpath, the feed assist roller assisting media indexing through the media feedpath on a single side and without an opposed pinch roller, the feed roll nip having a driven roller and a feed roll pinch roll opposite the driven roll, the feed assist roller being driven by a toggle gear transmission from the driven roller of the feed roll nip, the gear train adapted for toggling to operably engage or disengage the feed assist roller depending on a driving direction of the driven roller of the feed roll nip.
US07654512B2

Image forming system including at least one image forming apparatus for forming images on sheets on the basis of image data. At least one temporary containing apparatus is disposed downstream of the image forming apparatus for temporarily containing therein the sheets on which the images have been formed. A separating and conveying apparatus separates and conveys the sheets contained in the temporary containing apparatus one by one. A sheet post-processing apparatus conveys the sheets conveyed by the separating and conveying apparatus and the sheets on which the images have been formed by the image forming apparatus and which bypass the temporary containing apparatus in an arbitrary order, in order to effect a set post-process on the conveyed sheets.
US07654510B2

An anti-slip device provided with a supporting plate of metal or resin having an attachment portion on a reverse face for other members, and a rubber elastic body unitedly mounted on the supporting plate. Plural connection holes are formed from an obverse face to the reverse face of the supporting plate. Further, the rubber elastic body is composed of a receiving piece portion covering approximately whole of the obverse face and a falling-prevention portion from the reverse face to connect the receiving piece portion through a peripheral portion and the connection hole.
US07654509B2

An improved valve element for a spray nozzle assembly of a steam desuperheating device that is configured to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam in a generally uniformly distributed spray pattern. The valve element includes a valve body and an elongate valve stem that is integrally attached to the valve body and extends axially therefrom. The valve body itself includes a nozzle cone which is integrally connected to the valve stem, and defines an outer surface. Integrally formed on a bottom surface of the nozzle cone is a hub having multiple ribs protruding therefrom. Integrally connected to each of the ribs is a generally circular fracture ring. The fracture ring is disposed in spaced relation to the lower edge of the nozzle cone which circumvents the bottom surface thereof. In this regard, a series of windows are formed in the valve body, with each window being framed by a segment of the lower edge of the nozzle cone, an adjacent pair of the ribs, and a segment of the top edge of the fracture ring.
US07654499B2

A bookstand made up of a thin material that when in its folded out position receives a book so that the back of the book is tilted up to make its pages more easily viewed by the reader, and that can be folded flat enough to be placed inside the pages of the book so that it can be used as a bookmark.
US07654495B2

A hanger assembly configured to mount a fan housing in a building including a first support having a lower surface and a second support. The hanger includes a body having a first end engageable with the first support and a second end engageable with the second support. The body is connectable to the fan housing to support the fan housing between the first and second supports and is adjustable to change a length defined between the first and second ends. The first end includes an outwardly extending flange, which is engageable with the first support to orient the body and the fan housing relative to the lower surface of the first support and to maintain a predetermined distance between the lower surface of the support and a lower surface of one of the fan housing and the hanger body.
US07654488B2

A door arrangement for an aircraft that has a fuselage with a fuselage structure includes a door to be arranged inside a door frame of the fuselage structure and a door joint mechanism attached to the door of the door frame and to the fuselage structure. The door joint mechanism has a seven-joint linkage provided with first to seventh joints by means of which the door, guided exclusively in a rotationally articulated manner, is moveable over a predefined pivoting angle range from a closed position inside the door frame to an open position outside of the door frame and fuselage, and back again. In addition, an aircraft, especially a fixed-wing aircraft, encompassing at least one aircraft door arrangement is provided.
US07654482B2

A wear distributing arrangement for reduction of wear in parts of a grinding machine is disclosed. The arrangement includes the provision of multiple corresponding projections and recesses at evenly spaced radial locations around the circumference of any two parts in a rotating assembly designed to be disassembled and reassembled. Parts bearing projections are reassembled into parts bearing recesses in a random fashion, so that wear to one portion of a part does not prematurely wear it.
US07654480B2

The disclosed mulcher has a base unit and a shredding blade in a removable assembly. Two different embodiments are disclosed. In both embodiments, shredded material is removed from air exiting the shredding blade before it reaches an exhaust port. In one embodiment, the material is removed by a filter. In the other embodiment, walls are arranged so that debris must double back against high-speed airflow leaving the shredding blade before exiting the unit. The shredding blade can be mounted in front of and on the same shaft as an air impeller, with the back surface of the shredding blade being supported by the impeller. In another embodiment, the air impeller and the shredding blade are carried in assemblies that are separable from each other and are each separately attachable to a base unit. A detachable power module and a detachable blower are also shown. The power module has a safety switch that disables the power module when it is removed. A power receptacle is shown with a switch that alternately switches power to either the shredder motor or to the power receptacle, but not to both simultaneously.
US07654479B2

An improved brush cutter having an upper feed control member with stop, forward, neutral, and reverse positions also has a lower feed stop member with selectable sensitivity. Another aspect of the invention is to predict the feed roller shutoff point according to the rate of engine deceleration. According to another aspect, when the feed rollers stop feeding material into the cutters, to overcome drag on the cutters, a controller stops the feed rollers and then reverses them for a short time, and then reverses the rollers again if the problem is still present. To prevent jamming, a pressure switch senses when oil in a hydraulic motor system for rotating the feed rollers is too high and the controller momentarily reverses the feed rollers and then causes them to go forward, a cycle which can occur several times until the feed rollers are no longer stalled. By another aspect of the invention, the controller senses characteristics of the brush cutter and chooses an operating system based on the characteristics sensed. The controller can also sense if the brush chipper has not been used for a predetermined period of time and automatically reduce the idle speed of the engine until the brush chipper is used again, and then automatically return the engine to a normal idle speed before the feed rollers will pull brush into the brush chipper.
US07654468B2

Disclosed herein are devices comprising at least one flexible seal, at least one flexible complex seal having at least one closed cavity containing a fluid, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise at least one immobile and inflexible substrate and at least one mobile and inflexible substrate capable of movement due to the flexible seal, the flexible complex seal, or both. The flexible complex seals comprise at least one closed cavity comprising a fluid, such as a gas or a liquid. As disclosed, the presence or absence of heat will cause the mobile and inflexible substrate to move. The movement will increase or decrease the fluid amount or fluid flow rate in the primary fluid layer. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing the insulating properties of insulating assemblies.
US07654460B2

An automatic optical reading apparatus (1) having a light emitting section (26), a light receiving section (27) and an outside interface section (36). A first unit (2) houses at least one of the emitting section (26) and the receiving section (27) and a second unit (3) houses at least the outside interface section (36). The first unit (2) and the second unit (3) are mutually connectable in at least two different mutual orientations.
US07654454B2

A method of maintaining a status of a product item, the product item including an associated interface surface, the interface surface having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the product item, the method including, in a sensing device: (a) sensing at least one coded data portion; (b) generating, using the sensed coded data portion, indicating data indicative of the product item identity; and, (c) transferring the indicating data to a computer system, the computer system being responsive to the indicating data to update product status information stored in a data store.
US07654453B2

When obtaining an ID code from a user who holds out an arm to a corresponding merchandise in a noncontact manner, respective information terminal devices accept a registration input of the corresponding merchandise. When accepting the registration input of the corresponding merchandise, registration merchandise information including obtained user identification information and merchandise identification information for identifying the merchandise corresponding to the information terminal device is transmitted to a server device. The server device stores and manages merchandise sales information for the respective ID codes from the registration merchandise information received from the respective information terminal devices. When the ID code is input from a settlement device, the merchandise sales information corresponding to the ID code is transmitted to the settlement device. The settlement device performs the settlement processing based on the merchandise sales information received from the server device.
US07654452B2

A self-service vending unit allows a potential user of a toll transponder to buy the transponder without having to visit a customer-service facility. The vending unit automatically accepts payment, such as cash or a credit or debit card, and issues the transponder with a paid value. The vending unit communicates with a customer-service computer through a TCP/IP connection and allows the user to top off the value on the transponder and otherwise to manage the account.
US07654448B1

A method provides for accessing automated banking machine components for servicing. A lower fascia is moved from a covering position to an accessible position to permit access to a door selectively closing an opening to the secure area of a chest or secure enclosure of an ATM. The open chest door is retained in an open condition by engagement with the lower fascia.
US07654441B2

A food container has an airplane configuration provided by a cardboard-like sheet having a plurality of spaced fold lines defining a number of panels that are folded along the lines and assembled to provide an airplane-like body having food compartments therein. The panels that extend to the tail of the fuselage are especially configured to provide a unitary tail fin and associated stabilizer that present the tail configuration.
US07654439B2

In a method of welding of metal plates in a solid phase, wherein the metal plates are combined to form a package, and welded together by heating and deforming the package by contacting with two rotating cylinders, the improvement includes: providing a damping lining between the metal plates; placing the package between two cylinders such that the metal plate with the smallest yield value under welding temperature faces the cylinder with smaller diameter, heating and deforming the package in vacuum, such that during a first stage the temperature reaches 0.4-0.5 of melting temperature of a metal plate with the smallest yield value, during a second stage the package is heated by a high frequency which heats the damping lining up to 0.92-0.95 of its melting temperature, wherein angular velocities of the rotating cylinders and their radiuses are selected in accordance with a formula.
US07654432B2

A mask (stencil) having cells (openings) is disposed on a surface of a heater stage, and is then filled (printed) with solder paste. Then a substrate is assembled to the opposite side of the mask. Then the solder paste is reflowed. This may be done partially inverted. Then the mask is separated from the substrate, either before or after cooling. Solder balls are thus formed on the substrate, which may be a semiconductor wafer. A biased chuck urges the substrate into intimate contact with the mask. A method for printing the mask with solder paste is described. Methods of forming high aspect ratio solder bumps (including balls and reflowable interconnect structures) are described.
US07654424B1

A method of carrying equipment on one side of an ATV having a front top rack, a rear top rack and a foot rest on the one side comprising the following steps: a) attaching a utility box carrying bracket to an outer side portion of the front top rack, the foot rest, and the rear top rack; and, b) mounting a utility box on each of the box carrying brackets. Then equipment may be conveniently carried in and removed from the mounted box. In a preferred aspect of this invention the utility box is generally rectangular in plan view and further comprises a utility box lid hinged to one long top side portion of the box and latched to the other opposite long side portion of the box so that equipment carried in the box is protected from the elements. A lateral side of the mounted box is dimensioned to generally follow the longitudinal shape of the fenders and running board so that the box generally fills the void above the running board and a central portion of the fenders.
US07654423B1

A motor vehicle roof protection system includes a pair of magnetically attachable elongated roof standoffs to carry cargo above a car (or any motor vehicle) roof. One elongated roof standoffs may be positioned near a forward end of the car roof and another elongated roof standoffs may be positioned near a rearward end of the car roof. Magnets are embodied within the elongated roof standoffs to resist movement on the roof surface, with a layer of material under the magnets to protect the roof finish. The elongated roof standoffs have sloped tops, and the roof standoffs are positioned with the slopes facing forward to produce downward force on the roof standoffs, and thereby secure the roof standoffs with fewer magnets than otherwise required. The tops include a textured portion for contact with cargo. The cargo may be held against the elongated roof standoffs using straps, ropes, or any suitable fastener.
US07654415B2

The invention relates to a combination of a first container and a second container to form a dispensing unit. The first and second containers each have a reservoir for a liquid substance and pump which is secured to the reservoir, can be actuated by hand and has a dispensing opening and a pump-actuating button for dispensing substance from the reservoir. The combination also comprises coupling means for coupling together the first and second containers in a position next to one another. The invention is characterized in that the coupling means comprise: one or more first coupling members, which are each arranged on the first container, and one or more second coupling means, which are each arranged on the second container and which can each be directly coupled to an associated first coupling member on the first container. It is preferable for a first coupling member and an associated second coupling member each to be arranged fixedly on the assembly of reservoir and pump of the associated container in order to create a stable coupling between the assemblies reservoir and pump of the two containers.
US07654408B2

The present invention provides for a container that has a base and a pair of side walls extending upwardly therefrom, the side walls having a concave portion and a plurality of apertures. Partitions are positioned between the side walls, each having tabs at each end which extend through the side wall apertures. Locking strips extend through the slots in the tabs of the partitions and are positioned in the concave portions of the container side walls. In an alternative embodiment, each locking strip has a locking member to prevent movement of the locking strip.
US07654399B2

A method of displaying consumer electronic devices comprises supporting a plurality of rails on a frame in a generally parallel, spaced relationship and configuring each rail for slidable movement relative to the frame in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of each rail. A first row of display units is supported between a first adjacent pair of the rails and a second row of display units between a second adjacent pair of the rails, with each display unit comprising at least one of a device support unit and a plate. The plurality of display units are reconfigurable by exchanging the display units between different lateral positions within at least one of the first and second rows of display units and/or by exchanging at least one display unit between the first row and the second row of display units.
US07654392B2

A carrier tape including a main body and plural pockets arranged on the main body and configured to contain goods therein is described. The pockets have depths greater than the thickness of the main body, and are arranged at equal intervals in a longitudinal direction of the main body. Plural dummy pockets are arranged on the main body and extend away from the main body no less than the pockets. The dummy pockets can be replaced with ribs having a plate shape. A container including the carrier tape and a resin cover tape which covers the pockets and the dummy pockets is also described. The container can be reeled.
US07654388B2

A clear, lockable, sealable container for the storage of controlled substances in ambulances and other emergency medical vehicles, allowing paramedics and other emergency medical personnel to inspect and inventory readily the pharmaceuticals in the container without opening, unlocking, or breaking the seal on the container.
US07654386B2

A machine (1) for wrapping bundles (2) of roll products (3), where the products (3) are grouped together in piles (4), comprises a bundle (2) forming line (6), equipped with a chain conveyor (7), and a product (3) feed line (12) that serves the forming line (6); the feed line (12) having an elevator (13) which is equipped with a product (3) supporting platform (14) and which is vertically mobile under the forming line (6) between a lowered position where it receives the products (3) and a raised position where it delivers the products (3) to the forming line (6); a screw mechanism, fixed to a fixed machine mounting structure and screwed on a lead nut placed inside a mounting frame, adjusts the position of the chain conveyor, the pair of pulleys and the pusher rods relative to the raised position of the product supporting platform.
US07654384B1

A conveyor for varied size and shape containers has a pair of feed screws mounted parallel to one another on opposite sides of a line of container travel. A mechanism is provided for moving the screws toward or away from one another in a manner to maintain an equal distance of each screw from the line of container travel. The screws are preferably formed with a helix having straight sidewalls that are at an angle of 90° to 100° to one another. In one embodiment one feed screw has a left hand helix and is rotated in a first direction and the other feed screw has a right hand helix and is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US07654377B2

An actuator system includes a piezoelectric pump; an accumulator including a cylinder, a piston located in the cylinder, a port located at a first side of the piston and hydraulically connected to the pump outlet and a switching circuit, a relief port hydraulically connected to the reservoir and located at a second side of the piston, and a spring biasing the piston toward the port; and a hydraulically actuated servo including a front port hydraulically connected to the switching circuit, a back port hydraulically connected to the reservoir, and the servo causing the friction element alternately to engage and to disengage in response to a magnitude of hydraulic pressure in the servo.
US07654375B2

A rotation transmission device includes a roller clutch unit for selectively engaging an inner member mounted on a rotary shaft with an outer ring through rollers, and an electromagnetic clutch unit for electromagnetically controlling the selective engagement by the rollers. The current until the clutch engages is set so as to correspond to a state in which a maximum current according to the revolving speed is required and is varied according to the revolving speed of the rotary shaft to reduce power consumption and the size of the electromagnetic coil.
US07654374B2

Rotational driving force can be transferred to the follower side (clutch plate) of a friction clutch by adjusting the engagement condition of the clutch so that a first gear and a second gear of a dog-clutch-type transmission can rotate relative to each other. At the time of shift change during stop of the vehicle, the clutch can be further connected at a low speed after connection of the clutch until it reaches a reference clutch position.
US07654370B2

A shock absorber includes a dust tube that surrounds a shock body. The shock body is movable relative to the dust tube in response to road load inputs. A plurality of magnets is mounted to one of the dust tube and shock body, and a module is mounted to the other of the dust tube and shock body. The module interacts with the plurality of magnets to determine a position of the dust tube relative to a position of the shock body. This position information can be used to adjust suspension ride height as needed.
US07654362B2

A speaker has a pipe member with opposed open ends, and a sounding body that is attached to any one of the opposed open ends of the pipe member on the same axle as that of the pipe member. The sounding body is driven on the basis of an acoustic signal that is applied to the sounding body. Sound wave radiated from the sounding body and passed through an inside of the pipe member vibrates with a pipe wall of the pipe member, thereby to enable sound wave corresponding to the acoustic signal to radiate from a whole of an outside surface of the pipe member to outside.
US07654359B2

A control means for an agricultural tractor is disclosed which has a switching element carrier arranged in proximity to the leading end region of an arm rest of a driver's seat. The control means has a large number of switches for controlling various vehicle units and the carrier has a hand rest (3, 4) provided with a spherical surface for the palm of the vehicle driver's hand. An adjustment wheel (14, 19) is provided for controlling a switching element (12, 24), the adjustment wheel having a setting rim (14a, 19a) which extends from the switching element carrier in a region which can be reached by the fingers of the hand resting on the hand rest (3, 4). Preferably the control means is provided with two adjustment wheels (14, 19) one above the other, each adjustment wheel having a setting rim (14a,19a) which can be reached by the fingers of a hand resting on the hand rest. These adjustment wheels (14, 19) preferably have actuating shafts (13, 23) which extend substantially coaxially and the lower adjustment wheel (14) has a larger external diameter than the upper adjustment wheel (19).
US07654357B2

A motorcycle including a frame having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. The motorcycle also includes an engine supported by the frame and a radiator coil obliquely mounted to the frame. The radiator coil is spaced apart from the vertical plane and includes a forward end and a rearward end as viewed from above the motorcycle. The forward end defines a first distance measured normal to the vertical plane and the rearward end defines a second distance measured normal to the vertical plane. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.
US07654355B1

A hybrid vehicle system having first and second internal combustion engines, first and second flywheels respectively coupled to the first and second internal combustion engines, a plurality of motorized wheels electrically interconnected to first and second flywheels, and a controller connected to the internal combustion engines and to the flywheels and to the plurality of motorized wheels for transferring energy therebetween. Each of the flywheels has permanent magnets affixed to a side of a housing thereof. Each of the flywheels is vacuum sealed within anon-ferrous housing.
US07654348B2

Configurations are provided for vehicular robots or other vehicles to provide shifting of their centers of gravity for enhanced obstacle navigation. Various head and neck morphologies are provided to allow positioning for various poses such as a stowed pose, observation poses, and inspection poses. Neck extension and actuator module designs are provided to implement various head and neck morphologies. Robot control network circuitry is also provided.
US07654344B2

A torque converter for use in drilling with a rotating drill bit, the purpose of the torque converter being to absorb impacts and bring about an axial movement of the drill bit when the torque exceeds a predetermined value. For this purpose the torque converter is composed of two cylindrical string parts connected through the bearing elements. The string parts are connected to each other through helical elements in such a way that relative rotation of the two cylindrical string parts brings about axial movement, which unloads the drill bit.
US07654342B2

An underreaming tool may include a tubular body, a drive tube, at least one blade element (“the blade element”), at least one wedge element (“the wedge element”), and a stop mechanism. The drive tube may include at least one longitudinal groove (“the longitudinal groove”) axially disposed along a length of the drive tube. The wedge element may include a first side having at least one lateral projection (“the lateral projection”) configured to axially slide into the longitudinal groove to couple the wedge element to the drive tube. The stop mechanism comprises a threaded sleeve configured to screw onto the drive tube to lock the wedge element in the longitudinal groove once the lateral projection is slid into the longitudinal groove.
US07654341B2

A drill stem connection assembly includes a first drill stem section and a second drill stem section. At least one engaging feature is located at an end of the first drill stem section. At least one mating feature accepts the at least one engaging feature. The at least one mating feature is located at an end of the second drill stem section. Coupling of the respective ends of the first and second drill stem sections forms a drill stem joint. A threaded collar engages with at least one of the coupled first and second drill stem sections. When placed in a securing position, the threaded collar holds the engaging feature securely mated with the mating feature and at least partially covers the drill stem joint.
US07654337B2

A method for controlling rock drilling and a rock drilling arrangement having at least one feed channel of a feed actuator provided with a restrictor, which causes a pressure drop if the penetration rate increases and, consequently, a flow through the restrictor increases. A pressure difference and an increase in the penetration rate can be detected by sensing the pressure before the restrictor and after the restrictor. When the feed rate increases, a hydraulic system is arranged to decrease percussion pressure.
US07654308B2

A heat exchanger which has a base plate and several carrier plates projecting from the base plate. At least one cooling element is located on each carrier plate. The cooling elements have a substrate with an underside and an upper side. Webs project from the upper side of the substrate and lie one behind the other, the height of which is less than the distance between adjacent webs. The substrate has a plurality of regularly arranged channels that extend through the substrate.
US07654306B2

Provided is a heat-storage unit capable of efficiently storing heat in a heat-storage material and sufficiently taking out the stored heat.The heat-storage unit capable of exchanging heat by direct contact between sodium acetate and oil, storing heat in the sodium acetate, and radiating heat from the sodium acetate by supplying the oil, which has a smaller specific gravity than the sodium acetate and is separated from the sodium acetate, into a heat-storage tank housing the sodium acetate, which stores heat depending on a state change between solid and liquid, in an internal space, in which the unit includes: a third flow pipe of a supply pipe, at least a part of which is provided in a lower portion of the internal space and in which the oil flows; a plurality of discharge holes which are provided for the third flow pipe and discharge the oil flowing through the third flow pipe into the sodium acetate; a fourth flow pipe of the supply pipe, which is connected to the third flow pipe and discharges the oil flowing through the third flow pipe to the outside of the sodium acetate; and a valve that shuts off the fourth flow pipe corresponding to the state change of the sodium acetate.
US07654304B2

A method of manufacturing a chassis is provided. The method comprises casting a first segment having a plurality of connected walls such that a window is cast in each of two of the plurality of connected walls in the first segment; casting a second segment having a plurality of connected walls such that a window is cast in each of two of the plurality of connected walls in the second segment; and coupling the first and second segments together to form the chassis having a window in four walls.
US07654301B2

The invention relates to slats (1) for a venetian blind comprising slats of very large dimensions, both relating to the width of the slats and to the longitudinal extension of the slats (1). Thus the venetian blind comprising these slats can be made to cover very large window openings or other parts of buildings and rooms. The slats (1) are provided with longitudinal edge portions (3) serving the dual purpose of increasing the overall rigidity of the slats (1) and of providing attachment means (12) for support cords of the slats (1). The slats are operated by pairs (typically two) of lift and tilt cords running in parallel along the longitudinal edges of the slats (1), thereby avoiding passages through the slats (1), which is advantageous both from an aestetical point of view and from the point of view of the necessary production technique for the slats (1). The invention also relates to releasable attachment means (12) for connection the slats (1) to the tilt cords of the venetian blind. The Invention furthermore relates to the venetian blind as such comprising the above slats (1) and attachment means (12), and due to these is becomes possible to assemble the complete venetian blind in situ in a very easy manner. Also the removal and replacement of individual slats (1) without the necessity to dismantle major portions of the venetian blind is greatly facilitated according to the invention. Finally the invention also relates to a lift- and tilt mechanism for controlling tilting and raising/lowering of the slats (1).
US07654300B2

An obstacle detection stopping device of a solar radiation shielding apparatus capable of suppressing the wear of a lifting cord due to the contact of a slat with the lifting cord. The obstacle detection stopping device (10) comprises a support member (11), a rotary drum (13), a cam clutch (12), and a winding pulley (9). A drive shaft (8) is passed through the inside of the device. A rotating force in the unwinding direction is transmitted to the drive shaft (8) by a tension applied to the winding pulley (9). The rotary drum (13) is integrally fitted to the drive shaft (8), and the cam clutch (12) is fitted to the outer edge thereof so as to be rotated relative to each other. Based on the relative rotation of the cam clutch (12) to the rotary drum (13), the cam clutch (12) is moved along its axial direction to change the state of its engagement with a braking projected part (11g). The cam clutch (12) is installed so as to be non-rotated relative to the winding pulley (9). When the tension applied to the winding pulley (9) is eliminated, the cam clutch stops its rotating motion together with the winding pulley (9), and based on the relative rotation thereof to the rotary drum (13), the cam clutch is engaged with the braking projected part (11g).
US07654296B2

The present invention relates to a single facer corrugator belt having a base structure. The base structure includes an inside and an outside surface and a machine or running direction and a cross machine direction. The base structure is formed by machine direction yarns and cross machine direction yarns and has grooves formed in a surface of the base structure. Alternatively, the corrugator belt may include includes holes formed in a surface of the base structure.
US07654295B2

A tire 2 comprises a tread 4, a pair of sidewalls 6 extended almost inward in a radial direction from an end 18 of the tread 4, a pair of bead cores 8 positioned on an inside in the radial direction of the sidewalls 6, and a carcass 10 laid between both of the bead cores 8 along insides of the tread 4 and the sidewalls 6. The carcass 10 includes a carcass ply 20. The carcass ply 20 is turned up around the bead core 8. The sidewall 6 has a lower layer 34 positioned on an outside in an axial direction of the carcass ply 20 and an upper layer 36 positioned on an outside in the radial direction of the lower layer 34. The upper layer 36 has a hardness which is equal to or higher than 50 and is equal to or lower than 70. The lower layer 34 has a hardness which is equal to or higher than 70 and is equal to or lower than 100.
US07654286B2

The invention relates to a mobile concrete pump provided with a chassis, a concrete distribution boom arranged on the chassis, and a boom support unit whereon the folded distribution boom can be supported in the transport position. According to the invention, the boom support unit comprises a housing part which extends above the chassis, is accessible from the outside via closeable openings and comprises at least one support block for the distribution boom which support block is arranged on the top side thereof. The boom support unit can be provided with a switch element which can be actuated by the lying thereupon of the distribution boom, releasing the actuation of the support struts of the mobile concrete pump.
US07654281B2

A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft.
US07654278B2

A reservoir is disclosed for a throughfeed for liquid, such as a liquid pump, to be set into operation selectively, from and/or to a body of liquid such as a pond, aquarium or bath. The reservoir includes a container for containing liquid and with an outlet for connecting onto the throughfeed to the body of water. It further includes a refill container which, depending on the level of the liquid in the container, is movable reciprocally between a high position and at least one lower position, and which is connected to an inlet of the reservoir connected to the body of liquid. The refill container includes an overflow along which liquid flows from the refill container into the container in the at least one lower position of the refill container.
US07654241B2

A dual-chamber oil pan includes an oil pan provided below an engine block, an oil pan separator that is provided within the oil pan and defines a first chamber communicating with the engine block, and a second chamber provided around the first chamber, and a suction port disposed within the first chamber. The first chamber includes a large-capacity portion including a bottom portion of the oil pan separator, and a small-capacity portion located above and integrally formed with the large-capacity portion.
US07654236B2

An internal combustion engine comprises an intake tract in which a throttle valve is disposed. The engine also comprises a camshaft which acts on gas inlet valves associated with respective cylinders. A phase-adjustment device is used to adjust a phase between the camshaft and a crankshaft. A desired air mass flow in a combustion chamber of the cylinder is determined depending on a charge requirement requested by the driver. The desired air mass flow is adjusted by varying the phase between the camshaft and the crankshaft if the desired air mass flow can be adjusted by varying the phase while substantially maintaining an actual pressure difference upstream and downstream of the throttle valve. Otherwise, the desired air mass flow is adjusted by varying the opening angle of the throttle valve.
US07654233B2

An engine device for an oxyhydrogen vehicle includes an oxyhydrogen generator for electrolytically converting an electrolyte into oxyhydrogen gas, a fuel tank for storing combustible fuel, a first pipe unit connected to the oxyhydrogen generator, a second pipe unit connected to the fuel tank, and an engine unit. The engine unit includes a cylinder block, an intake manifold, and fuel injectors. The intake manifold is connected to the cylinder block, is provided with passages, and is further connected to the first pipe unit such that the oxyhydrogen gas generated by the oxyhydrogen generator is fed into the passages. The fuel injectors are connected to the intake manifold, are further connected to the second pipe unit, and serve to inject the combustible fuel in the fuel tank into the passages.
US07654220B2

An indicator has a permanent magnet and a coil rotatably supported on the permanent magnet and wound so as to form a surface that is parallel to and disposed at a preselected distance from a bottom surface of the permanent magnet. The coil generates a torque by interaction with a magnetic field of the permanent magnet upon supply of a current to the coil. An indicator needle is mounted to undergo rotation with the coil through a range of angles corresponding to indicator angles of the indicator needle. A pair of spiral springs urge the indicator needle in a direction opposite to a direction of the torque to undergo rotation through the range of indicator angles. The pair of spiral springs comprise a first spiral spring connected at one end thereof to one end of the coil and a second spiral spring connected at one end thereof to another end of the coil. The first spiral spring is larger than the second spiral spring and is arranged on an outer peripheral side of and coaxially with the second spiral spring so that the first and second spiral springs lie on a common plane.
US07654216B2

A boat roof on a boat deck is provided, including a roof element. The roof element can be raised via a pivoting mechanism with a lifting unit, by pivoting about a pivoting axis in order to produce an opening gap between the roof element and the remaining deck area. A boat having such a boat roof is also provided.
US07654215B2

A diver propulsion system includes separate operatively associated battery, motor, transmission, and clutch modules.
US07654212B2

The friction drag decreases and the friction resistance decrease ship that improves fuel cost is offered.Duct 3 is divided into two or more independent chambers 5, with partition 4 according to the longitudinal direction; piping 6 is introduced in each chamber 5 and penetrates through partition 4 to supply air to each chamber 5. Air is supplied by assistance compressor 7 through piping 6. Opening 8 is formed in the lateral aspect of each chamber 5, and microbubble generator 10 is installed in this opening 8.
US07654211B2

A vessel transfer system utilizes a larger, surface effect vessel with a hull and a cargo deck, having a pressurized volume of air under its hull. The larger vessel cargo deck is lowered relative to a water surface in order to receive a smaller vessel. Lowering is achieved by depressurizing the volume of pressurized air under the hull. Movable propulsors on an air cushion vehicle permit efficient operation under way in an outer position, while minimizing the envelope dimensions for stowage in a well deck, providing clearance from bridges, docks, etc. in an inner position. In the outer position, the propellers operate in more uniform inflow conditions, resulting in improved performance and lower noise levels. In addition, the craft can be arranged to use a full width stern ramp resulting in time saved during cargo loading/unloading. The propellers will be less likely to ingest green water in high sea states.
US07654207B1

An XY stage comprises a base, a movable table which is disposed on the base so as to be movable in an X direction and a Y direction in an X-Y plane, and a work member which is provided on the movable table. The XY stage further comprises: a first linear motor for giving a driving force in the X direction to the movable table at the same height as the center of gravity of a movable section composed of the movable table and the work member; and a second linear motor for giving a driving force in the Y direction to the movable table at the same height as the center of gravity of the movable section.
US07654193B2

A non-electric drip style coffee maker including a pot member having each of a handle member and a pouring spout. A basket like member for holding a filter having ground coffee disposed therein. Such basket like member includes at least one aperture formed through a bottom surface thereof for allowing freshly brewed coffee to pass therethrough and into such pot member. A generally hollow hot water reservoir having apertures formed through a bottom surface thereof and a predetermined diameter opening adjacent a top thereof is provided. There is a lid member having a predetermined size which will enable such lid member to cover both the opening in such hot water reservoir and the opening in such pot member. The lid member includes a grip member connected to an outer surface thereof for ease of placing and removing such lid.
US07654189B2

A cylinder for a piston-cylinder assembly comprises an extruded stainless steel cylinder body and stainless steel end caps mounted to opposite ends of the body. A unique configuration of three seals is used to seal each end cap to the cylinder body.
US07654179B2

A device for sharpening crayons, wax pencils, and the like is provided. This device includes: a multi-blade removable and replaceable crayon sharpening cartridge; an electric motor mechanically coupled to the blade cartridge for axially rotating the blade cartridge around a crayon that has been inserted into the blade cartridge; a base for supporting the electric motor; a contoured receptacle positionable on the base beneath the blade cartridge for capturing crayon debris; and a contoured exterior housing for enclosing the electric motor and the blade cartridge.
US07654172B2

A torque transmission device having a torque converter which is accommodated in the drivetrain of a motor vehicle, for transmitting torque between a drive unit and a transmission, has a converter housing that is rotationally mounted about an axis of rotation and is nonrotatably connected to the drive unit. The torsionally fixed connection between the drive unit and the converter housing includes a tubular connecting element that is located coaxially to the axis of rotation of the converter housing.
US07654170B2

A centering spring apparatus in a shift control mechanism includes a plurality of brackets providing stationary ground members for spring members and a shift control lever, which is operable to pick up the springs from the grounded portion to impose a centering force on the shift lever. These springs are disposed such that three different centering forces can be occasioned upon the shifting of the lever from one neutral position toward other neutral positions.
US07654169B2

In a shift lever, when a button of a knob is pressed, a link member is pivoted, and a detent rod is moved down. Further, impact sound or the like is restrained or prevented from being emitted by bringing the link member into contact with a contact member and elastically deforming the contact member. Here, a cover portion of the knob and the contact member are constituted by separate members. Therefore, the cover portion of the knob and the contact member can easily be constituted by materials suitable for respective functions.
US07654157B2

An airflow sensor apparatus for measuring flow rate includes a pitot tube with a bypass channel wherein the pitot tube extends halfway into a flow channel in order to reduce a pressure drop. One or more upstream taps can be spaced along the pitot tube facing into a direction of a flow stream which directs the flow to the bypass channel. At least one or more downstream taps can be located to face perpendicular to the direction of flow, such that the fluid after passing over a flow sensor passes through the downstream tap(s). The upstream tap senses stagnation pressure and the down stream tap senses static pressure which is exerted in all directions in the flow channel in order to determine a velocity pressure based on a difference between pressures.
US07654156B1

A distal tip of a fluid velocity probe generally includes at least a portion of a housing having first and second sidewalls defining a passageway therebetween, the passageway having inlet and outlet regions. The first and second sidewalls each are substantially symmetrical along an axis extending in the direction of the passageway through the center of each sidewall. The distal tip further includes a mass flow sensor disposed in the passageway between the inlet and outlet regions.
US07654149B2

The present disclosure relates to a handheld, single-piece wear gauge for chains, and more specifically, to a wear gauge with an elongated body carved into segments with markings, varied widths, and varied heights arranged along a guiding back rail. A roller chain wear gauge includes a single-piece body with a measuring end and a handle connected to the measuring end, wherein the measuring end includes a plurality of adjacent and contiguous calibrated segments each having a measuring length, a measuring width, and a measurement marking, and wherein the measuring end defines on one side a back rail formed by an alignment of a first side of each of the calibrated segments and a step function formed by the second side of each of the calibrated segments.
US07654144B2

In a nondestructive testing apparatus for testing normality of a blade root in a steam turbine installed in a nuclear plant or a thermal plant, an ultrasonic probe and an encoder can be mounted at the outside by only removing a casing of the steam turbine, without the necessity of withdrawing a turbine rotor, so that an automatic testing can be performed by rotating the steam turbine. Since the testing result can be digitally stored, reliability of the testing is improved. Furthermore, size of the testing apparatus is highly reduced for a tester to conveniently carry and install the testing apparatus alone. As a result, installation time and the whole testing time can be minimized.
US07654143B2

A method and apparatus for the inspection of rotary machine components is provided. A positioning fixture is clamped to the component to be inspected, and supports a transceiver that is used during the inspection. The positioning fixture can be navigated through and between rotary machine components to the desired location to be inspected. In one example, an ultrasonic transceiver can be used to perform the inspection. The apparatus can be used to perform in-situ inspections.
US07654139B2

To improve characteristics by achieving size reduction and high Q value with a simple structure. A vibratory gyrosensor 1 according to the present invention includes a supporting substrate 2, which has a circuit element mounted thereon and a wiring pattern having a plurality of lands 4 disposed thereon; and a vibration element 20 mounted on a surface 2-1 of the supporting substrate. The vibration element 20 includes a base portion 22 having a mounting surface 22-2 provided with a plurality of terminals 25 that are connected to the lands; and a vibrator portion 23 extending integrally from a side of the base portion 22 in a cantilever manner and having a substrate-facing surface which is flush with the mounting surface of the base portion 22, the substrate-facing surface being provided with a first electrode layer 27, a piezoelectric layer 28 stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer 29, 30 stacked on the piezoelectric layer. The vibration element 20 is mounted on the supporting substrate 2 by joining the terminals 25 to the lands 4 with metallic projections 26 disposed therebetween.
US07654138B2

Dynamically measuring the unbalance of a rotor arranged in a device housing (1) and rotating at high angular velocity, wherein the rotor is supported in a separate bearing housing (14), involves the following steps: fastening the bearing housing (14) on the device housing (1) with interposition of resiliently yielding elements (6) so that the bearing housing (14) can be moved relative to the device housing (1) in at least two spatial dimensions and the rotor is arranged in a working position in the device housing (1) suitable for driving, accelerating the rotor, measuring the vibrations induced by unbalance while the rotor rotates at a substantially normal working speed, determining the phase position of the induced vibrations to the relative position of the rotor at the measuring speeds, and using the measured vibrations and the phase position to determine the unbalance of the rotor to be compensated.
US07654137B2

The present invention provides a corrosion-resistant metal made sensor for fluid and a fluid supply device for which the sensor is employed.More specifically, the corrosion-resistant metal made sensor for fluid is equipped with a corrosion-resistant metal substrate, a mass flow rate sensor part comprising a corrosion resistant metal substrate, a thin film forming a temperature sensor and a heater mounted on the back face side of the fluid contacting surface of the corrosion-resistant metal substrate, and a pressure sensor part comprising a thin film forming a strain sensor element mounted on the back face side of the fluid contacting surface of the corrosion-resistant metal substrate, and the sensor is so constituted that the mass flow rate and pressure of the fluid are measured.
US07654134B2

An air flow measuring device has a throttle portion provided in a first sub-passage, a second sub-passage branched from the first sub-passage at an upstream side of the throttle portion, and a flow amount sensor located in the second sub-passage. The second sub-passage is configured to introduce therein a part of air flowing in the first sub-passage, and an inlet of the second sub-passage is open into the first sub-passage at one side in a first radial direction perpendicular to a flow direction of air flowing in the first sub-passage. Furthermore, the throttle portion is provided to gradually reduce a passage dimension of the first sub-passage in a second radial direction, as toward an outlet of the first sub-passage. Here, the second radial direction is perpendicular to a surface defined by the first radial direction and the flow direction of air in the first sub-passage.
US07654129B2

A sensor system having an analyte modulator, detector and a pump. The concentration of an analyte sample may be modulated at one time constant. The detector may have an output with a drift at another time constant. The one time constant may be shorter than the latter time constant. The latter time constant may be substantially removed from the detector output with a discriminator. A reservoir may receive high concentrations of analyte from the modulator, before analyte is forwarded to the detector and pump via analyte conveyance lines and valving. The modulation or pre-concentration of analyte in the sensor system may entail shorter times and smaller volumes than those needed by the detector. Such mismatches may be alleviated via accumulation of analyte in the reservoir prior to being forwarded to the detector.
US07654128B2

A gas analyzing apparatus for analyzing gas composition in a multi-gas stream is disclosed. The gas analyzing apparatus includes a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a characteristic of the gases and a microprocessor connected to the plurality of sensors and adapted to determine actual rates of flow of the gases. A method of analyzing a composition of a gas stream and a fuel cell system are also disclosed.
US07654122B2

In straightening a tube using a roll straightening machine provided with drum type straightening roll pairs vertically opposingly disposed, at least an outer layer portion of a roll main body is made of elastic material having spring type hardness Hs (JIS K 6301 A type) of 50 to 100 in at least three pairs of straightening rolls on an outlet side of the roll straightening machine, and an offset amount is imparted to a tube engaged in the three pairs, at least, of straightening opposing rolls such that η defined by an equation (1) ranges from 1.0×10−3 to 1.5×10−3. The offset amount is set at three positions along a tube axis where the upper and lower rolls of each pair horizontally cross. Therefore, an S/N ratio can be enhanced in an eddy current test from inside of the tube to improve inspection efficiency, and excellent quality accuracy can be ensured in a heat transfer tube used in a steam generator and the like. [ Formula ⁢ ⁢ 1 ] η = 1 R × ( d 2 ) ( 1 ) where a relationship of R=(δ2+L2)/2δ holds, assuming that d (mm) is a tube outside diameter, L (mm) is a roll stand span of the roll straightening machine, and δ (mm) is an offset amount.
US07654120B1

A locking assembly is configured for locking an electronic device to an object. The electronic device includes a panel. The panel includes two opposite first and second surfaces. A first through hole, a second through hole and a third through hole are defined in the panel. The locking assembly includes a rotating wheel, a lockset and a flexible cable. The rotating wheel is rotatably coupled to the first surface. The lockset includes a lock cylinder and is fixed to the first surface. The lock cylinder is extended through the first through hole and exposed from the second surface. The flexible cable is wrapped around the rotating wheel, and includes a locking end and an opposite connecting end. The connecting end is fixed to the rotating wheel. The locking end is extended through the second through hole and the third through hole, and capable of being engaged with the lockset.
US07654116B1

Various embodiments of this invention disclose a scarf with a knit tension differential between opposing sides along the length of the scarf that produces the effect of a scarf that takes and holds certain specific architectural shapes when it is worn by a user. The scarf of the present invention preferably has a three dimensional, hyperbolic shape that takes and holds certain architectural shapes when wrapped in different ways around the wearer.
US07654106B2

A no-frost refrigerator having an opening in a separating wall for the through passage of air between a storage chamber and an evaporation chamber. A control element is arranged in the opening and can be displaced or shifted between positions in which the control element covers the opening to different extents. The control element can be rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to an axis or plane of the air passage opening.
US07654105B2

Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.
US07654098B2

A system includes a scroll compressor having a first scroll member interleaved with a second scroll member to define at least two moving fluid pockets that decrease in size as they move from a radially outer position to a radially inner position. A valve in fluid communication with the compression chamber is movable between an open state allowing fluid to the compression chamber and a closed state preventing fluid to the compression chamber. A controller continuously cycles the valve between the open state and the closed state at a rate that is faster than a thermal time constant of a load on the system.
US07654089B2

This invention relates to a gas-turbine combustion chamber with at least one pilot burner (2) and at least one main burner (3) which are axially and radially offset relative to each other, said combustion chamber (1) comprising an outer flame-tube wall (4) and an inner flame-tube wall (5) each provided with ports for the introduction of air, and said main burner (3) being located at the outer flame-tube wall (4) and said pilot burner (2) being located at the inner flame-tube wall (5), characterized in that the outer flame-tube wall (4) is provided with a first arrangement (6) of ports and in that the inner flame-tube wall (5) is provided with a second arrangement (7) of ports.
US07654083B2

An axle driving apparatus includes a first housing having a plurality of cooling fins, an axle rotatably mounted in the first housing, a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly disposed within the first housing. The axle driving apparatus also includes a second housing having a plurality of cooling fins, an axle rotatably mounted in the second housing, a hydraulic stepless speed change assembly disposed within the second housing. A connecting means, such as a bar and/or plate connects the first and second housings. The plurality of cooling fins on the first housing has a different configuration that the plurality of cooling fins on the second housing.
US07654082B2

An underwater power generation system (10) that has a line member (30) that moves along a defined pathway. A number of foils (40) drive the line member using the flow of a water current. The defined pathway lies in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the flow of water current. A power take-off (114, 124) is connected to the line to produce power.
US07654080B2

The invention relates to a dosing system comprising a dosing means for metering a liquid, especially an aqueous urea solution used for the after treatment of exhaust gases generated by combustion engines. The liquid can be conveyed from a reservoir into an exhaust manifold through the dosing means in a normally operating conveying device. According to the invention, at least one area that is located between a dosing point and the reservoir and is impinged upon by the liquid can be emptied counter to a normal transport direction of the liquid.
US07654079B2

A system, method, and software that rapidly heats a diesel oxidation catalyst unit to an effective operating temperature at engine startup is disclosed. Upon ignition of an engine an electronic control unit is operable to lower a fresh air flow target value to a reduced fresh air flow target value as well as lower a valve opening limit of an exhaust gas recirculation valve to a reduced valve opening limit. The electronic control unit monitors a temperature value of a flow of exhaust entering the diesel oxidation catalyst unit until the temperature value reaches a first predetermined threshold value. After reaching the first predetermined threshold value, the electronic control unit causes the fuel system to set post-injection fueling to a predetermined post-injection fueling value until the temperature value of the flow of exhaust entering the diesel oxidation catalyst unit reaches a second predetermined threshold value.
US07654076B2

A system, method, and software for controlling regeneration and desulfurization of a NOx adsorber is disclosed. An electronic control unit is connected with an engine for selectively controlling operation of the engine between a rich operating mode and a lean operating mode. A NOx adsorber is in fluid communication with a flow of exhaust from the engine. A NOx adsorber manager module is executable by the electronic control unit to determine the need to operate in a de-NOx mode or a de-SOx mode. If the NOx adsorber manager module determines a need exists to operate in the de-NOx mode and the de-SOx mode at the same time, the NOx adsorber manager module executes the de-SOx mode.
US07654072B2

An engine unit, particularly for urban transport, comprising an engine (3) supplied with a compressed gas and having a expansion chamber (9), a liquid gas tank (28) in communication with the engine (3), and means (M, M′) for gasifying the liquid gas, which are interposed between the liquid gas tank (28) and the engine (3) for obtaining compressed gas. The gasifying means (M) comprise a gasification chamber (22) in communication with the liquid gas tank (28) and a liquid fuel tank (39) which is connected to the gasification chamber (22). The gasification chamber (22) is in fluid communication with both the liquid fuel tank (39) for the combustion of the liquid fuel with the oxygen of the liquid gas (22), and the expansion chamber (9) so that the compressed liquid gas and gaseous products of combustion process are used to do useful work.
US07654063B2

The invention relates to a method and a device (16) for gas filling and sealing of a duct (7) intended to be filled with gas and positioned in a container (1) of a collapsible type. The duct (7) is defined by two opposite side walls (2) which are joined along a connecting portion (4) and comprises an inlet (15) arranged in one of the side walls (2). A part of the container (1) that comprises the inlet (15) is clamped between an abutment (17) and a gas module (20) which is axially movable towards the abutment (17). Clamping occurs in such a manner that one of the two side walls (2) included in the duct (7) is allowed, in response to a gas flow supplied from the gas module (20) and entering the duct (7) through said inlet (15), to bulge to form a free passage into the duct (7) for filling the same with gas. After completion of the gas filling, the duct (7) is sealed. The invention also relates to a container blank (10) having a duct (7) which is specially developed for the method and the device (16).
US07654060B2

A partition system may include one or more panels. A panel may be constructed using blow-molded plastic. A panel may include one or more depressions, which may be aligned with one or more depressions on an opposing side of the panel. The depressions may provide additional structural integrity for a panel. The depressions on opposing sides of the panel may extend toward and engage each other. The panels may include patterns with which one or more depressions may intersect. The panels may include symmetric patterns on opposing sides. The partition system may include one or more connectors adapted to receive a portion of one or more panels. The partition system may include one or more feet that may be attached to one or more panels. The panels may include one or more reinforcing members of various shapes disposed proximate one or more edges of a panel.
US07654059B2

A truss connector for releasably coupling ends of truss structures in a quick and uniform fashion. The connector connects trusses, end-to-end, by binding to their tubular truss members in spigot fashion with an arbor, traveling nut and expandable collet assembly and by binding to the truss gusset plates in a directly fastened, mated plate assembly.
US07654046B2

A door assembly includes a frame with brick mold, a threshold, and a door panel. A plastic member is mounted to the frame and the plastic member defines a flashing strip, a nailing fin, and a tear-away construction cover that protects a portion of the frame, such as the brick mold, from damage during construction. After construction, the construction cover is torn away to reveal the protected clean and undamaged brick mold.
US07654045B2

A weather barrier is provided for a frangible element such as a window having an outer perimeter, the frame including a plurality of struts defining a converging end and a diverging end of the frame, the diverging end having a given periphery, a plurality of brackets disposed about the outer perimeter of the frangible element, the diverging end of the frame engageable with the brackets to space the converging end spaced from the window, the given periphery of the diverging end corresponding to the outer perimeter of the window, and a flexible material encapsulating the frame to define an enclosed volume.
US07654044B2

A window or door with a radially extending metal or vinyl casing flange mounted in an opening of a building having vinyl siding is protected from hurricanes and other violent weather by providing a panel having dimensions greater than the opening and bracket receiving slots; and a plurality of L-shaped brackets having base plates and perpendicular mounting plates. The bracket base plates are inserted between the window flange and the vinyl siding and secured to the building with fasteners, which are inserted into a wooden frame surrounding the building opening. The panel is then positioned over the opening, with the mounting plates inserted through the slots. The panel is secured in place by temporary fasteners, such as cotter keys.
US07654030B2

The present invention includes a spear tip that is removably mounted onto the upper end of a spear shaft, which is securely engaged upon the upper end of a handle. A rubber band secures the spear tip to the upper end of the spear shaft. Spear tip has a conical portion integrally formed upon the top of a cylindrical portion. A cable is fixed to the spear point by passing the end of cable through a transverse passageway formed through the cylindrical portion below conical portion and forming a loop at the end of the cable. A pair of parallel rabbit ears is affixed to opposing sides of the cylindrical portion. The cable is adapted with a quick connect/disconnect mechanism.
US07654025B2

A frame is mounted to a front surface of a previously mounted mirror so that recesses in the back side of the frame receive protruding portions of fasteners which attach the frame to a supporting structure. Guide structures are temporarily mounted to the front surface of the mirror to facilitate the mounting of the frame to the mirror. The guide structures are used to suspend the frame in a position forward of the mirror. Then, while the frame is suspended by the guide structures, the frame is pushed toward the mirror so that the frame slides along the guide structures. As a result, adhesive strips, which are mounted to the back of the frame, engage the front surface of the mirror and become adhered thereto, so that the frame is mounted to the front surface of the mirror by the adhesive strips.
US07654018B2

An excavation tool having a lever with an end adapted for receiving force from a user's foot, an excavation head mounted to the other end of the lever, and a fulcrum mounted on the lever at the upper end of the excavation head for resting against the soil surface. The excavation tool may also have an excavation head for insertion into the soil with an upper end adapted for receiving a user's foot along the centerline of the excavation head, and a lever fixedly mounted to the excavation head, having an end adapted for receiving force from a user's foot. The excavation tool may have an opening above the upper end of the excavation head for receiving a user's foot on the upper end of the excavation head along the centerline of the excavation head. A fulcrum may be mounted on the lever at the upper end of the excavation head for resting against the soil surface.
US07654012B2

The present invention provides a fitted, supportive, comfortable shoe upper with a laceless closure device comprising one interlaced strap capable of rapid adjustment in multiple planes of movement.
US07654008B2

An exemplary contour measuring method for measuring aspects of objects includes: (1) providing a contour measuring probe (10) comprising a tip extension (16), a displacement sensor (19), and a processor (119) connected to the displacement sensor, the tip extension being slidable in a first direction; (2) driving the tip extension to move so as to contact with the object at a first predetermined point, and recording a coordinate of the first predetermined point in the processor; (3) driving one of the tip extension and the object to move, thus, the tip extension contacting with the object at a second predetermined point, the displacement sensor sensing a displacement of the tip extension along the first direction and sending the displacement to the processor, and the processor recording a coordinate of the second predetermined point; and (4) repeating the step (3), the processor recording a series of measured coordinates of points.
US07653995B2

A method of weld repairing a superalloy material at ambient temperature without causing cracking of the base material. A superalloy material such as CM-247 LC, as is commonly used in gas turbine blade applications, is subjected to an overage pre-weld heat treatment in order to grow the volume percentage of gamma prime precipitate in the material to a level sufficient to permit ambient temperature welding without cracking. CM-247 LC material is heated in a vacuum furnace at a rate of about 0.5° C. per minute to an intermediate temperature of about 885° C. The material is then gas fan quenched to a temperature of about 52° C. to grow the gamma prime precipitate percentage to about 55%. A fusion repair weld may then be performed on the material at an ambient temperature using a filler material having a chemistry matching a chemistry of the base material.
US07653990B2

A manufacturing method of printed circuit board print is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a PCB which includes providing an imprinting stamper with a relievo pattern formed in correspondence with a circuit pattern data using the circuit pattern data, forming an intaglio pattern corresponding to the relievo pattern by pressing the imprinting stamper on an insulation layer, and forming a circuit pattern by printing conductive ink in the intaglio pattern by an ink-jet method using the circuit pattern data, allows the forming of a circuit pattern to a required thickness by injecting conductive ink in a groove processed by the imprint method, and prevents the spreading of ink and the distortion of the pattern shape in the curing process for conductive ink containing metal Also, the circuit pattern CAD data used in the manufacturing of an imprinting stamper can be utilized again in the ink-jet printing process.
US07653985B1

Disclosed are methods for fabricating a micro-electro-mechanical switch. The switch has a cantilever arm disposed on a substrate that can be moved in orthogonal directions for latching and unlatching. For latching, the cantilever arm is moved back by a comb-drive actuator and then pulled down by electrodes disposed on the substrate and the cantilever arm. The comb-drive actuator switch is then released and the cantilever arm moves forward to be captured by a dove-tail structure on the substrate. When the voltage is removed, the cantilever arm is held in place by the dove-tail structure. The switch is unlatched by actuating the comb-drive actuator to move the cantilever arm away from the dove-tail structure. The cantilever arm will then pop up once it is released from the dove-tail structure.
US07653981B2

A method of providing a housing assembly for a permanent magnet electric motor provides a frame holder having external surface features at an end thereof defining bearing support features. A plastic frame is provided over a portion of the frame holder. The plastic frame has internal surfaces features corresponding to the external surface features of the frame holder. The plastic frame has lamination receiving portions. Permanent magnets are placed adjacent to portions of the frame holder and between the lamination receiving portions of the plastic frame. A ferrous lamination is wound over the lamination receiving portions and the magnets to define flux structure.
US07653971B2

The present invention related generally to a device for adding moisture to fibrous material such as cotton. The conditioning device receives a continuous cotton batt from a battery condenser. The continuous cotton batt is fed between two opposing drums. Hot moist air is fed into one drum and drawn out of the perforated surface of the drum, through the batt as it is being compressed between the two drums, and into the other drum. The opposing drums are internally compartmented by a plurality of longitudinal staves, each compartment being covered by a corresponding segment of the perforated surface. Hot dry air is fed into the compartments of the drums when the corresponding segment of the surface is not carrying the cotton batt in order to dry the surface of the drum and clear the perforations of any lint that might have been retained on the surface.
US07653965B1

A system and method for carpet cleaning for cleaning carpets along longer runs from a central tank and vacuum assembly while using less chemicals. The system and method for carpet cleaning includes a central tank and vacuum assembly, a wand assembly, and a hose assembly. The central tank and vacuum assembly facilitates the routing of clean and waste water and creates vacuum pressure for recapturing water applied to a carpet being cleaned. The wand assembly is designed for applying clean water to a carpet to be cleaned, and for recapturing the water in the form of waste water from the carpet. The hose assembly includes a first end operationally coupled to the central tank and vacuum assembly, and a second end operationally coupled to the wand assembly. The hose assembly is used to conduct water and waste water between the wand assembly and the central tank and vacuum assembly.
US07653962B2

The invention includes a central vacuum system for use in a dwelling. The system features a vacuum unit having an exhaust outlet and a vacuum inlet connected to a fixed gooseneck shaped tube, a flexible cloth hose having a first end and a second end, where the first end is operatively connected to the gooseneck shaped tube with clamping means and the second end contains means for connecting a vacuum attachment. The gooseneck tube contains a flange to engage the clamp attached to the hose so that the hose cannot be pulled from the vacuum system during use. The flexible hose is adapted to extend from the vacuum unit within the dwelling and out through a wall orifice provided to access a living space of the dwelling. The hose is manually collapsible over the tube by a user when the system is not in use.
US07653961B2

A device for cleaning vehicle windshields assists in placing the user's hand in a favorable position to more easily clean the inside of a windshield with a wiping motion. The device includes a base having a padded member attached to its bottom side. A cleaning member is removably attached to the top side of the base. The device has straps that encircle the base and the padded member. The user's hand is placed through the straps such that the top side of the user's hand is against the bottom of the padded member. The user positions their hand to place the top side of the cleaning member against the windshield moving their hand in a wiping motion.
US07653956B2

A method of manufacturing footwear includes providing a first upper having a first size and positioning a first cushioning member, having a first recess of a first size, beneath the first upper. The first cushioning member is secured to the first upper and a first sole assembly to form a first article of footwear having a first size. A second cushioning member is positioned beneath a second upper having a second size different than the first upper's size. The second cushioning member has a second recess of a second size formed in an upper surface thereof, with the second size being different than the first size of the first recess. The second cushioning member is secured to the second upper and a second sole assembly to form a second article of footwear having a second size different than the first size of the first article of footwear.
US07653950B2

In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates a T-shaped stiffening device to prevent a trouser leg from becoming entangled between the foot and a shoe, particularly and open-back shoe, of a wearer. Accordingly, the device includes a stiffening device having a central stiffening member arranged between two opposing layers, one layer having an exterior face having an adhesive. One method of use includes locating an interior portion of a trouser leg, preferably near the hem-line, where stiffening is desired and arranging the device vertically starting at the hem-line at a rear portion of the interior portion of the trouser leg. Finally, adhering the device to the interior portion of the trouser leg using an adhesive provided on the device.
US07657937B1

A method for customizing the response for network based intrusion prevention comprising of: 1) virtual proxying the application data to enable custom response 2) enhancing transport layer (TCP/IP) to enable selective processing and selective modification of the stream for intrusion prevention. The invention also discloses a method for customizing the processing for both network or host based intrusion prevention comprising of: 1) loading externally defined processing procedures for the detection and prevention of intrusions 2) combining multiple of these processing procedures to form a unified processing engine that can be used for intrusion detection and prevention 3) unloading processing procedures that are not needed any more 4) loading new processing procedures that improve the intrusion detection and prevention.
US07657927B2

A method of protecting a system from attack that includes monitoring processes running on a system, identifying behavior of the processes and attributes of the processes, grouping the processes into process sets based on commonality of attributes, and generating behavior control descriptions for each process set.
US07657922B2

Dynamic digital recording is described. A client device is configured to include digital recording capabilities. The digital recording capabilities are automatically enabled when recording media is connected to the client device, and the digital recording capabilities are automatically disabled when the recording media is not connected to the client device.
US07657916B2

A dual mode file system in a subscriber network television system, comprising a memory with logic, and a processor configured with the logic to use remote data to support the processor until the logic detects that local data is available.
US07657913B2

A digital video system, method, and computer program product for correcting corrupted digital video transport streams is described. The digital video system may include a digital cable, digital broadcast satellite (DBS), high definition television (HDTV), or video-on demand (VOD) system. In a VOD system, a VOD client at each receiver is capable of subscribing to one or more VOD sessions. The headend includes a video server and a control server that is coupled to the video server. The video server transmits one or more VOD sessions to one or more receivers over a transport stream. The control server can also cause the video server to transmit one or more dummy sessions to maintain a predetermined minimum bandwidth of content over the transport stream. Alternatively, the headend can transmit one or more null packets having a randomized payload, as necessary, to maintain a constant bit rate over the transport stream.
US07657912B2

A method for managing contents of Video On Demand (VOD) services, where a Middle Ware (MW) controls the stored contents on a VOD server according to the VOD service information correlated with a channel is provided. The corresponding device and system are also provided. Therefore, the specific service forms are separated from the stored contents, and the MW controls the contents in a centralized manner according to the service information; the VOD server does not need to store the contents of each service separately, but adds and deletes the stored contents according to the unified control from the MW, thus avoiding repeated storage of the same data for different services.
US07657906B2

A program recommendation apparatus that recommends a program to a user that is in accordance with the user's preference, by taking into account the importance of keywords used in classifying programs' contents into correct categories. The program recommendation apparatus has a category dictionary containing words as keywords, where each of the keywords is stored in association with contribution factors assigned with respect to categories respectively, searches program information of each program in an EPG for the keywords contained in the category dictionary, for any found keywords, obtains category summations of contribution factors of the found keywords for each of the categories, calculates category evaluation values of the program according to the category summations of the contribution factors, and recommends one or more programs to the user according to a degree of similarity between the category evaluation values of the programs and user preference factors.
US07657904B2

A program viewing control apparatus includes: a detection unit for detecting rating information regarding a viewing lock level of contents, which is added to data of the contents; a storing unit for storing rating information regarding the viewing lock level; a control unit for locking the contents based on comparison between the rating information detected by the detection unit and the rating information stored in the storing unit; a selection unit for inputting a selection signal for selecting whether to limit viewing of the contents or not when contents video based on data of the contents is displayed on a display section; and an update unit for updating the rating information stored in the storing unit based on the selection signal inputted from the selection unit.
US07657894B2

A method, apparatus, and system are provided for monitoring resource operations and detecting lock acquisition hierarchy violations in multithreaded programs. In one embodiment, a lock acquisition hierarchy graph is constructed to facilitate monitoring of resource operations performed by each of a plurality of threads of a multithreaded program. The resource operations performed by each thread are monitored by a monitor. Any violation in the hierarchy is detected by a detector, which is triggered with an occurrence of a change in the graph.
US07657891B2

A multithreading processor for concurrently executing multiple threads is provided. The processor includes an execution pipeline and a thread scheduler that dispatches instructions of the threads to the execution pipeline. The execution pipeline detects a stalling event caused by a dispatched instruction, and flushes the execution pipeline to enable instructions of other threads to continue executing. The execution pipeline communicates to the scheduler which thread caused the stalling event, and the scheduler stops dispatching instructions for the thread until the stalling condition terminates. In one embodiment, the execution pipeline only flushes the thread including the instruction that caused the event. In one embodiment, the execution pipeline stalls rather than flushing if the thread is the only runnable thread. In one embodiment, the processor includes skid buffers to which the flushed instructions are rolled back so the instruction fetch pipeline need not be flushed, only the execution pipeline.
US07657885B2

A system and method for downloading substantially up to date versions of selected software from a plurality of software vendors over a network and for installing the software to a hardware unit includes a first software handling machine in the network configured to execute a download manager that sends a download transaction request including an identifier associated with the selected software over the network, and downloads and installs the selected software pursuant to a download/installation instruction, and also includes a second software handling machine in the network configured to execute a download supervisor to determine whether the requested download transaction is authorized, and, if so, to communicate a download/installation instruction to the download manager to enable it to download and install the selected software.
US07657884B2

Disclosed herein is an electronic device network. The network may include a plurality of servers and a plurality of an electronic devices communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of servers. The electronic device may be adapted to employ at least one of a plurality of update agents resident in the electronic devices to update one of software and firmware in the electronic devices. The electronic devices may also be adapted to provisioning the plurality of update agents with parameters and data used to facilitate update operations in the electronic device. The electronic device may support multiple update agents that are provisioned using OTASP or OTAPA or related techniques. During the provisioning of an electronic device, one or more update agents resident in the electronic device may also be provisioned.
US07657880B2

The latencies associated with retrieving instruction information for a main thread are decreased through the use of a simultaneous helper thread. The helper thread is permitted to execute Store instructions. Store blocker logic operates to prevent data associated with a Store instruction in a helper thread from being committed to memory. Dependence blocker logic operates to prevent data associated with a Store instruction in a speculative helper thread from being bypassed to a Load instruction in a non-speculative thread.
US07657877B2

A method and device for translating a program to a system including at least one first processor and a reconfigurable unit. Code portions of the program which are suitable for the reconfigurable unit are determined. The remaining code of the program is extracted and/or separated for processing by the first processor.
US07657872B2

An Internet-based, secure communications system is utilized for enabling communications between a video game tester, project coordinator and others with a game developer. A master bug log which compiles all uncovered bugs is accessible by a game developer and other authorized system users via a web server, which stores bug tracking system applications programs and associated data bases. Such a master bug log includes a file attachment capability permitting a digitized image file replicating a video game display screen sequence depicting the bug, to be attached for downloading to, for example, a game developer. Bugs may be sorted, for example, so that a game developer can retrieve only those bugs having a digitized file attachment. Game and debugging related messages may be exchanged between testers, project coordinators, and corporate contacts.
US07657869B2

Custom build tools are integrated into a design environment build process without writing code. Properties of the tool are defined in a file describing the appropriate syntax of the tool's command line. Values are specified for a particular use of the tool in a particular project. At runtime the command line for the tool is generated from the generalized syntax as defined in the file and the stored values.
US07657865B2

A computer-readable recording medium recording a mask data generation program, which causes a computer to generate data of a mask illuminated by illumination light and used to form a latent image on a photoresist via a projection optical system. The program causes the computer to execute a map generation step of Fourier-transforming a function indicating an effective light source to generate a coherence map expressing a coherence distribution on an object plane of the projection optical system, on which the mask is arranged, a specifying step of specifying a reference vector from an origin of the coherence map to a region where coherence is less than a reference value, a first data generation step of selecting one element from a pattern including a plurality of elements, and removing, from the pattern, an element existing at a position matching a terminal point of the reference vector arranged such that the center of the selected element serves as a starting point, to generate data of a first pattern different from the pattern, and a second data generation step of generating data of a second pattern including the element removed in generating the data of the first pattern.
US07657852B2

A system and technique to specifies patterns to search for in an integrated circuit layout, and specifies proposed replacement patterns. A description file includes specifications for one or more patterns to be searched for. In the description file, for each pattern, there may be one or more proposed replacement patterns. The description file is read. Pattern matches, if any, in a layout are found. A proposed replacement pattern is tested in place of a matched pattern. If acceptable, the proposed pattern may be used to replace the matched pattern.
US07657851B2

Device, system and method of correcting an integrated circuit design. For example, a method includes receiving a list of one or more root points for an active netlist that requires logic correction, wherein the root points correlate between elements of the active netlist and elements of a re-synthesized netlist that is based on a high-level correction for the integrated circuit design; automatically identifying in the active netlist a driving logic cone for at least one of the root points; and automatically identifying in the re-synthesized netlist a driving logic cone for the respectively correlated root point, including one or more corrected logic elements that correspond to the one or more identified flawed logic elements.
US07657844B2

Accessibility compliance is provided within advanced componentry, such as a browser in which an on-demand editor can be launched. A toolkit of functionality that is executable on a server is preferably provided, from which selections can be made to configure an instance of a client editor or similar client-side viewer. Techniques are disclosed that enable flexible specification of the controls to be added to the viewer instance, as well as specification of details for configuring the controls.
US07657843B2

If a plurality of menu items in a menu includes a particular menu item that leads to a content item that is to be promoted when displaying the menu, a promotion for the content item is displayed beside the menu items. An up command is provided to move a cursor position upward by one menu item in the menu. A down command is provided to move the cursor position downward by one menu item in the menu. A right command is provided to move the cursor position to the particular menu item from any other one of the menu items. When the cursor position is at the particular menu item, both the particular menu item and the promotion are displayed with a cursor-position-indicating visual characteristic.
US07657840B2

The present invention is a method for providing a navigable grid to allow for accessible drag-drop in visual modeling tools. The method includes receiving an input which selects an object. The method further includes providing a visual canvas on a display device. The method further includes overlaying the navigable grid onto the canvas, the overlying navigable grid being of a defined granularity, the defined granularity being based on an underlying application being implemented, the overlying navigable grid further being keyed input device-navigable based on the defined granularity. The method further includes designating a drop position on the navigable grid when a position input is received via a keyed input device. The method further includes dropping the object onto a destination position of the canvas when a drop command input is received. The drop position on the overlying navigable grid is directly aligned over the destination position of the canvas.
US07657833B2

A method and system for converting ACORD XML files to and from ACORD AL3 files in real-time. The method for converting from ACORD XML to ACORD AL3 format includes: applying a stylesheet to at least one ACORD XML file thereby generating at least one data record in an intermediate format and including information included in the at least one ACORD XML file; and, translating the at least one record in the intermediate format to ACORD AL3 format. The method for converting from ACORD AL3 files to ACORD XML files includes: translating at least one record including information stored in the ACORD AL3 file format to an intermediate format; and, applying a stylesheet to the at least one record in the intermediate format thereby generating at least one ACORD XML file being indicative of the information and suitable for transmission.
US07657825B2

The programmable decoder, such as a Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) decoder (e.g. a Viterbi decoder) may include a programming input for a plurality of programmable trellis parameters, and a programmable device, such as an FPGA, connected to the programming input and implementing a trellis decoder including at least one trellis structure defined based upon the plurality of programmable trellis parameters. The plurality of programmable trellis parameters may include trellis connectivity information for trellis stages, active and inactive states for each trellis stage, a trellis branch transition data value and a metric index for trellis branch transition. Also, the trellis structure may include a reverse-state trellis structure. The programmable trellis decoder can decode convolutional codes, trellis coded modulation (TCM), ISI channels and CPM waveforms.
US07657819B2

In the method for termination of turbo decoding, a plurality of first LLR values (Lai(k)) of a-priori information and a plurality of second LLR values (Lei(k)) of extrinsic information are called up. A value is determined for a decision variable which is characteristic of the number of mathematical sign discrepancies between the first Lai(k)) and the second Lei(k)) values. The turbo decoding is terminated if the number of mathematical sign discrepancies is less than or at least equal to a first number or if the number is greater than or at least equal to a second number.
US07657814B2

The claimed subject matter provides industrial automation systems and/or methods that configure available redundancy. An interface component can obtain input data. Additionally, an optimization component can generate a voting configuration that allocates available redundancy to provide an optimized combination of safety and availability based at least in part on the input data.
US07657812B2

There is provided a test apparatus for testing a device under test. The test apparatus includes an instruction storing section that stores thereon a test instruction sequence, a pattern generating section that sequentially reads and executes an instruction from the test instruction sequence, and outputs a test pattern associated with the executed instruction, a test signal output section that generates a test signal in accordance with the test pattern, and supplies the generated test signal to the device under test, and a result register that stores thereon a value having a predetermined number of bits. Here, the instruction storing section stores thereon the test instruction sequence including therein a result register update instruction to update a value of a designated bit position in the result register with a predetermined value, and when executing the result register update instruction, the pattern generating section updates, with the predetermined value, the value of the bit position in the result register which is designated by the result register update instruction.
US07657810B2

Testing of integrated circuits is achieved by a test architecture utilizing a scan frame input shift register, a scan frame output shift register, a test controller, and a test interface comprising a scan input, a scan clock, a test enable, and a scan output. Scan frames input to the scan frame input shift register contain a test stimulus data section and a test command section. Scan frames output from the scan frame output shift register contain a test response data section and, optionally, a section for outputting other data. The command section of the input scan frame controls the test architecture to execute a desired test operation.
US07657809B1

A method for testing an integrated circuit includes scanning test data from an input and an output pin into a first scan chain during a first state of a clock cycle, and scanning test data from the same input and output pins into a second scan chain during a second state of the clock cycle.
US07657808B2

A Propagation Test instruction, a Decay Test instruction and a Cycle Test instruction provide testing of DC and AC interconnect circuits between circuits including JTAG boundary scan cells. A few additions to the Test Access Port circuitry, including gating producing a Capture Test Strobe (CTS) signal, and the boundary scan cells are required to implement the additional instructions. The instructions are extensions of the conventional JTAG operating structure.
US07657800B2

A semiconductor memory device and method directed to performing a memory operation in a semiconductor memory device, which include receiving data and a data masking signal corresponding to a portion of the received data configured to be written into memory in response to a write command and the data masking signal configured to block the at least a portion of the received data from being written into the memory, and further configuring different timing parameters of the received data and the data masking signal for executing the write command without writing the at least a portion of the received data into the memory.
US07657783B2

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed for testing a data processing system's ability to recover from cache directory errors. A directory entry is stored into a cache directory. The directory entry includes an address tag and directory parity that is associated with that address tag. A cache entry is stored into a cache that is accessed using the cache directory. The cache entry includes information and cache parity that is associated with that information. The directory parity is altered to imply bad parity. The bad parity implies that the address tag that is associated with this parity is invalid. The information included in the cache entry is altered to be incorrect information. However, although the information is now incorrect, the cache parity continues to imply good parity which implies that the data is good. This good parity implies that the information that is associated with the parity is valid, even though it is not. The data processing system's ability to recover from errors is tested using the directory entry and the cache entry.
US07657781B1

In a distributed network, a data entry is received. The data entry is stored in a first one of a plurality of nodes and replicated in a second one of the plurality of nodes in order to provide data redundancy in the distributed network. In the event of a failure of the second one of the plurality of nodes, the data entry that was replicated therein is re-replicated into a third one of the plurality of nodes in order to maintain data redundancy despite the failure of the second one of the plurality of nodes. Data redundancy can be retained despite the failure of the second one of the plurality of nodes as long as the overall capacity for the distributed network remains above an initial threshold.
US07657772B2

An integrated circuit having a temperature sensitive circuit (TSC) to generate a signal indicative of the substrate temperature near the TSC. The integrated circuit has circuitry configured to receive a TSC signal from at least one TSC and to convert the TSC signal to a signal indicative of the integrated circuit's temperature. The thermal control circuit compares the integrated circuit temperature to a threshold and produces a corrective action signal when the temperature exceeds the threshold. The corrective action signal is provided to corrective action circuitry preferably configured to modify the operation of the IC to reduce the IC temperature in proximity to the corresponding TSC.
US07657771B2

Methods and system for reducing latency associated with a read operation in a processor memory system are provided. In one implementation, the method includes receiving an early indicator corresponding to read data from a memory, delaying the early indicator in accordance with a pre-determined delay such that the early read indicator is passed to a bus in advance of the read data; and dynamically adjusting the pre-determined delay using an adjustment delay circuit, the pre-determined delay being adjusted responsive to a change in operational speed of the bus or change in operational speed of a processor coupled to the bus.
US07657767B2

In one embodiment of the present invention, a technique is provided to control leakage of a cache sub-array. Other embodiments are disclosed herein. A sleep and shut-off circuit is connected between a virtual supply terminal and a first physical supply terminal to reduce leakage from the cache sub-array when the cache sub-array is disabled in a shut-off mode. The cache sub-array is connected between the virtual supply terminal and a second physical supply terminal. An active circuit is connected to the sleep and shut-off circuit in parallel to enable the cache sub-array in a normal mode and to disable the cache sub-array in the shut-off mode.
US07657763B2

A system for selectively controlling electrical outlets using power profiling is disclosed. There is a plurality of electrical outlets that each comprises a power socket capable of receiving a plug, an outlet identification and a switch that when in a first position no power is available at the power socket, and when the switch is in a second position power is available at the power socket. A controller is in electronic communication with the plurality of electrical outlets. The controller includes a processor and memory in electronic communication with the processor. The controller also includes power profiles and operates to receive data from an electrical outlet of the plurality of electrical outlets. A device or class of device is identified based on the received data. A power profile is identified based on the received data. Action is taken based on the power profile.
US07657760B2

In the method for sharing encrypted data region among two or more processes on a tamper resistant processor, one process creates the encrypted data region to be shared according to the common key generated as a result of the safe key exchange, and the other process maps that region to its own address space or process space. The address information of the shared encrypted data region and the common key of each process are set in relation in the encrypted attribute register inside the tamper resistant processor, so that it is possible to share the encrypted data region safely.
US07657756B2

Methods and apparatus that may be utilized to reduce latency associated with encryption based on externally stored security metadata are provided. When encrypted data is accessed for the first time, a cache line containing corresponding metadata used for decryption may be placed in an internal security metadata cache. If that data is accessed again, it may be retrieved without accessing external memory, thus reducing latency. Further, if adjacent data is accessed, the cached line may contain sufficient metadata to decrypt the adjacent data. As a result, a separate operation to access metadata for the adjacent data may be avoided, thus reducing latency.
US07657754B2

Apparatus and methods are presented for protecting data in microcontrollers from both malicious software processes running inside the device as well as from unauthorized attempts to read the data from an external data bus and/or external memory. An illustrative embodiment of the invention accomplishes these security improvements, in part, by utilizing an enhanced memory management unit (MMU). The enhanced MMU is configured to prevent one software process running on the microcontroller from accessing data associated with a different software process running on the same microcontroller. Moreover, data transmitted over an external data bus or stored in an external memory is encrypted, thereby reducing the chances that unauthorized users will gain exploitable information from this data.
US07657747B2

A grantor issues a trustable electronic document for the benefit of a requestor. The requestor may be able to get the benefits specified by the electronic document through access controls located at the service or information origin. A request digitally signed by a requestor is received. The digitally signed request contains the electronic document digitally signed by the grantor. The electronic document also contains a grantor certified reference, a requestor certified reference, and access control rules for the requestor. The request is validated using the requestor certified reference and the access control rules for the requestor.
US07657744B2

Various methods and systems for dynamically determining the role of a network device in a link authentication protocol exchange are disclosed. In one embodiment, such a method involves monitoring several (e.g., two) link authentication protocol exchanges. These link authentication protocol exchanges can be initiated at substantially the same time. A first network device acts as an authenticator in a first one of the link authentication protocol exchanges and a supplicant in a second one of the link authentication protocol exchanges. One of the link authentication protocol exchanges is terminated prior to completion.
US07657742B2

A content reproducing apparatus includes a CPU. The CPU executes an authentication process with a memory card at a time of starting reproduction. The reproducing apparatus, when succeeding in the authentication process, can obtain from the memory card a decryption key of encrypted music data. Accordingly, by decrypting encrypted content data separately obtained by use of the decryption key, it is possible to reproduce the music data. In such the authentication process, certificate data is utilized in an order which starts from registered identification numbers and, every time failing in the authentication process, is renewed to a next identification number. Consequently, an identification number of certificate data which succeeds in the authentication process is registered and utilized in a next authentication process and the subsequent.
US07657738B2

The invention concerns a list signature method comprising: an organization phase whereby reliable authority defines parameters for implementing an anonymous electronic signature; a phase which consists in registering persons on a list of authorized members to generate a list signature, during which each person calculates a private key, and the reliable authority delivers to each person a certificate for membership of the list; a phase which consists in defining a serial number; a phase wherein a member of the list generates by means of certificate a signature containing an element common to all the signatures issued by one single member with one single serial number; a phase which consists in verifying whether the signature has been generated by a member of the list and whether the serial number has been used to generate the signature.
US07657731B2

A computer system includes an identification device and a host. The identification device includes a first wireless module for receiving a radio identification signal and then emitting a radio user signal with an identification code. The host includes a processing module for controlling operation of the host, a second wireless module for emitting the radio identified signal and receiving the user signal, a power supply for supplying power to the processing module while receiving a power control signal, and a control module electrically connected to the power supply. Before the power supply supplies power to the processing module, the control module checks whether the identification code within the user signal matches a predetermined identification code as the second wireless module receives the user signal. If the identification code within the user signal matches the predetermined identification code, the control module can transmit the power control signal to the power supply.
US07657730B2

In response to the start of an initialization sequence at a service processor, if power to a main processor was interrupted at a most-recent time that an operating system executed on the main processor, power to the main processor is turned on, the operating system is started executing on the main processor, data from the non-volatile memory of the service processor is provided to the operating system, and the service processor is reset, which restarts the initialization sequence. If the power to the main processor was not interrupted at the most-recent time that the operating system executed on the main processor, and if the operating system is currently executing on the main processor, a monitoring function is started in the service processor, which monitors for errors at a computer system.
US07657726B2

A memory storage structure includes a memory storage device, and a first meta-structure having a first size and operating at a first speed. The first speed is faster than a second speed for storing meta-information based on information stored in a memory. A second meta-structure is hierarchically associated with the first meta-structure. The second meta-structure has a second size larger than the first size and operates at the second speed such that faster and more accurate prefetching is provided by coaction of the first and second meta-structures. A method is provided to assemble the meta-information in the first meta-structure and copy this information to the second meta-structure, and prefetching the stored information from the second meta-structure to the first meta-structure ahead of its use.
US07657724B1

Methods and apparatus to improve addressing of device resources in variable page size environments are described. In one embodiment, an address conversion logic (which may be provided within a chipset in an embodiment) may convert a first address into a second address based on a difference between a first memory page size and the second memory page size. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07657721B2

Snapshots are implemented by combining original data in a place where an operational volume has been updated with data in a place where the operational volume has not been updated. A snapshot management table maintains a value indicating that update has not been conducted, or a storage place of original data, for each of combinations of blocks in the operational volume and the snapshots. If there is a snapshot in which update has not been conducted in a update place at the time of update, then original data is copied and the snapshot management table is updated. The copied original data is managed by a difference block management table, which has a value indicating whether respective snapshots are referencing the data. If a snapshot is deleted, then the value indicating that the snapshot is referencing is altered in all entries in the difference block management table.
US07657720B2

Provided is a storage apparatus operable to prevent incomplete backup and perform efficient backup even in systems characterized by a relatively small backup window and high degrees of utilization by users. This storage apparatus performs a snapshot of a volume storing data, using a logoff or login request at a certain point in time within in the backup window as a trigger, and creates a replication volume of the volume based on the acquired snapshot. To achieve the data consistency, when a login request is made, the storage apparatus temporarily suspends processing for establishing a session until the snapshot is created, and resumes such processing for establishing the session based on a login request after the snapshot is created. In one implementation, the replication volume is created in the background.
US07657717B1

A computer system that implements a method for creating a virtual snapshot of a first storage object. A first storage object such as a data volume is created, wherein creating the first storage object includes creating a first storage object description. This first storage object description relates the first storage object to underlying first storage objects or first physical memory regions. After creating the first storage object, a virtual copy of the first storage object is created as a second storage object. Creating the second storage object includes creating a second storage object description, wherein the second storage object description relates the second storage object to the first storage object. The first storage object is transmitted to a first computer system, and the second storage object description is transmitted to a second computer system.
US07657714B2

A method is disclosed to provide commands to an information storage and retrieval comprising one or more data storage devices, where one or more first communication links interconnect one or more host computers and the data storage and retrieval system. The method supplies a computing device, where that computing device is external to the data storage and retrieval system, and where that computing device is external to each of the one or more host computers. Applicants' method further supplies a second communication link interconnecting the computing device and the data storage and retrieval system. The computing device generates a command signal, where said command signal comprises one or more command control words and a header. The computing device then provides that command signal to the data storage and retrieval system via the second communication link.
US07657712B2

A memory control unit for controlling access, by one or more devices within a processor, to a memory array unit external to the processor via one or more memory ports of the processor. The memory control unit includes a switch network to transfer data between the one or more devices of the processor and the one or more memory ports of the processor. The memory control unit also includes a switch arbitration unit to arbitrate for the switch network, and a port arbitration unit to arbitrate for the one or more memory ports.
US07657707B2

A primary controller operates to transmit write data and a write time to a secondary controller in the earlier sequence of the write times after reporting a completion of a request for write to a processing unit. The secondary controller stores the write data and the write time transmitted from the primary controller in the cache memory. At a time, the secondary controller stores the write data in a disk unit in the earlier sequence of the write time. These operations make it possible to guarantee all the write data on or before the reference time.
US07657704B2

When receiving a verification command for verifying a part of the disk array, each of the disks of the disk array are simultaneously verified such that a part of the disk array practically verified is larger than the part assigned to be verified in the verification command, and verification results are recorded. When receiving the next verification command for verifying another part of the disk array, if the part to be verified is already verified, then the recorded verification result is directly returned in response to the present verification command, thus an efficiency of verifying disk arrays can be raised.
US07657703B1

The number of content addressable memory (CAM) lookups is reduced from two to one. Each side (left and right sides) of a CAM is programmed with network addresses, such as IP addresses, based on certain bits of the network addresses. These bits of the network addresses (which represent packet routes) are examined and used to determine whether the particular network address is to be placed on the left or right sides of the CAM. The grouping of certain network addresses either on the left or right sides of the CAM can be performed by examining an individual bit of each network address, by performing an exclusive OR (XOR) operation on a plurality of bits of each network address, and/or by searching for bit patterns of the network address in a decision table. Network addresses that cannot be readily assigned to a particular side of the CAM using these grouping techniques are programmed into both sides of the CAM. During packet routing, techniques similar to the grouping techniques that populated the CAM are used to determine which of the two sides of the CAM is to be searched.
US07657700B2

A recording device which records data onto a recording medium includes a nonvolatile memory storing and holding data on a free capacity of the recording medium, and a control unit controlling the data recording. The control unit determines the free-capacity data stored in the nonvolatile memory based on the total capacity of the recording medium when power is turned on. When the determination result indicates that a value of the free-capacity data stored in the nonvolatile memory does not exceed a value of the total capacity of the recording medium, the control unit records the data onto the recording medium with reference to the free-capacity data. When the power is turned off, the control unit updates the free-capacity data so as to reduce the value of the free-capacity data by as much as an amount of the data recorded onto the recording medium.
US07657698B2

A identification system comprising at least one non-volatile memory device containing identification data, a communication bus for the memory device that is independent of any other system bus, and a controller to manage the integrity of the identification data.
US07657695B1

Systems and methods for efficient processing of virtual hardware memory accesses to using runtime code patching. Virtual hardware memory accesses are processed by handling a program's OS-trapped memory exception and performing runtime patching on the program's code to bypass the OS-trapped memory exception mechanism. Program runtime patching comprises modifying function addresses in a program's function address table to redirect function calls to virtualization functions for processing virtual hardware memory accesses without triggering OS-trapped memory exceptions.
US07657692B2

An extended universal-serial bus (EUSB) bridge to a host computer can have peripheral component interconnect express (PCIE) protocol layers on one side of the bridge, and EUSB layers on the other side of the bridge, with a high-level bridging converter module connecting the upper layers. The PCIE physical, data-link, and transport layers may be eliminated by integrating the bridge with an I/O controller. PCIE requests and data payloads are directly sent to the bridge, rather than low-level PCIE physical signals. The PCIE data payloads are converted to EUSB data payloads by a high-level direct bridging converter module. Then the EUSB data payloads are passed down to an EUSB transaction layer, an EUSB data-link layer, and an EUSB physical layer which drives and senses physical electrical signals on both differential pairs of the EUSB bus.
US07657685B2

Circuit arrangement having a chip card controller with connections which can be used to access the chip card controller in accordance with the ISO standard and which are connected or can be connected to an ISO interface. The connections include at least one first connection, which can be connected to the ISO interface via a switch device. In addition, the circuit arrangement includes a further controller with at least one controller connection which is coupled to the switch device such that the first connection of the chip card controller can be connected to the controller connection via the switch device. The switch device can be switched between a first and a second state, where in the first state the first connection of the chip card controller is decoupled from the controller connection and is connected to the ISO interface, and where in the second state the first connection of the chip card controller is decoupled from the ISO interface and is connected to the controller connection.
US07657681B2

In an arbitration circuit in which a shared circuit such as a memory is used exclusively by one of a plurality of functional blocks at a time, an access reservation request is issued from one of the functional blocks, and the access request associated with the access reservation request is reserved. Thereafter, when an access request is issued from another functional block, it is determined which one of the access reservation request and the access request from these functional blocks takes precedence. For example, if the access request from the latter functional block has a low priority level, the access reservation request is selected and the circuit waits for an access request from the functional block which has issued this access reservation request. In this manner, it is possible to avoid cancellation of a once-accepted access request and waiting for a high-priority access request.
US07657678B2

A modular computer system (20) including a universal connectivity station (UCS) (22) interconnected to a plurality of remote modules (30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 42) via a plurality of respective high speed serial links (26, 40) such as based on proprietary Split-Bridge™ technology. The plurality modules, including a processor module (42) which may include core parts including a CPU, memory, AGP Graphics, and system bus interface may be remotely located from each of the other modules, including the UCS (22). The present invention achieves technical advantages wherein each module of the modular computer system (20) appear to each device to be interconnected to the other on a parallel bus since the high speed serial links appear transparent. Preferably, although not necessary, each of the modules including the UCS 22 are based on the PCI bus architecture, or the PCMCIA bus architecture, although other bus architectures are well suited to be incorporated using the present invention. The processor module can be upgraded to change or improve the performance of the modular computer system 20 without requiring any changes to the remaining system, thus drastically improving the price to performance trade-offs of the system. Moreover, the operating system (OS) of each module, including both the software and hardware, do not need to be changed as the entire modular system (20) is based on a common architecture, such as the PCI or Cardbus bus architecture.
US07657674B2

One embodiment of the invention includes a method of buffering data between an upstream system sending data to a buffer and a downstream system obtaining data from the buffer. This method may include receiving a data record containing a status flag and a position identifier, reading the status flag and the position identifier of the received data record, and searching an existing buffer location associated with the received position identifier. In some instances, when the existing buffer location associated with the received position identifier has an existing record associated with the received position identifier, the condition of a processing flag associated with the existing record and buffering the received data at the buffer location may be reviewed and subsequent updates to a processing flag may be made.
US07657673B2

A data transfer control device, which transfers a large capacity of data speedily and sequentially, has three buffers that are used as a WR (write) buffer, an intermediate buffer, and an RD (read) buffer. To send data sequentially, the data transfer control device switches-over the buffers in one of the following three ways (A), (B), and (C), using determination flags indicating whether the buffers store effective data (data not yet referenced). A buffer control device switches-over (A) the WR buffer and RD buffer if a WR buffer effective flag 33 is on and an intermediate buffer effective flag 34 and an RD buffer effective flag 35 are off, (B) the WR buffer and the intermediate buffer if the WR buffer effective flag 33 and the RD buffer effective flag 35 are on and the intermediate buffer effective flag 34 is off, and (C) the intermediate buffer and the RD buffer if the intermediate buffer effective flag 34 is on and the RD buffer effective flag 35 is off.
US07657667B2

The present invention provides a method and a system for providing cache management commands in a system supporting a DMA mechanism and caches. A DMA mechanism is set up by a processor. Software running on the processor generates cache management commands. The DMA mechanism carries out the commands, thereby enabling the software program management of the caches. The commands include commands for writing data to the cache, loading data from the cache, and for marking data in the cache as no longer needed. The cache can be a system cache or a DMA cache.
US07657661B2

A data output apparatus includes a reproducing unit for reproducing data from a recording medium, and output means which outputs the data reproduced from the recording medium. If the data output apparatus received a first command, the data output apparatus sets the output means to a state locked to one format; if the data output apparatus received a second command, the data output apparatus sets the output means to a state not locked to one format; and if the data output apparatus received a third command, the data output apparatus sets the format of the output means to a format designated by the third command, irrespective of whether the output means is in the state locked to one format.
US07657659B1

In a virtualized computer system, a network frame is transmitted from a virtual machine using a network interface device, possibly through a virtual switch, by copying only a part of the network frame to the transmit buffers that have pre-translated mappings from guest physical addresses to hypervisor virtual addresses and to machine addresses. The length of the part of the network frame that is copied to the transmit buffers may be variable.
US07657652B1

A system for of optimizing delivery of multimodal content based on an adaptive, predictive caching algorithm. The system includes predictive caching software that receives at least one input regarding a preferred modality (e.g., audio, visual, or touch) for a particular application state. An application can have any number of states, each of which can, in turn, be presented in a different mode. The presentation mode for any particular application state can be selected by a user's input or request. In response to at least one input, the value of a weight variable can be modified or maintained. The value corresponds to a preferred presentation mode for an application state. The system can cache content for more efficient delivery in at least one presentation mode according to the weight variable.
US07657646B2

A system and method for the communication of streaming data is disclosed. In an exemplary method of the present invention, a first set of data is received by an information handling system. A second set of data is received via a network wherein the second set of data is continuously streaming. During times when a sufficient amount of streaming data of the second set of data is available for communication, the second set of data is communicated to a user. Otherwise, the first set of data is communicated to the user. In one embodiment, the second set of data may include a video stream viewable by a user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first data set and the second data set may be transmitted from a first source. In yet another embodiment, during the time that a first set of data is being communicated due to a presently insufficient amount of streaming data of the second set of data, the second set of data may be monitored such that when a sufficient amount of streaming data is available, the second set of data is communicated.
US07657637B2

A client server system includes a server apparatus, and a client terminal apparatus connecting with the server apparatus via a wireless network based on regular connection information, and the client terminal apparatus includes a storage unit to store the regular connection information, a wired transmission unit to transmit temporary connection information to the server apparatus by a wired transmission at a predetermined timing, a wireless receiving unit to receive the regular connection information which is transmitted from the server apparatus based on the temporary connection information via the wireless network, and a storage control unit to store the regular connection information in the storage unit, and the server apparatus includes a wired receiving unit to receive the temporary connection information, and a wireless transmission unit to transmit the regular connection information to the client terminal apparatus, by using the temporary connection information via the wireless network.
US07657636B2

Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for workflow decision management. Embodiments include maintaining a device state history; identifying a device usage pattern in dependence upon the device state history; identifying a workflow scenario in dependence upon the device usage pattern; identifying a workflow in dependence upon the workflow scenario; executing the workflow including: sending, to an intermediate message validation service, a message to be forwarded to a device to administer at least one value of an attribute of the device; determining, by the intermediate message validation service, that the message is valid; and forwarding, by the intermediate message validation service, the valid message to the device.
US07657633B2

A method and system for use in identifying customer premises equipment (CPE) in a distributed network are presented. The method utilizes a unique identifier provided by a CPE device to a host server during the discovery stage of PPPoE communications in a distributed network. The server receives the unique identifier and stores the identifier for use in identifying and managing CPE devices attached to a service provider's network. The host server is configured to receive an active discovery packet from a communications device. The active discovery packet has a tag comprising a device identifier field. The device identifier includes chipset and firmware information regarding remote DSL CPE.
US07657627B2

A system and program product for generating throttling parameters for an information management (IT) system based on historical event log data. An embodiment of the system comprises: an identification system that examines the historical event log data and identifies throttling candidates, wherein each throttling candidate comprises an event type for redundant events that reoccur over at least one measured time period; and an analysis system that statistically analyzes event data associated with each throttling candidate and generates a set of throttling parameters for each throttling candidate based on the event data.
US07657614B2

A virtual environment server. The server manages time-shifted presentation data between multiple participants in a shared virtual environment system. The server includes a routing module configurable for coupling to multiple participants, a real-time data management module coupled to the routing module, a time-shifted data management module coupled to the routing module, and a data store module coupled to the real-time data management module and to the time-shifted data management module. Participant output presentation data is received from the participants, stored as real-time presentation data, and transferred to appropriate participants. In response to requests from a requesting participant to obtain time-shifted presentation data from a time-shifted participant and any influence participants, time-shifted presentation data is retrieved from the data store module and transferred to the requesting participant. Influence participants are participants whose input presentation data are influenced by time-shifted participant and whose output presentation data influence presentation environment of requesting participant.
US07657607B2

A passive server-to-client data delivery system and method is provided. A web service request is received by a server from a client device requesting the performance of a web-based service. The identity of the client device is then ascertained and the server determines that new software is available for the requesting device. The server then performs the requested service and sets a flag indicating the availability of the new software. The response data, including the performed service, is supplemented with the flag data and returned to the client device. The client device, upon receipt of the supplemented response data then initiates a separate update request for the available software, which is then received by the client device and installed.
US07657600B2

One implementation provides a method of replying to a user electronic mail (email) message sent from a user within a system that processes incoming user email messages and delivers responses to these incoming user email messages. The method includes processing a user email message sent from a user to determine its content. A response based on the content of the user email message is then created. The response is delivered to the user along with a request for feedback regarding quality of the response to the user. Any returned feedback from the user is received. The returned feedback or an absence of returned feedback within a predetermined period of time is processed to determine if additional response is to be sent to the user.
US07657599B2

A system and method for permitting a sender to provide electronic mail (email) to a recipient, said method comprising providing a recipient email address to the sender; requesting of the recipient that the sender be allowed to send email to the recipient; determining whether the request is acceptable based on at least one of: 1) a sender identity verification method; 2) user input; and 3) third party information; adding the sender to an email access list if the request is acceptable; and wherein the email access is used to determine whether or not email from the sender is permitted to reach the recipient.
US07657596B2

A system, method, and computer implemented method for sharing data between networked applications is provided. The system includes at least a whiteboard space, a single server mode library, and a client mode library. The single server mode library provides access to the whiteboard space, where the access is to read or post data to the whiteboard space. The client mode library is provided for one or more processes. The client mode library is in networked communication with the single server mode library, and the client mode library is capable of managing one or more reader objects and one or more posting objects. The single server mode library is further capable of managing one or more reader objects and one or more posting objects.
US07657585B2

A cost efficient solution for supporting and deploying custom text analytics applications suited is to provide third party application developers a sand-boxed application development environment such as an appliance computer system, allowing users to leverage data integration, indexing and pre-existing mining platform capabilities for a domain-specific data. Thus, embodiments herein present a system, method, etc. for identifying and delivering domain specific unstructured content for advanced business analysis. The system generally comprises a cluster computer system, a gateway computer system and an appliance computer system.
US07657583B2

Mechanisms are provided for calculating a recovery time (tr) of an application system in a computer system. The mechanisms tune the computer system dynamically. A recovery time (tr) is calculated and controlled within flexible predefined time slices and compared to a predefined time period (t0). A trigger is set in the case in which the calculated recovery time (tr) exceeds the predefined time period (t0). The mechanisms determine a type of redolog used during a backup process and a corresponding recovery speed value associated with the type of redolog. The recovery time is calculated based on the type of redolog used during the backup process and the corresponding recovery speed value associated with the type of redolog.
US07657579B2

Traversing hierarchical data is disclosed. A first list of items in a first level of the data is received and sorted in an order. The data of the first level is processed in the order of the sorted first list. If any other level of data is encountered during processing, another list of items in the encountered level is received and sorted in an order. The data is processed in the order of the list.
US07657571B2

A snapshot of electronic data is generated to provide information about a file at a specific point in time. The snapshot may be shared between several users. The snapshot is generated based on the type of snapshot that is requested. The snapshot types include a static snapshot, a published item snapshot and an interactive snapshot. Each type of snapshot may hide a portion of the file data from requesting users such that sensitive information is not made available to the users. The static snapshot is generated by saving only static data associated with the file. The interactive snapshot is generated by saving static data associated with the file, but any links or references to dynamic file data are maintained. The published item snapshot includes specific file objects and static data associated with the specified objects.
US07657568B2

This invention allows a user to easily classify and manage image files by recording an image file obtained by image capture and an image file obtained from an external apparatus in different folders. For this purpose, a system control unit which controls an overall digital camera determines whether the latest image data stored in a storage medium is image data captured in an image pickup mode or image data received in a communication mode. The system control unit then determines whether the current mode is the image pickup mode or the mode which allows reception. If the current mode coincides with neither of the two modes, since it indicates that the source of the image data to be saved in a storage medium differs from the source of the latest saved image data, the system control unit turns on a folder creation flag for the creation of a folder.
US07657560B1

A system for transmitting, storing, retransmitting and receiving a plurality of electronic medical images, which permits diagnostic readings by physicians during irregularly occurring periods of down time, where each of the electronic medical images contains an indicia, e.g., bid price, of the priority attached to it by a patient, includes first through fourth computer systems. The first computer system includes an associated scanning device for generating the electronic medical images, the second computer system includes an electronic medical image storage memory for storing the electronic medical images in a predetermined order based on the indicia in the respective electronic medical images, the third computer system includes a first display for displaying the selected one of the electronic medical images, and the fourth computer system includes a second display for monitoring all of the electronic medical images, and an input device for changing one of the indicia in a respective one of the electronic medical images thereby changing the predetermined order. The second and third computer systems are connected by both a low speed communications channel for instructing the second computer system to download the selected one of the electronic medical images to the third computer system, and a high speed communications channel for downloading the selected one of the electronic medical images from the second computer system to the third computer system. Methods of operating this system are also described.
US07657551B2

Disclosed is a method and system for ranking answers supplied by user authors in an online database. A first author enters a first answer under a question. The answer is ranked #1 for output under that question. Then a second author enters a second answer under the same question. The second author also enters a bet claiming that her answer is better than the first answer. If the first author declines the bet, the second answer becomes ranked #1 for output under the question. If the first author accepts the bet, the bet is decided by a judge. The judge enters her decision into the answer database system.If the judge finds that the first author's answer is better than the second author's, then the first author's answer remains ranked first under the question; if the judge finds that the second author's answer is better, then second author's answer replaces the first author's answer as the #1 ranked answer under the question.
US07657550B2

Systems and methods for managing electronic data are disclosed. Various data management operations can be performed based on a metabase formed from metadata. Such metadata can be identified from an index of data interactions generated by a journaling module, and obtained from their associated data objects stored in one or more storage devices. In various embodiments, such processing of the index and storing of the metadata can facilitate, for example, enhanced data management operations, enhanced data identification operations, enhanced storage operations, data classification for organizing and storing the metadata, cataloging of metadata for the stored metadata, and/or user interfaces for managing data. In various embodiments, the metabase can be configured in different ways. For example, the metabase can be stored separately from the data objects so as to allow obtaining of information about the data objects without accessing the data objects or a data structure used by a file system.
US07657549B2

A method of converting an XML file containing elements to a table, each element having an XPath, in which row-terminating conditions a column data sources are determined; a scope for each element is determined; one of the elements is tested to determine if the element matches a column data source, and if it does the element is stored in a table cache and the columns are updated. The tested element is then stored in a prototype row; and when the method exits the tested element, a depth is passed to the table cache; then if the tested element matches one of the row-terminating conditions, matches a row-terminating condition, and is in the prototype row, then the prototype row is written to the table cache; then if the scope of one of the column data source matches the tested element, a column is erased in the prototype row.
US07657537B1

A system and method specifies batch execution ordering of requests in a cluster of storage systems or nodes. Each node is generally organized as a network element and a disk element. One or more sessions are established between the elements in the cluster. Each session comprises a plurality of channels disposed over connections, wherein each channel enables multiple requests to be sent over a connection. Each request is identified by a unique identifier (“request id”) that is generally defined as the combination of a channel number and a sequence number. The request id is extended to include a batch number that provides an execution ordering directive within a channel. All requests with the same batch number in a channel can be executed in arbitrary order or concurrently. Ordering is imposed only when the batch number changes, e.g., increases. Although more than one request in a channel can have the same batch number, all requests with the same batch number are executed before any request with a higher batch number.
US07657533B2

Data management systems, data management system storage devices, articles of manufacture, and data management methods are described. According to one embodiment, a data management system includes a plurality of storage devices individually comprising a physical storage space, wherein the physical storage space of one of the storage devices is configured to store a baseline version of a data object and the physical storage space of an other of the storage devices is configured to store a delta version of the data object and processing circuitry configured to control storage operations of at least one of the storage devices, to process a restore request with respect to the data object, to access the delta version from the other of the storage devices responsive to the restore request, and to initiate communication of data of the baseline version and the delta version of the data object to a computer system.
US07657516B2

A facility for processing a relational database query is described. The facility receives the relational database query, and constructs a multidimensional database query based on the received relational database query. The facility submits the constructed multidimensional database query for execution against a multidimensional data source.
US07657514B2

Content of a first type, such as web pages, are identified in response to a query. One or more correlated entities are identified based on the content of the first type. Content of a second type, such as advertisements, are identified based on the one or more of the correlated entities.
US07657512B2

The present invention provides methods and systems for allowing object-based navigation between business objects and applications where the target application is specific to the use context in which the user selects a navigation element. Context criteria on which the target view depends include the source business object, the user's role, and the source application.
US07657503B1

Described is a system and method for receiving a data stream of multi-dimensional items, collecting a sample of the data stream having a predetermined number of items and dividing the sample into a plurality of subsamples, each subsample corresponding to a single dimension of each of the predetermined number of items. A query is then executed on a particular item in at least two of the subsamples to generate data for the corresponding subsample. This data is combined into a single value.
US07657501B1

A method, computer program and system for regulating the workload of a database system as it processes one or more requests are disclosed. The requests are grouped into workload groups and are processed by one or more of a plurality of subsystems within the database system. Each subsystem has resources. The system has resources. The subsystem resources and the system resources are allocated across the workload groups. The method, computer program and system include monitoring, at a subsystem level, the processing of the requests and adjusting the allocation of subsystem resources to workload groups to achieve a subsystem goal and monitoring, at a system level, the processing of the requests and adjusting the allocation of system resources to workload groups to achieve a system goal. The subsystems are arranged in a hierarchical network. The method includes each subsystem reporting through the hierarchy of the network the consumption level of its resources and each subsystem reporting through the hierarchy of the network the consumption level of the resources of other subsystems reporting to it according to the hierarchy.
US07657500B2

Concurrent cuckoo hashing is performed on a hash table that includes a number of locations; each may hold a value. A plurality of processes may concurrently execute on the table; each process includes a sequence of operations, which are divided into a number of phases. Each phase corresponds to one operation in the sequence. An overflow buffer is provided for each location in the table. Each overflow buffer may hold a value displaced from its corresponding location in the table. A plurality of sequences of operations is concurrently executed. Each phase in a sequence executes by acquiring one or two locks on two locations in the table; a lock acts on a location and its overflow buffer. An operation of a phase is then executed. If, on conclusion of the phase execution, any overflow buffer holds a value, the execution is repeated until all overflow buffers are empty.
US07657495B2

A method for creating hierarchical classifiers of software components in a learning system, each software component comprising an identifier and a rule for processing an input message, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an input message by a first software component; parsing the input message to identify an input value; seeking a second software component having an identifier matching the identified input value; in the event that the seeking step fails to locate a match, creating a second software component and assigning an identifier to the created second software component, the identifier matching the identified input value.
US07657483B2

Tax refunds are provided via a money transfer service. Merely by way of example, a taxpayer (or a tax preparer) might provide to the IRS an account number at a bank, as a target for a direct deposit refund related to a tax return. In an aspect, the account number might have a specific format that informs the bank that the refund is to be processed by the money transfer service, and in another aspect, the account number might include data that identifies the taxpayer to the money transfer service.
US07657480B2

A decision support system and method is provided for responding to a deregulated electrical energy environment for use in making decisions related to supplying and purchasing electrical power. In a preferred embodiment, the decision support system comprises a plurality of interconnected models that produce information related to various business operations. A contract valuation model produces a value of energy contracts based upon timely data such as contract terms, real-time commodity pricing, and forecasted commodity pricing. A potential action valuation model generates value for potential, predefined operational actions at a given production facility in response to a particular opportunity. A forecasting and planning model provides forecasting services related to energy based upon historical and current real-time data for use in other models. A supply chain optimizer provides overall supply information related to supplying a plurality of electrical generating facilities to thereby indicate economies for overall system operation. A risk management model allows the entry of risk tolerance parameters. A financial position management model is utilized as a tool to support risk reduction.
US07657470B1

A method for modeling cost is provided. Sales data is received. Cost data is also received. Cost per unit of product is estimated from the sales data and the cost data. In addition, an apparatus for modeling costs, useful in association with an optimization engine, is provided. Generally, an econometric engine for receiving sales data, cleaning the data and generating imputed variables is combined with a financial engine for receiving imputed variables from the econometric engine, receiving cost data, generating a cost model, and outputting the cost model to the optimization engine.
US07657465B2

Systems and methods are provided for selling goods and services in conjunction with the Internet. The system can receive session information on a customer's website session (e.g., goods and services the customer is searching and metadata about such search and the relevant products) and customer information on the customer. The system can determine from the received information whether the customer is a candidate for sales assistance from a sales associate. The system can create and index information on available sales associates, match the customer with at least one sales associate based on the customer, session, and sales profile associate information, and facilitate communication between the sales associate and the customer (e.g., via chat, VoIP, email, PSTN, etc.). Additionally, the system can provide information on the customer, products or services in which he/she is interested, and collateral sales materials and selling techniques to the sales associate based on the sales opportunity.
US07657452B2

A method for optimizing a tour having a first segment with an origination point and a destination point and a second segment with an origination point and a destination point. The method comprises: receiving first load data about a first load and second load data about a second load; evaluating a fit of the first load data on the first segment and a fit of the second load data on the first segment; evaluating a fit of the first load data on the second segment and a fit of the second load data on the second segment; ranking the relative fits of the first load data and the second load data against the first segment on a first segment list; ranking the relative fits of the first load data and the second load data against the second segment on a second segment list; assigning the load having the highest ranking fit from the first segment list to the first segment and removing that load from the second segment list; and assigning the load having the highest ranking fit from the second segment list to the segment.
US07657442B2

Health care administration methods are disclosed that substantially conserve the utilization of health care resources available to care for a specified patient population. Initially, a patient population is generated whereby each patient therein is assigned a risk based upon a retrospective and postspective assessment of the patient. Once the patient population is generated, utilization management practices are implemented that restrict utilization of health care resources without adversely impacting clinical outcome or quality of care until such utilization of resources is deemed medically warranted. A network of health care providers and health care providing institutions administers health care to the population according to methods of the present invention based upon primary care decision making practices utilizing the most cost-effective management practices and minimizing the use of specialists and in-patient/out-patient services whenever applicable.
US07657437B2

A credit card-based prescription benefits plan utilizes an electronic means for telecommunication to rapidly adjudicate prescription claims. The adjudication process includes a third-party claims processor interposed the pharmacy and the patient's credit card clearinghouse to ensure that the subscriber receives all benefits available under the plan. The third-party claims processor may also provide patient counseling and advocacy by performing patient-specific drug regimen reviews to check for potential adverse drug reactions and drug interactions.
US07657431B2

A text-dependent voice authentication system that performs authentication by urging a user to input a keyword by voice includes: an input part (11) that receives a voice input of a keyword divided into a plurality of portions with an utterable unit being a minimum unit over a plurality of times at a time interval for each of the portions; registered speaker-specific syllable model DB (20) that previously stores a registered keyword of a user as a speaker model created in the utterable unit; a feature value conversion part (12) that obtains a feature value of a voice contained in a portion of the keyword received by each voice input in the input part (11) from the portion; a similarity calculation part (13) that obtains a similarity between the feature value and the speaker model; a keyword checking part (17) that determines whether or not voice inputs of all the syllables or phonemes configuring an entire registered keyword by the plurality of times of voice inputs, based on the similarity obtained in the similarity calculation part; and an authentication determination part (19) that determines whether to accept or reject authentication, based on a determination result in the keyword checking part and the similarity obtained in the similarity calculation part.
US07657430B2

An apparatus inputs an utterance and performs speech recognition on the input utterance. The speech processing apparatus determines whether the recognition result contains an unknown word. If it is determined that the recognition result contains an unknown word, it is then determined whether the recognition result is rejected or not. If it is determined that the recognition result is not rejected, a word corresponding to the unknown word contained in the recognition result is required. The apparatus can be used as a speech processing apparatus.
US07657422B2

A method and system for generating a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) from an initial multi-chain, subject to a constraint. The initial multi-chain is expressed as a string serving as a current input string to which the constraint is subsequently applied. A provided string P expresses the constraint. P is applied to the current input string to generate at least one output string, wherein each generated output string violates the constraint to a lesser extent than does the input string or does not violate the constraint. Each generated output string violating the constraint serves as a current input string to which the constraint is subsequently applied. P is recursively applied to each current input string that had been determined from applying P previously, until applying P does not generate any more output strings violating the constraint. A set of the generated output strings not violating the constraint represents the DAG.
US07657421B2

The “Idiom Identifier” converts an original text document to a “neutral” form containing no punctuation, no capital letters, and having only a single space between each word. Neutral form text also removes hidden markup such as line breaks, paragraph breaks or page breaks. The Idiom Identifier performs an enhanced text search to locate idioms listed in a library file. The Idiom Identifier marks each identified idiom in a marked-up copy of the original text document. A reader can click on the marked-up idiom to see a definition of the idiom.
US07657419B2

An analytical virtual machine (AVM) analyzes computer code using a software processor including a register that stores behavior flags indicative of behaviors identified by virtually executing the code within the virtual machine. The AVM includes a sequencer that stores the sequence in which behavior flags are set in the behavior flags register. The AVM analyzes machine performance by emulating execution of the code being analyzed on a fully virtual machine and records the observed behavior. When emulation and analysis are complete, the AVM returns the behavior flags register and sequencer to the real machine and terminates.
US07657414B2

A visualization system for wellbore and drillstring data includes a graphics processor for creating a wire mesh model of a well and drillstring based on datasets of depth-varying parameters of the well. A graphics system maps appropriate textures to the wire mesh models, which are then displayed on a graphics display. A user interface facilitates user navigation along the length of the well to any selected location therein, and further permits user adjustment of orientation of the displayed renderings. The data is sufficient to permit calculation of fluid velocity in the wellbore at any selected location. The fluid velocity is presented as a velocity profile in the rendered visualization of the wellbore and drillstring to provide the user with a visual indication of fluid velocity in the wellbore as the user navigates the visualization along the length of the wellbore and drillstring.
US07657410B2

A tabular form element arrangement data describing the arrangement of various component elements constituting a production system along the work flow in a combination of process identification names with component element names, is prepared. Element definition files describing programs for simulating the operations of various component elements are prepared. A program preparation unit sequentially reads component element names combined with process identification names from the element arrangement data and sequentially reads the element definition files corresponding to the read component element names. A variable array containing variables described in respective element definition files is prepared simultaneously along with an initial process program array containing programs described in respective definition files and a simulation program array. The initial process programs contained in the initial process program array are executed to correspond variables referring to each other and the operations of various component elements constituting a production system are simulated.
US07657408B2

A structural analysis apparatus automatically sets a boundary between an entire model and a detailed model to thereby obtain a highly accurate solution without intervention by an operator and with fewer man-hours and shorter calculation time. An iso-surface creation step creates a field iso-surface from an analysis result of a mesh model. A detailed mesh model creation step uses the field iso-surface created by the iso-surface creation step to create a detailed mesh model of a part of the mesh model. An analysis step uses the analysis result of the mesh model to perform analysis of the detailed mesh model created by the detailed mesh model creation step. An analysis evaluation step evaluates the analysis result of the detailed mesh model based on the analysis result obtained by the analysis step and analysis result of the mesh model.
US07657404B2

The invention relates to an engineering method and system for industrial automation systems, in particular for MES systems, based on at least one computational unit with an input auxiliary device, an output auxiliary device, in addition to at least one display device. According to said method, the modelled objects comprise installation structures or installation parts and are linked to meta information. The modelled objects are structured in the engineering method as hierarchical trees and can be interconnected by lateral networking or by means of a cursor. The objects are executed in run-time by evaluating the meta information in a target system, whereby the functions of an installation that has been modelled in the engineering method are determined from the structure of the tree and the networked connections.
US07657401B2

Systems, methods and media for collecting and using machine usage data and machine configuration data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a workbench computer collects historical machine usage data for at least one load test machine emulating a plurality of users to produce a database of historical machine usage data for the at least one machine.
US07657392B2

A method and apparatus for measuring the size and distribution of particles within a multiphase fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the apparatus includes at least one metering device for determining at least one of the mixture density of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid and the dispersion of the fluid, wherein the at least one metering device generates meter data responsive to at least one of the mixture density of the fluid, the flow rate of the fluid and the dispersion of the fluid and a processing device communicated with the at least one metering device, wherein the processing device receives and processes the meter data to generate fluid information responsive to the size and distribution of the particles within the fluid.
US07657385B2

The extracellular loop of CD81 is a cellular receptor for the E2 protein of hepatitis C virus. A CD81 crystal structure has been elucidated and is provided for use in the structure-based design of compounds which bind to CD81 and thus block the binding of HCV. Methods such as docking and de novodrug design can be used.
US07657382B2

A method of designing primer and probe sets for identification of target sequences by amplification and hybridization is provided. Also, primer and probe sets designed by the method, a kit comprising the sets, a computer readable medium recorded thereon a program to execute the method, and a method of identifying target sequences using the sets are provided. Accordingly, primer and probe sets capable of identifying rapidly and accurately a number of target sequences can be readily designed.
US07657372B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a map matching method capable of performing a process operation in a high speed. In the map matching method of the present invention, while employing road network data in which road networks are formed in a plurality of hierarchical layers “a”, “b”, “c”, and a road network of an upper-grade hierarchical layer is established by such a road network which is extracted from a road network having a lower-grade hierarchical layer lower than the road network having the upper-grade hierarchical layer, a road network of the uppermost-grade hierarchical layer “a” is matched with a shape vector indicative of a shape of a objective road in a beginning stage; and when such a candidate road which is matched with the shape vector cannot be obtained in the road network of the uppermost-grade hierarchical layer “a”, since such a road network having another hierarchical layer “b”, or “c” is matched with the shape vector, the objective road is identified. In the most cases, as to a objective road of traffic information and the like, the objective road can be identified by executing a map matching operation with employment of the road network having the uppermost-grade hierarchical layer “a”, and the map matching operation can be carried out in a high speed.
US07657371B2

A positioning apparatus having short sensory time for executing the high precision positioning of the user on a map. The positioning apparatus includes: a first positioning unit for obtaining a first position information which represents the position of the positioning apparatus itself measured by carrying out a low precision positioning; a displaying unit for displaying the first position information; and a second positioning unit for obtaining the second position information which represents the position of the positioning apparatus itself measured by carrying out a high precision positioning. The high precision positioning is executed in parallel with the low precision positioning. The displaying unit updates a screen based on the second position information.
US07657369B2

Navigation devices for vehicles, methods for producing data for searches, and methods for searching for guided routes are disclosed. Generally, a name of a first street is received, a search for second streets which are connected to an end point of the first street directly or via road links is performed, the second streets are displayed, a selection is received of one of the displayed second streets, and a branch point or an area at which the first street and the selected second street are connected with each other is stored as data for a search relating to the first street.
US07657362B2

In a vehicle equipped with both an engine and a motor as the driving power source, in the event of incompletion of learning a control demand for regulation of an idling rotation speed of the engine, intermittent operation prohibition control of the invention permits intermittent operation of the engine under the setting of a gearshift lever to a parking position. The intermittent operation prohibition control of the invention prohibits the intermittent operation of the engine, on the other hand, under the setting of the gearshift lever to a drive position. This arrangement avoids the continuous operation of the engine against the driver's expectation, while prohibiting the intermittent operation of the engine to ensure the opportunity of learning the control demand for regulation of the idling rotation speed of the engine.
US07657358B2

The entertainment system of the preferred embodiment comprises a first vehicle including a user interface adapted to accept a vehicle input from a first user. The first vehicle further includes an event sensor adapted to sense a first trigger event, and a processor connected to the user interface and to the event sensor and adapted to operate in the following modes: normal mode and simulation mode. In the normal mode, the processor controls the first vehicle based substantially on the vehicle input from the first user. In the simulation mode, the processor controls the first vehicle based on a modification of the vehicle input from the first user according to a first rule, which simulates a first physical event.
US07657353B2

According to a roll increasing tendency estimation apparatus, a state variable is calculated in response to magnitude of a rolling moment of the vehicle, to provide a roll input magnitude, and a state variable is calculated in response to variation in time of the rolling moment, to provide a roll input velocity. A roll increasing tendency of a vehicle is estimated on the basis of a relationship between the calculated roll input magnitude and the calculated roll input velocity. On the basis of a relationship between the roll input magnitude and roll input velocity, at least one of a braking force control and a driving force control may be performed, to restrain the roll increasing tendency of the vehicle.
US07657349B2

A method of optimizing marshalling rail cars into a train at a site and includes determining the track configuration at the site; determining location on the tracks of cars to be marshaled; determining characteristics of the cars to be marshaled; and determining marshalling rules. A calculation is performed to determine an optimum sequence of moves to marshal the cars into a train from the determined track configuration, location on the tracks of cars, characteristics of the cars and the marshalling rules. The resulting sequence is outputted.
US07657346B2

The system includes a detecting section detecting an object to be picked, among a plurality of objects placed in a manner as to be at least partially superimposed on each other; a storage section storing appearance information of a predetermined portion of a reference object having an outward appearance identical to an outward appearance of the object to be picked; a determining section determining whether an inspected portion of the object to be picked, corresponding to the predetermined portion of the reference object, is concealed by another object, based on the appearance information of the reference object stored in the storage section; a control section deciding a picking motion for the object to be picked and outputting a control signal of the picking motion; and a picking mechanism performing the picking motion on the object to be picked in accordance with the control signal output from the control section.
US07657343B2

A layout arranging system doing automatic layout of a system being constituted of assembling units. More particularly, a layout arranging system (102) communicable with a plurality of connectable conveyors (C/V 1-12), comprising a module for recognizing connected conveyors (C/V 1-12), a module for acquiring information concerning recognized conveyors (C/V 1-12), and a module for laying out the recognized conveyors (C/V 1-12).
US07657341B2

A system usable by a processor to enable a user to select a type of garment and view an image of the pattern for the garment. Under direction of the system, the processor enables the user to input data relating to the characteristics of an intended wearer of the garment. The processor generates knitting instructions, indications of varying degrees of pressure applied by garments to a graphical model, and printings of pattern representations of pattern providers.
US07657339B1

A method, apparatus, and a system for performing a product feedback for process control are provided. Metrology data relating to a first workpiece is received. An end of line parameter relating to the first workpiece is received. The end of line parameter is correlated with the metrology data. A process control associated with a plurality of processes to be performed on a second workpiece is adjusted based upon the correlating.
US07657334B2

A lithographic apparatus includes a movable part and a controller to control a position quantity of the movable part. The controller includes a first controller transfer function and a second controller transfer function. A selector selects the first controller transfer function or the second controller transfer function depending on a state of the movable part. The first controller transfer function may be chosen in a substantially stationary state of the movable part, while in a substantially non-stationary state of the movable part, the second controller transfer function may be chosen.
US07657333B2

Systems and methods that vary multiple data sampling rates, to collect sets of data with different levels of granularity for an industrial system. The data for such industrial system includes sets of data from the “internal” data stream(s) (e.g., history data collected from an industrial unit) and sets of data from an “external” (e.g., traffic data on network services) data stream(s), based in part on the criticality/importance criteria assigned to each collection stage. Each set of data can be assigned its own unique data collection rate. For example, a higher sample rate can be employed when collecting data from the network during an operation stage that is deemed more critical (e.g., dynamic attribution of predetermined importance factors) than the rest of the operation.
US07657326B2

A cardiac rhythm management system for securing a cardiac lead within a patient's heart is provided. According to the present invention, the cardiac rhythm management system includes a fixation helix for securing and stabilizing the lead at a target location in a patient's heart. The fixation helix is adapted to extend from a first position disposed over the electrode to a second position located distally to the distal end of the cardiac lead.
US07657325B2

An implantable medical lead comprises an elongated body extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and a helical fixation member extending from the distal end of the elongated body. The helical fixation member is configured to fix the implantable medical lead at an implant site and includes a tip comprising a first surface generally facing a center axis of the helical fixation member.
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